Chasing blue skies and ground truths It’s not only Africa’s blue sky that we’ll be chasing during the 2026 WhyAfrica RES Road Trip. By Leon Louw founder of WhyAfrica and Endorphin Expeditions Yes, we will be searching for the BEST blue-sky investment opportunities. BUT we’ll also be chasing the ground truth and hard facts. […]
Chasing blue skies and ground truths 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 »
For the love of mangroves Mangroves are extra-ordinary trees that play a critical role in shaping and protecting coastlines. By Leon Louw founder of WhyAfrica and Endorphin Expeditions Mangrove forests serve as sediment traps for run-off from rivers. They also protect ports and other critical infrastructure. Furthermore they limit saltwater intrusion into freshwater systems. Through
For the love of mangroves 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 »
West African mines must plan for cyclical reality In West Africa mining projects are being developed in sensitive areas. While efficiency of mining is paramount, we should also highlight the importance of responsible mining with closure in mind. According to Ivan Doku, there has been an influx of investment into gold mining in West Africa.
West African mines must plan for cyclical reality Read More »
Lithium rush divides communities on SA’s south coast Lithium mines promises jobs, but communities fear lasting environmental damage. By Leon Louw founder of WhyAfrica and Endorphin Expeditions. The sugar cane and forest coated hills above the coastal town of Port Shepstone on the KwaZulu Natal (KZN) South Coast, is now part of South Africa’s lithium
Lithium rush divides communities on SA’s south coast Read More »
Tourism opens Africa’s frontiers Tourism often reveals Africa’s next investment frontiers before other industries arrive. By Leon Louw founder of WhyAfrica and Endorphin Expeditions This often-underrated economic sector provides insight into where opportunities open-up across Africa. Tourism development is an early indicator of where infrastructure, connectivity and stability are improving, especially in remote regions of
Tourism opens Africa’s frontiers Read More »
DRC forest shift could reshape investment Community land rights in the DRC Congo could reshape investment risks across Africa. By Leon Louw founder of WhyAfrica and Endorphin Expeditions Earlier this week authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) handed over more than 850,000 hectares of rainforest in the Tshopo Province to local communities. Tshopo
DRC forest shift could reshape investment Read More »
Environment and closure risk key to due diligence The environmental and social aspects of mining project are broad. The viability of mining projects can increasingly be compromised by unforeseen challenges to their environmental and social sustainability, highlighting the role of due diligence from the earliest stages of project planning. From early-stage risk assessments to
Environment and closure risk key to due diligence Read More »
An investment case for Zambia Zambia is a compelling investment case, but we need a balanced assessment. By Leon Louw founder of WhyAfrica and Endorphin Expeditions. I’ve spent the last 12 days on the road in Zambia as part of the 2026 WhyAfrica Business Trip. It is not my first time in Zambia. I’ve
An investment case for Zambia Read More »
Favourable outlook for the mining sector in Zambia Zambia’s mining industry is poised for a period of substantial growth By SRK Consulting With a well-established copper mining sector and much of the country’s mineral wealth unexplored, the Zambian mining industry is poised for a potential period of substantial growth and expansion. This growth trajectory
Favourable outlook for the mining sector in Zambia Read More »
Green bond for water conservation launched in South Africa A new green bond will finance the restoration of water catchment areas. Rand Merchant Bank and the Development Bank of Southern Africa are preparing to issue a green bond of about $122 million dedicated exclusively to water conservation projects. The five-year instrument will finance ecological restoration
Green bond for water conservation launched in South Africa Read More »
In Africa true opportunity is never obvious Tracking elephants in the African bush activates all your senses. By Leon Louw founder of WhyAfrica and Endorphin Expeditions It’s quite easy to compare a Big 5 walk with identifying business opportunities in Africa. The big opportunities, like a six-tonne elephant shaking a giant Amarula tree 50 metres
In Africa true opportunity is never obvious Read More »
Is Africa at the table this time. There is a new scramble for Africa’s natural resources that should raise red flags. By Leon Louw founder of WhyAfrica and Endorphin Expeditions. There is a lot of talk about Africa’s minerals these days. At international conferences, around roundtables and in the smoke-filled back offices of the political
Is Africa at the table this time Read More »
Responsible tourism is Africa’s most undervalued opportunity Tourism could be Africa’s engine of growth if it is developed sustainably. By Leon Louw founder of WhyAfrica and Endorphin Expeditions. The tourism sector can contribute immensely to Africa’s long-term growth. Sustainable tourism delivers returns on three fronts: community development, biodiversity conservation and long-term economic growth. In
Responsible tourism is Africa’s most undervalued opportunity Read More »
Why water policy will shape the future of mining in Africa Water security is one of the biggest challenges facing Africa’s mining industry. By Michael Strain, Managing Partner, Tanzania; Rainbow Field, Director; Bwalya Chilufya-Musonda, and Wandisile Mandlana, Partners, Bowmans According to the World Bank, the mining sector accounts for 10% of industrial water use in
Why water policy will shape the future of mining in Africa Read More »
