Energy

Known as the Gold Coast during British colonial rule, Ghana has been a significant source of the precious metal. In 2017, however, gold mining was overshadowed by news of a major investment agreement intended to develop the country’s substantial bauxite reserves.

With mining activities in place for more than 120 years, Ghana is the most explored country in West Africa. Given that its mountains and forests have been well trodden by geologists, it is unsurprising that greenfield investment has been modest in recent years. This is in contrast with the success of Ghana’s neighbouring countries, which are...

For more than 150 years the mining industry has been one of the key pillars of the Ghanaian economy. While it contributes a modest and – as a result of rising oil, gas and agricultural production – declining proportion of GDP, it remains a major source of government revenue, through taxation and royalty payments, and an indispensable driver of...

Saudi Arabia was re-affirming diplomatic relations with key allies in East Asia when King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud embarked on a tour of the region in early 2016, but the itinerary also included talks to cement existing commercial ties while paving the way for new investments and joint ventures (JVs). The Kingdom was also staking out...

Petro-dollars earned from oil exports comprise the majority of Saudi Arabia’s revenues, yet gas is seen as key to diversifying the economy. If the Kingdom is to make the most of the cost opportunity granted to it by oil, it must reduce the amount of oil used to generate power for factories and petrochemicals plants. The medium-term National...

At a time of great change in Saudi Arabia and amidst debates about rapid economic diversification, it is perhaps easy to overlook the fact that even in the most optimistic forecasts of Saudi Vision 2030 – the national development strategy – the oil and gas sector will account for at least half of the country’s exports in the fourth decade of...