Renewable energy company, JIVO Energy, has outlined its role following the recent commissioning of Malawi's first grid-scale battery energy storage system (BESS)

The 20MW/ 40MWh utility-scale BESS project is located at the Kanengo Substation in Lilongwe and was officially inaugurated recently by Dr. Jean Mathanga, Minister of Energy, alongside representatives from the Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (ESCOM) and other government officials.

The ceremony marked the start of commercial operations for Malawi's first utility-scale BESS, a project that is expected to strengthen grid reliability, enhance energy security and support the integration of renewable energy into Malawi's electricity network.

JIVO Energy served as the turnkey engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractor, delivering the project from engineering and procurement through construction, testing and commissioning.

“It is a proud moment that proves JIVO Energy’s capacity to execute complex, high-impact utility-scale energy projects to international standards using Tier-I equipment,” said Jorge Lascas, the company’s chief commercial officer speaking during the commissioning ceremony.

Lascas also recognised the contribution of the project team.

“JIVO Energy’s team dedication and hard work made this project possible. Their passion, resilience, and attention to detail have been remarkable. They met every engineering challenge head-on with unwavering commitment.”

The commissioning of the Kanengo BESS marks an important step in Malawi’s efforts to strengthen and modernise its electricity network.

It was supported by US$20mn in grant financing from the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet, a nonprofit founded in 2021 by The Rockefeller Foundation, IKEA Foundation and Bezos Earth Fund.

JIVO Energy has been engaged in renewable energy business in Africa and beyond since 2018 focused on project development, EPC, operations & maintenance, and investing in renewable energy projects.

The company has implemented projects in Kenya, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, Malawi, Cape Verde, Sao Tome, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Burkina Faso, Liberia and Zambia.

It has constructed (or has under construction) more than 100MWp of solar PV and more than 60MWh of BESS, with another 200MWp+ of solar PV and 150MWh+ of BESS under development across 12 African countries.

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Caterpillar has brought together more than 400 customers and dealers from across Europe, the Middle East and Africa for its fourth Construction and Quarry Technology Days, held at the Caterpillar Demonstration & Learning Centre in Málaga, Spain

The two-week event welcomed representatives from 15 Cat dealers to explore the company's latest technologies and their practical applications across construction and quarrying operations.

The programme began with opening remarks from Kristin Gaskill, Caterpillar vice-president of technology in Construction Industries, followed by a live product demonstration focused on technology-driven solutions. Over the following days, attendees participated in guided sessions across five dedicated technology areas, allowing them to see how these solutions perform in real-world conditions and how they can be integrated into their own projects.

Gaskill highlighted Caterpillar's ongoing commitment to advancing digital transformation within the industry.

"Our focus is clear: accelerating technology and digital adoption to deliver measurable outcomes for our customers."

"This week in Málaga is a powerful example of how Caterpillar and Cat Dealers are working together to solve customer challenges using technology & digital solutions in the dirt and back office. Our goal is to ensure technology is easy to buy, easy to use and delivers value at scale. Ultimately, we’re here to help customers unlock new and different business outcomes by partnering with them for long-term success on the job site."

Throughout the event, Caterpillar demonstrated a range of technologies designed to address critical operational priorities. Featured solutions included Better Data for Better Decisions, Perfecting Payload, Safer Jobsites, Remote Site Control with Cat Command, and Cat 2D and 3D Grade technologies.

Together, these technologies are intended to help customers improve productivity, enhance jobsite safety and simplify operations while addressing one of the industry's ongoing challenges: attracting and retaining skilled equipment operators.

Now in its fourth edition, Construction and Quarry Technology Days continues to serve as a platform for strengthening collaboration between Caterpillar, its dealer network and customers across the region.

The event also provides opportunities for customers to exchange experiences, learn from industry peers and gain greater confidence in implementing new technologies. With support from the global Cat dealer network, participants can better understand how to scale digital solutions across their operations.

As digitalisation continues to reshape the construction and quarrying sectors, the Málaga event demonstrates Caterpillar's focus on helping customers transform data, connectivity and automation into measurable operational and business benefits.

