Namibia’s choice: Land use or landscapes? Land is an emotive issue in Namibia, as it is in former colonies across Africa. Land ownership, redistribution and land use planning are complicated challenges that governments are grappling with daily. In a country like Namibia that is extremely rich in natural resources and where communities are intricately linked […]
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Zambia targets a new phase of mining growth New heights are in sight as Zambia targets a new phase of mining growth Zambia is positioning itself for a major expansion of its mining industry, underpinned by an ambitious copper production target supported by regulatory reform, renewed exploration and a broader strategy to harness value from
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Botswana’s light still shines bright Botswana remains one of the few bright lights in Africa, despite a growing list of challenges. By Leon Louw founder of WhyAfrica and Endorphin Expeditions The 2026 WhyAfrica RES Road Trip left Botswana yesterday, 60 years after the country gained independence. Botswana made amazing progress since that historic day
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Exploration is the name the game in Botswana Botswana is a world class mining jurisdiction. However, its exploration pipeline is thin. By Leon Louw founder of WhyAfrica and Endorphin Expeditions. Botswana is ranked as the top mining jurisdiction in Africa. Yet there is not enough exploration drill rigs in the field to ensure a
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Looking at Botswana through Botswana-tinted glasses Many argue that Botswana is the friendliest country in Africa to do business in. But seeing the country through the blue, white and black of the Botswana flag can colour one’s view. However, even without being biased, Botswana does make it into my top three African countries to travel
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Kibali is a hard act to follow Several junior miners and exploration companies are looking to become the DRC’s next big gold play. By Leon Louw founder of WhyAfrica and Endorphin Expeditions One of the new players in the northeastern Haut-Uélé Province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is Vancouver based DRC Gold
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Africa’s resource nationalism returns High commodity prices are reviving Africa’s familiar push for greater state control. There is a familiar cycle unfolding across Africa. When commodity prices rise sharply, governments begin asking why foreign mining companies should capture so much of the upside from resources that belong to the nation. Gold and copper are again
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The Gulf’s strategic African footprint Ports, minerals and geopolitics are driving deeper Gulf engagement across Africa. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is now one of Africa’s most strategically important external investors. The often-quoted US$110 billion figure refers to UAE investment projects announced between 2019 and 2023, rather than realised Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). UAE officials
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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
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Join us in May 2027 for a trip to Mozambique We’re heading to Mozambique for 12 days in May 2027 and we have space for 10 people. Earlier this year WhyAfrica’s sister company Endorphin Expeditions & Tours organised and operated the first ever WhyAfrica Business Trip to Zambia. We loved it so much that
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Africa’s democratic backslide gathers pace From Zambia to the DRC democratic safeguards face renewed and worrying pressure. There is a worrying political trend emerging across parts of Southern and East Africa: the gradual erosion of democratic institutions. There is increased pressure on opposition parties and leaders. Also, a growing willingness by governments to use security
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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
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The value of comparative studies What can Namibia and Botswana learn from Chile and Bosnia and Herzegovina and visa versa? By Leon Louw founder of WhyAfrica and Endorphin Expeditions At first glance these countries have little in common. However, when you dig deeper, you’ll find that there are many similarities. But there are more differences.
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Identify Africa’s inherent risks Whether going on a game walk or investing in Africa, one must identify the risks well in advance. By Leon Louw founder of WhyAfrica and Endorphin Expeditions There are many inherent risks involved when investing in Africa or when going on a Big-5 hiking expedition in the African Savanna. When
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Africa’s artisanal mining reality On-the-ground insight, context and insight reveals Africa’s mining and business realities. By Leon Louw founder of WhyAfrica and Endorphin Expeditions To make sense of all the noise and get the facts straight, you need to be on the ground. Being where the action happens provides context and insight. Context is invaluable
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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
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Botswana’s Tati District finds new life Exploration drilling in Tati could blow new life into an historic mining region. By Leon Louw founder of WhyAfrica and Endorphin Expeditions Archaeological records show that the Bakalanga people started mining gold in the Tati District of Botswana centuries ago. European interest was first piqued in the
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Will Zambia’s election result bring stability or raise more questions? Hichilema secured a second 5-year term, winning 61% of the vote. By Leon Louw founder of WhyAfrica and Endorphin Expeditions President Hakainde Hichilema’s second-term victory gives Zambia political continuity. But opposition leader Brian Mundubile gave Hichilema an unexpected run for his money. According to the
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Salt of the earth If you live in South Africa and use salt, have you ever wondered where the salt comes from? By Leon Louw founder of WhyAfrica and Endorphin Expeditions The saying goes that everything we eat and use as humans is either mined or grown. You would therefore assume that everything we eat
Will Kokoseb define Namibia’s Damara Gold Belt? WIA’s Kokoseb is a promising gold project in Namibia that deserves attention Article by Leon Louw founder of WhyAfrica and Endorphin Expeditions The Damara Gold Belt in Namibia is attracting more and more exploration companies. Wia Gold’s Kokoseb project is one of a growing number of interesting
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Namibia’s search for a fourth gold mine Namibia’s exploration pipeline is impressive, and the country could soon discover its next gold mine. By Leon Louw founder of WhyAfrica and Endorphin Expeditions Namibia could easily have four to six operating gold mines within the next 10 years. That is if some of the current greenfields exploration
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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
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Tremors and change in Botswana Politically and economically Botswana is more stable than it is geologically By Leon Louw founder of WhyAfrica and Endorphin Expeditions Underlying the thick layer of Kalahari sand accumulated over more than 30 million years, a restless Kalahari Craton has been responsible for more severe tremors than what the Khama dominated
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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
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French beneficiation roadmap opens opportunities in Gabon A new MoU strengthens Gabon’s downstream mining ambitions and investment appeal. By Leon Louw founder of WhyAfrica and Endorphin Expeditions The MoU signed in Paris between French mining group Eramet and the Gabonese government two days ago, will create opportunities across the construction, engineering, energy, logistics, manufacturing and
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One foot in Africa and the other foot in Europe. Africa and Europe violently meet at the seductive island of Sicily. By Leon Louw founder of WhyAfrica and Endorphin Expeditions Sicily sits on one of the Mediterranean’s most active tectonic boundaries where the African tectonic plate collides with the Eurasian plate, releasing immense geological
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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
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First Europe-Africa power link established The Mediterranean will serve as the first direct electricity bridge between Africa and Europe By Leon Louw founder of WhyAfrica and Endorphin Expeditions Europe and North Africa are taking a historic step towards energy integration with the construction of the first direct electricity interconnection between the two continents. Running beneath
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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
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Zambia’s perceptions versus realities Accurate country assessments require engaging people away from boardrooms and conference halls. By Leon Louw founder of WhyAfrica and Endorphin Expeditions One of the dangers of assessing a country’s investment potential is relying too heavily on social media posts, conference presentations, government announcements, corporate investor briefings and press releases. While
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