African coups will ramp up scramble for minerals 31 Aug 2023 Gabon’s government was overthrown by a military revolt, following similar unrest in Niger. In this Viewsroom podcast, Breakingviews columnists discuss how instability in producers of key resources like manganese and uranium will lead global powers to hunt for more stable sources.
African coups will exacerbate grab for resources 30 Aug 2023 Military revolts in Niger and Gabon are destabilising two resource-rich nations. That’s bad news while the continent struggles with rising interest rates, no market funding and poor governance. Uncertainty will intensify global powers’ rivalry for control of oil and minerals.
Africa growth outlook puts democrats on back foot 3 Jul 2019 Ballooning populations mean per capita wealth is falling in key democracies Nigeria and South Africa. That’s a recipe for trouble. Alongside a stronger performance by autocratic Egypt, it also makes worrying reading for those who believe a democratic Africa is a more stable one.
Debt boom augurs ill for fragile African economies 22 Jul 2014 Senegal is raising $500 mln abroad. Borrowing from West African franc zone governments is set to jump 50 pct to $7.2 bln in 2014. But big trade deficits mean the region would struggle to cope with a sudden withdrawal of foreign liquidity – a frequent shift in emerging markets.