South Korea: Shorter showers, fewer car trips

South Korea has launched a nationwide energy-saving campaign urging citizens to cut back on everyday consumption — including taking shorter showers , cycling short distances and avoiding charging phones or electric vehicles at night.

President Lee Jae Myung framed the effort as a collective national test, invoking past crises when citizens rallied to support the economy. “We desperately need the cooperation from the people,” he said, calling on households to adopt a 12-step conservation plan.

Public agencies are also now required to limit official vehicle use to four days a week, with number plate-based restrictions determining which cars stay off the road. Officials have warned that similar curbs on private vehicles could follow if the crisis worsens.

Sri Lanka: Holidays on Wednesdays 

Sri Lanka has taken a more drastic step, declaring Wednesdays a holiday for public institutions to conserve fuel.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said the country must “prepare for the worst” as it braces for possible shortages. The measure effectively cuts commuting and government operations by one day each week.

Philippines: Air-conditioning limit to 24°C

In the Philippines, the government is targeting cooling — one of the largest sources of electricity demand in a tropical climate.

Public offices have been ordered to set air-conditioning units no lower than 24°C under a broader directive to cut energy use by at least 10%. Agencies are also being encouraged to adopt renewable energy where possible.

The measures are part of a wider effort to ensure stable electricity supply as global energy markets remain volatile.

Thailand: Take the stairs

Thailand’s approach combines austerity with behavioural nudges. Government workers have been told to work from home, avoid lifts and take the stairs , while air-conditioning is capped at 26–27°C.

Other steps include suspending overseas trips, reducing photocopier use and shifting meetings online. 

Across Asia, such measures underscore a common reality: the region’s economies remain tightly tied to distant energy routes. As supplies tighten, governments are not only adjusting policy — they are asking citizens to change how they live, one habit at a time.

Executive Secretary Ralph Recto said all meetings — from working groups to ministerial sessions — would be conducted virtually, a shift affecting hundreds of engagements typically held in person throughout the year.

This move comes as Southeast Asia grapples with the economic fallout of the United States-Israel war on Iran, which has disrupted global energy markets and pushed oil prices higher. 

In a report, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) warned that developing economies in the region could lose more than two percentage points of growth if the conflict drags on, with a prolonged war also fuelling inflation.

The lender said the region’s exposure stems largely from its dependence on imported energy and global trade flows rather than direct involvement in the conflict. In a worst-case scenario of a year-long war, oil prices could surge past $155 per barrel, compounding inflationary pressures and straining public finances across the region.

Recto said the scaled-down format would allow Manila to “save on expenses and focus on the most important,” while still aiming for “substantial discussions and productive results” despite the crisis.

The Philippines is this year’s ASEAN chair, a role that typically involves hosting a full calendar of in-person meetings across multiple levels of government . Instead, only the two leaders’ summits — scheduled for May in Cebu and November in Manila — will proceed physically, though even these are expected to be pared down.

Marcos has already said the May summit will adopt a “bare-bones” format focused on urgent regional concerns, including energy security, food supply disruptions and the welfare of migrant workers.

Officials said the decision to shift meetings online is partly aimed at redirecting funds to cushion the domestic impact of rising oil prices, particularly on vulnerable sectors.

The Department of Foreign Affairs has been tasked with briefing ASEAN counterparts on the changes and adjusting expected outcomes accordingly, while host agencies are being instructed to coordinate the transition to virtual formats.

The shift also reflects broader pressures across ASEAN economies, many of which rely heavily on energy imports from the Gulf and have been hit by supply disruptions and price volatility since the conflict began. Regional officials have warned of knock-on effects on inflation, trade and employment .

Still, Manila maintained that the bloc’s core objectives would remain intact.

“A stripped-down ASEAN [programme] will still be able to achieve its goal of strengthening regional unity,” Recto said, adding that “pomp and pageantry” would give way to “problem-solving” as the region confronts mounting global challenges.

New guidance based on clothing type and usage suggests that while some items require washing after every use, others can be worn multiple times without risk, challenging long-held habits around cleanliness.

According to hygiene experts and industry bodies, frequency depends largely on how close garments sit to the skin and how much they absorb sweat.

The American Cleaning Institute (ACI) recommends washing underwear, swimwear and workout gear after every use, due to direct contact with sweat and bacteria.

Similarly, the Cleveland Clinic notes that tight-fitting garments trap moisture and microbes, increasing the risk of skin irritation or infections if not cleaned regularly.

But beyond these categories, the rules change.

The environmental cost of overwashing

Here’s the part most people overlook: frequent washing has a measurable environmental impact.

The Ellen MacArthur Foundation, through its A New Textiles Economy initiative , estimates that clothing production and use contribute significantly to global carbon emissions, water use and microplastic pollution.

Washing, drying and ironing alone account for a substantial share of a garment’s lifecycle impact.

Every additional wash increases water consumption, energy use and microfibre pollution , particularly from synthetic fabrics.

What this really means is that simply wearing clothes longer between washes can reduce environmental damage without compromising hygiene.

“The Philippines is in crisis along with the rest of the world because President Trump’s brinkmanship did not work. In fact, it has boomeranged,” Lacson said in a post on X. “He should be held to account by the whole world, including his own country, the USA.”

Asked what alternative there had been to Iran, Lacson said the diplomatic option had been lost when Washington did not consult close allies before carrying out its strike.

“The alternative was lost when the US close allies were not consulted before the strike. Past leaders used to do that with your coalition partners,” he said.

At a hearing attended by Cabinet secretaries, Senate Deputy Majority Leader Risa Hontiveros also called for broader accountability, saying the United States and Israel should be held responsible alongside Iran.

“The US and Israel should also be called into account for what has happened,” Hontiveros said. “I am one with the call of the United Nations that for all of them — all of them — to cease fire and return to diplomacy.”

Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro said Manila had supported resolutions condemning Iran over the Middle East conflict, although it was not co-sponsoring them. 

She added that information from Washington indicated there were ongoing discussions between U.S. and Iranian authorities, even as Iran denied this.

Late on Tuesday, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. declared a state of national energy emergency , warning that the conflict had created uncertainty in global energy markets, disrupted supply chains and placed upward pressure on oil prices.

Energy Secretary Sharon Garin said the Philippines had around 45 days of fuel supply based on current consumption and that the government was working to procure 1 million barrels of oil from countries within and outside Southeast Asia to build buffer stocks.

The Philippines is a key ally of the United States, with nine American troop bases scattered around the archipelago.

Tehran added that regional countries had made proposals to reduce tensions, but said responsibility lay with Washington because “we are not the party that started this war.”

Hourse before, Trump said on Truth Social that the US. and Iran had held “very good and productive conversations” over the previous two days on a “complete and total resolution” of hostilities in the Middle East. 

