Starlink in DRC: Elon Musk’s Rocky Bid to Conquer African Skies
May 7th, 2025
Via The Africa Report, a report on Starlink’s efforts to conquer African skies: The satellite internet firm is pressing ahead with its African expansion. Since January, Starlink has launched services in six new countries, with DRC becoming the fourth to grant an operating licence. But can Elon Musk meet his target of covering nearly three-quarters […]
Read more »Erik Prince Returns To DRC Amid U.S. Mineral Security Push
April 21st, 2025
Via The Africa Report, a report on Erik Prince’s planned return to the DRC: The controversial founder of Blackwater, Erik Prince, has struck a fresh deal with the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to help the country secure and monetise its vast mineral reserves. Here’s a timeline of his actions in the […]
Read more »While War Rages, Congo’s Neighbors Smuggle Out Its Gold and Mineral Wealth
April 11th, 2025
Via the Wall Street Journal, a look at how – while war rages – the DRC’s neighbors are smuggling out its gold and mineral wealth: During the 19th century’s Scramble for Africa, European countries raced to secure territory and wealth across the continent. Now, African powers are grabbing resources from a neighbor crippled by infighting and […]
Read more »US Closes In On Critical Minerals Deal With DR Congo
April 7th, 2025
Courtesy of The Financial Times, a report on U.S. efforts to close in on a critical minerals deal with DR Congo: The US is closing on a deal with the Democratic Republic of Congo that would see American companies take more control of critical mineral assets in return for greater backing for the embattled Kinshasa […]
Read more »Minerals Become Ultimate Bargaining Chip in Trump’s Diplomatic Deals
April 5th, 2025
Via the Wall Street Journal, an article onWashington’s desire to establish critical mineral pacts worldwide: President Trump is pressing for access to mineral rights across the globe, hoping to outduel China in a global competition for raw materials to fuel U.S. military and industrial might. He has pushed the State Department to make mineral deals […]
Read more »Building Critical Minerals Cooperation Between the United States and the Democratic Republic of the Congo
March 29th, 2025
Via CSIS, a new report on potential critical minerals cooperation between the U.S. and DRC: The Issue The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is one of the world’s most resource-rich countries, and in 2024, it attracted the largest volume of mineral exploration investment in Africa. Enhancing U.S.-DRC cooperation is critical to counterbalance China’s dominance. […]
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.