“CAR is primarily known only for gold and diamonds. Thanks to African Mining Week, we now have the chance to showcase the potential of this country – which remains underexplored to this day – to potential investors and the institutional players in attendance,” said Beltoungou during an interview last month with AMW organizers.

At the upcoming edition, Beltoungou will participate in a ministerial panel on “Regional Policy Alignment: Mining Code Reforms to Unlock Value.” CAR is currently implementing a series of institutional reforms, including amendments to its Mining Code aimed at improving the regulatory framework and attracting international investment.

In parallel, the government is digitizing its mining cadastre system with support from the World Bank to enhance transparency, provide investors with easier access to geological data and accelerate the processing of exploration and mining permits.

These reforms align with the country’s National Development Plan 2024–2028, which aims to mobilize more than $12.8 billion in investment across priority sectors including mining and infrastructure. As one of the country’s largest contributors to GDP, the mining sector is expected to play a central role in attracting new capital and supporting economic diversification.

Within this context, AMW 2026 provides a strategic platform for the minister to engage directly with global investors. Beltoungou will also lead a CAR Country Focus session, highlighting partnership opportunities across the national mining sector. The country hosts more than 570 identified mineral occurrences, including gold, uranium, copper, nickel and several minerals critical to the global energy transition.

In February 2026, the government signed a $50 million agreement with Maser for the development of gold assets. The same month, CAR awarded A&S Resources contracts to develop iron ore reserves estimated at approximately 20 billion tons of high-grade ore, with a potential resource value of roughly $2.5 trillion.

In June 2025, Canadian technology and mining company CVMR Corporation secured exclusive 25-year rights to explore and develop minerals across the country. These agreements reflect CAR’s broader strategy to expand industrial mining activity, diversify the sector and position the country as a contributor to the growing global supply of strategic minerals.

Alongside investment agreements, CAR is undertaking initiatives aimed at strengthening geological knowledge and accelerating exploration. These include a nationwide geomapping program supported by the World Bank, designed to improve understanding of the country’s mineral potential. In addition, a national geoscience laboratory project currently in the design phase will enhance mineral analysis capabilities and support exploration activities.

Beltoungou is expected to provide investors with updates on these initiatives while outlining the government’s broader strategy to create new investment and partnership opportunities across the mining value chain.

AMW serves as the premier platform for exploring the full spectrum of mining opportunities across Africa. The event is held alongside the African Energy Week: Invest in African Energies 2026 conference from October 12-16 in Cape Town. Sponsors, exhibitors and delegates can learn more by contacting sales@energycapitalpower.com.

BWH Hotels (https://apo-opa.co/4uyD3GL), a leading global hospitality enterprise including WorldHotels™ (https://apo-opa.co/4uzDlgu), Best Western® Hotels & Resorts (https://apo-opa.co/3NbqMr0) and SureStay® Hotels (https://apo-opa.co/4lHsm0A), announced today its renewed commitment to the African continent as the group prepares to participate in the upcoming Future Hospitality Summit (FHS) Africa  (www.FutureHospitality.com/Africa), taking place from 31 March – 1 April, 2026. The company will once again be represented by Wytze van den Berg, VP International Operations, BWH Hotels and his team, who will contribute to key discussions on hospitality investment and growth across the region.

Strong Momentum Across High Growth Markets

BWH Hotels continues to see rising confidence and sustained investor interest across African markets, driven by increasing regional stability and strong long-term inbound travel projections. “Investor confidence comes with predictability. While the world is filled with uncertainties, we are seeing growing trust and confidence across many African countries,” said van den Berg. “The continent’s future projected tourism numbers are promising and reinforce investor appetite across key markets.”

The company highlights Ethiopia, Tanzania, Egypt and Morocco as markets showing particularly strong development momentum, supported by a wave of new pipelines and hotel projects, especially in Northern Africa.

Record Pipeline Growth in Morocco and Egypt

Morocco and Egypt are now the two fastest‑growing development markets in Africa. “In the past year, we have signed more than 25 new pipeline properties in Morocco, and we are actively working on a dozen additional projects in Egypt,” noted van den Berg. “These two markets are rapidly accelerating and represent major growth engines for our brand family across Africa.” This expansion supports BWH Hotels’ strategy to broaden its portfolio including Best Western Hotels & Resorts and WorldHotels, offering diverse development opportunities for different market segments—from upscale and upper‑midscale properties to soft‑branded luxury.

New Openings Strengthen Regional Presence

Strategic expansion across Africa continues with four new hotel openings planned for this year, strengthening the group’s footprint in key regional markets. The growth includes two new properties in Nigeria, one in Ethiopia, and one in Tanzania—reflecting the brand’s commitment to supporting Africa’s dynamic tourism and business‑travel sectors. In Nigeria, the Best Western Premier McDons Skye Hotel and the Best Western Plus Ambience Hotel Ikeja represent the group’s upscale and upper‑midscale offerings, combining modern design, international service standards and locally inspired hospitality. These openings underscore BWH Hotels’ long‑term investment in Africa and its mission to deliver high‑quality accommodations in fast‑growing destinations.