Industry-specific focus and life cycle support are the standout features of SEW-EURODRIVE’s presence at Electra Mining Africa 2026, according to Jonathan McKey, National Sales & Marketing Manager at SEW-EURODRIVE

“Our exhibition stands will reflect how we partner with customers across the full operational lifecycle – from new installations through to maintenance, upgrades, optimisation and long-term asset management,” McKey says. “The overarching message is about business integration and modernisation, to take customers further down their sustainability and productivity journey.”

He highlights that SEW-EURODRIVE has expanded its offerings not only through exciting innovations in equipment and solutions, but through services to assess customers’ existing infrastructure and enhance it for more efficient and productive operation. This philosophy shapes both of the company’s stands at the show.

“Visitors to our main stand in Hall 5 will appreciate the industry-focused layout facilitating conversations that are both relevant and technically focused,” he explains. “Instead of a generalised display, visitors will be able to engage directly with specialists aligned to specific sectors including mining, materials handling and logistics.”

To enhance the value of these vital face-to-face discussions, SEW-EURODRIVE will have management and technical experts on hand throughout the exhibition. Dedicated meeting areas will also allow for more private discussions around operational challenges, project requirements or longer-term strategic partnerships.

At the company’s second exhibition stand which is in Hall 4, SEW-EURODRIVE will focus on its electronics offerings while also showcasing its on-site energy surveys. The company’s experts will demonstrate how they use advanced tools to conduct these surveys and the important benefits they deliver.

“We will unveil selected newer technologies on our stands with the focus on showing how this innovation is driven by customer need,” McKey says. “We avoid promoting products for their own sake; rather, we use these forums to ask visitors about the technical challenges they face and then we design our solutions to address them.”

This extends beyond physical equipment to include digital tools, training, service agreements and maintenance programmes. SEW-EURODRIVE will also be showcasing its training, digital solutions, after-sales and maintenance service.

“Another theme at the exhibition will be the modernisation of existing plant infrastructure,” he says. “This is particularly relevant to mining operations where legacy equipment often remains in service for decades.”

While older systems may still be functional, their performance may be compromised and cost effectiveness may not be optimal. SEW-EURODRIVE increasingly works with customers to evaluate existing installations, comparing them against current technologies and identifying opportunities for improvement. This can include energy surveys, drivetrain assessments, maintenance reviews and broader operational optimisation studies.

“We can modernise those products, give better service life and make an impact across multiple facets of a customer’s business - including running costs,” he says. “We can enhance all of that by modernising the plant with technology.”

Importantly, the company aims to reduce the disruption often associated with upgrading legacy infrastructure with specialised solutions to streamline the transition while mitigating the associated risk. Another key talking point across the stands will be SEW-EURODRIVE’s growing service capability in South Africa including its expanded aftermarket support, reverse engineering and repair services. This capability extends beyond servicing its own products, to include other OEMs’ equipment.

“Our recently expanded facilities in Aeroton, Johannesburg, have further improved our service capabilities not just for our own product but also for non-SEW products,” he says. “With our depth of technical expertise and specialised workshop equipment, we can reverse engineer and repair obsolete products back to workable health.”

By visiting SEW-EURODRIVE, Electra Mining Africa visitors can begin a holistic discussion about their current operational demands and future plans at their specific mine or industrial plant. The experienced SEW-EURODRIVE people on hand at the exhibition will help plot the road the improved asset performance.

“Our presence further underscores that mining remains a major global growth sector for us, especially as mines look for ways of getting minerals out of the ground more efficiently,” McKey says. “This pressure is accelerating demand for modern drive technology, automation and broader operational optimisation which are the areas where we see growing opportunity.”

McKey also expects plenty of interest from Electra Mining Africa visitors in infrastructure development and asset improvement more broadly. He notes that SEW-EURODRIVE is increasingly becoming involved in projects that not only support industrial operations, but help modernise economies through better engineering, improved reliability and smarter technologies.

The Société d'Exploitation du Transgabonais (SETRAG) — the concessionaire of Gabon's national railway network — has signed a €312mn financing agreement with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and Proparco

The funds will be deployed for the continued modernisation of the Trans-Gabon Railway, a strategic asset for the West African country’s economic and social development.

