Geopolitical Intelligence Services’ Post

Building Africa’s Future — From Infrastructure to Intelligence Africa’s Next Frontier > “The new wealth of nations will be defined by who builds — not who borrows.” Africa stands at the threshold of a new economic order. The age of aid and dependency is ending; the age of infrastructure, innovation, and intelligence is rising. Nations that build their own systems — energy grids, industrial hubs, data infrastructure, and AI ecosystems — will define the next century. Those that wait for handouts will remain spectators in the global economy. We are not waiting. We are building. My life’s work is anchored on a singular mission: to make Africa industrially independent — where roads, rails, ports, and factories connect not just cities, but possibilities. This is the decade to design Africa’s sovereignty — brick by brick, byte by byte. #AfricaRising #Industrialization #Infrastructure #InvestmentStrategy #IntelligenceEconomy #VictoryAzimih #AzeemiGlobal #Vision2030

How Many Countries Fit In Africa?   Africa's vast geographical scale is often underestimated due to map distortions, particularly the Mercator projection, which inaccurately depicts its size relative to other regions. Africa spans approximately 11.7 million square miles (30.4 million km²), making it the second-largest continent globally, surpassed only by Asia. Notably, this area accommodates the contiguous United States (3.1M mi²) and China (3.7M mi²) combined, with significant room to spare even when including India (1.3M mi²).   The analysis illustrates that it would take 30 countries to match Africa's total landmass, showcasing the continent's sheer expanse. This comparative framing highlights the need for accurate representation in educational and media contexts, as the common use of the Mercator map may reinforce misconceptions about Africa's global significance and influence.   The African Union has called for alternatives to the Mercator projection to rectify this misrepresentation, arguing that such distortions diminish Africa's perceived importance and contribute to stereotypes. Furthermore, understanding Africa as a single entity overlooks its diverse spatial and cultural complexities, compelling the need for more nuanced discussions on global development, trade, and climate impacts.   In summary, the document underscores the critical importance of accurately visualizing Africa's size to enhance global understanding and address longstanding biases perpetuated by traditional mapping methods.   Source: https://lnkd.in/ds_VdaJw

Where Do Developing Countries Stand in a Multipolar World? As conversations about global power shifts continue, much of the focus tends to center on major players — the U.S., China, Russia, India, and the EU. But it’s equally important to ask: where do smaller or developing nations fit within this emerging multipolar system? For countries like Eswatini, and many others across Africa, the multipolar world presents both opportunities and challenges. On one hand, diversified global partnerships allow for more strategic choices — countries are no longer confined to a single sphere of influence. On the other, navigating multiple centers of power requires diplomatic agility and clear national priorities. The real test for developing nations will be ensuring that this shift doesn’t simply reproduce old hierarchies under new names. Multipolarity should mean multiplicity of voices — where smaller states can leverage their unique strengths, build regional cooperation, and assert agency in shaping global agendas. As an International Relations student, I find this question both exciting and necessary: - How can developing nations turn multipolarity into a platform for empowerment rather than dependency?

