Minister of Mining of Malawi, Monica Chang’anamuno, will return as a speaker to this year’s edition of the Critical Minerals Africa (CMA) Summit – Africa’s premier gathering for critical mineral industry stakeholders. Minister Chang’anamuno’s participation will be vital for highlighting partnership and investment opportunities within Malawi’s burgeoning mining sector.

Malawi is ramping up exploration and development of its critical mineral resources, with several rare earth and niobium ventures set to launch within the next two years. Australian mining firm Lindian Resources is conducting a feasibility study for the Kangankunde Rare Earths Mineral Project, following the completion of a drilling campaign that revealed promising high-grade deposits earlier this year. The study will guide the selection of a contractor for the design and construction of a processing plant and associated infrastructure. Meanwhile, Canadian mining firm Mkango Resources is advancing the Songwe Hill Rare Earth Project in southeastern Malawi, with initial production targeted for 2025.

The Critical Minerals Africa 2024 summit on November 6 – 7 serves to position Africa as the primary investment destination for critical minerals. The event is held alongside the African Energy Week: Invest in African Energy 2024 conference (http://apo-opa.co/3RKbB78) on November 4 – 8, offering delegates access to the full scope of energy, mining and finance leaders in Cape Town. Sponsors, exhibitors and delegates can learn more by contacting sales@energycapitalpower.com

In the graphite sector, developments such as the Kasiya Rutile-Graphite Project – led by Australian mining company Sovereign Metals – is set to position Malawi as a key supplier to the global market. The nearly $600-million project will represent the world’s largest producer of rutile – the preferred source of titanium ore – at 222,000 tons per year and one of the largest natural graphite producers outside of China at 244,000 tons per year, helping meet global demand for the manufacturing of nuclear reactors and electric motor engines.

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At CMA 2024, Minister Chang’anamuno will explore Malawi’s potential contributions to the global supply and demand of energy transition minerals, underscoring the country’s vast deposits of critical minerals including nickel, cobalt and bauxite. Malawi is seeking to attract new investors, accelerate the commercialization of its critical mineral reserves and boost the mining sector’s GDP contribution to 10-15% by 2030. The drafting of the Mines and Minerals Bill in April 2023 – which establishes an independent regulatory authority for mining permits – affirms the country’s commitment to maximizing mining sector activities for economic growth. Minister Chang’anamuno is expected to outline Malawi’s strategic vision and future outlook for the critical mineral industry, detailing regulatory reforms designed to streamline mining processes and enhance investment appeal.

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“Malawi stands on the brink of transformation, owing to its vast untapped mineral base and investor-friendly policies. A fresh wave of investments across the country’s critical minerals value chain will be crucial to unlocking Malawi’s economic growth and shaping  the regional and global transition to low-carbon technologies,” stated James Chester, Energy Capital&Power CEO.  

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital&Power.

Zimbabwe’s Central Veterinary Laboratory (CVL) and Uganda’s Directorate of Government Analytical Laboratories (DGAL) have attained accreditation to the international standard for testing and calibration in laboratories with the support of the IAEA and the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Achieving this accreditation is a goal for many testing and calibration laboratories within Africa as it demonstrates competence; increases confidence among clients; and enhances the prospect of attracting resources by providing paid services and therefore contributing to the sustainability of such laboratories. Accredited laboratories also help food traders to access and sustain national and international markets.

In the face of limited resources, national testing and calibration laboratories such as CVL in Zimbabwe and DGAL in Uganda must explore mechanisms to attract funds to facilitate routine operations and ensure sustainable service-delivery. Support provided by the IAEA, in cooperation with the FAO, has helped to strengthen CVL’s and DGAL’s capabilities.

The CVL is now capable of regularly testing foods such as chicken for chemical hazards and can provide end-users with more reliable analytical test results, creating greater consumer confidence.

Additionally, personnels from CVL were recently trained and provided with equipment in a regional AFRA food safety project also involving Namibia and Zimbabwe, giving them even greater capability. One beneficiary  of this capability is a major national chicken producer in Zimbabwe that exports poultry meat to a neighboring country. The producer is now able to rely on laboratory-test results from an accredited institution, which can prove the absence of hazards such as antimicrobial residues. Previously food business operators had to send samples out of the country for testing.

“We are glad to have a local accredited food safety laboratory that supports the testing of our food products to ensure confidence among our clients about their safety and save us from the burden of testing abroad”, said Moses Nyanzunda, the company veterinarian.

The CVL recently achieved accreditation for some of the analytical techniques (radio-receptor assays using radiotracers such as C-14 and H-3) for milk and meat to ISO17025:2017 – the international standard for testing and calibration laboratories – for an initial period of two years starting September 2023.