He said he had instructed the Department of War to postpone “any and all military strikes” on Iranian power plants and energy infrastructure for five days, subject to the success of further talks.

Despite Iran’s sceptical response, markets appeared to treat Trump’s statement as a signal that immediate escalation might be avoided.

Oil prices fell sharply. Brent crude, the global benchmark, dropped to just above $100 a barrel after settling at $112.19 on Friday. 

The move reflected investor hopes that a pause in U.S. military action could reduce the risk of a deeper supply shock, even as the Strait of Hormuz remained a central concern for traders. 

The waterway normally carries as much as one-fifth of the world’s oil supply, but shipping traffic out of the Gulf has been effectively halted because of the danger of attacks on vessels.

Equity markets also recovered after Trump’s post. The S&P 500 opened nearly 1.5% higher on Monday, reversing a 1.5% fall on Friday. In Europe, the Stoxx 600 rose more than 1% in afternoon trading, while Germany’s DAX jumped nearly 2%. Britain’s FTSE 100 edged higher.

This market rebound came despite continued warnings about the economic risks of the conflict. Fatih Birol, executive director of the International Energy Agency , said on Monday the global economy faced a “major, major threat” from the war, adding that no country would be immune if the crisis worsened.

Designed to capture the frequencies of sounds commonly found in nature , the technology would be used to provide power in isolated areas.

For instance, it could supply electricity to monitor conditions in crop fields. The device is still in the theoretical stage at present but the researchers hope soon to be able to move onto working prototypes.

Nevertheless, reports in the US suggest that Russia is using its satellite and intelligence capabilities to keep its ally up to date on US and Israeli movements.

Donald Trump has brushed off questions about the cooperation, saying he is dealing with bigger problems. Amid a surge in global energy prices caused by the conflict, the US has also temporarily suspended its demands that India should refrain from buying Russian oil.

This gives Russia an interest in ensuring Iran can continue to disrupt neighbouring supply routes, according to security consultancy Eigenrac .

“We assess it as likely that Russia may continue providing Iran with intelligence or targeting support on US and allied assets in the region. Beyond strategic alignment against the United States , Moscow also has an economic incentive to sustain pressure on Gulf energy routes. Prolonged disruption or effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz would tighten global supply and could extend preferential arrangements such as India’s current 30-day window to purchase discounted Russian oil,” Eigenrac said in a briefing.

However, the analysts noted that with large investments and an expatriate community in the UAE, Russia may choose to discourage Iran from targeting cities there.

Given the desperation of the Iranian government in its fight for survival, “the impact of such dissuasion may be comparatively low, however,” Eigenrac noted.

The above map shows that Japan, South Korea, India and China would be among the biggest losers if the Strait of Hormuz were blocked, reflecting their heavy reliance on crude oil shipped from the Persian Gulf.

The Strait of Hormuz, located between Iran and Oman, connects the Persian Gulf to the Arabian Sea and is widely considered the most critical oil transit chokepoint in the world. According to energy analytics firm Kpler, roughly 20% of the world’s oil supply passes through the strait every day, making it essential to global energy markets.

Any disruption would send shockwaves through global trade, pushing oil prices higher and threatening energy security for countries that rely heavily on Gulf crude.

The waterway is only about 33 kilometres wide at its narrowest point, meaning shipping lanes are particularly vulnerable to military conflict or blockades.

Japan appears to be the most vulnerable major economy in the graphic. Around 75% of its crude oil imports pass through the Strait of Hormuz, equivalent to roughly 1.6 to 1.8 million barrels per day.

The Japan Times has reported that the country remains deeply dependent on Middle Eastern oil despite efforts to diversify energy sources since the 2011 Fukushima disaster. Much of Japan’s crude still comes from Gulf producers such as Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait.

Because Japan imports nearly all of its oil, any disruption in the strait could immediately affect fuel prices, electricity costs and industrial production.

South Korea follows closely behind Japan in exposure. Around 65% of its crude oil imports transit the Strait of Hormuz, or approximately 1.5 to 1.7 million barrels per day.

India, the world’s third-largest oil importer, would also face major disruptions. Roughly half of India’s oil imports pass through the strait, amounting to 2.5 to 2.7 million barrels per day, according to energy shipping data cited by Kpler.

India’s dependence on Gulf crude has grown alongside its rapidly expanding economy. Analysts note that energy security remains a key concern for the country as demand for fuel continues to rise.

Reporting from The Better India has highlighted how India has been trying to reduce vulnerability by increasing strategic petroleum reserves and diversifying supply sources, including imports from Russia and the United States.

China, the world’s largest crude oil importer, is also significantly exposed. About 48% of Chinese oil imports pass through the Strait of Hormuz, equivalent to around 5.4 to 5.6 million barrels per day.

However, China’s broader supply network gives it slightly more flexibility than other Asian economies. Beijing imports oil from a wide range of producers, including Russia, Brazil and West Africa.

While Asian economies are the most exposed, the entire world would feel the effects of a Hormuz disruption.

Swiss private bank Union Bancaire Privée (UBP) has warned that any closure of the strait could trigger a sharp surge in global oil prices because such a large share of supply flows through the corridor.

UBP analysts say that even a temporary disruption could push oil prices significantly higher and disrupt global supply chains.

The impact would extend far beyond the countries that directly import Gulf crude, affecting everything from transport costs to food prices worldwide.

“I have seen that Europe continues to buy Russian gas, but Europe does not want our countries to talk about Russia,” he said. “I think we need to be a bit more honest and sincerely recognise each other’s potential. Our struggle is to determine for ourselves with whom we want to cooperate,” he added.

Traore said Burkina Faso wants the freedom to “analyse, choose, formulate, create and evaluate” its partnerships independently.

Traore also confirmed that Burkina Faso is deepening cooperation with Russia in civil nuclear energy.

“This is no longer just a plan,” he said. “We are already collaborating with Russia in the field of nuclear energy. The Minister of Energy has signed the memorandum.” He added that the country is now working to establish the legal and institutional framework required for the project.

Burkina Faso, led by a military government since a 2022 coup, has strengthened ties with Russia while distancing itself from France, its former colonial power.

Despite sanctions imposed after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, several European Union countries continue to import Russian fossil fuels.

According to the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), France was the EU’s largest importer of Russian fossil fuels in February 2025, purchasing €399 million worth. Some liquefied natural gas (LNG) delivered to France’s Dunkerque terminal was later sent to Germany.

Hungary ranked second with €307 million in imports, including crude oil and pipeline gas. Belgium was third, importing €266 million worth of Russian LNG, some of which may have been re-exported to other EU states.

