Capstone Energy+, Inc. is to provide a C600 Signature Series microturbine to oil operator Maurel & Prom for its flare gas valorisation project at an onshore field in Gabon

The microturbine will convert associated gas into reliable on-site power at the remote onshore platform under a 36-month lease agreement.

Capstone Energy+ is a leading provider of behind-the-meter clean microturbine energy solutions for commercial and industrial (C&I) businesses, as well as solutions designed for emerging data centre applications.

For nearly four decades, it has delivered proven energy solutions that allow firms to operate with certainty in an increasingly constrained and unpredictable power environment.

The Gabon project will support Maurel & Prom’s flare gas valorisation efforts, in which gas that would otherwise be wasted is recovered and converted into a useful form of energy.

The microturbine will operate on recovered associated gas to provide electricity for other platform operations, with commissioning expected in November 2026.

Structured under Capstone’s Energy-as-a-Service (EaaS) business model, Capstone is providing the C600S through its ‘Lease-to-Own’ (LTO) offering, enabling Maurel & Prom to leverage an operating expense-based solution while preserving capital flexibility.

“For operators like Maurel & Prom, flare gas valorisation solves two problems at once: it eliminates a meaningful source of emissions and generates the reliable power that remote operations depend on,” said Vince Canino, president and CEO of Capstone Energy+.

“Converting fuel that would otherwise be wasted into dependable on-site electricity, in a tropical environment far from any grid, is exactly the kind of application our technology was built for.”

Across Africa, associated gas has commonly been flared where no capture infrastructure exists, representing both a significant emissions source and wasted energy value.

The microturbines convert any waste gas into productive on-site power without requiring pipeline connectivity or major infrastructure investment.

Capstone’s microturbine platform is engineered for reliable, continuous operation on variable-composition fuel streams, including associated gas.

Its single-moving-part, air-bearing design requires no oil, no coolant, and fewer service interventions than conventional reciprocating engines, a key advantage for remote sites where conditions add logistical complexity.

“Turning gas that would otherwise be flared into reliable on-site power supports both our environmental goals and the energy needs for our operations in Gabon,” said Ibrahim Ben Ameur, lead process engineer, Maurel & Prom.

The project marks Capstone’s continued expansion in the African upstream energy sector.

Built on its core 30kW, 65kW, and 200kW microturbine platforms, its scalable multi-megawatt solutions are designed for rapid deployment, continuous operation and simplified maintenance.

It also serves other critical industries including data centres, hospitals, agriculture and industrial facilities where uptime and energy certainty are essential.

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Volvo Trucks South Africa has marked a major milestone in its electromobility journey, with its customer-operated electric truck fleet surpassing 250,000 km since the vehicles were first introduced to the local market in 2023

The achievement highlights the growing adoption of battery-electric trucks across a range of commercial transport applications.

The fleet has been operating in diverse environments, helping customers reduce emissions while gaining first-hand experience in electric transport operations. The milestone was achieved using Volvo's current generation of heavy-duty electric truck models.

"While a quarter of a million kilometres may seem modest compared with the more than 400 million already accumulated by Volvo electric trucks globally, it represents a significant achievement in the South African context, where the majority of Volvo electric trucks are operating on shorter-route and urban distribution applications," said Eric Parry, senior manager sustainable solutions at Volvo Trucks South Africa.

Across the customer fleet, the vehicles are averaging approximately 2,000 km per month, while the highest-utilisation trucks consistently record around 10,000 km per month. Average energy consumption across the fleet stands at 1.77 kWh/km, covering a range of applications from eight-tonne 4x2 trucks carrying payloads of five to seven tonnes to 6x4 tractor units hauling interlink trailers with payloads exceeding 32 tonnes.

The milestone reflects customers' confidence in Volvo Trucks' electric mobility solutions and demonstrates that battery-electric trucks can reliably support everyday commercial transport operations.

Reflecting on the progress, Parry said, "Our customers have embraced this technology with a willingness to learn, adapt and pioneer new ways of operating. Reaching a quarter of a million kilometres is not only a testament to the capability of the trucks, but also to the commitment of the customers and drivers who are making this achievement possible."

The operational data collected over the past two years has also provided valuable insights into charging strategies, vehicle utilisation, uptime requirements and driver experience under real-world South African operating conditions.

All customer fleets currently charge their electric trucks either at depots or loading and off-loading facilities using their own charging infrastructure. Depending on operational requirements, customers utilise a combination of overnight slow charging and fast top-up charging.

"One of the most satisfying aspects of this journey has been seeing electric trucks move from being a future concept, to becoming part of everyday transport operations," said Parry. "Every kilometre travelled helps build confidence in the technology and strengthens the business case for broader adoption."