Hotel Highlights

Best Western Premier McDons Skye Hotel, Owerri, Nigeria

• Upscale, contemporary hotel designed for both business and leisure travelers
• Rooftop bar and restaurant offering panoramic city views
• Stylish guestrooms with premium bedding, modern technology and workspace-friendly layouts
• State-of-the-art fitness center and outdoor pool
• Flexible meeting and event facilities equipped with advanced AV solutions
• Convenient access to major commercial districts and transport links

Best Western Plus Ambience Hotel – Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria

• Upper-midscale hotel situated in one of Lagos’ key business hubs
• Modern, comfortable rooms featuring ergonomic design and high-speed connectivity
• On‑site restaurant serving international and Nigerian cuisine
• Well-equipped meeting room ideal for small corporate gatherings
• Fitness center and relaxation areas for business travelers on the go
• Proximity to Murtala Muhammed International Airport and Ikeja City Mall

Looking Ahead to FHS Africa 2026

As BWH Hotels prepares for FHS Africa, the company aims to further engage with investors, developers and hospitality leaders to drive conversations around sustainable hotel growth, brand diversification and the longterm outlook for African travel demand. “We are proud to once again participate in FHS Africa, which remains a critical platform for shaping the future of the continent’s hospitality sector,” concluded van den Berg. “Africa continues to be a priority region for BWH Hotels, and we look forward to contributing our insights and strengthening our partnerships across the continent.”

The decision to withdraw was driven by concerns that the Summit’s leadership has failed to address repeated calls to improve diversity and transparency around hiring practices. African Energies Summit earns most of its revenues from Africa, yet its pattern of discrimination amounts to an intentional lock-out of Black professionals. Gayle Meikle from Ireland and Daniel Davidson from Scotland have resisted calls to disclose workforce diversity data and have also refused to end the policy of not hiring Black professionals and set out a plan for diversity.

“In 2026, this is not the behavior that we expect from anyone who uses the name Africa and our oil and gas sector. The behavior of Gayle Meikle and Daniel Davidson towards the hiring of Black professionals is something that many Mozambicans and Africans find offensive. Our members will not be going to London,” stated Florival Mucave, President of the Mozambique Energy Chamber.

The withdrawal carries particular weight given Mozambique’s rising influence in the global gas market. The country is home to some of the largest natural gas discoveries in recent decades and is rapidly emerging as one of Africa’s most prominent voices in the LNG industry. Despite delays, Mozambique’s biggest projects are now returning to the development pipeline.

The TotalEnergies-led Mozambique LNG project achieved a full restart across its onshore and offshore activities in January 2026, following the lifting of force majeure in 2025. Construction activities has now resumed, with over 4,000 workers – 3,000 of which are Mozambican – mobilized. First LNG production is on track for 2029, with $4 billion contracts awarded to Mozambican companies. Force majeure for the ExxonMobil-led Rovuma LNG project was also lifted in 2025. The 18-million-ton-per-annum (mtpa) project is now advancing toward FID in 2026.

“Mozambique understands all too well what it means when citizens are not happy with the oil and gas sector. We saw a response with the uprising in the north that stalled major gas projects. Our country is experiencing big debates around local content and community involvement,” stated Mucave.

These milestones come as major offshore projects make headway. Following the start of operations at the Eni-led Coral Sul FLNG facility in 2022, the company is now advancing the Coral Norte FLNG project. In 2025, Coral Norte reached FID, with the 3.4 mtpa facility on track to begin operations in 2028. Project advancements reflect the country’s commitment to addressing the challenges that delayed projects.

“At a time when we are restarting mega gas projects and pushing for drilling and action from our politicians, the message about the oil industry should not be about regression on local content – it should be about addressing the unfortunate ideology of African energy events that Black professionals are seemingly not good enough for. We have worked with the oil and gas industry to promote STEM education and it is working. We don’t want environments where young Mozambicans will be discriminated upon solely based on their skin color and not on their qualifications or merits from experience,” Mucave added.

Mozambique’s gas sector is entering a decisive period as LNG projects return to the development pipeline and exploration activity gains momentum across the Rovuma Basin. For industry leaders, ensuring that the sector remains inclusive and supportive of African professionals will be critical not only for Mozambique’s success but also for the credibility of Africa’s broader energy narrative.

“Failure to maintain an oil and gas industry culture that fosters innovation, collaboration and inclusion in Africa will only disrupt gas operations, create doubts about the industry and adversely affect our industry as well as our future success both for Mozambicans and Africans. The oil industry should not destroy the goodwill Africans have shown to them over the last few years by supporting platforms that Africans see as insulting to their children,” concluded Mucave