Acie Lumumba is a political analyst, strategist, and the co-founder of Powerlist.Africa. He covers African politics with a particular focus on how the continent is led. He is the creator and anchor of The Lumumba Files
Africa, Power & Influence, Policy Intelligence, Business Leaders, Economics, Policymakers, Rankings, PowerList Africa
Ghana has declined to renew Gold Fields' lease on the Damang mine and is fielding $1 billion in local bids to take it over. If it works, every mining contract expiry on the continent becomes a negotiation. If it fails, resource nationalism gets a new cautionary tale.
Africa, Power & Influence, Policy Intelligence, Business Leaders, Economics, Policymakers, Rankings, PowerList Africa
In 2009, BP and Shell sold their joint Zimbabwean operation. In 2010, Caltex followed. By 2015, three of the four largest international oil companies had abandoned Zimbabwe's downstream fuel market, surrendering over 130 service stations and the logistical backbone that had fuelled the country's transport, agriculture,
Three things happened in Zimbabwe’s capital markets in the same fortnight. Together they tell you more about the real state of the economy than any GDP figure or inflation print ever will.
Sassou Nguesso voted himself another five years while his internet died. Washington sanctioned Rwanda’s generals. Zimbabwe’s diesel jumped 16 percent to $1.77 a litre on Middle East strikes. Three stories. One question: who decides?
A Swazi prince. A Zimbabwean political operator. A 26-year-old Motswana. A Ghanaian trade strategist. A Nigerian scaling the impossible. Five youth ministers shaping trillions in future African GDP. The PowerList rankings are in.
Africa, Power & Influence, Policy Intelligence, Business Leaders, Economics, Policymakers, Rankings, PowerList Africa
Zambia completed its IMF programme in January. On 13 August, 9 million voters decide if painful reforms survive the ballot box. Four scenarios for banks, miners, and funds with Southern Africa exposure.
— Except The Only Fight That Matters
Africa, Power & Influence, Policy Intelligence, Business Leaders, Economics, Policymakers, Rankings, PowerList Africa
In January 2026, Zimbabwe recorded an annual inflation rate of 4.1 percent. By February, it dropped to 3.8 percent. For a country that once printed hundred-trillion-dollar banknotes, this is not just a statistic. It is a statement.
The 2026 Performance Awards: Inside Zimbabwe's 2026 Performance Awards,Every Winner, Every Category, and What It Means for Vision 2030
Africa, Power & Influence, Policy Intelligence, Business Leaders, Economics, Policymakers, Rankings, PowerList Africa
Treasury Circular No. 4 of 2026 makes ZiG the sole payment currency for all government suppliers. With inflation at 3.8%, reserves at US$1.2bn, and an IMF SMP in place, Zimbabwe is attempting something it has never tried: de-dollarizing from strength rather than desperation.
Africa, Power & Influence, Policy Intelligence, Business Leaders, Economics, Policymakers, Rankings, PowerList Africa
Whatever you are worth today, lithium is about to multiply the economy you are worth it in.
Africa, Power & Influence, Policy Intelligence, Business Leaders, Economics, Policymakers, Rankings, PowerList Africa
Every successful currency has a moment where its creators must decide whether to trust it. Not trust it the way a central banker trusts it, with reserve ratios and monetary policy statements. Trust it the way a parent trusts a child to walk without holding their hand.