Overall, the EU accounted for 14 percent of global Russian fossil fuel purchases in February, spending around €1.7 billion, nearly half of which was on LNG.

Trump said the projects would “revitalise the industrial base”, create “hundreds of thousands of great American jobs”, and strengthen the U.S. national and economic security “like never before.” 

According to the U.S. Department of Commerce , three major energy and industrial projects have been confirmed as part of the opening wave of investment.

Where Japan’s money will go

The largest is a $33 billion natural gas power facility near Portsmouth, Ohio. With a planned capacity of 9.2 gigawatts, the Portsmouth Powered Land project would rank among the biggest gas-fired generation developments in the world.

The plant will be operated by SB Energy, a subsidiary of Japan’s SoftBank. The project is designed to provide large-scale, dispatchable electricity to support industrial expansion and grid reliability.

Trump highlighted the Ohio development in his post, describing it as the largest gas power plant “in history” and crediting tariffs as central to unlocking projects of such scale.

In Texas, a separate $2.1 billion deepwater crude oil export terminal is planned in Brazoria County and the Gulf of America. The Texas GulfLink facility will be operated by Sentinel Midstream.

At full capacity, the terminal is expected to generate between $20 billion and $30 billion in annual US crude exports, potentially totalling $400 billion to $600 billion over 20 years, the Commerce Department said. 

The third investment is an approximately $600 million high-pressure, high-temperature synthetic diamond grit facility in Georgia, to be operated by Element Six.

Diamond grit and powder are essential in semiconductor, automotive and oil and gas manufacturing, valued for their extreme hardness and durability. US officials say boosting domestic supply is strategically important for advanced manufacturing and national security .

Together, the projects signal Japan’s financial commitment to anchoring capital in key American energy and industrial sectors, as Washington and Tokyo — and Takaichi and Trump — deepen ties.

For more than a century, economic power meant industrial power. The battle was over manufacturing. But that battle is largely settled. Supply chains have been redrawn, factories relocated, and the geography of production transformed. A new contest is under way.

It is the battle for power. Not political power, but electrical power.

Electricity is the enabling force behind everything else. It runs factories, data centres, transport systems and defence networks. It is what allows countries to manufacture, to digitise, to modernise and to fight. Energy is not just another sector of the economy. It is the fuel of the economy.

And at this moment in history, one country has placed itself at the centre of that system. First through trade. Then through renewables. Now, potentially, through the most transformative technology of all: nuclear fusion.

1. Trade wars

The China US trade conflict of 2025 will likely be remembered as a decisive moment in the global balance of power.

Donald Trump imposed sweeping tariffs on allies and adversaries alike, threatening to restrict access to the world’s largest consumer market. The UK, Europe, Japan, South Korea, the Philippines and others made concessions in return for slightly lower duties. They did not reverse the policy. They negotiated for marginally better terms.

One country did not give way. China.

Tariffs escalated in stages. Ten percent. Twenty percent. Fifty four percent. One hundred and four percent. Eventually more than one hundred and twenty five percent on some goods. The pressure was intense.

Beijing responded in kind, but more importantly it deployed a weapon decades in the making: control of critical minerals.

In April, China signalled it could restrict exports of rare earth elements such as samarium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, lutetium, scandium and yttrium. These are not household names. Yet they are essential to the production of high performance magnets used in electric motors, wind turbines, defence systems and advanced electronics.

China produces up to 90 percent of global supply in several of these materials. Cutting off access would not simply raise prices. It would stall entire industries.

That leverage mattered. Tariffs were eventually wound back after high level talks, without Beijing making equivalent structural concessions. Whatever one thinks of the politics, the economic lesson was stark. Through long term planning, subsidies, environmental trade offs and export controls, China had embedded itself so deeply in strategic supply chains that it could exert systemic pressure.

This was not an isolated case. During the pandemic, China demonstrated overwhelming dominance in the production of personal protective equipment. In consumer electronics, seven of the top nine phone manufacturers are Chinese. Even devices branded in the United States or South Korea are largely assembled in Chinese factories.

Over three decades, China moved from low cost goods to advanced manufacturing and then to strategic inputs. It did not simply compete in markets. It positioned itself at choke points.

The trade war did not create that reality. It revealed it.

2. The green transition

The next stage of the power shift is already visible in the energy transition.

The world is undergoing the most significant transformation in electricity generation since the first mass power plants came online in the nineteenth century. Wind and solar capacity have surged globally. But one country stands apart.

China has multiplied its wind capacity several times over since the early 2010s and expanded its solar capacity at extraordinary speed. It accounts for close to half of global installed solar capacity and is still growing faster than any other major economy.

At the same time, China continues to build coal plants. Critics point to this as evidence of contradiction. In reality, it reflects scale. China is not simply replacing old capacity. It is expanding total energy production on a vast scale, ensuring reliability while renewables ramp up.

Crucially, China does not only install renewables. It manufactures them.

It produces more than 80 percent of the world’s solar panels and around 60 percent of wind turbines. Six of the top ten global manufacturers in these sectors are Chinese. The same pattern is visible in lithium batteries and electric vehicles. In 2010, battery technology was led by firms in Japan and South Korea. Within a decade, China controlled roughly three quarters of global production, supported by a vertically integrated domestic supply chain and strong state backing.

Rare earths tell a similar story. The United States once dominated production. By 2020, China controlled the overwhelming majority of global processing capacity.

For developing countries, cheap Chinese solar panels and batteries have been transformative. They have enabled electrification at lower cost and accelerated economic development. For advanced economies, affordable electric vehicles have made net zero targets more attainable.

Yet from a strategic perspective, the pattern is clear. The first phase of the clean energy transition has been shaped and largely controlled by China. The technologies that will replace fossil fuels are, to a significant extent, designed, manufactured and refined within its borders.

Energy is becoming the central arena of geopolitical competition. And China has already secured commanding positions.

3. Energy upscaling

The next challenge is more speculative, but potentially far more consequential. Nuclear fusion.

Unlike nuclear fission, which splits heavy atoms to release energy, fusion forces light atoms together. It is the process that powers the sun. Fusion promises enormous advantages. It carries no risk of meltdown in the conventional sense. It produces far less long lived radioactive waste. It requires small quantities of fuel, much of it derived from hydrogen that is widely available.

There are currently no commercial fusion reactors. Most experimental designs rely on containing plasma heated to around 100 million degrees Celsius using extremely powerful magnets. Other approaches use high energy lasers to compress fuel to fusion conditions.

Both pathways depend on advanced materials and components.

