African Business English Edition – December 2025 – January 2026

Summary

"A Drop in the Ocean" — African Business's December 2025/January 2026 double issue (60th Year, N 529) examines the blue economy as Africa's coastal states aim to unleash ocean-based prosperity. Nigeria's fuel king Femi Otedola is interviewed on taking on the power deficit. South Africa steers the G20 to a joint declaration without Trump. Mining feature explores Simandou — is Guinea's mega-project finally ready to roll?

The cover story (P8) examines whether fisheries and blue carbon credits can preserve Africa's coastal riches. The G20 special report (P18-P28) covers South Africa's summit success, Neville Matjie's analysis, private-sector voices at the B20, and Johannesburg's hosting. The mining focus (P44-P56) asks whether governments are finally solving the age-old mining question and visits Simandou. Business Intelligence reports that 53% of Nigerian tech founders do not understand NGX listing processes, and Trump threatens to bar South Africa from the 2026 G20. Nigeria's Femi Otedola (P34) and Afreximbank's Kanayo Awani (P38) are interviewed.

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Content Guide

▸ Cover Story / Blue Economy

P08 · What's the Catch? Long-Neglected Fisheries Look to the Future
Analysis of Africa's fisheries sector — the gap between catch potential and current output, the IUU fishing losses, and the investment required to build sustainable fishing industries.

P14 · Can Blue Carbon Credits Preserve Africa's Coastal Riches?
The emerging market for mangrove and seagrass carbon credits and whether African coastal states can capture the value.

▸ Special Report: South Africa's G20

P18 · South Africa Steers G20 to Joint Declaration Without Trump
Cyril Ramaphosa's summit success: the US was the only member state without high-level representation, yet a declaration was signed.

P20 · Neville Matjie: South Africa Triumphs in G20 Presidency
Analysis of South Africa's diplomatic achievement and its implications for African global positioning.

P22 · Private Sector Makes Voice Heard at Johannesburg B20
Business-community input into the G20 process focused on trade facilitation, infrastructure investment and digital economy.

P26 · G20 Helps to Drive Africa's Economic Priorities
How the summit advanced African positions on debt restructuring, climate finance and critical minerals policy.

▸ Business Intelligence

Nigerian Fintechs Face Skewed Valuations
TLP Advisory report: 53% of Nigerian tech founders are not sufficiently aware of NGX listing processes. Only 21% would consider listing. Most prefer to exit via acquisition (46%). Kayode Odeleye of 23mile: "The first thing is to stop the approach of 'fake it till you make it.'" The naira has lost 65% of its value since being freely floated in 2023.

Trump Says South Africa Will Be Barred From Next Year's G20
Trump's Truth Social posts repeat slurs and tie the ban to a handover protocol dispute. Ramaphosa responds: "South Africa is a member of the G20 in its own name and right." The exchange marks an unprecedented deterioration in US-South Africa bilateral relations.

▸ Features / Mining Focus

P34 · Interview: Femi Otedola
Nigeria's fuel king on taking on the power deficit. The interview covers his investment strategy, regulatory battles and outlook for Nigeria's energy sector.

P38 · Interview: Afreximbank's Kanayo Awani
Her mission to boost intra-African trade through the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) and trade finance innovation.

P44 · Governments Seek to Answer Age-Old Mining Question
How African governments are redesigning mining codes to capture more value from resource extraction.

P50 · Visiting Simandou: Is Guinea's Mining Mega-Project Finally Ready to Roll?
On-the-ground assessment of the Simandou iron ore project's progress, infrastructure requirements and political obstacles.

P86 · Rule of Law or Revenue? Senegal Graft Crackdown Divides Opinion
The anti-corruption campaign's impact on business confidence and political stability.

P92 · Africa and Ukraine: Art, Sovereignty and Solidarity
A cultural feature on African artistic responses to the Ukraine war.

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Editor's Take

The G20 special report is the most valuable editorial package in this issue — the diplomatic analysis of South Africa's achievement in securing a joint declaration without US participation is a genuinely important piece of international affairs reporting. The Femi Otedola interview provides useful insight into Nigeria's power sector. The Simandou update is essential reading for anyone tracking the world's largest undeveloped iron ore deposit. The blue economy cover story is well-intentioned but the fisheries data is thin compared with the depth of the mining or G20 coverage. The weakest element is the arts and culture piece, which feels disconnected from the issue's business focus. Best for international affairs professionals, mining investors and anyone tracking US-Africa relations.

Strengths
• G20 special report with specific diplomatic analysis of the Trump-Ramaphosa confrontation
• Simandou mining update provides on-the-ground project assessment
• Femi Otedola interview covers Nigeria's power sector with specific investment data

Weaknesses
• Blue economy cover story lacks the data depth of other features
• Arts piece feels disconnected from the issue's business theme

Verdict: Recommended — Buy for the G20 analysis and Simandou mining update.