To support fleet operators, Volvo Trucks provides specialised dealer and workshop services for electric vehicles, including real-time battery pack monitoring, dedicated 24/7 roadside assistance and range prediction tools.

Next-generation electric trucks on the horizon

Building on the experience gained to date, Volvo Trucks South Africa is preparing to introduce its next generation of electric trucks later this year. The new models will offer longer operating ranges and additional power options, enabling electric transport solutions to be deployed across an even wider range of applications.

"The trucks currently operating in South Africa are laying an important foundation for what comes next. With increased range and capability on the horizon, we are excited about the opportunities the next generation of electric trucks will bring," explained Parry.

As more fleet operators begin adopting battery-electric transport, Volvo Trucks South Africa views the 250,000 km achievement as an important step in the country's transition towards cleaner commercial mobility.

"While a quarter of a million kilometres is an important milestone, it is what those kilometres represent that matters most: growing customer confidence, valuable operational experience, and a foundation for the next generation of electric transport," said Parry.

The Minerals Council South Africa, together with leading research and industry partners, has launched three new reports exploring the country's mining modernisation journey

Focusing on research, development and innovation (RDI), artificial intelligence (AI) and international benchmarking, the studies provide a roadmap for strengthening South Africa's mining sector through technology, collaboration and innovation.

The reports reflect growing recognition that modernisation is no longer optional for one of South Africa's oldest and most important industries. With mining contributing significantly to employment, exports and economic growth, the adoption of innovative mining methods, digital technologies and AI will be essential to improving safety, health, sustainability, productivity and the country's long-term global competitiveness.

The publications comprise Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) for the Modernisation of South African Mining, prepared jointly by the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) Centre for Science, Technology and Innovation Indicators (CeSTII) and RIIS through a pilot research project with the Minerals Council South Africa; The Global Benchmarking Report, produced by RIIS and the Minerals Council South Africa; and 10 Insights into 4IR Report: AI – Powering the Future, developed by PwC Smart Mining in collaboration with the Minerals Council South Africa.

Why is mining modernisation important?

Mining modernisation involves adopting advanced technologies such as AI, automation, digitalisation and innovative mining methods to improve operational safety, productivity and sustainability. It also enables mining companies to optimise exploration, reduce operating costs, enhance workforce safety and remain competitive as global demand for critical minerals continues to grow.

Commenting on the launch, Sietse Van Der Woude, senior executive: Modernisation and Safety at the Minerals Council, said, "The launch of these publications marks another significant milestone in advancing South Africa’s mining modernisation agenda and reinforcing the sector’s commitment to innovationled safety, growth, inclusive industrial development and global competitiveness."

The reports were unveiled during the Modernisation Showcase, which brought together mining executives, policymakers, researchers, technology providers and innovation partners to help define the sector's technology and innovation priorities for 2026–2030.

RDI study highlights innovation gaps and opportunities

The first report, Modernisation of Mining in South Africa: Research, Development and Innovation Patterns and Firm Capabilities (2021–2023), was led by HSRC-CeSTII in partnership with the Minerals Council, with contributions from RIIS and Copenhagen Business School.

The study analyses firm-level RDI activities driving mining modernisation while identifying the factors enabling and constraining innovation across the sector. One of its key findings is that South African mining companies are currently focusing more on adopting existing technologies than investing directly in research and development.

The report also identifies skills, collaboration, infrastructure and investment capacity as essential foundations for successful modernisation. However, governance challenges together with shortages of engineering, managerial and technical skills continue to hinder progress, reflecting broader gaps in tertiary education and formal workforce training.

Globally, mining companies are increasing investment in digital technologies, automation, robotics and advanced analytics to improve operational efficiency and reduce risk. The report suggests South Africa can strengthen its competitiveness by complementing technology adoption with greater investment in research capability, innovation partnerships and workforce development.

Dr Nazeem Mustapha, who leads the Centre for Science, technology and innovation Indicators, said, "In South Africa the number of researchers per capita is about five times lower than Australia. This gives us an indication of how far behind the curve South Africa is relative to countries that have perhaps more actively and aggressively pursued modernisation in mining practices."

Global benchmarking identifies lessons from leading mining nations

Prepared jointly by RIIS and the Minerals Council South Africa, the Global Benchmarking Report examines how leading mining countries are advancing modernisation through innovation, technology adoption, policy frameworks and strategic investment.

The report finds that globally competitive mining industries are supported not only by advanced technologies but also by strong innovation ecosystems and close collaboration between governments, research institutions and industry. It also outlines recommendations aimed at strengthening South Africa's competitiveness and accelerating the adoption of innovative mining technologies.

As competition for investment in critical minerals intensifies, countries that successfully integrate policy, skills development, infrastructure and innovation are expected to be better positioned to benefit from growing global demand associated with the energy transition.