High performance magnets require rare earth elements. High temperature superconducting tape is essential for efficient magnetic confinement. China controls the majority of global production in several of these inputs and is expanding capacity rapidly. Laser systems depend on laser diodes, of which around 70 percent are manufactured in China. Tungsten, vanadium, barium titanate and graphene, all relevant to advanced energy systems, are also heavily concentrated in Chinese supply chains.

Private investment in fusion is growing worldwide. In recent years, funding from China has surged from negligible levels to several billion dollars annually, outpacing much of the rest of the world combined.

None of this guarantees technological supremacy. Fusion remains uncertain. Breakthroughs could emerge from the United States, Europe or collaborative international projects. But the early signs echo previous patterns. Identify a strategic technology. Secure the materials. Scale manufacturing. Invest heavily. Build domestic demand. Then dominate global supply.

The stakes are enormous. Electricity demand in developed economies was broadly flat for much of the early twenty first century. That era is ending. Artificial intelligence, electrified transport, heat pumps and industrial decarbonisation are driving a structural increase in demand. Energy systems are not merely being cleaned. They are being expanded.

With sufficient energy, societies can desalinate seawater, irrigate deserts, power vertical farms, heat cold climates and cool hot ones. Energy abundance changes what is economically possible.

Whoever controls the infrastructure of that abundance will shape the terms on which the future is built.

Conclusion

Over the past two decades, China has executed a coherent long term strategy. It entrenched itself in manufacturing. It secured control over critical minerals. It scaled renewable energy production to unprecedented levels. In key areas of the green transition, it has already won the first round.

Now the focus shifts to the next frontier: energy upscaling through technologies such as nuclear fusion. This is not simply about climate policy or industrial policy. It is about the foundations of economic and geopolitical power in the twenty first century.

Trade shaped the past. Renewables define the present. But the ultimate contest is over who will generate, store and control the energy that powers everything else.

In that contest, the outcome may determine not just which country is great, but which country sets the rules for the century ahead.

Most of the data in this article is sourced from a report circulated in the US government. Its authors operate within the industry but wish to remain anonymous. 

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World Reframed is produced in London by Global South World, part of the Impactum Group. Its editors are Duncan Hooper and Ismail Akwei.

ISSN 2978-4891

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim praised Malaysia’s 2025 ASEAN Chairmanship as a showcase of national unity, professionalism, and economic leadership. Speaking at the ASEAN Chairmanship Appreciation Ceremony, he thanked government staff, security forces, and even cleaning personnel for their contributions, highlighting smooth event management and cultural showcases. Anwar emphasised teamwork across races, religions, and ministries, linking success to clear policies, firm leadership, and anti-corruption measures. He stressed Malaysia’s desire to be recognised for economic management, AI adoption, and renewable energy initiatives, while also showing care for fellow ASEAN nations, including supporting Timor-Leste’s formal admission as the bloc’s 11th member.

Malaysia eyes first dollar bond sale since 2021 amid strong markets

Malaysia is considering issuing US dollar-denominated bonds this year, its first such sale since 2021, as global credit markets rally and borrowing costs ease. The Finance Ministry said it has sought proposals from banks, partly to refinance dollar bonds maturing in 2026, including a US$1 billion Islamic note due in April. The move comes as spreads on Asian dollar debt hit record lows and after Malaysia’s economy grew a stronger-than-expected 5.7% in the fourth quarter, lifting full-year growth above forecasts. However, officials expect growth to slow to 4–4.5% this year amid rising global volatility and geopolitical risks.

Tighter expatriate hiring rules set higher pay floors, tenure caps

Malaysia will revise its expatriate employment framework from June 1, 2026, tightening rules under the Employment Pass system to prioritise senior and specialist foreign talent. Minimum salary thresholds will rise sharply, with Category I roles requiring at least RM20,000 a month, while Category II and III posts face higher, more clearly defined pay bands. New limits will also cap expatriate tenure at up to 10 years for senior roles and five years for junior categories. The government says the changes address salary compression with local professionals and aim to strengthen skills transfer, succession planning and the progression of Malaysians into leadership roles.

Malaysia’s king urges unity, prioritises national interest amid autonomy debate

Malaysia’s King Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar urged lawmakers to prioritise national interests over state rights, calling for unity, restraint and maturity in resolving political differences. Addressing parliament on January 19, he said any education system seeking recognition must use the Malay language and reflect Malaysia’s history. He reaffirmed respect for state rights but stressed they must not override the country’s collective interests, citing the 1963 Malaysia Agreement as a foundation for cooperation between states and the federal government. His remarks come amid renewed autonomy demands from Sabah and Sarawak, and follow a court ruling ordering the federal government to settle Sabah’s long-disputed revenue share.

Laos, Thailand, Malaysia advance ASEAN power grid with cross-border deal

Laos, Thailand and Malaysia have signed a new electricity transmission agreement under the Laos-Thailand-Malaysia–Singapore Power Integration Project, marking a step forward in ASEAN’s regional energy integration. The deal enables the cross-border transmission of 100 megawatts of electricity from Laos to Singapore via existing power networks in Thailand and Malaysia, over a two-year contract period. Signed in Bangkok on Jan 14 by state power utilities from the three countries, the agreement advances the ASEAN Power Grid initiative, aimed at strengthening energy security, improving resource efficiency and supporting sustainable economic growth through regional electricity trade.

Zimbabwe’s energy sector has reached a major milestone following the successful completion of the Petroleum Production Sharing Agreement (PPSA) process for the Cabora Bassa Project, led by Invictus Energy. Formal execution of the agreement is expected in January 2026, providing a clear legal and fiscal framework to advance oil and gas exploration and development. Planned next steps include appraisal of the Mukuyu Gas Field and drilling of the Musuma-1 exploration well. The African Energy Chamber welcomed the development, noting that the Mukuyu Gas Field could hold up to 20 trillion cubic feet of gas. In August 2025, Qatar-based Al Mansour Holdings acquired a 19.9% stake in Invictus Energy and committed up to $500 million in conditional funding to support commercialisation.

South Africa steps up border patrols near Zimbabwe

South Africa has intensified efforts to curb cross-border smuggling along the Limpopo River near the Zimbabwean border by deploying armoured, all-terrain vehicles and additional personnel. The Border Management Authority confirmed that three specialised vehicles, including one capable of operating in water, are now patrolling the river corridor. Authorities say the area remains a hotspot for smuggling activities involving fuel, food, cigarettes, stolen vehicles and undocumented migrants.

China backs irrigation upgrades to boost Zimbabwe agriculture

China and Zimbabwe on December 19, signed letters of exchange on the upgrading and maintenance of China-aided irrigation schemes across the country. The project will renovate nine irrigation facilities in six provinces, aiming to strengthen agricultural productivity and climate resilience. Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube said the initiative will support rural farmers, expand irrigated land and help climate-proof agriculture against droughts and erratic rainfall. Chinese Ambassador Zhou Ding described the project as another milestone in bilateral cooperation focused on improving livelihoods and modernising agriculture.

