Industry

An unusually long running strike at South Africa’s platinum mines has finally come to an end, and while the effects of the five-month action will likely be felt by the industry for years to come as it tries to recoup losses, it may have helped potentially expand the scope of smaller mining firms in the sector.

The first made-in-Nigeria passenger cars for decades rolled off factory lots in Lagos State in June, marking what authorities hope is the beginning of a new era for automotive assembly in the country. The move also raises hopes among some of the world’s key automakers that Nigeria can become a bigger source of customers as well as a supplier for Africa.

Changes to Mongolia’s mining legislation will open up vast new tracts of land for exploration and pave the way for new licence issuances. This should help restore the confidence of foreign investors made wary by government intervention in the sector.

Restée fortement dépendante des exportations d'hydrocarbures durant plusieurs décennies, l'Algérie s'efforce aujourd'hui de développer les activités à forte valeur ajoutée et la production locale, de réduire la facture des importations et de créer de l'emploi. Même si les progrès sont lents, le pays a récemment récolté le fruit de ses efforts, puisqu’une vague de nouveaux investissements dans l’industrie manufacturière a été annoncée par divers investisseurs nationaux et étrangers.

Plans to increase the production and distribution of generic drugs in South Africa are gathering pace, paving the way for the government to push ahead with the phased rollout of its National Health Insurance (NHI) scheme.

Indonesia is eyeing higher export levels in the second half of 2014, despite continuing concerns over the impact of a controversial ban on shipments of a key commodity.