Global Briefing — 17 August 2026
Projects, capital, companies, policy and procurement across infrastructure and investment. Capital Bank of America launches $250bn US infrastructure…
India and Southern African Customs Union Relaunch Trade Negotiations
New Delhi, India | 12 August 2026 India and the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) have formally relaunched…
Critical Minerals Drive Record Mining M&A Across Africa
Global | 2026 Merger and acquisition activity across Africa’s mining sector has accelerated to its strongest pace in…
Rio Tinto Rules Out Glencore Merger as Focus Shifts to Copper Growth
Melbourne, Australia | 4 August 2026 Rio Tinto has ruled out reviving merger discussions with Glencore following the…
Africa’s Eurobond Revival Gains Momentum as DRC Makes Historic Market Debut
Sub-Saharan Africa | April–August 2026 Sub-Saharan Africa is experiencing its strongest return to the international bond market in…
Red Sea Shipping Risks Escalate as Houthi Blockade Expands
Bab el-Mandeb / Red Sea | 6 August 2026 Shipping disruptions in the Red Sea have intensified following…
Central Banks Boost Gold Purchases as African Reserve Strategies Shift
Global | 30 July 2026 Central banks purchased a record 289 tonnes of gold during the second quarter…
Senate Passes Three-Year AGOA Extension, Bill Moves to House
Washington, D.C. | 8 August 2026 The United States Senate has voted 90-6 to approve H.R. 6500, legislation…
IMF Lowers Sub-Saharan Africa Growth Outlook
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has revised its outlook for Sub-Saharan Africa, forecasting regional economic growth of 4.3%…
Fed Holds Interest Rates Steady, Hawkish Split Emerges
The US Federal Reserve has left its benchmark interest rate unchanged at 3.5%–3.75%, maintaining its current policy stance…
Copper Prices Reach Record High as Tariff Decision Looms
Global copper prices climbed to fresh record highs this week as tightening physical supplies continued to support the…
DRC Reimposes Copper and Cobalt Concentrate Export Ban
The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has reinstated a nationwide ban on copper and cobalt concentrate exports,…
Asia Is Trying to Navigate Between the US and China
Singapore / Bangkok | 21 July 2026 Across Asia, governments, investors and businesses are increasingly preparing for a…
Japan’s $550 Billion US Investment Pledge Faces a Financing Test
Tokyo, Japan | 21 July 2026 Japan has pledged $550 billion in investment in the United States, but…
Microsoft and Mistral’s New AI Deal Shows Europe’s Fight for Digital Independence
Paris, France / Redmond, United States | 21 July 2026 Microsoft has agreed to invest billions of dollars…