Leon Louw

South Africa

Founder and Editor at WhyAfrica

Founder of WhyAfrica and Endorphin Expeditions. Specialist in African affairs and the sustainable use of Africa's natural resources

Articles

More black rhinos return to Mozambique

1 week ago | whyafrica.co.za | Leon Louw

More black rhinos return to MozambiqueTen more black rhinos were translocated from South Africa to Zinave National Park in Mozambique. With 37 rhinos already introduced and thriving, this relocation aims to enhance biodiversity and reinforce the park as Mozambique’s only ‘big five’ national park. Black rhinos became locally extinct in Mozambique five decades ago. The rhinos, five male and five female, were donated by South Africa’s provincial conservation entity, Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife.
Egypt’s travel and tourism at an all-time high

1 week ago | whyafrica.co.za | Leon Louw

Egypt’s travel and tourism at an all-time highThe World Travel & Tourism Council revealed record-breaking data for Egypt’s tourism sector. While 2024 marked the highest-ever contribution of the travel and tourism sector to Egypt’s national economy, the WTTC forecasts that 2025 will surpass that record once again.
New mining legislation in Algeria will attract foreign investors

1 week ago | whyafrica.co.za | Leon Louw

New mining legislation in Algeria will attract foreign investorsThe passing of Algeria’s 2025 Mining Law will attract foreign investors. By Leon Louw founder of WhyAfrica and editor of the WhyAfrica magazine. New mining legislation in Algeria that allows foreign investors to own up to 80% of mining projects will attract mining and exploration companies to a vast region that remains relatively underexplored.
Hilton aims to triple African hotels

1 week ago | whyafrica.co.za | Leon Louw

Hilton aims to triple African hotelsHilton will triple its presence in Africa to more than 160 hotels in the next few years. Yesterday International hotel group Hilton announced plans to triple its presence in Africa in the next few years. Hilton aims to open more than 100 new hotels on the continent, supporting Africa’s burgeoning hospitality sector and creating approximately 18,000 jobs for local people.
Linking Africa’s natural resources to sustainable investment

1 week ago | whyafrica.co.za | Leon Louw

Linking Africa’s natural resources to sustainable investment As an investment destination, Africa has huge untapped potential. By Leon Louw founder of WhyAfrica and Endorphin Expeditions, and editor of the WhyAfrica magazine. The true value of Africa’s diverse natural resources lies not in pure extraction, but in sustainable stewardship that balances development and conservation.
AfCFTA: A trade deal with teeth

2 weeks ago | whyafrica.co.za | Leon Louw

AfCFTA: A trade deal with teethAfrica has a unique opportunity to lead the next wave of industrial growthBy Yael Shafrir, Associate Director at Webber WentzelAfrica has a unique opportunity to lead the next wave of industrial growth, and it’s not just a dream. From electric vehicles (EVs) to lithium batteries, the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is already laying the groundwork for of regional value chains that could redefine how we produce, trade, and drive.
Tailings standards highlight value of water stewardship on mines

2 weeks ago | whyafrica.co.za | Leon Louw

Tailings standards highlight value of water stewardship on mines Compliance with GISTM requires a keen focus in water stewardshipMaintaining compliance with the Global Industry Standard on Tailings Management (GISTM) will require a keener focus on water stewardship, according to Lindsay Shand, partner and principal environmental geologist at SRK Consulting South Africa (SA).
Steenkampskraal a step closer to production

2 weeks ago | whyafrica.co.za | Leon Louw

Steenkampskraal a step closer to production Steenkampskraal is another step closer to restarting their Monazite mine in South Africa. The National Nuclear Regulator (NNR) has accepted Steenkampskraal Monazite Mine’s (SMM’s) latest Authorisation Change Request. This means that a recent request submitted by SMM has been updated on the existing authorisation license.
Limestone quarries flourish amid Copperbelt boom

2 weeks ago | whyafrica.co.za | Leon Louw

Limestone quarries flourish amid Copperbelt boomThe quarrying sector in the Zambian Copperbelt is booming as copper production surges. By Leon Louw founder of WhyAfrica and editor of the WhyAfrica magazine. As more copper mines start production, and expansion projects come online in the Central African Copperbelt, demand for quicklime in the region has increased significantly.
Mkango’s Songwe Hill in Malawi is WhyAfrica’s Pick Of The Week

2 weeks ago | whyafrica.co.za | Leon Louw

Mkango’s Songwe Hill in Malawi is WhyAfrica’s Pick Of The WeekMkango Resources is advancing the Songwe Hill REE project in Malawi Last week Mkango Resources announced that their Songwe Hill Rare Earths (REE) project in Malawi has been designated as a strategic project by the European Commission under the Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA). Strategic project status confirms the importance of Songwe in supplying REEs to supply chains across Europe, North America and other markets.