Latest news with #industrialgrowth
Zawya
4 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
OPEC forecasts stable crude exports from Africa until 2035
Africa is repositioning itself as a rising energy consumer and industrial growth hub in the global oil market, according to the Opec World Oil Outlook 2025. The report predicts that Africa's total crude and condensate exports will remain stable at around 5.2 million barrels per day (bpd) through 2035, but by 2050, they are expected to decline to 4.2 million bpd due to rising domestic demand and strategic value addition. Domestic crude use is expected to rise from 1.8 million bpd in 2024 to 4.5 million bpd by 2050, nearly tripling over the outlook period. This growth is tied to Africa's demographic boom, industrial expansion, and a push to enhance local refining and downstream infrastructure. Global trade patterns are shifting, offering new opportunities for African producers. Exports to Europe are expected to increase to a peak of 3 million bpd in 2030, before gradually tapering to 2.3 million bpd by 2050. The Asia-Pacific region is emerging as a more prominent long-term partner, with African crude exports remaining stable at 1.9 million bpd through 2030, then rising modestly to 2.2 million bpd by 2040 before easing to 1.8 million bpd by 2050. Trade with the US and Canada is expected to fall to 100,000 bpd by 2045, as competition from Latin America intensifies. -OGN / TradeArabia News Service
Khaleej Times
17-07-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
Ras Al Khaimah sees 17.6% rise in new business licences in first half of 2025
Ras Al Khaimah has recorded a significant increase in new business activity this year. According to a recent report from the Department of Economic Development (DED) in Ras Al Khaimah, the emirate witnessed a 17.6 per cent growth in the number of new business licences issued during the first half of 2025. In total, 1,219 new licences were issued between January and June, compared to 1,037 licences during the same period in 2024. Industrial licences lead the growth The report highlighted that industrial licences saw the highest growth, jumping by approximately 111 per cent. This was followed by professional licences, which increased by 20 per cent, and commercial licences, which rose by 12.6 per cent. Wholesale and retail dominate In terms of sectors, the wholesale and retail trade sector accounted for the largest share of new licences, making up 44.4 per cent of the total. The construction sector came second with 18 per cent, followed by the accommodation and food services sector at 13.2 per cent, and the manufacturing sector at 11.1 per cent. Other service activities accounted for 8.6 per cent of the new licences. Capital investment sees steady growth The total registered capital of new businesses in the emirate also rose by 7.5 per cent in the first half of the year. The capital invested in industrial licences saw a major increase, growing by 7.6 times compared to the same period in 2024. The professional licenses' capital rose by 24.7 per cent. Among Ras Al Khaimah's areas, Al Dhait recorded the highest share of new licences, accounting for 8.7 per cent of the total, followed by Al Nakheel at 8.4 per cent, and both Al Qusaidat and Julphar, each at 7.7 per cent. When measuring the number of new licences compared to existing active licences, Khalifa bin Zayed City ranked first, with 18.9 per cent new licences. Dahan followed with 13.4 per cent, and Al Ghail came in third at 9.1 per cent. In terms of attracting new investments, Al Jazirah Al Hamra led the way, capturing nearly one-third of the total registered capital of new licences. Al Dhait followed with 13 per cent, while Al Ghail attracted 8.5 per cent of the new capital. Commenting on the report, Amina Qahtan, Director of the Commercial Affairs Department at Ras Al Khaimah DED, said the figures reflect a dynamic and growing economy in the emirate. 'This growth is the result of strategic directives from our leadership, aimed at creating a flexible and investor-friendly environment,' she said. 'We have introduced a wide range of incentives and streamlined procedures to attract more businesses to Ras Al Khaimah.'