Zimbabwe to roll out long-acting HIV prevention injection

Zimbabwe will begin administering the long-acting HIV prevention drug Lenacapavir to at least 46,500 people in early 2026, health authorities announced on December 15. The twice-yearly injectable, which provides six months of protection, will be rolled out initially in districts with high HIV incidence, including Harare, Bulawayo and Mutare. Officials said rollout sites have been prepared and staff trained, with the first shipment expected in January. The programme will prioritise adolescent girls, young women and other high-risk groups.

Zimbabwe return to AFCON stage against Egypt

Zimbabwe are preparing for their sixth Africa Cup of Nations appearance, returning to the tournament after missing the 2023 edition due to a FIFA suspension. They will face Egypt in their opening match at the Morocco-hosted tournament. Egypt, the most successful AFCON nation, holds a strong historical record against Zimbabwe, having won eight of their 14 meetings. Zimbabwe last defeated Egypt in 1994 during World Cup qualifying and will be seeking to make an impact on their return to continental competition.

Algerian police in Bechar have recovered gold jewellery valued at more than 3 billion centimes, along with 500 million centimes in cash, following a robbery at a family residence. The operation was carried out by the search and intervention squad of the provincial judicial police service, El Khabar reports. Three suspects, including two women, were arrested on charges of forming a criminal gang and carrying out theft using counterfeit keys. After obtaining authorisation from prosecutors, police searched the suspects’ homes, recovering most of the stolen items. Legal proceedings have been initiated, and the suspects have been referred to the competent prosecution office.

Libraries embrace digitisation

Experts and academics have called for accelerated digitisation of Algeria’s cultural heritage, as the Third National Forum on the Role of Libraries in Documenting, Digitising and Promoting Cultural Heritage concluded in Constantine. Hosted by the Mustafa Natour Public Reading Library, the forum emphasised that libraries are no longer just repositories of books but have become digital gateways safeguarding national memory. Speakers highlighted the growing role of artificial intelligence, augmented reality, and digital mediation in preserving manuscripts and making heritage more accessible to younger, tech-savvy generations. Presentations included case studies on manuscript digitisation, AI-assisted cataloguing, and the integration of archives and libraries to ensure both authenticity and public access to cultural heritage.

Algeria emerges as a key energy hub in Africa

Energy and Renewable Energies Minister Mourad Adjal has declared Algeria a major energy hub at the continental level, citing large-scale infrastructure projects aimed at transforming the country’s energy landscape. Speaking at the launch of an 82-megawatt solar power plant in Ghardaia, the minister highlighted the “energy century project,” which will connect northern and southern Algeria through an electricity grid spanning over 1,600 kilometres, El Massa reports. The Ghardaia facility, covering 200 hectares, is expected to strengthen photovoltaic capacity and create jobs during construction and operation. Adjal also inspected works on a high-voltage substation designed to boost electricity supply to households, farms, and industries, urging faster completion before the end of next year.

Law criminalising French colonialism

Algeria’s National Defence Committee has held consultations on a proposed law criminalising French colonialism, describing it as a step toward justice, accountability, and preservation of national memory. The draft law , spanning five chapters and 27 articles, seeks to legally define colonial crimes committed between 1830 and 1962, demand official recognition and apology from France, and provide for material and moral compensation. It also includes provisions against glorifying colonialism and calls for the cleanup of nuclear test sites, return of archives and cultural property, and repatriation of remains of resistance figures. The proposal is expected to be debated in the People’s National Assembly next week.

32 online fraud networks dismantled

Algerian security services have dismantled 32 criminal networks specialising in online fraud and scams, arresting 197 people, including suspects linked to an international network operating from Asia. Authorities said the networks used phishing, malware, social engineering, and impersonation tactics, causing financial losses exceeding 52.9 billion centimes, alongside additional sums in foreign currencies. Suspects are expected to be presented before regional prosecutors.

The infographic, based on 2024 data, shows the top 10 natural gas-producing countries, highlights the dominance of a few energy heavyweights at a time when energy security, geopolitics and climate policy are closely linked.

The United States leads by a wide margin, producing just over 1.030 trillion cubic meters of natural gas in 2024. According to data from the Statistical Review of World Energy by the Energy Institute, US output continues to be driven by shale gas and advanced extraction technologies.

This production strength has helped the country solidify its position as the world’s largest exporter of liquefied natural gas , particularly to Europe, as countries seek alternatives to Russian supply following the war in Ukraine.

Russia, with production of around 630 billion cubic meters, remains a major global gas player despite sanctions and reduced pipeline exports to Europe. Energy Institute data show that Moscow has increasingly shifted exports toward Asian markets while expanding LNG capacity to sustain its influence in global energy trade.

Iran and China, producing roughly 263 billion and 248 billion cubic meters respectively, reflect contrasting pressures . Iran’s gas sector is shaped by sanctions and infrastructure constraints, while China’s rising output aligns with Beijing’s push for energy self-sufficiency amid heightened geopolitical competition.

The rest of the top 10 includes Canada, Qatar, Australia, Saudi Arabia, Norway and Algeria. Qatar and Australia stand out for their strong roles in global LNG supply, particularly to Asia and Europe, while Norway has become Europe’s most dependable pipeline gas supplier since Russian flows declined. Algeria continues to play a key role in supplying gas to southern Europe.

These rankings are especially relevant in 2025 as global energy debates intensify. While investment in renewable energy is accelerating, the Energy Institute notes that natural gas remains widely viewed as a transitional fuel for electricity generation and industry.

Putin noted that defence cooperation between the two countries remains strong, with Indonesian military personnel currently undergoing training at Russian institutions. “Our military departments have direct bilateral ties… at the level of good professional interaction, and we are ready to expand this cooperation,” he said.

The Russian leader also congratulated Indonesia on joining the BRICS group in January and reaffirmed support for negotiations between Jakarta and the Eurasian Economic Community (EurAsEC) on a potential free trade zone.

Subianto’s official visit to Moscow focused on strengthening the Russian-Indonesian strategic partnership and discussing key international and regional developments, according to the Kremlin.

Speaking during a visit by members of the South‑South Development Commission (SSDC) to the refinery and fertiliser complex over the weekend, the refinery’s chief executive, Aliko Dangote said the plant will deliver roughly 50 million litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) daily beginning December 1, with a similar target for January, and plans to scale up to 1.7 billion litres per month by February 2026.

