Brazilian Niobium Carves Out An Energy Niche
May 15th, 2024
Courtesy of The Financial Times, an article on Brazilian niobium: Among Brazil’s abundant mineral riches — from iron ore and gold to precious stones and copper — is one niche metal that almost no other country can claim to produce at scale: niobium. The dominant producer, Companhia Brasileira de Metalurgia e Mineração (CBMM), is exploring new […]
Read more »Taking the Lagos Train
May 15th, 2024
Via Africa as a Country, commentary on the impact that Lagos’ new mass rapid transit has upon social stratification: The arrival of mass rapid transit in the city offers a new metaphor for Nigeria’s social stratification. For a moment, Pride & Prejudice finally had some sound. For Nigerians familiar with the movie, and who have also taken […]
Read more »Trade Pact Would Be Bonanza For Africa: If It Can Be Made To Work
May 15th, 2024
Via The Washington Post, commentary on the AfCFTA which would go a long way toward fulfilling the dream of a united continent. The United States, Mexico and Canada trade with one another under a pact that replaced the long-standing North American Free Trade Agreement, or NAFTA. The Europeans have their single market and common currency. Southeast […]
Read more »Peru Learns to Read the Fine Print in China Deals
May 13th, 2024
Courtesy of Foreign Policy, a report on how a mistaken provision in a Peru agreement has given Beijing control of a key port: Pity the Peruvian negotiators who, five years ago, signed an agreement with the Chinese giant Cosco Shipping Ports. The agreement was about the Port of Chancay, located near Lima, which was to […]
Read more »Nubank Reaches 100 Million Clients In The Region
May 13th, 2024
Via LatAmFintech, a report on Nubank: Nubank announced today that it has surpassed 100 million customers in Brazil, Mexico and Colombia, becoming the first digital banking platform to reach this milestone outside of Asia. This achievement comes after the company has presented record financial results for the year 2023, with more than $1 billion in net […]
Read more »China’s Fintech Footprint in Africa
May 13th, 2024
Via The Wire, a look at China’s fintech footprint in Africa: Instead of visiting a bank, Nigerians who need to move money are now just as likely to visit a street market and speak to an agent working for OPay, a Chinese-backed fintech company. These agents form part of a vast network that has propelled […]
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.