Record low sea ice peak this winter in the Arctic. Slightly below the peak of last winter.

Today's Energy Reading: March 26, 2026

Digital trade is rapidly becoming central to how African economies integrate, compete, and generate opportunity—and investment opportunities abound, say @LandrySigne and @ChidoMunyati. brookings.edu/articles/reali…

Central African Republic 🇨🇫 and South Sudan 🇸🇸 the have signed a historic agreement to build a 1,249 km road connecting the two countries. The project will make travel and trade easier, allowing goods and people to move more smoothly. It is also expected to boost economic teration between the nations.

President Samia’s Calculated Bid to Anchor East Africa’s Economic Future: Tanzania to Be a $1 Trillion Industrialized Economy By Africa J&L correspondent, London Tanzania is no longer just participating in East Africa’s growth story; it is rewriting it as the region’s stra pragmatic and forward-looking leadership of President Samia Suluhu Hassan, the country is executing a deliberate, infrastructure-heavy strategy that combines steady high growth, surging investment inflows, and world-class connectivity projects. The result is that Tanzania is rapidly emerging as East and Central Africa’s preferred logistics, energy, and trade gateway. The numbers show momentum. Tanzania recorded 5.9–6.0% GDP growth in 2025, with the IMF projecting 6.3% expansion in 2026, well above the Sub-Saharan African average. Inflation is firmly in check at around 3.3%, and public debt remains sustainable. Investment inflows have accelerated dramatically. In 2025 alone, Tanzania registered 927 investment projects worth approximately $11 billion, a sharp rise from roughly 250 projects in 2018 and nearly tripling capital value in recent years. The government targets up to $15 billion in annual FDI by 2026, backed by reforms through the Tanzania Investment and Special Economic Zones Authority (TISEZA) and a new investor-friendly framework. These projects are creating tens of thousands of jobs. Bold infrastructure development is at the heart of this transformation. Over 2,100 km of Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) lines are advancing rapidly, with key sections already operational and others, including the critical Mwanza–Isaka corridor, making strong progress toward full Dar es Salaam-to-inland connectivity. These modern rail links reduce freight costs and transit times, positioning Dar es Salaam as the most efficient gateway for landlocked neighbours. Ports are being upgraded in parallel. Dar es Salaam is adding new berths and fuel storage facilities, targeting over 30 million tonnes of annual cargo throughput. Tanga and Mtwara are expanding as complementary hubs. Tanga’s upgrades have doubled capacity, while Mtwara’s throughput has surged from under 600,000 tonnes to over 2.5 million tonnes in recent years. Together, these create a seamless multimodal network serving East and Central Africa. Energy is the second pillar. The East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP), now 79% complete, is on track for commissioning in July 2026 and first oil exports from Tanga in October 2026. This project will transport Ugandan crude to the Tanzanian coast, generating revenue, jobs, and reinforcing Tanzania’s role as the region’s premier energy transit and export corridor. These moves align with Tanzania’s Development Vision 2050, which aims for a $1 trillion industrialized economy by mid-century, with per capita income rising to around $7,000. President Samia’s focus on policy predictability, public-private partnerships, regulatory streamlining, and regional diplomacy is paying dividends. Sustaining this trajectory requires continued fiscal discipline, skills development, value addition in mining and agriculture, and inclusive growth for rural communities. Yet the direction is unmistakable and impressive. Under President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s calculated leadership, Tanzania is not waiting for East Africa’s future; it is actively building and anchoring it. With reliable growth, surging investment, transformative infrastructure, and energy leadership ahead, Tanzania is positioning itself as the region’s economic nerve centre. East Africa stands to gain enormously from a strong, stable, and connected Tanzania. Investors worldwide should take notice: the gateway to the region’s opportunities is opening from Dar es Salaam, and the momentum is firmly on President Samia’s side.

FGN Launches National Single Window to Cut Trade Costs and Boost Growth The Honourable Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Wale Edun, today led the launch of Nigeria’s National Single Window in Lagos, a flagship reform to modernise trade, reduce ciency across the economy. The platform integrates government agencies into a single digital system, streamlining import and export processes, reducing delays, and lowering the cost of doing business. “This is a decisive shift from complexity to coordination,” the Minister said. “It will ease trade, improve competitiveness, and support economic growth.” For government, the system strengthens transparency, coordination, and revenue collection. For businesses, it cuts bureaucracy and accelerates access to markets. The Minister noted that ongoing upgrades to port infrastructure will be critical to ensuring that digital gains translate into real economic impact. The National Single Window forms part of a broader reform agenda to build a more competitive and investment ready Nigerian economy. “This is about creating an economy that works faster, more efficiently, and in the interest of all Nigerians,” he said.