Botswana’s chicken or egg conundrum To diversify its economy Botswana will first have to make sure the necessary infrastructure is in place. By Leon Louw founder of WhyAfrica and Endorphin Expeditions In a country like Botswana (that is desperately trying to diversify its economy away from relying on diamond mining), planning is critical. Rapid […]
Botswana’s chicken or egg conundrum Read More »
Canola farming opens African markets South Africa’s canola boom creates opportunities across Africa’s value chain. Canola is a crop with a sophisticated value chain. It is a low-erucic-acid form of rapeseed, bred primarily for food and feed markets. Its small black seeds contain about 45% oil. Crushing produces two main products: edible canola oil and
Canola farming opens African markets Read More »
Climate adaptation finance reaches East Africa’s farmers Access to climate adaptation finance is a challenge for smallholder farmers. Available capital for often failing to reach those who need it most. To help bridge this financing and delivery gap, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and Equity Group recently kicked off the Africa Rural Climate Adaptation
Climate adaptation finance reaches East Africa’s farmers Read More »
Making moving money into Africa easy Agridex Foundation launches zero-fee payments for charitable organisations moving money into Africa The Agridex Foundation has announced a new commitment to provide qualifying charitable and development organisations with zero platform and transaction fees when moving money into Africa. The initiative aims to address the hidden costs, delays and lack
Making moving money into Africa easy Read More »
Agriculture boosts Botswana’s diversification drive The Pandamatenga area in Botswana is a gateway to sustained agricultural growth. By Leon Louw founder of WhyAfrica and Endorphin Expeditions. I’ve spotted wild dog, lions and herds of elephants driving along the A33 from Kasane to Nata in Botswana. About 115km south of Kasane, the Teak and mixed woodland
Agriculture boosts Botswana’s diversification drive Read More »
Lobito Corridor to transform agriculture in Angola Angola’s Lobito Corridor will transform eastern Angola into an agricultural hub. By Leon Louw founder of WhyAfrica and Endorphin Expeditions. A lot of focus has been on the Lobito Corridor’s importance as a link between Angola’s coast and Africa’s mineral rich interior. However, Lobito will also be
Lobito Corridor to transform agriculture in Angola Read More »
Five years of road tripping across Africa This year WhyAfrica will undertake our 5th overland road trip with Remote Exploration Services. Over the last four years we’ve spent a total of 145 days on the road, covered close to 36,000km, visited more than 100 different projects in 11 African countries, interviewed 120 stakeholders and handed
Five years of road tripping across Africa Read More »
Agriculture will boost DRC’s diversification plans Agriculture presents major opportunities in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). By Leon Louw founder of WhyAfrica and Endorphin Expeditions The DRC is well known for its rich deposits of copper, cobalt, tin, gold and coltan. However, the country’s agricultural sector presents outstanding opportunities if workable solutions for current
Agriculture will boost DRC’s diversification plans Read More »
West Africa’s ports will drive growth Modern ports will unlock investment and Africa’s long-term economic competitiveness. By Leon Louw founder of WhyAfrica and Endorphin Expeditions Major dredging at Senegal‘s Port of Ndayane has been completed 13 months ahead of schedule. The project involved dredging a 5km access channel, a 600-metre turning basin and an
West Africa’s ports will drive growth Read More »
Congo farm tests Italy’s Mattei Plan Italy’s investment could illustrate a shift towards agricultural partnerships in Africa. By Leon Louw founder of WhyAfrica and Endorphin Expeditions Italian agribusiness company BF International, the international subsidiary of BF S.p.A., has moved its BFuture Farm in Malolo, Republic of Congo, from a pilot project to an operating
Congo farm tests Italy’s Mattei Plan Read More »
Africa’s Mediterranean connection While at the Port of Palermo in Sicily last week I spotted this famous vessel. By Leon Louw founder of WhyAfrica and Endorphin Expeditions Saipem 1000 is one of the world’s most remarkable offshore drilling vessels. Owned by Italian engineering giant Saipem, the semi-submersible vessel has spent many hours working on
Africa’s Mediterranean connection Read More »
Africa’s fertiliser bridge to Europe Ancient trading routes between Africa and Europe powers global food security By Leon Louw founder of WhyAfrica and Endorphin Expeditions WhyAfrica’s trips are usually measured in kilometres travelled overland in a 4×4 vehicle. This month, however, we’re crossing the Mediterranean Sea (by plane, not by pontoon) to explore one
Africa’s fertiliser bridge to Europe Read More »
Environmental stewardship indicates investment quality A new generation of investors is looking further than just mineral reserves. By Leon Louw founder of WhyAfrica and Endorphin Expeditions In Africa biodiversity is often viewed as a conservation issue rather than a strategic economic asset. Yet biodiversity is as important a natural resource as fertile soils, mineral deposits,
Environmental stewardship indicates investment quality Read More »
Tanzania remains a compelling investment story Political uncertainty lingers but Tanzania’s long-term investment trajectory is positive. By Leon Louw founder of WhyAfrica and Endorphin Expeditions. Last year’s political violence and disputed elections may have dented Tanzania’s international image, but capital continues to flow into the country. Geographically, Tanzania is one of Africa’s most strategic countries.