Zawya
17-07-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Africa's Crude Export Landscape is Shifting – What It Means for the Continent and the Industry
Africa is repositioning itself in the global oil market – not merely as a supplier to international markets, but as a rising energy consumer and industrial growth hub. The newly released OPEC World Oil Outlook 2025 underscores a continent in transition, leveraging its natural resources to meet domestic demand, expand refining capacity and strengthen regional energy security. These shifts signal a maturing energy profile, one that will be at the forefront of discussions during African Energy Week 2025 (AEW): Invest in African Energies, where policymakers, investors and industry leaders will shape the future of African energy on African terms. Crude Exports Plateau Before Gradual Decline OPEC projects that Africa's total crude and condensate exports will remain stable at around 5.2 million barrels per day (bpd) through 2035, thanks to modest increases in production. However, this steady supply will increasingly be used at home. By 2050, exports are expected to decline to 4.2 million bpd – not due to market loss, but as a result of rising domestic demand and strategic value addition on the continent. One of the most significant insights from the report is the continent's growing internal energy appetite. Domestic crude use is expected to rise from 1.8 million bpd in 2024 to 4.5 million bpd by 2050, nearly tripling over the outlook period. This growth is tied to Africa's demographic boom, industrial expansion and a concerted push to enhance local refining and downstream infrastructure. As African governments invest in capacity to process more of their own crude and produce their own fuels, the continent is taking steps toward energy independence and job creation across the value chain. Europe and Asia: Changing Trade Patterns Meanwhile, global trade patterns are shifting in ways that present new opportunities for African producers. Exports to Europe are expected to increase to a peak of 3 million bpd in 2030, before gradually tapering to 2.3 million bpd by 2050, in line with Europe's broader energy transition and shrinking reliance on imported oil. The Asia-Pacific region is emerging as a more prominent long-term partner, with African crude exports remaining stable at 1.9 million bpd through 2030, then rising modestly to 2.2 million bpd by 2040 before easing to 1.8 million bpd by 2050. Trade with the U.S. and Canada, which stood at 400,000 bpd in 2024, is expected to fall to 100,000 bpd by 2045, as competition from Latin America intensifies. Yet rather than signaling decline, this trend underscores the importance of market diversification and deeper regional cooperation – a direction many African producers are already pursuing through integrated trade corridors, cross-border pipelines and African Continental Free Trade Area initiatives. What This Means for Africa's Energy Strategy — and AEW These evolving dynamics will be a core focus at AEW 2025: Invest in African Energies, the continent's premier platform for energy dialogue, investment and policy alignment. AEW will provide a stage for African countries to present their long-term energy strategies and forge partnerships aimed at building capacity, securing financing and scaling infrastructure. Rather than reacting to global shifts, Africa is asserting its own agenda centered on energy access, industrialization and sustainable growth. A dedicated OPEC roundtable at AEW will also explore the implications of the World Oil Outlook 2025 in greater depth. This forum will offer African producers and OPEC member states a chance to align on market expectations, explore new trade frameworks and identify areas for collaboration across production, refining and investment. 'As demand at home accelerates and global market dynamics evolve, the continent is stepping into a more self-directed and strategic role in the energy world. AEW 2025 will be a critical moment to chart that course, ensuring that Africa's oil and gas resources are harnessed not only for global supply but for African prosperity,' says NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman, African Energy Week. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber. About AEW: Invest in African Energies: AEW: Invest in African Energies is the platform of choice for project operators, financiers, technology providers and government, and has emerged as the official place to sign deals in African energy. Visit for more information about this exciting event.
Zawya
08-07-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Protecting the future of South African rail network requires private participation
South Africa's freight rail network is under strain, yet it remains one of the country's greatest opportunities for economic renewal and industrial growth. For investors, freight users, and logistics specialists, this is a chance to help rebuild a critical national asset while unlocking long-term value in a sector essential to the country's recovery. Source: jplenio1 via Freepik On the Northern Corridor alone, the coal artery to Richards Bay, Transnet estimates R13bn is needed for critical maintenance. That's 10% of its entire debt book. And in just the next fiscal year, R2bn is required to restore even basic functionality. Transnet cannot fund this rehabilitation. Its five-year capital requirement is estimated at around R65bn, money it doesn't have. To support this, the government in May approved a R51bn guarantee facility: R41 billion to meet Transnet's funding needs over the next two years, and R10bn for liquidity support. This comes barely 18 months after a previous R47bn guarantee, underscoring how desperate the situation is. With Transnet struggling and the government under pressure, it was clear that something needed to change. Transnet and the Department of Transport have finally acknowledged that they cannot fix the system alone, and are calling for co-investment and co-operation. This is a major shift. Opening the doors to private sector participation