Natural resources and energy
Can Uganda escape the natural resource curse?
Uganda is standing at a crossroads: exploration of its significant oil reserves is due to start in 2017 and is expected to generate huge revenues and foreign investments. Can Uganda
Clean energy: China’s new strategy for growth
China has been investing large sums of money into clean energy – in fact, more than any other country in the world. The reasons for this are strategic, and can
South Sudan faces impending economic collapse
Oil production has been slashed and oil revenues hurt by falling prices, depriving the government in Juba of most of the money it desperately needs. The UN warns that South
Is food security prompting a new race for Africa?
Rising food security concerns are driving developed countries to negotiate alarmingly large land purchases across the global south. While Western Europe led the colonization of Africa in the 19th century,
Tensions in Mozambique may threaten extractive sector
The political situation in Mozambique has become worrisome, as opposition party Renamo puts pressure on the ruling Frelimo party and threatens to use force to achieve its political objectives. Conflict over
Amid falling production, Latin American oil is caught in the doldrums
Latin America’s oil industries, long seen as a relatively safe investment, are now caught in a squeeze between low oil prices, intra-hemisphere competition, corruption scandals, and increasingly vocal local communities.
How water is critical to a lasting Middle East peace
While agricultural output in Palestinian territories is a key driver of the domestic economy, uncertainties revolving around water supply and allocations by Israel continue to weaken economic prospects. With the recent
Falkland Islands status reignites UK-Argentina tensions
UK-Argentine tensions have risen as London plans to bolster military presence in the South Atlantic. British energy discoveries in the region and intelligence leaks are heating up the dispute over the
Illegal sand mining threatens the global construction boom
It sounds like a paradox, but the world is running out of sand – the type of sand that keeps the current global construction boom alive. Sand has become so scarce
Short on energy, South Africa works in the dark
The South African public electricity utility Eskom is in a perceived crisis, threatening to constrain the local economy. Strong financial indicators from recent months, however, show the South African economy continues
