Archive for 2023

China’s Push to Secure Its Energy Interests in the Middle East

Via CSIS’ Hidden Reach, a look at China’s push to secure its energy interests in the Middle East: China is expanding its footprint in the Middle East to meet its vast energy needs. Near the Strait of Hormuz, the world’s most important chokepoint for transporting oil, Chinese companies have invested heavily in ports and energy infrastructure. […]

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Jumia Wants To Be The “Amazon of Africa” But Can’t Find The Customers

Via Rest of World, a look at Jumia’s plans to be the “Amazon of Africa”: Jumia has established dominance as the major e-commerce player in Africa, with over 3.1 million quarterly active users. However, its share price has continued to underperform, falling nearly 70% since its IPO. Experts question whether Africa is ready for the […]

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With Energy Deals in Africa, Italy Positions Itself as Europe’s Next Gas Hub

Via Rane’s Stratfor WorldView, a look at Italy’s efforts to position itself as Europe’s next gas hub: The Italian government’s new energy-driven approach to Africa will help the country bolster its own energy security and position itself as Europe’s next natural gas hub. But infrastructural challenges at home and above-ground risks in North Africa will […]

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Jambo, MaishaPay, Tinda… The Rising Tech Scene In DRC

Courtesy of The Africa Report, an article on the rising tech scene in the DRC: From education to e-commerce and cryptocurrencies, five tech entrepreneurs are helping to modernise DRC’s economy. Despite some shyness on the part of investors, they are able to take advantage of an increasingly favourable legal environment. Since September 2022, DRC has […]

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China Pulls Back From Global Subsea Cable Project as US Tensions Mount

Courtesy of The Financial Times, a report on Chinese groups’ decision to withdraw investment in Sea-Me-We 6, which will transmit data between Asia and western Europe: China has cut its participation in an internet cable project to link Asia with Europe, as tensions grow between Washington and Beijing over control of the physical infrastructure that […]

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Russia To Build Thermal Power Plant In Northern Afghanistan

Via Euro Weekly News, a report on Russia’s plans to build a power plant in northern Afghanistan: According to Russian Ambassador Dmitry Zhirnov on Friday, February 10, Russia has agreed to build a thermal power plant in northern Afghanistan. Initial reports suggest that plans have been agreed upon for Russia to build a thermal power […]

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ABOUT
WILDCATS AND BLACK SHEEP
Wildcats & Black Sheep is a personal interest blog dedicated to the identification and evaluation of maverick investment opportunities arising in frontier - and, what some may consider to be, “rogue” or “black sheep” - markets around the world.

Focusing primarily on The New Seven Sisters - the largely state owned petroleum companies from the emerging world that have become key players in the oil & gas industry as identified by Carola Hoyos, Chief Energy Correspondent for The Financial Times - but spanning other nascent opportunities around the globe that may hold potential in the years ahead, Wildcats & Black Sheep is a place for the adventurous to contemplate & evaluate the emerging markets of tomorrow.