“In line with our commitment to national well-being, and consistent with our track record of ensuring a holiday season free of fuel scarcity, the Dangote Petroleum Refinery will supply 1.5 billion litres of PMS to the Nigerian market this month. This represents 50 million litres per day. We are formally notifying the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) of this commitment. We will supply another 1.5 billion litres in January and increase to 1.7 billion litres in February, which translates to about 60 million litres per day,” Dangote said.

The announcement comes on the back of growing pressure on Nigeria’s energy sector to end decades of chronic fuel shortages, long petrol-station queues, and volatile prices.

The Dangote refinery first began partial petrol distribution in 2024, addressing some of Nigeria’s fuel needs. Yet despite this progress, imported fuel still accounted for a large portion of the monthly supply.

Between August 2024 and October 2025, the country imported approximately 15.01 billion litres of Premium Motor Spirit.

Tanzania has cancelled its 9 December Independence Day celebrations following calls for nationwide protests over mass killings linked to the disputed 29 October general election. Prime Minister Mwigulu Nchemba announced the decision on 24 November, saying funds would instead be used to rebuild infrastructure damaged during last month’s unrest. Opposition parties have urged citizens to use the holiday to protest the government’s handling of the election, in which President Samia Suluhu Hassan was declared the winner with 98% of the vote — a result they dismissed as fabricated. Key opposition figures were either detained or barred from running, including Chadema leader Tundu Lissu, who has been held on treason charges since April. Thousands protested the results, with rights groups condemning the security crackdown as violent and repressive. While the government has yet to release a death toll, it has formed a commission of inquiry that opposition leaders fear lacks independence. Nchemba urged Tanzanians to avoid violence and embrace dialogue, saying the country must not “return to what we went through.”

Government accelerates mining reforms for economic transformation

The Ministry of Minerals has launched an initiative to implement directives issued by President Samia Suluhu Hassan to transform the mining sector into a driver of national economic growth and prosperity. Speaking at a management workshop in Dodoma from 24–25 November, Minister for Minerals Anthony Mavunde said the President expects Tanzania’s mineral wealth to be managed in ways that generate tangible benefits for citizens and support development priorities. The directives — drawn from national addresses, the ruling party’s 2025–2030 manifesto, and the government’s early-term commitments — focus on boosting production, increasing value addition, and improving sector efficiency. Mavunde emphasised the need for innovation, discipline, and speed across the ministry and its agencies to meet these goals.

Energy ministry calls for stronger fuel systems and youth opportunities

Deputy Minister for Energy Salome Makamba has directed the Energy and Water Utilities Regulatory Authority (EWURA) to improve the efficiency of fuel transportation networks to address recurring national fuel shortages. During a working session with EWURA officials in Dodoma, she underscored the importance of expanding fuel storage capacity to safeguard supply and encouraged the regulator to explore ways to reduce the cost of household electrical installation materials to accelerate rural electrification. Makamba also highlighted the need to create more opportunities for young people in the energy sector. EWURA Director General Dr James Andilile reaffirmed the authority’s commitment to ensuring service quality, safety, efficiency, and good governance while implementing presidential directives.

AfDB approves $24.6 million loan to boost Tanzania’s agro-industrial growth

The African Development Bank Group has approved a $24.6 million senior corporate loan to Mohammed Enterprises Tanzania Limited (MeTL) to modernise and expand the country’s agro-industrial production. The investment will rehabilitate ageing tea estates, convert more than 1,000 hectares into organic plantations, and upgrade processing factories to double production capacity. It will also establish 15,000 hectares of sisal plantations and a new 200-hectare macadamia farm, while improving rural infrastructure and strengthening value chains connecting smallholder farmers to global markets. The project is expected to create over 1,400 jobs, generate more than $10 million in new annual export earnings, and contribute approximately $36 million in fiscal revenues. AfDB officials say the initiative strengthens Tanzania’s agricultural resilience and supports inclusive growth, particularly for women farmers. The funding forms part of a broader $74.7 million programme co-financed by ILX B.V. and MeTL equity.

Construction of long-delayed Bagamoyo port to begin in December

Tanzania will begin construction of the long-awaited Bagamoyo port in December, ending more than a decade of delays caused by disputes over earlier contract terms with foreign developers. Government spokesperson Gerson Msigwa said the port — part of a larger special economic zone project that includes industrial parks and transport links — will initially begin with 14 berths, eventually expanding to 28. The deep-water port, located 75 km north of Dar es Salaam, is designed to accommodate larger vessels than any other port in East Africa, with a planned depth of 20 meters. Tanzania originally signed a framework agreement with China Merchants Holdings International and Oman’s State General Reserve Fund in 2013, but the project stalled after the government rejected unfavourable terms. President Samia Suluhu Hassan revived negotiations after taking office in 2021, positioning the $10 billion project as key to boosting trade capacity and regional maritime influence. The port’s revival comes as Tanzania faces economic pressures and strained regional trade relations following a contentious and widely criticised election period.

Romulo Batista, coordinator of Greenpeace Brazil’s Forest Solutions project, used the moment to issue one of the summit’s clearest demands. “Another extremely important point is our demand directed at polluters. They must pay the bill for climate change and, in particular, ensure the just energy transition of developing countries, so they do not have to go through a high-carbon economy to develop,” he said.

For Greenpeace, holding major emitters financially accountable is essential to prevent poorer nations from repeating the carbon-heavy development paths of richer countries.

COP30 itself has centred on protecting the Amazon and accelerating global climate action, particularly in regions most exposed to environmental degradation. Greenpeace’s intervention underscored a broader concern shared by many at the summit: that without binding commitments forcing the world ’s biggest polluters to pay for the damage they have caused, the promise of a just transition will remain out of reach.

According to Slashgear , generating just one AI image consumes about 0.011 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity. That might sound small, but it’s roughly the same amount of energy your refrigerator uses in four minutes.

To put it in perspective, a standard fridge running continuously for a full day consumes about 4 kWh, according to EnergySage .

That means every AI-generated picture carries a tangible, if tiny, environmental footprint, one that multiplies quickly when millions of images are created daily across platforms.

While a fridge hums quietly in the background, the servers powering AI models run at massive data centres, drawing electricity from grids that often rely on fossil fuels.

Slashgear notes that a single AI image may require dozens of processing steps from high-performance GPUs, each contributing to that energy cost.

Multiply this by the growing number of users experimenting with tools like Midjourney, DALL·E, or Stable Diffusion, and the numbers add up quickly.

Globally, the conversation around AI’s energy footprint is intensifying. The UN Environment Programme recently highlighted that as AI adoption accelerates, so does its electricity demand, raising concerns about sustainability and carbon emissions.

With major tech companies investing billions into generative AI, the race isn’t just about smarter models anymore; it’s also about greener ones.