Misinformation a major risk for leaders Misinformation and disinformation are top risk for business leaders. By Leon Louw for WhyAfrica Misinformation and disinformation rank as top global risks in the World Economic Forum‘s Global Risks Report 2026, published earlier this week. It is no surprise that geoeconomic confrontation is rated as the top risk for
Misinformation a major risk for leaders Read More »
Loan approved for Namibia’s hydrogen project Hyphen Hydrogen Energy’s project will leverage Namibia’s solar and wind energy resources. The African Development Bank (AfDB) has approved a USD100-million loan to Hyphen Hydrogen Energy to support a green ammonia project valued at more than USD10-billion. The project is being developed close to the coastal town of Lüderitz
Loan approved for Namibia’s hydrogen project Read More »
Expansions benefit biodiversity in Western Cape South Africa’s Western Cape’s conservation estate has grown by 47 000 hectares. The Western Cape recently added more than 47 000 hectares to its conservation estate through the declaration of two new nature reserves and the expansion of two others. This significant expansion in protected areas provides space for Cape
Expansions benefit biodiversity in Western Cape Read More »
Sustainability in mining is critical Sustainability in the mining of REEs and critical minerals is paramount By Leon Louw founder of WhyAfrica and Endorphin Expeditions While efforts to discover high-quality Rare Earth Elements (REEs) and other critical minerals are in overdrive, there are deep concerns about the environmental and social impacts of mining and
Sustainability in mining is critical Read More »
Gabon increases investment in biodiversity The Republic of Gabon has taken further steps to conserve its natural heritage. The Republic of Gabon boasts an extraordinary natural heritage with almost 90% forest cover and more than half the population of Africa’s critically endangered forest elephants. The country has made bold commitments to conserve this natural heritage
Gabon increases investment in biodiversity Read More »
Aiming for 30% land and sea conservation by 2030 Economies and livelihoods depend on biodiversity and ecosystem services. Biodiversity and ecosystem services include our freshwater supply, the air we breathe, the food we produce, the quality of our soil, the insects that pollinate our fruit, vegetables and flowers, diverse plant and animal species, our landscapes
Aiming for 30% land and sea conservation by 2030 Read More »
Sappi’s evolving value chain in a circular economy Everyday, millions of people interact with products made from trees without realising it. Whether in the form of packaging, clothing fibres, food additives, or personal care ingredients, woodfibre has become a quiet constant in modern life. And thanks to advances in forestry and material science, its role
Sappi’s evolving value chain in a circular economy Read More »
Has the Dingleton dust settled? What does the SARS and Kumba Iron Ore case earlier this year mean for a mine’s social licence to operate? By Nicola Theunissen for WhyAfrica When WhyAfrica visited the town of Kathu in the Northern Cape in late August as part of the 2025 WhyAfrica Road Trip, we spent some
Has the Dingleton dust settled? Read More »
Investors eye Africa’s natural resources, but hurdles persist Africa is in a prime position to benefit from its natural resources By Leon Louw founder of WhyAfrica and editor of the WhyAfrica magazine Africa is in a unique position to benefit from current geopolitical trends and trade relations. If countries in Africa follow the textbooks, it
Investors eye Africa’s natural resources, but hurdles persist Read More »
Why it’s time to treat tourism like economic infrastructure With changing dynamics South Africa’s tourism opportunity has arrived. By Marc Wachsberger, CEO of The Capital Hotels, Apartments & Resorts, with contributions from inDrive and Batsumi. From Venice to New York, global cities are struggling under the weight of their own popularity. Overtourism has become
Why it’s time to treat tourism like economic infrastructure Read More »
Innovation rooted in local realities The 2025 WhyAfrica zoomed in on several great international companies that has made Africa their home. By Leon Louw founder of WhyAfrica and editor of the WhyAfrica magazine. Canadian based tyre management company Kal Tire has built a significant presence in the Southern African region. South Africa remains its largest
Innovation rooted in local realities Read More »
South Africa is an attractive investment destination Despite challenges South Africa still offers an enticing investment environment. By Leon Louw founder of WhyAfrica and editor of the WhyAfrica magazine. One can never dismiss the serious challenges faced by South Africa. We are all aware of them. We are confronted with them every day when we
South Africa is an attractive investment destination Read More »
South Africa could be a world leader in protecting biodiversity SA is set to play key role in achieving global biodiversity targets As a mega-biodiverse country, South Africa is ideally placed to be a world leader in efforts to protect global biodiversity. With civil society, government, business and communities working together on a whole-of-society approach,
South Africa could be a world leader in protecting biodiversity Read More »
WhyAfrica visits 8 of SA’s top national parks during the 2025 WhyAfrica Road Trip South Africa’s biodiversity is a critical natural resource. By Leon Louw founder of WhyAfrica and editor of the WhyAfrica magazine Its diverse ecological regions host an array of plant and animal species and protect important water catchment areas, while playing a
WhyAfrica visits 8 of SA’s top national parks during the 2025 WhyAfrica Road Trip 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.