SETRAG's shareholders include Eramet Comilog (51%), Meridiam 40%, and the Gabonese State 9%.

The latest financing complements public funding provided by the French Development Agency (AFD) and the European Union to Gabon to finance its share of the broader Gabon Railway Modernisation and Safety Programme (PMS).

Christian Magni, CEO of SETRAG, said the successful completion of the financing marks a “decisive milestone” for both the concessionaire and Gabon.

“It reflects the confidence our financing partners have in our business model and operational trajectory,” said Magni.

“With this support, together with the ongoing operational backing of our shareholders, we now have the means to accelerate the safety upgrades and full modernisation of the Trans-Gabon Railway, strengthening its position as a benchmark logistics corridor in Central Africa and as a driver of sustainable development for local communities and the national economy.”

SETRAG is responsible for railway superstructure equipment, including rails, sleepers, ballast, signaling systems.

As the delegated project owner, it carries out maintenance and renewal works on behalf of, and in the name of, the granting authority, the Gabonese state.

The state itself is responsible for maintaining public infrastructure assets, including bridges, hydraulic infrastructure and passenger transport equipment.

The Proparco–IFC–SETRAG financing agreement forms part of Phase III of the Trans-Gabon Railway PMS, which includes €225mn in new financing and the refinancing of €87mn from the previous phases.

The programme will continue the renewal of the 648-kilometre railway line linking Owendo, on the Atlantic coast, to Franceville in eastern Gabon.

It also includes the modernisation of the railway’s infrastructure and systems to enhance safety and capacity, while supporting the diversification of rail services beyond the mining sector, particularly for passenger and general freight transport.

Since the launch of the programme, 457 kilometres of track have been renewed with concrete sleepers, and 186 kilometres have already been fitted with new 60kg rails.

In regions where alternative transport options are often limited or unavailable, the Trans-Gabon Railway is a vital economic lifeline, contributing approximately 20% of Gabon’s GDP.

It provides an essential public transport service for communities in remote and landlocked areas and also plays a critical role in transporting manganese, a mineral for which Gabon is one of the world's leading producers.

Manganese is a critical raw material that is essential to the energy transition and global industrial value chains.

“Reliable transport infrastructure is essential to private sector development, regional competitiveness and job creation,” said Ethiopis Tafara, IFC’s regional vice-president for Africa.

“Through this partnership…IFC is supporting the modernisation of a strategic railway infrastructure that will strengthen supply chains, improve connectivity for communities and businesses, and support Gabon's long-term economic diversification.”

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Africa has an opportunity to convert geopolitical tensions and shifting global trade patterns into a catalyst for industrialisation and long-term economic resilience, according to a new Afreximbank report

Leveraging Geopolitics for Trade and Industrialisation in Global Africa examines trade and economic developments across the continent and globally, and outlines strategies for African nations to benefit from supply chain realignments and changing geopolitical dynamics.

“Africa stands at a critical juncture,” said Dr Yemi Kale, group chief economist and managing director of research and trade intelligence at Afreximbank.

“Geopolitical tensions and economic fragmentation are reshaping global trade patterns, but they also present a historic opportunity for the continent. By strategically leveraging these shifts, Africa can build a more resilient, competitive and inclusive economic future.”

Despite a challenging global backdrop, the report highlights Africa’s strong recent economic performance.

While global economic growth slowed to 3.4% in 2025 and is projected to ease further to 3.1% in 2026, Africa’s real GDP growth accelerated from 3.4% in 2024 to 4.5% in 2025, outperforming the global average.

Africa’s merchandise trade also expanded by 6.1% to approximately US$1.5 trillion, while aggregate inflation fell significantly from 21.6% in 2024 to 13.1% in 2025.

According to Afreximbank, these gains reflect improved macroeconomic management, ongoing policy reforms and the role of development finance institutions in supporting economic stability.

However, the report warns that significant structural challenges remain.

Africa’s trade finance gap is estimated at approximately US$74bn in 2025, limiting the continent’s ability to fully capitalise on trade and industrial opportunities.