According to the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), world proven crude oil reserves stood at 1,567 billion barrels at the end of 2024, up around 2 billion barrels (or 0.1 %) from 2023. In practical terms, global reserves are barely moving up, even though crude remains in demand.

The map highlights a striking concentration of vast oil wealth clustered in just a few regions, particularly the Middle East and parts of South America .

Venezuela leads the world with an estimated 303 billion barrels, followed closely by Saudi Arabia at 267 billion and Iran with about 208 billion. Other major holders include Iraq with around 145 billion and Russia with 80 billion barrels, according to WorldAtlas

What the visual also shows is how the Middle East remains a “reservoir of reserves”. The region holds well over half of the world’s proven stock . For example, OPEC’s time-series chart indicates the Middle East’s share was roughly 871 billion barrels out of about 1,567 billion in 2024.

These reserve figures influence geopolitics, energy security, investment decisions and even how governments shape future policy. But it is surprising that despite decades of consumption, the global total of proven oil reserves isn’t collapsing but stable. That’s because discoveries and extraction in previously uneconomic fields are helping offset withdrawal.

For example, the OPEC press release notes that although global production from some OPEC-member countries dipped in 2024, reserves remained flat.

According to The Blackout Report, India’s blackout in July 2012 impacted 670 million people, Pakistan’s blackout in January 2023 hit 244 million (almost its whole population), Bangladesh’s October 2022 outage affected 140 million, and Indonesia’s 2005 incident cut power to 100 million.

India’s 2012 blackout — The largest in human history

In July 2012, India experienced what remains the biggest power outage in history, cutting electricity to more than 670 million people, nearly half of its population.

The collapse began when a key 400 kV transmission line between Bina, Gwalior, and Agra failed, triggering a cascading breakdown that crippled three of India’s five regional grids.

Trains stopped mid-journey, traffic signals failed, hospitals ran on emergency power, and millions were left stranded at railway stations in the sweltering July heat. Water pumping systems also failed, leaving many without access to clean water.

It took nearly 15 hours to restore 80% of power in the affected regions, and the episode became a wake-up call for India’s power sector. The blackout led to immediate reforms, including tighter coordination between regional grids, better load forecasting, and investments in “smart grid” systems.

What happened in Pakistan in 2023

On January 23, 2023, Pakistan experienced one of the most dramatic grid collapses in modern history. The outage began around 7:34 a.m. local time when sudden fluctuations in grid frequency caused transmission lines to trip and disconnect southern and northern systems. Over 11365 MW of power was lost, and most of the country plunged into darkness.

In many areas, power stayed off for over 12 hours, and in some rural zones, outages stretched to 24 or even 72 hours. In its aftermath, authorities launched a full investigation.

The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) held six entities accountable, including the national transmission company, generator operators, and hydropower stations. Weak protection systems, mismatched generation schedules, and poor coordination all contributed to the cascade collapse.

Every day life suffered as hospitals ran on backup generators, communications networks faltered, and water pump systems shut down. The economic toll was steep, especially on industries like textiles.

Bangladesh’s 2022 blackout

On October 4, 2022, nearly 80% of Bangladesh lost power after a massive grid failure disrupted the country’s entire electricity network. The outage, which began in the afternoon and lasted for more than seven hours, affected around 140 million people.

In the capital, Dhaka, elevators stopped, traffic lights went dark, and factories across the industrial belt were forced to shut down. For Bangladesh’s garment sector, the backbone of its economy, the blackout was especially painful. Many textile plants, which rely on continuous power for production, were forced to halt operations, disrupting exports and cutting daily wages.

The outage also deepened frustration amid a worsening energy crunch. Protests broke out in several cities, reflecting public anger over the government’s handling of energy imports and rising costs. Officials later confirmed the blackout was caused by a “transmission imbalance” in the eastern grid, leading to a chain reaction that tripped multiple power plants.

Indonesia’s 2005 blackout

Earlier, in August 2005, Indonesia faced a similar crisis when a transmission line failure in West Java triggered a cascading power outage across Java and Bali, leaving nearly 100 million people without electricity.

The blackout struck at mid-morning, paralysing Jakarta, one of Asia’s most crowded capitals. Traffic jams stretched for miles, hospitals operated on diesel generators, and mobile networks went offline. The state utility company, PLN, apologised publicly as then President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono ordered an immediate investigation.

Within hours, most of Jakarta regained power, but some regions remained in darkness well into the night. The incident led to major scrutiny of PLN’s maintenance and oversight procedures, as well as a push to diversify Indonesia’s energy mix to reduce dependence on overloaded transmission corridors.

The summit marked the continuation of a complicated diplomatic relationship that has spanned years and several countries.

The map of their meetings tells a story of evolving political theatre. Their first face-to-face encounter took place at the G20 Summit in Hamburg, Germany, in July 2017, followed by the APEC Summit in Da Nang, Vietnam, later that year.

They met again during the Helsinki Summit in Finland in June 2018 and at the WWI Armistice centenary in Paris that November. The G20 Summit in Osaka, Japan, in June 2019 rounded out the early chapter of their encounters, before geopolitical realities and Trump’s departure from office paused direct talks.

The Anchorage Summit reignited global attention. According to CBS News , discussions focused heavily on the ongoing war in Ukraine, sanctions, and global energy prices.

However, much like their previous meetings, the summit produced more symbolism than substance, with no significant breakthroughs on ceasefire agreements or troop withdrawals. Reuters described the talks as “cordial but inconclusive.”

Now, attention is turning toward Budapest, Hungary, as the potential venue for their next meeting. Following a phone call between Trump and Putin on October 16, both sides signalled openness to further negotiations in the Hungarian capital, a move widely supported by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.

In remarks quoted by AP News , Orbán said Hungary was proud to serve as neutral ground, calling his country “the only place in Europe” capable of hosting such high-stakes diplomacy.

For Ukraine, the timing couldn’t be more sensitive. Just days after Trump and Putin’s call, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited Washington to push for advanced U.S. weapons and reaffirm support for Kyiv.

Still, expectations remain cautious. Analysts cited by AP News and The Kyiv Independent note that previous summits between the two leaders, often long on photo ops and short on policy outcomes, suggest the upcoming Budapest meeting may not deliver sweeping results either.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for stronger representation of women in political leadership, a message that resonated strongly in Mozambique, where female leaders are increasingly asserting influence across political and civic spaces. During a global summit on women’s participation, Mozambique reaffirmed its commitment to gender inclusivity in governance. The country’s delegation highlighted progress in education, healthcare, and social inclusion, while acknowledging that systemic barriers remain. The event has further strengthened diplomatic ties between Beijing and Maputo, aligning their development agendas on gender parity and leadership equality.