Tanzania remains a compelling investment story Read More »
Five years of reflection and looking ahead Often the most powerful stories are found on the ground, or in an unexpected reflection. By Leon Louw founder of WhyAfrica and Endorphin Expeditions. Captured in the mirror on one of our mine visits during a previous WhyAfrica Road Trip through Africa, is our tried and tested
Five years of reflection and looking ahead Read More »
Russia plays roulette with Africa’s water sources Development of a uranium project in Namibia threatens an entire cross border ecosystem. By Leon Louw founder of WhyAfrica and Endorphin Expeditions. Agricultural and conservation groups are placing increasing pressure on the South African Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) to reject plans by Russian state nuclear giant
Russia plays roulette with Africa’s water sources Read More »
Burundi’s first mover advantage Early movers in infrastructure development, mining and energy are set to benefit in Burundi. By Leon Louw founder of WhyAfrica and Endorphin Expeditions Frontier market investors might see Burundi, still one of Africa’s poorest countries, as an opportunity. But risks are high in a country where infrastructure and geography remain the
Burundi’s first mover advantage Read More »
Preparations for the 5th WhyAfrica RES Road Trip underway This year the annual WhyAfrica Road Trip celebrates its fifth birthday! This year marks a special milestone for WhyAfrica as the WhyAfrica Road Trip celebrates its fifth birthday. The occasion is made even more significant by the 20th anniversary of our premier sponsor and long-term partner,
Preparations for the 5th WhyAfrica RES Road Trip underway Read More »
Namibia becomes a banana producer About 2.5 tonnes of bananas were harvested in Namibia earlier this month. By Leon Louw founder of WhyAfrica and Endorphin Expeditions Buying a fresh banana in Namibia has always been a bit like going to the Mermaid casino in downtown Swakopmund for a round of roulette on a Friday
Namibia becomes a banana producer Read More »
Unlocking Namibia and Botswana’s desert wealth Resources abound in southern Africa’s arid regions but execution failures slow growth. By Leon Louw founder of WhyAfrica and Endorphin Expeditions. Namibia and Botswana combined is a powerful regional hub with immense opportunities for investors. Between them they host huge copper, uranium and diamond deposits. Moreover, their beef production,
Unlocking Namibia and Botswana’s desert wealth Read More »
South African farmers face mounting pressures South Africa’s grain industry is seeking support as producer margins tighten. South Africa’s grain sector is facing mounting financial pressure as rising input costs, weak commodity prices and financing constraints continue to squeeze producer margins. Discussions held at the 2026 NAMPO Harvest Day in Bothaville, South Africa yesterday, highlighted
South African farmers face mounting pressures Read More »
Railway boost for forestry and mining in Gabon Upgrades of the Transgabonias railway line will boost the forestry and mining sectors in Gabon. By Leon Louw founder of WhyAfrica and Endorphin Expeditions Investors in Gabon welcomed a €173 million loan from the French Development Agency (AFD). The money will be used to upgrade the ageing
Railway boost for forestry and mining in Gabon Read More »
Botswana on Mission Rare Earths Long hailed as the Switzerland of Africa, Botswana is accelerating efforts to diversify its economy. By Leon Louw founder of WhyAfrica and Endorphin Expeditions The sharp downturn in global diamond prices has hit Botswana hard. Sluggish diamond sales, weaker government income and reduced fiscal buffers have raised investor concerns.
Botswana on Mission Rare Earths Read More »
Agriculture is the bedrock of Africa’s economic future Agriculture presents compelling opportunities for investors in Africa. By Leon Louw founder of WhyAfrica and Endorphin Expeditions. Often neglected by governments, the agricultural sector remains one of the most powerful engines for economic development. The sector can create thousands of jobs and guarantees food security. In Africa,
Agriculture is the bedrock of Africa’s economic future Read More »
Africa’s copper corridors face rising security threats When I cross borders in Africa, I love talking to truck drivers waiting at border posts. By Leon Louw founder of WhyAfrica and Endorphin Expeditions. These men and women often stand in long queues at border controls for days on end. They know, more than anybody else, what
Africa’s copper corridors face rising security threats Read More »
Middle East’s long shadow over Africa Mining and agricultural projects in Africa could slow down amidst conflict in the Middle East. By Leon Louw founder of WhyAfrica and Endorphin Expeditions World Bank analysis suggests that Gulf sovereign wealth funds may delay or reprioritise more than USD113-billion in investment commitments into Africa as the Middle
Middle East’s long shadow over Africa Read More »
Regardless of a temporary operational halt, work on the Lobito Corridor remains on track. By Leon Louw founder of WhyAfrica and Endorphin Expeditions Africa infrastructure officials at the Palazzo della Farnesina in Rome, Italy, would be closely monitoring the recent rainfall and flooding in central-west Angola. According to reports from Luanda, rising water levels have
Angola’s Lobito on track despite temporary halt Read More »
Africa central to Saudi Arabia’s transformation Africa plays an important role in Saudi Arabia’s national transformation strategy. By Leon Louw founder of WhyAfrica and Endorphin Expeditions Saudi Vision 2030 was launched by Mohammed bin Salman in 2016 to reduce reliance on oil and build new global partnerships. In the document Africa is earmarked to play
Africa central to Saudi Arabia’s transformation Read More »
WhyAfrica magazine in the Royal Solwezi Hotel in Zambia The WhyAfrica magazine found a special place in reception at the Royal Solwezi Hotel. By Leon Louw founder of WhyAfrica and Endorphin Expeditions The Royal Solwezi is a landmark hotel in the bustling town of Solwezi located along Old Chingola Road about 10 km south of First
WhyAfrica magazine in the Royal Solwezi Hotel in Zambia Read More »
A new industrial zone is taking shape in Lusaka The industrial corridor west of Lusaka, capital city of Zambia, is abuzz with activity. Leon Louw founder of WhyAfrica and Endorphin Expeditions. WhyAfrica visited one of the major players in the new industrial zone taking shape about 30km west of Lusaka on Day 1 of the
A new industrial zone is taking shape in Lusaka Read More »
WhyAfrica provides on the ground information and business intelligence about the sustainable utilisation and extraction of natural resources in Africa. Read More
© 2024 Why Africa. All Rights Reserved.