GOOD MORNING CHOP FAMILY!
It’s the start of a new week, but for some reason, it feels like we are in the middle of a bad movie that won’t end. So we have to keep on keepin’ on, and make things happen. Go out and crush the week, but before you do so, get caught up on the latest from Mama Africa and beyond!
TRENDING TOPICS
The oil and energy crisis is the top global issue right now. At the end of the day, we all need energy (preferably cheap energy) to make our world go round. The conflict in the Middle East is directly impacting the prices of most goods, from Accra to Nairobi.
Some economies may see a short-term bump from oil exports, but this will not continue as long as the war rages. It shows how interconnected and delicate the global energy economy is. So we may need to buckle up and get ready for a bumpy journey.
African Proverb of the Day
"A bird that flies off the earth and lands on an anthill is still on the ground." (Igbo, Nigeria)
MARKET MOVES
BUSINESS
The 4,128km Pipeline Push
I hope you guys saw our article about the intercontinental railway a few months ago; if not, please check it out here. But there is another project on the move. This time it’s a pipeline that will move fuel across Africa to Europe.
Progress is accelerating on the Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline, a colossal 4,128km project designed to link Nigeria’s vast gas reserves directly to Europe via Niger and Algeria.
It’s a multibillion-dollar plan to capitalize on regional cooperation that could transform Algeria and Niger into major transit hubs while giving Nigeria a direct "tap" into the European market.
As long as cooperation and diplomacy endure, this could be a win-win for all involved. Who needs Middle East oil and gas? 😄
Gabon’s Deep-Sea Secret
Oil Rig in Gabon
Since we are on the topic of oil and gas, Gabon’s drill ships were turning off the coast when they hit something.
A new oil discovery has been confirmed, sparking hope in Libreville.
However, the leaders are taking it slow, since it is still too early to determine if the find is large enough to be commercially viable.
If it pans out, it could provide a much-needed boost to Gabon’s production targets as it looks to modernize its energy sector.
Gabon is currently the 8th largest oil producer in Africa.
FINANCE & MARKETS
Investment or Subsidy?
With the aforementioned energy crisis, the financial talk of the week is about "fiscal buffers."
Countries like Nigeria and Kenya are trying to navigate the current global energy situation. To subsidize or not to subsidize? Top experts from across Africa have unanimously agreed that the spike in oil prices is hurting African economies.
While certain economies may benefit in the short term, long-term price spikes mean that average citizens will feel the crunch, since higher oil prices raise the cost of food, medicine, transportation, and basically everything else.
Check out the Conversation here.
TECH
Microsoft & NVIDIA's Cloud Push
Big Tech is doubling down. Microsoft has committed roughly $290 million to expand its AI and cloud infrastructure in South Africa by 2027. Meanwhile, NVIDIA is partnering with Cassava Technologies to launch AI-ready data centers in Egypt and Nigeria.
These aren't just server farms; they are "AI factories" designed to give local researchers the horsepower to build world-class models on African soil.
We would love to see more homegrown AI investment across the continent, which would help advance AI sovereignty.
⚡ Quick Bites ⚡
The Premier League’s New Face: The race for the next big African superstar in the Premier League is heating up. Scouts are focusing heavily on West African academies as the demand for dynamic wingers reaches an all-time high.
Zambia’s Maize Mission: To combat recent food security concerns, Zambia has launched a new initiative to boost small-scale maize production through localized irrigation projects.
Eswatini’s Digital Leap: The country has officially launched its first national digital ID system, aiming to streamline government services and improve financial inclusion for its citizens.
🌍 What Else is Cooking? 🍳
Mars Rover Milestone: NASA's Perseverance rover has just collected its most diverse set of rock samples yet, suggesting that the "red planet" was much more geologically active than we thought.
The Return of the Cassette: Following the vinyl trend, cassette tapes are making a surprise comeback among indie artists who love that "lo-fi" analog warmth.
Smart Fabrics: A startup in Tokyo has developed a "self-cooling" fabric that uses microscopic water channels to lower body temperature by up to 5 degrees in direct sunlight.
Dish of the Day 🥘
Dongo Dongo
We checked out the food scene in Gabon, and we were not disappointed. We knew about Poulet Nyembwe, but we wanted to try something different. So we were shown Dongo Dongo, and we were so happy that we tried it.
It is essentially Gumbo, or Okra Gumbo. It is made with okra, smoked fish, tomatoes, onions, and other spices to form a thick consistency that was delicious!
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