Hunt for Critical Minerals Draws World Powers to Saudi Arabia
January 14th, 2024
Courtesy of Wall Street Journal, a report on Riyadh’s heavy investment in mining as it seeks to diversify its oil-rich economy: The U.S., China and Russia are racing to secure critical metals needed to power the energy transition away from fossil fuels. Their latest battleground: oil-rich Saudi Arabia. Government officials and top mining executives descended on Riyadh […]
Read more »Russia Steps Up Competition in Africa
January 11th, 2024
Via Foreign Policy Research Institute, a look at Russia’s efforts to step up its presence, and competitive position (both economically and militarily), in Africa: BOTTOM LINE The Kremlin is taking up the mantle of Wagner Group after Yevgeny Prigozhin’s death, and is now moving to compete directly with the West in Africa, particularly in the […]
Read more »Africa’s Growth Prospects in 2024: Niger Forecast To Be Fastest Growing Economy
January 11th, 2024
Courtesy of Semafor, an article on Africa’s growth prospects in 2024: Sub-Saharan Africa’s economy is expected to grow by 3.8% in 2024, the World Bank said in a new report. Growth in the region slowed to 2.9% in 2023, from 3.7% and 4.4% in 2022 and 2021, respectively. All but two of the 48 economies in […]
Read more »Growing Autocracies Will Help Expand China’s BRI Influence
January 11th, 2024
Courtesy of The Conversation, commentary on how the growth of autocracies will expand Chinese global influence via Belt and Road Initiative as it enters second decade: China currently faces daunting challenges in its domestic economy. But weakness in the real estate market and consumer spending at home is unlikely to stem its rising influence abroad. In mid-October […]
Read more »Philippine Economic Recovery in a Rebalancing World
January 11th, 2024
Via East Asia Forum, commentary on the Philippines’ economic forecast: Philippine aspirations to hit upper-middle-income country status were derailed by the COVID-19 pandemic, but economic planners remain optimistic that this target can be achieved by 2025. If a new era of global political and economic rebalancing is taking place, there are clear internal challenges and […]
Read more »China, Myanmar Revive Hopes for Bay of Bengal Deep Water Port in Kyaukphyu
January 11th, 2024
Via South China Morning Post, an article on revived hopes for a Bay of Bengal deep water port: Renewed push for Citic-led project in Rakhine state comes amid continued clashes between ethnic rebel groups and the ruling Myanmar junta Port expected to allow Beijing to bypass South China Sea for oil imports is cited as […]
Read more »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.