🌍 Africa Intelligence NewsBrief | Week Ending 26 Sept 2025 From Nairobi to New York, this week’s edition tracks Africa’s increasingly assertive stance on global governance, resource sovereignty, and trade realignment. At the UNGA, African leaders renewed calls for Security Council reform, while Nigeria and South Africa pushed back against “weaponised” trade policies and growing tariff threats from Washington. Meanwhile, Morocco, Côte d’Ivoire, and Kenya are deepening ties with China, the Gulf, and India in energy, transport, and mining. 💡 Tech & telecoms remain a strategic battleground: Google’s Equiano and Umoja cables, Microsoft’s delayed data centre in Kenya, and Cassava–Accenture’s sovereign AI push reveal both ambition and asymmetry in Africa’s digital sovereignty race. 🚂 In transport, Morocco’s $1.8bn rail expansion, Angola’s new Luanda terminal, and Kenya’s halted US-backed expressway highlight rival infrastructure models—West vs East, fast vs strategic. ⚡ Energy and resources continue to drive FDI: Qatar backed Ivanhoe Mines with $500m, the DRC announced cobalt quotas, and the US moved to counter China with new copper deals in Zambia. Namibia opened its first green hydrogen hub, while Nigeria’s solar manufacturing aims for 1 GW capacity. 🛫 In aerospace, strikes, fleet delays and rising Chinese partnerships are reshaping African carriers' priorities. Niger’s new airline, EgyptAir’s MAX deliveries, and Kenya Airways’ postponed Beijing route tell a broader story of ambition, constraint, and shifting alignments. 📉 Politically, the continent is balancing competing pressures—from Guinea’s controversial referendum to Sudan’s decaying infrastructure, Nigeria’s “strategic autonomy,” and Somalia’s new stock exchange. Investment flows are shifting, and so are alliances. 📥 Read this week’s full NewsBrief here: https://lnkd.in/dJF9QBes 📧 To receive future editions directly, DM me or email lydia@lchconsultancy.com . #AfricaIntelligenceNewsBrief #GeopoliticsAfrica #GreenHydrogen #DigitalAfrica #CriticalMinerals #CivilAerospace #Infrastructure #FDI #AGOA #AfCFTA #LCHInsights #LCHConsultancy #AfricaRising #StrategicStakeholders #PublicAffairs #EnergyTransition

How can satellite data strengthen resilience today and create opportunity for tomorrow? In our latest blog, we explore how EO supports development through two complementary pathways: 🔹 Direct benefits: informing better decisions across sustainable development domains, from flood management in Indonesia to groundwater mapping in the Sahel. 🔹 Indirect benefits: fuelling the growth of space-related data economies, digital innovation ecosystems, entrepreneurship, and job creation. Together, these pathways show how EO helps bridge urgent humanitarian needs and long-term economic resilience. This blog is written on behalf of the ESA Global Development Assistance (GDA) Monitoring & Evaluation activity. Caribou leads the GDA M&E Consortium, overseeing research, analysis, and communications to capture evidence of impact and share how satellite data is transforming development practice. Read the full story here: https://lnkd.in/dGQcNYuQ Christoph Aubrecht Yves Barthélemy Alex Chunet Fabio Cian Giulia Costella Charlotte Fafet Jasmin Jilma Carlotta M. Nicki McGoh Elise Montano David Taverner Imperative Space London Economics Ltd #EarthObservation #DigitalEconomy #Innovation #SustainableDevelopment #AcceleratingImpact

Zelenskiy woos US businesses, seeks to grow Ukraine's drone industry - Reuters As an expat, this makes me think about how emerging industries in recovering nations could offer unique, long-term investment opportunities beyond traditional markets. This headline underscores the strategic pivot of a nation's economy, which can signal emerging market opportunities for sophisticated investors. For households, it highlights the importance of geopolitical awareness in investment allocation, suggesting a potential long-term growth sector but with high risk. From a planning perspective, this could influence where you allocate a small, speculative portion of a diversified portfolio. It also serves as a reminder to review your overall asset allocation to ensure it aligns with your risk tolerance, especially when considering volatile regions. For expats or those with cross-border ties, such developments may create unique investment or business opportunities, but they come with significant currency and political risk that must be carefully weighed. How does your current investment strategy account for high-growth, high-risk international opportunities, and what percentage of your portfolio is allocated to such assets? #Investing #WealthManagement #ExpatFinance #TaxEfficiency #RiskManagement Source: https://lnkd.in/gqeAcEKn