Sylvesters Okello, a principal at RIIS, said, "South Africa stands at a defining crossroads in mining modernisation. Despite holding worldclass mineral wealth and a capable private sector, the country trails global leaders due to regulatory uncertainty, critical skills gaps, and fragmented innovation efforts. This benchmarking study, conducted across ten countries, confirms that nations which modernise successfully do so by investing simultaneously across policy, infrastructure, and skills – not in sequence.

The findings are clear: South Africa’s window to position itself as a preferred global critical minerals supplier is open now, but it will not stay open indefinitely. Government, industry, and research institutions must act with urgency and genuine coordination before faster-moving competitors close the gap."

AI report explores the future of mining operations

The third publication, Ten Insights into 4IR in South African Mining, developed with PwC, examines how AI and Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) technologies are reshaping mining operations, leadership, workforce development, productivity, safety, health and sustainability.

Drawing on interviews with mining CEOs and industry stakeholders, the report highlights the growing role of AI in supporting operational efficiency, improving decision-making and strengthening safety, while emphasising that successful digital transformation requires leadership commitment and workforce readiness alongside technology investment.

Ian Mackay, associate director, Mining Transformation at PwC South Africa, said, "For PwC, this third edition of the study reflects our ongoing commitment, alongside the Minerals Council South Africa, to support the mining sector through a period of significant change. By bringing together industry voices and practical experience, we aim to help mining leaders navigate complexity, make better decisions and unlock sustainable value."

A roadmap for the future

Collectively, the three reports underscore the importance of collaboration between industry, government, academia and innovation partners in addressing some of South Africa's most pressing mining challenges, including infrastructure development, future skills, digital transformation, decarbonisation and faster technology adoption across the mining value chain.

Together, they present a practical roadmap for accelerating mining modernisation, enabling the sector to improve safety, productivity and sustainability while strengthening South Africa's position as a globally competitive mining destination and supporting the transition to a low-carbon economy.

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Bolt Business, the corporate mobility solution from Bolt, has reported double-digit growth in Nigeria over the past year

The company said in a statement that it underscores increasing demand from firms seeking smarter, more efficient ways to manage employee transportation and business travel.

Over the past 12 months, growth was driven by expanding adoption across multiple industries, a rise in demand from small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and an increasing number of organisations seeking alternatives to managing in-house transport fleets.

“Businesses today are looking beyond transportation, they’re looking for smarter ways to optimise operations and manage costs,” said Isaac Iroko, country manager, Bolt for Business Nigeria.

“We've seen organisations across different sectors embrace Bolt Business because it gives them a simple, reliable and transparent way to manage employee travel, whether it's daily commutes, client meetings or business trips. This growth demonstrates that corporate mobility is becoming an increasingly important part of business efficiency in Nigeria.”

Bolt Business serves organisations across a range of industries, including financial services, technology, healthcare, professional services, manufacturing, logistics, media, real estate and fast-growing consumer businesses.

Its client portfolio includes the likes of First Bank, Access Bank, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Boston Consulting Group, Interswitch, Glovo and Pfizer Specialties.

Others clients include Chowdeck, Premium Times Centre for Investigative Journalism, News Central, IWOSAN Lagoon Hospitals, Avon Healthcare, UAC Foods, MRS, China Harbour Engineering Company Nigeria, CAPPA & D'Alberto and ValueJet.

In its statement, Bolt Business said its recent growth reflects a broader shift in how Nigerian businesses approach corporate mobility.

Rather than maintaining expensive vehicle fleets or relying on fragmented transport arrangements, more organisations are adopting digital mobility platforms that offer greater transparency, control and operational efficiency.

Unlike traditional fleet management, Bolt Business enables companies to centralise transportation through a single platform, providing features such as centralised billing, trip reporting, spending controls and real-time visibility into employee travel.

These capabilities help businesses improve oversight while reducing the administrative burden associated with corporate transportation.

The company intends to strengthen relationships with existing customers by introducing solutions tailored to industries with frequent employee mobility needs, including healthcare, financial services, legal services and logistics.

“Nigeria's business landscape is evolving rapidly, and organisations are under increasing pressure to operate more efficiently,” Isaac added.

“We see a significant opportunity to help businesses replace inefficient transport processes with smarter mobility solutions that improve visibility, simplify expense management and support business growth. Our focus remains on building products that create value for organisations of every size while delivering a seamless experience for their employees.”

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South Africa's Rand Merchant Bank (RMB) has opened an advisory office in Beijing, aimed at strengthening ties with Chinese corporates and supporting growing investment into African markets

The launch of Rand Merchant Advisory Company Limited comes as trade between China and Africa exceeds US$350bn, an all-time high, reflecting deepening commercial links across infrastructure, energy and industrial development.

The Beijing office is expected to provide Chinese companies with on-the-ground advisory support as they explore opportunities across Africa, offering expertise in corporate finance, cross-border banking, foreign exchange and structured capital.