not only aims to revitalise the rail network, restoring export capacity, but also provides the opportunity to revive mining communities, attract investment, and enhance national competitiveness. Private sector participation In March 2025, Transnet issued a Request for Information (RFI) to gauge private sector interest in freight rail and port logistics. Three priority corridors are up for revival: • Coal to Richards Bay • Iron ore to Saldanha • Container traffic to Durban An accompanying Request for Proposal (RFP) is due later this year with additional RFIs, including for manganese and passenger rail corridors, on the horizon. For the mining sector and freight operators, the imperative to engage is both strategic and financial. Involvement in the rail network and operations isn't just about moving goods. It's about de-risking operations, ensuring cost efficiency, and unlocking long-term returns through access to mission-critical infrastructure. The government has made clear that while the state will retain ownership of the rail network, operational control and financial input can be shared. To do so, there are various participation models, from track upgrades and terminal development to end-to-end corridor management. While the private sector could participate piecemeal in select parts of the rail network, we believe infrastructure rehabilitation must be approached as a whole. Fragmented efforts won't deliver the operational continuity, safety, and efficiency required; only a corridor-wide view can. Some stakeholders may choose to invest; others may wish to operate. What matters is alignment. Alignment of participants who can bring capital, capability and/or execution strengths to the table. No single entity can take on this scale of work alone, but the potential is already clear. During the RFI portal's open period, between 24 March and 9 May, the site drew 11,000 visits and generated 163 official responses to the RFI, the transport ministry revealed. The most effective influence will come from consortiums, blending the resources of miners, funders, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), and logistics experts. Each must contribute more than just money. Deep expertise and delivery capacity will be critical. This all has to be collaborative. This is echoed by the industry players, who have made it clear that if they are to participate, there needs to be a fundamental mindset change. They want a say in how the railway line is funded, managed, and maintained. Without this level of system-wide influence, private players lack the investment security they desire, making participation far less attractive. The mining industry is not primarily motivated by financial gain from logistics operations; it wants predictability, efficiency, and transparency, which are all qualities currently in short supply. For freight users, the prize is a network that works: one that moves product efficiently to port, reduces reliance on road freight, and supports long-term growth. This is not just about trains. It's about national recovery. Decisions made over the next year will determine whether South Africa can restore lost export volumes, revive its mining heartlands, and reassert its economic potential. The forthcoming RFP is more than a procurement exercise; it's an opportunity to shape the future. The mining industry, investors and operators need to prepare now: understand the policy environment, assess the corridors, and consider where their strategic interests align. For the private sector, the moment to step in is now. Not to take over, but to build together. All rights reserved. © 2022. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Zawya
01-07-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Oman: Majlis A'Shura reviews law to boost GCC industrial integration
Muscat – The Economic and Financial Committee of Majlis A'Shura held a meeting on Monday where it reviewed the draft Unified Industrial Regulation Law for GCC member states in the presence of officials from Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion. Chaired by Ahmed bin Saeed al Sharqi, the meeting discussed the government-referred draft law which aims to unify industrial legislation across the Gulf bloc. Ministry officials said the proposed law is intended to stimulate industrial growth, enhance sectoral contribution to national income, attract investment and foster regional integration. The regulation also aims to support harmonisation of industrial policies among GCC countries, encourage innovation and promote localisation of advanced technologies to strengthen competitiveness in the sector. Committee members emphasised the need to ensure the legislation reflects Oman's local industrial context and aligns with existing national laws and regulations. The committee also reviewed and approved two final reports during the meeting. The first addressed the state of local industries in the sultanate, assessing challenges and opportunities in the sector and its alignment with the National Industrial Strategy and Oman Vision 2040. The report recommended better policy coordination and introduction of incentive packages to support industrial growth. The second report evaluated the competitiveness and appeal of Oman's business environment, identifying key structural obstacles and offering strategic proposals to improve the sultanate's investment climate in line with diversification goals. Both reports were developed following consultations with experts and stakeholders from relevant sectors, in accordance with Article 59 of the Law of Council of Oman, which allows the shura to make recommendations on matters of public interest. The committee also adopted its suggestions on Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion's 2023 annual report, in line with Article 55 of Law of Council of Oman, which mandates annual reporting by service ministers and allows parliamentary review and questioning. Additionally, the committee reviewed a draft amendment to the GCC Common Customs Law, continuing its efforts to support legislative coordination in the region.