The situation is compounded by foreign exchange constraints and a continued decline in correspondent banking relationships.

The report also notes that evolving shipping routes and persistent disruptions in global logistics networks are increasing freight costs and extending delivery times, particularly for economies dependent on imported inputs and external markets.

To strengthen resilience, Afreximbank identifies accelerated implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), expansion of the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) and reforms to the global financial architecture as key priorities.

The report notes that stronger industrial ecosystems, increased intra-African trade and sustained financial support will be critical if the continent is to transform geopolitical disruption into sustainable and inclusive economic growth.

“It is imperative for the continent to act decisively to strengthen regional value chains, deepen industrial capacity, expand access to trade finance, and accelerate continental integration,” said Kale, adding that Africa “cannot afford to delay.”

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Arridex has officially commissioned its Omnifactory in Lagos, marking the launch of West Africa’s first multi-technology industrial additive manufacturing facility

The commissioning ceremony was led by Babajide Sanwo-Olu, governor of Lagos state, and brought together senior government representatives, industry stakeholders, members of the diplomatic community and investment delegates participating in the Invest Lagos 3.0 forum.

The Invest Lagos delegation featured participants from the forum’s panel discussion on The Future of Technology and Innovation, where Kayode Adeleke, group CEO of Arridex, highlighted the importance of technology and innovation in advancing Africa’s industrialisation. His insights were shaped by Arridex’s operational experience across sectors including oil and gas, maritime, aerospace, defence, construction and manufacturing.

The Arridex Omnifactory brings together several additive manufacturing technologies within one facility, including Laser Powder Bed Fusion (L-PBF), Cold Spray, Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) and Selective Laser Sintering (SLS). The facility enables the production of industrial components, spare parts and enhanced part designs for critical industries, while its large-format manufacturing capabilities support the creation of full-scale marine components and other large industrial structures.

The commissioning of the Omnifactory represents the transformation of two decades of accumulated expertise into a dedicated industrial manufacturing platform. Arridex commenced operations in 2005 as an asset integrity company serving Nigeria’s oil and gas industry before expanding its capabilities into maritime, defence, construction, technology and aerospace sectors. The company has achieved zero lost-time incidents across more than seven million operational man hours.

The next chapter of global manufacturing can be written from Lagos

For Nigeria and West Africa, the Arridex Omnifactory addresses long-standing challenges associated with dependence on imported industrial components. Companies operating ageing infrastructure have often faced extended procurement timelines, complex international supply chains and the growing challenge of sourcing legacy parts from manufacturers that may no longer exist. Through the Omnifactory, Arridex will enable these components to be manufactured on demand within Lagos.

Arridex has received Pioneer Status in additive manufacturing from the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC). The company is also the first organisation qualified by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) for additive manufacturing deployment in the oil and gas sector. In addition, its joint venture partnership with the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) supports the local production of military-grade additive manufactured components.

Further strengthening its position in the global additive manufacturing ecosystem, Arridex is the first African member of the Additive Manufacturer Green Trade Association (AMGTA). The company is also a Designated Strategic Partner of the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council (CWEIC), with Kayode Adeleke serving on the CWEIC Global Advisory Council.

"Today, I opened West Africa's first multi-technology industrial additive manufacturing facility in Lagos. By producing industrial components and spare parts here in Lagos, Arridex is helping to reduce our dependence on imports, strengthening critical industries and supporting economic growth," commented Sanwo-Olu.

"I commend the Arridex team for their vision and commitment to building solutions that serve not only Nigeria but the wider African continent. Lagos will continue to support investments that create opportunities, grow local capacity and position our state as a hub for innovation and industry."

“We did not set out to build the biggest company, but a resilient one. For over two decades, we have chosen the harder path, and that is to make in Africa what others import, to meet global standards without exception, and to put purpose before profit. The Arridex Omnifactory is where that conviction becomes infrastructure. The name on the door is new, but the work behind it is not. We are not stopping here. By the first quarter of 2027, we will commission the Arridex Mega Omnifactory, which will stand among the largest single-site industrial additive manufacturing facilities in the world. The next chapter of global manufacturing can be written from Lagos. We are building it.” concluded Adeleke.