Emrie Brown, RMB’s CEO, said it marks an important milestone in the group’s Africa-China corridor strategy.

“It brings us closer to Chinese corporates to connect them more effectively with opportunity across our African network,” said Brown.

“Our focus is on helping clients navigate cross-border trade, transactional banking, foreign exchange, and investment flows with the benefit of local insight and deep African market expertise.”

For African economies, the move signals continued confidence in the continent as a destination for Chinese investment.

The Africa-China corridor’s growth continues to be anchored by “monumental infrastructure investment”, RMB said in a statement, and a rapidly evolving green energy landscape.

Over the past decade, Chinese enterprises have constructed or renovated over 10,000 km of railway and 100,000 km of highways across Africa.

While Chinese firms have traditionally focused on transport and infrastructure projects, investment is increasingly expanding into renewable energy, manufacturing and other sectors that support broader industrialisation.

As China itself transitions under global climate agreements, “massive opportunities” have emerged for Rand Merchant Advisory to partner with Chinese contractors to lead sustainable finance initiatives across African markets.

The bank said Chinese contractors have participated in around 70% of the renewable energy projects it has concluded in recent years, underlining China’s growing role in Africa’s own energy transition.

RMB said the expansion combines its investment banking capabilities with First National Bank’s (FNB) transactional banking platform, which already serves more than 4,000 Chinese business accounts across South Africa and the wider continent.

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The African Development Bank (AfDB) Group has approved a €100mn (approx. US$117mn) loan to Gotion Power Morocco to support the construction of an integrated lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery gigafactory in the Rabat-Salé-Kénitra Free Trade Zone, marking a significant step in the development of Africa's electric vehicle manufacturing ecosystem

In addition to its direct financing, the Bank intends to mobilise up to a further €141mn (approx. US$165mn) from financial partners under the New African Financial Architecture for Development (NAFAD), where it will serve as the Mandated Lead Arranger. The blended financing package is designed to accelerate delivery of one of the continent's largest battery manufacturing investments.

Building Africa's battery manufacturing capacity

The project is being developed by Gotion High-Tech Co. Ltd., a leading global battery producer headquartered in Hefei, China, and listed on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange. Once operational, the facility will become the first fully integrated cathode-to-cell LFP battery manufacturing plant in both Africa and the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.

Phase one of the project will deliver an annual production capacity of 10 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of battery cells and battery packs for electric vehicles, with long-term plans to increase output to 100 GWh. The investment is expected to reinforce Morocco's position as an emerging global centre for electric mobility manufacturing and green technology supply chains.

The project also reflects growing investment in battery production as demand for electric vehicles and renewable energy storage continues to expand worldwide. By establishing large-scale local manufacturing capacity, Morocco aims to strengthen regional supply chains while supporting the transition towards cleaner transport and energy systems.

Kevin Kariuki, the Bank group's vice-president for Power, Energy, Climate and Green Growth, said, "Battery storage is the missing link in Africa's clean energy transition. A facility of this scale, powered primarily by renewable energy, strengthens the foundations for the large-scale integration of solar and wind power, which our grids increasingly depend on. This is exactly the kind of project that will deliver reliable, low-carbon energy while creating green industrial jobs and building the resilient value chains Africa needs to sustain its energy transition."

Supporting industrial growth and local value creation

Beyond expanding battery production, the gigafactory is expected to generate significant economic benefits for Morocco. During its initial phase, the development is projected to create more than 600 direct jobs while achieving a 70% local industrial integration rate, supporting skills development and strengthening domestic manufacturing capabilities.

The project is also intended to encourage the growth of local supplier networks and increase value addition within Africa's critical minerals sector, helping retain more economic value from resources that are essential to global energy transition technologies.

Achraf Tarsim, the African Development Bank group's country manager for Morocco, commented, "This gigafactory will be a major catalyst for strengthening Morocco’s industrial competitiveness and for accelerating its emergence as Africa’s manufacturing hub for sustainable mobility industries. It will help foster an African industrial ecosystem for batteries and electric vehicles while promoting the local beneficiation of critical minerals essential to the energy transition."

Advancing Africa's clean energy ambitions

The investment supports the African Development Bank Group's Four Cardinal Points strategic vision by promoting resilient infrastructure, accelerating industrialisation, increasing value addition to Africa's natural resources and strengthening regional integration.

As demand for battery storage continues to rise alongside renewable energy deployment and electric vehicle adoption, projects of this scale are expected to play an increasingly important role in positioning Africa within global clean energy and electric mobility value chains. By expanding domestic battery manufacturing and energy storage capabilities, the initiative is set to support the continent's transition towards a lower-carbon economy while enabling wider deployment of renewable energy technologies.

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