China’s Huaxin Cement to challenge Dangote, BUA after Lafarge Africa purchase
December 10th, 2024
Via The Africa Report, commentary on how a new Chinese entrant in Nigerian cement is likely to ramp up competition: Dangote Cement and BUA face a new challenger in Nigeria from Chinese newcomer Huaxin Cement, which is buying an 83.8% stake in Lafarge Africa from Holcim. Holcim said in a statement on 1 December that the sale […]
Read more »‘Modern Silk Road’ brings booming trade to China-Kazakhstan border
December 9th, 2024
Via Nikkei Asia, a look at the booming trade at the China-Kazakhstan border: Trade is thriving along the “modern Silk Road,” which passes through a far-flung city on the border of China and Kazakhstan. Khorgos is about 3,500 kilometers due west of Beijing in China’s Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. Flying over the oil fields of […]
Read more »Can Jamaica Go Nuclear?
December 9th, 2024
Via The Breakthrough Institute, a look at the implications of nuclear for energy transitions of small island developing states: Jamaica’s nuclear power ambitions may reset the standard for what an island energy transition looks like. Jamaica recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Canada to explore advanced nuclear energy technologies, marking a significant step forward for […]
Read more »Energy Offshoots: PDVSA
December 8th, 2024
Via Phenomenal World, an article on transformations in Petróleos de Venezuela and geopolitical realignments: Petróleos de Venezuela (PDVSA) has been integral to Nicolás Maduro’s government and the greater Chavista project. Despite the state-owned oil company controlling the largest crude oil reserves in the world, its production capabilities have fallen sharply since 2014: the country went […]
Read more »Chinese Demand for Rosewood Empowers Some of Africa’s Deadliest Terrorist Groups
December 8th, 2024
Via The Diplomat, an article on how Chinese smuggling rings have been instrumental in the illegal trafficking of rosewood. They also provide support to terrorist groups in West Africa and Mozambique. For centuries, cultures around the globe have prized items made from rosewood due to its fine-grained durability and rich coloring. Nowhere has this been […]
Read more »Wynn’s Early Lock On The UAE Casino Sector Just Got Tighter
December 8th, 2024
Via Forbes, an article on UAE gaming sector: The gaming authority of the United Arab Emirates just handed Wynn Resorts a second massive win in as many months. After awarding Wynn the first commercial casino license in the emirates in October, the head of the UAE’s General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA) said this week that […]
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.