Zelenskiy woos US businesses, seeks to grow Ukraine's drone industry - Reuters As an expat, this makes me think about how emerging industries in recovering nations could offer unique, long-term investment opportunities beyond traditional markets. This headline underscores the strategic pivot of a nation's economy, which can signal emerging market opportunities for sophisticated investors. For households, it highlights the importance of geopolitical awareness in investment allocation, suggesting a potential long-term growth sector but with high risk. From a planning perspective, this could influence where you allocate a small, speculative portion of a diversified portfolio. It also serves as a reminder to review your overall asset allocation to ensure it aligns with your risk tolerance, especially when considering volatile regions. For expats or those with cross-border ties, such developments may create unique investment or business opportunities, but they come with significant currency and political risk that must be carefully weighed. How does your current investment strategy account for high-growth, high-risk international opportunities, and what percentage of your portfolio is allocated to such assets? #Investing #WealthManagement #ExpatFinance #TaxEfficiency #RiskManagement Source: https://lnkd.in/gDJKrJ26

🌍 Europe and China: A Strategic Partnership for the Future Former MEP Jürgen Klute recently shared his insights at the 2025 Zhongguancun Forum in Beijing, emphasizing the importance of Europe reducing dependence on the U.S. and strengthening cooperation with China. This interview was reported by 21 SFC to our NGO, Europe Silk Road Connect (EURSRC), and nationally covered by all major Chinese online media. Key Takeaways: Global Power Dynamics: The world is increasingly shaped by the U.S., China, and Europe. With uncertainties in U.S. policy, Europe must explore alternative partnerships. Europe-China Cooperation: Closer collaboration in politics, academia, and business is essential to tackle global challenges, including climate change and technological innovation. Technology & Innovation: China leads in AI, robotics, and renewable energy. Europe can benefit from joint research, student exchanges, and corporate collaboration. SME Engagement: Small and medium enterprises need support to engage in cross-border partnerships, ensuring inclusive economic cooperation. Cultural Exchange: Understanding language, culture, and legal frameworks is key. Educational programs and training can bridge gaps for effective collaboration. Climate Leadership: China’s commitment to sustainable energy and multilateral cooperation provides opportunities for Europe to accelerate its green transition. 💡 Insight: Europe’s path to greater independence requires proactive, practical cooperation with China across political, academic, cultural, and economic dimensions. 📺 Watch the full interview: https://lnkd.in/dGaWKMeG 📰 Read the full article: https://lnkd.in/dNTaR7dC

Join our founder, Abdulrahman (AIT) Tarabzouni, as he explores how the GCC region is outpacing global economic growth, supercharged by industries like AI as it diversifies beyond oil and gas. Reuters NEXT Gulf looks at the challenges and opportunities ahead as the Middle East grows more influential on the world stage: https://lnkd.in/eMnAHfEm

CENTRAL ASIAN INTEGRATION: FIVE PATHS TO SHARED GROWTH Central Asia is home to over 83 million people, with a young population (average age - 27) and a combined GDP exceeding $500 billion. As global powers - Russia, China, and the West - compete for influence, the region faces an urgent need to strengthen internal cooperation and economic independence. Shared history, culture, and geography provide a natural foundation for deeper integration - particularly across five key areas: 1. Energy and water - the foundation of stability. Reviving the Central Asian energy ring and restoring the “water for energy” exchange could resolve long-standing regional disputes. Joint projects in nuclear and renewable energy could create a technological base for the future. 2. Economic integration. A regional brand, Made in Central Asia, could become a symbol of unity, helping local goods reach global markets. Expanding transport corridors - from the North–South route to the Trans-Caspian corridor — would enhance trade and logistics. The ultimate goal: regional food security and self-sufficiency. 3. Technological partnership. Collaborating on artificial intelligence, supercomputing, and digital governance would improve efficiency in the public sector and reduce dependency on external technology providers. 4. Environment and climate. Combating desertification, restoring degraded land, and expanding forest belts could form the basis for a new “green diplomacy,” attracting support from international development institutions. 5. Human capital. Creating a shared data system, harmonizing education and healthcare standards, and promoting academic mobility would raise quality of life and trust among nations in the region. Central Asia has the potential to become not a field of global rivalry, but a center of its own development - if it unites around common goals and resources. Read the full expert opinion by Yerlan Karimov, independent expert, at the link. https://lnkd.in/e4miUpci