Qatar Mining, TotalEnergies, and APM Terminals Expand Billion-Dollar Investments Across Africa
Insights Dispatch - May 20, 2026
Welcome to the Wednesday edition of Insights Dispatch, our flagship brief of the three latest developments connecting Africa and the Gulf
SUDAN: Qatar Mining to Resume $800 Million Copper Project
WHAT HAPPENED?
After suspending operations in Sudan due to the ongoing civil war, Qatar Mining will be resuming its activities in the country, most notably on an $800 million copper project, after receiving approval from the Sudanese Ministry of Minerals.
WHY IT MATTERS?
Sudan’s mining sector has long been a key economic pillar, with Qatar Mining having operated in the country since 2012. The ongoing war has derailed this key revenue stream, which the army hopes to reverse. In February, for instance, Sudan struck a mining agreement with Saudi Arabia to conduct gold exploration along the Red Sea coastline.
WHAT’S NEXT?
With this marking the second major mining agreement between Sudan and the Gulf this year, GCC mining organizations are likely to be among the first racing to reenter Sudan as its mining industry is rehabilitated.
EGYPT: TotalEnergies Expands Mediterranean Exploration
WHAT HAPPENED?
State-owned Egyptian Natural Gas Holding Company and French oil giant TotalEnergies signed a memorandum of understanding to expand offshore hydrocarbon exploration in the Mediterranean Sea. The MoU’s framework specifically focuses on a large offshore area located in Egypt’s northwestern region.
WHY IT MATTERS?
Having once been a net energy exporter, Egypt has become reliant on Gulf energy, currently in limited supply due to the Iran crisis. The war has pushed Cairo to take steps in revitalizing its energy sector to become a net exporter once more, an aim the TotalEnergies MoU furthers.
WHAT’S NEXT?
As the Iran crisis easens, Cairo is likely to look to Gulf energy partners to help expand its own gas development, paving the way for similar agreements with GCC bodies.
NIGERIA: APM Terminals Makes a $600 Million Port Push
WHAT HAPPENED?
Dutch port operator APM Terminals announced a $600 million investment in Nigeria’s maritime sector. The package will focus primarily on: upgrading the Apapa Port, revamping logistics infrastructure, and deepening maritime cooperation in Nigeria.
WHY IT MATTERS?
The Iran crisis has pushed shipping companies away from their traditional Gulf and East Africa maritime trade routes to those by West Africa, positioning themselves closely to Nigeria. APM’s investment aims to solidify Nigerian port infrastructure to handle such a traffic surge.
WHAT’S NEXT?
Port infrastructure has become a leading focal point for Gulf investments in Africa. GCC capitals are likely to follow in APM’s footsteps in investing in Nigeria and the wider West African region’s maritime sector.
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Great insights!