DONROEVIA

Good Morning, Chop Family!

Welcome to Donroevia, also known as the Western Hemisphere, which is now ruled and governed by Donald Trump. You are welcome to visit, but please note that any items you bring in are now considered our property. Toodles!

📈 AROUND THE GLOBE

New Hemisphere Order

The United States’ bold moves have nations in panic mode. Who is next on the United States target list? Well it seems like Greenland has re-emerged as the next “victim”.

But Europe just drew a line in the Arctic: “Greenland belongs to its people”. Leaders from France, Germany, the UK, Spain, Italy, Poland, and Denmark pushed back against renewed U.S. talk of annexing Greenland, citing sovereignty and international law.

The timing is tense, coming right after the U.S. operation in Venezuela, where American forces seized oil tankers and captured Maduro, showing Europe that Washington might act unilaterally. Denmark warned that any attack on a NATO ally could shake the alliance to its core.

Meanwhile, Greenland’s government insists it wants to chart its own future independence or cooperation, but not to be bought or taken. The Arctic spotlight is on, and the world is watching.

BUSINESS

Morocco, the undisputed king of sardines, is hitting pause on frozen sardine exports starting February 2026. The government says fish catches are down and local prices are climbing, so the priority now is keeping sardines affordable at home. Climate pressure, overfishing, and shrinking stocks are all part of the mix.

Africa’s biggest fish exporters (quick chop)

• Morocco – Africa’s seafood heavyweight. Sardines, sardines, and more sardines. Also big on processed and canned fish.

• Namibia – Quiet giant. Strong pelagic fishing industry with a big export focus.

• South Africa – Diverse export basket including hake and high-value seafood products.

• Senegal – Major West African exporter, especially to regional and EU markets.

• Mauritius – Punches above its weight with tuna and processed seafood exports.

Speaking of the Chinese…

China’s top diplomat, Foreign Minister Wang Yi, kicked off his annual New Year tour of Africa, stopping in Ethiopia, Somalia, Tanzania, and Lesotho as Beijing doubles down on its influence across the continent.

His Somalia visit is the first by a Chinese foreign minister in decades, aimed at reinforcing ties near the Gulf of Aden after Israel recognised Somaliland.

In Tanzania, China is pushing access to copper resources and backing upgrades to the Tazara Railway as a strategic trade link, while in Lesotho, Beijing is promoting free-trade credentials with tariff-free access for the poorest nations.

FINANCE

Africa might finally get a bigger piece of the diamond giant. Several African states, including Botswana, Angola, and Namibia, plus local business groups, have signalled interest in buying into De Beers as its current owner, Anglo American, looks to divest its 85 percent stake in the 137-year-old company.

Botswana already owns 15 percent and dominates global rough diamond output, and its government has been pushing to increase that share, while Angola and others want in on the action too.

The CEO says talks are early and the priority is finding partners who align with De Beers’ long-term natural diamond strategy, especially as demand shifts and India looms as a key growth market.

TECH

Japan’s SORA Technology just turned heads with $7.3 million in total seed funding as it gears up to scale its drone + AI malaria-fighting tech across Africa.

The fresh capital, including $2.5 million in a recent close, will help the startup sharpen its disease prediction tools, expand field teams, and step up partnerships with governments and global health groups.

SORA’s high-tech drones, satellites, and analytics are already at work in 10+ African countries, tracking mosquito breeding hotspots and boosting malaria control with data-driven precision.

SMALL CHOP

AFCON is Heating up

- We’re deep in the quarter-finals now after the Round of 16 wrapped up — no more groups, just win-or-go-home fixtures.
-Algeria knocked out DR Congo in extra time to reach the last eight.
-Defending champs Côte d’Ivoire hammered Burkina Faso 3-0 in the R16 and will meet Egypt next.
-Hosts Morocco squeaked past Tanzania 1-0, but now face a tough Cameroon test in the quarters amid pressure to deliver at home.

Who’s through to the quarter-finals 🏆:
• Senegal vs Mali — big Teranga Lions clash.
• Cameroon vs Morocco — hosts struggling for rhythm.
• Algeria vs Nigeria — two unbeaten sides looking sharp.
• Egypt vs Côte d’Ivoire — Pharaohs v defending champs.

DISH OF THE DAY

STRUGGLE MEAL - We all have that meal that is emblematic of our struggle, the meal that we ate when we were poor and were on the come up.

What’s that meal for you? Drinking garri? Ramen noodles? PB&J?

Well, one for me was sardines on toast. Sardines were cheap; they came in a small tin, soaked in oil, and were readily available, even in Africa.

I remember those days, walking up to my neighborhood shop stand with the little money I gathered to purchase a small tin of sardines, and if I was lucky, a small pinch of bread.

That's all I needed, well, maybe some mustard too. I remember opening the tin, spooning out the sardines onto a piece of soft bread, and savoring the meal, the only meal for that day - ahh, the good ol’ days!

Till next time,

Chop Team