Malawi Has Signed Its Second Chinese Shipping Deal for One Lake in Six Weeks
A Malawi lake transport deal worth US$20m will bring two vessels and a rebuilt Monkey Bay shipyard, the second Chinese...
September 8, 2026Section
Southern Africa
Southern Africa – South Africa, Angola, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Botswana – anchors the continent’s deepest capital markets and its richest seams of platinum, copper, gold, diamonds and gas. The Rio Times follows the rand, the Johannesburg market, mining and energy deals, and the South Atlantic ties that increasingly link the region to Brazil and Latin America. This hub collects our daily Southern Africa coverage for investors and expats.
Browse by themeAfrica Critical Minerals · Africa Energy · Africa Markets & Investment · Africa & Latin America · Africa & the Great Powers · Doing Business & Living in Africa
Namibia Succeeded Against HIV, and Is Losing Its American Funding Because of It
Namibia HIV funding from the United States will move from financial assistance to technical cooperation, with more than 29,000 people...
September 8, 2026
Zimbabwe’s Biggest Mobile Operator Is Building Its Way Off the National Grid
Econet solar plans include a 100 MW solar and battery scheme in Harare, after AI analysis found power cuts behind...
September 8, 2026
South Africa’s Economy Shrank, and Mining Did Most of the Damage
South Africa GDP fell 0.2% in the second quarter of 2026, ending a six-quarter run of growth, as mining, trade...
September 8, 2026
Mozambique Signs an Industrial Park Deal Inland, Away From the Gas
A Manica industrial parks agreement was signed at FACIM, with a first site planned at Selva in Vanduzi district on...
September 8, 2026
Zimbabwe Says 720 Tonnes of Lithium Ore Left on Forged Papers
A Harare court heard that 720 tonnes of unbeneficiated lithium ore left Zimbabwe in 23 trucks on fraudulent export documents,...
September 7, 2026
Lesotho’s Garment Industry Wins a Reprieve as AGOA Runs to 2028
US tariffs on Lesotho lapsed in July 2026 and AGOA now runs to 31 December 2028, but the buyers who...
September 7, 2026
King Mswati III Takes $5.1m US Deportee Deal as Eswatini Economy Feels South Africa’s Pull
Eswatini economy faces rising scrutiny over a $5.1m US deportee deal while sugar exports deepen ties to South Africa. Investors...
September 7, 2026
Malawi El Niño Plan Is Only One Third Funded
The Malawi El Niño preparedness plan needs about US$282 million. Only US$94 million is mobilised, leaving a gap that reaches...
September 6, 2026