Supplying this service locally is faster, cheaper, creates financial opportunities for citizens and reduces the double burden of costly outsourcing. It also reduces shipping biological material across borders, a major obstacle due to concerns about potential spread of transboundary diseases.

The services rendered by the laboratory will facilitate analytical cost recovery as these companies pay for testing services. Antimicrobial test results obtained from the national residue programme can now be used to advise farmers on appropriate use of chemicals in food production. The laboratory continues to routinely assess its capabilities by participating in proficiency (blind) testing schemes supported by the IAEA technical cooperation programme, where the CVL has performed well. Thanks to its strong quality management system, the CVL now shares best practices and related experience with others in the region, maximizing the use of regional resources.

Following the support provided to DGAL in Uganda, the institution attained ISO17025:2017 accreditation of 14 tests including techniques for determining residues of pesticides in fruits and vegetables; persistent organic pollutants in fish and meat, as well as toxic metals such as lead. Other tests include microbiology, toxicology, and DNA testing by six sections of the laboratory. This accreditation is for four years starting February 2024,  enhancing confidence among users of the laboratory’s services, nationally and internationally. Maintaining the accreditation means that laboratories must improve their quality management system as this is a requirement from accreditation to re-accreditation.

“The path to accreditation can be long and demanding, requiring rigorous training of personnel, establishment of equipment handled by well trained personnel. We thank IAEA’s support in the process” said Kepher Kuchana Kateu, Director of DGAL. “Excellence in analytical service delivery is required to maintain this status beyond the four years and we are determined to keep the standards and provide laboratory leadership in the country and the region” Kateu said. DGAL plays a critical role in investigations including in forensics, poisoning, paternity tests and food safety.

“With the IAEA’s support, which includes installation and building capabilities for routine use of an inductively coupled mass spectrometer as well as the establishment of a laboratory information management system, the status of those laboratories is expected to be significantly enhanced and to maintain this status to remain credible” says Anna Grigoryan, Programme Management Officer at the IAEA’s Department of Technical Cooperation.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

The senior Italian delegation, led by Minister Adolfo Urso and including CEOs of various companies, visited various development sites in Dubarwa sub-zone, as well as the railway station and repair workshop in Asmara.

The delegation, accompanied by Mr. Osman Saleh, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Hagos Gebrehiwet, Head of Economic Affairs of the PFDJ, and Mr. Nesredin Mohammed-Saleh, Minister of Trade and Industry, toured the Misilam Dam and associated agricultural infrastructure in Halhale.

Maj. Kibreab Abraham, Manager of Livestock and Crops Corporation, briefed the delegation on the dam’s significance, its water storage capacity, milk and byproducts production activities, and the agro-industry project being developed in the area.

The delegation also visited the Asmara Glass Factory that was established during the Italian colonialism and the railway station and repair workshop in Asmara that was built in 1911. During their visit the delegation was provided briefings by experts.

Likewise, Minister Amina Nurhusein, Minister of Health, met and held talks with members of the delegation and Director of Telemedicine at Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic, Dr. Gabriele Rumi and discussed on modalities of bilateral cooperation and partnership in the medical sector.

In the afternoon hours, the Italian delegation visited Dolce Vita textile factory and Asmara House Project that is under construction. During the visit the delegation was provided briefing on the background of the project, the employment opportunity that it has created and future program. The delegation also visited the historic building of Cinema Asmara.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Information, Eritrea.

The third round of Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) between India and Benin was held on 24-25 June 2024 in Cotonou, Republic of Benin. The Indian delegation was led by Shri Sevala Naik Mude, Additional Secretary (C&WA) and the Beninese delegation was led by Frank Armel Afoukou, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Benin.

During the FOC, both sides reviewed the bilateral relations including political, trade&economic, defence, development partnership, capacity building, cultural relations etc., and discussed ways to further strengthening the bilateral ties between the two countries. Both sides also exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interest and agreed to enhance their cooperation in the multilateral fora.

Relations between India and Benin have friendly ties by virtue of shared principles of democracy and secularism. Discussions were focused on further promoting developmental cooperation and capacity building in the spirit of South-South cooperation. The bilateral trade and Indian investment in Benin have been growing steadily and our bilateral trade registered US$ 1.34 billion during 2022-23. Around 90 Indian or Indian-owned companies are operating in Benin in the fields of auto mobiles, textiles and food processing in Cotonou, consolidating our economic cooperation and contributing to the Beninese economy.

Both sides agreed to hold the next consultations at New Delhi at a mutually convenient date.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of External Affairs – Government of India.