Business

Africa investment boom: Who will benefit from the new era?

The Africa investment boom is currently transitioning from a model of humanitarian aid to one of strategic trade and industrial competition. While the continent accounts for only 3% of global GDP and 3% of global trade, it holds 30% of the world's known critical mineral reserves. As global powers like China, the US, and Gulf states compete for access to resources and markets, a widening gap is forming between prosperous, reforming nations and those trapped in instability. This article examines the drivers of this investment surge, the geopolitical race for African resources, and the structural factors that will determine which nations achieve long-term growth.

1m ago

Business

Cheap power vs clean power: Why cost may dictate net zero success

The debate over cheap power vs clean power is intensifying as the economic realities of the energy transition clash with climate targets. While the UK government focuses on decarbonising the electricity grid, rising electricity prices are making essential technologies like heat pumps and electric vehicles less viable for many. According to a survey by Ecotricity, two-thirds of heat pump owners reported higher heating costs than before. This article examines the systemic costs of renewables, the impact of gas prices on electricity bills, and the shifting political landscape regarding the net zero agenda.

1m ago