Prime minister highlights Mozambique’s progress at women leaders meeting

At a regional meeting of women leaders, Mozambique’s Prime Minister underscored the government’s achievements in promoting women’s political participation and economic empowerment. She emphasised that gender equality is not just a social imperative but an economic strategy for national development. Her remarks detailed new initiatives supporting women entrepreneurs, expanding educational access, and providing financing opportunities for female-led startups. These initiatives, she noted, are part of a broader agenda to ensure that women occupy central roles in Mozambique’s policy and decision-making processes.

Post-election fallout leaves over 12,000 workers without compensation

In the aftermath of Mozambique’s recent elections, trade unions have reported that more than 12,000 workers were dismissed without compensation, raising concerns about labour rights and post-election governance. The affected workers, primarily from public and semi-public sectors, allege political bias in the dismissals, claiming they were targeted for perceived affiliations with opposition parties. The unions have appealed for government intervention and international mediation to address the issue. Labour groups warn that unresolved grievances could escalate into strikes or social unrest if not promptly addressed.

World Bank and Mozambique usher in a new era of cooperation anchored in energy

The World Bank and the Mozambican government have entered a new phase of strategic cooperation , focusing on energy development as a cornerstone of the country’s economic transformation. The partnership emphasises expanding renewable energy projects, improving power grid infrastructure, and ensuring energy access for rural populations. World Bank officials described Mozambique as a “key partner” in sustainable growth for southern Africa. The initiative aligns with Mozambique’s ambition to become a regional energy hub through investment in liquefied natural gas (LNG) and solar capacity.

Portugal to assist Mozambique in tackling businessman kidnappings

In response to a troubling surge in kidnappings of businessmen and professionals, Portugal has pledged closer cooperation with Mozambican authorities to combat organised crime. The partnership includes intelligence sharing, specialised training for local police units, and the development of joint task forces. Portuguese officials emphasised that such incidents threaten investor confidence and bilateral economic relations. Mozambique’s government has welcomed the collaboration, framing it as an important step in restoring security and strengthening ties between the two Portuguese-speaking nations.

The ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development's head of Research and Strategic Planning, MacDonald Goanue told Global South World

An immediate problem for the bank has been that it has had to delay the sale of Eurobonds: “Because of the geopolitical situation and rising tariffs in the United States, the cost of funding has gone up,” Goanue said in an exclusive interview at the Crans Montana Forum. “Given the fact that we are a non-investment-grade bank, we are waiting to see how the market cools down before we can go.”

For Goanue, this is not a problem confined to EBID. It reflects a deeper flaw in the international financial architecture. Credit rating agencies, he argues, apply methodologies that “tend to punish” African countries because of structural factors - security risks, low per-capita incomes, shallow domestic markets - that are hard to change overnight. When West African regional entities try to raise capital, they end up paying nine or ten percent interest - sometimes even 12 percent - far higher than institutions elsewhere.

While a major part of the answer lies in debt forgiveness, countries can also improve their situations but developing deeper domestic capital markets, he argued. However he cautioned against following artificial deadlines for the introduction of a single currency - the Eco is still official slated for 2027.

"I think the leadership of ECOWAS is playing cautious, because they want to be sure that they don't want to go into an arrangement tomorrow that will collapse," he said, adding that intraregional trade only accounted for perhaps 8 percent within the block against 77 percent in the euro area prior to the introduction of the Euro.

Powering growth

Against this backdrop, EBID’s core mission is to finance infrastructure—especially energy. Access to electricity in West Africa is among the lowest in the world, a bottleneck that constrains industrialisation, raises costs for basic services, and feeds inflation. Nigeria, the region’s largest economy, still faces enormous deficits in power supply, while only a few countries like Cape Verde and Côte d’Ivoire have relatively high coverage.

Goanue, himself Liberian, paints a vivid picture: without reliable electricity, shops close at sunset, hospital services cost more to run, and even banks struggle with overheads. “With electricity access, there will be a 24-hour economy,” he said. “Small businesses can stay open later, people feel safer, and factories can be powered. It will create the entrepreneurial spirit.”

EBID has already financed power plants in Benin, Togo, and Côte d’Ivoire and is seeking to increase its footprint in Nigeria. One flagship example is the Maria Glater plant in Benin, which the bank has supported. Yet the scale of the challenge is immense, and Goanue is cautious about promising big breakthroughs in the next 12 months. “It takes time,” he said, noting that the bank also funds connecting roads and other infrastructure that underpin regional trade.

Climate considerations

How does EBID square this urgent need for energy with global pressure to shift away from fossil fuels? Goanue admits it is not easy. “It’s not possible to end investment in fossil fuels immediately,” he said. Nigeria’s budget, for example, still relies heavily on oil revenues, and new discoveries are seen as good news by African governments. EBID does have environmental, social, and governance (ESG) policies, and most of its member states subscribe to the Paris Climate Accord, but Goanue emphasises that transition will take time. “There is a way you can make these things clean,” he said. “We want to invest into clean energy, but we have to balance it.”

Managing a split

Guanoe is evidently proud of his institutions pragamtic approach to the biggest challenge ECOWAS has faced in recent times - the departure or Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger - reducing the bloc's membership to twelve. With major major exposure in these states - about 23 percent of its portfolio or more than $200 million - the bank has resisted pressure to pull out completely.

Instead, the bank has persuaded ECOWAS leaders to let it continue disbursing funds for ongoing projects and to keep staff from these countries in place. Goanue likens the approach to how British citizens were treated in EU institutions after Brexit. “We are careful and circumspect to ensure that our facilities are repaid,” he said. Burkina Faso has stayed current on its restructured repayments, Mali has restarted payments, and Niger is making token transfers despite fiscal stress.

This pragmatic stance is driven by economic as much as political logic. If EBID simply withdrew, non-performing loans would spike, undermining its own creditworthiness and pushing up borrowing costs further. In addition, nobody benefits if projects already paid for are not completed.

A brighter future

Despite the obstacles, Goanue remains optimistic. West Africa’s population exceeds 480 million—roughly the size of the European Union —but its GDP is only around $700 billion, and per-capita incomes and banking penetration are low. Building deeper domestic markets, harmonising regulations, and moving toward a single currency are all on the agenda.

What gives him hope is demographics. The region’s average age is under 20, offering a potential “youth dividend” if the right investments in capacity and infrastructure are made.

According to recent data confirmed by the Energy Institute’s Statistical Review of World Energy 2025, a surprising number of nations, particularly in Africa, have overwhelmingly renewable electricity grids.

Here are the top 10 countries with the highest share of renewable electricity production:

What these numbers show is that countries often overlooked in global energy conversations are, in fact, global leaders when it comes to renewable reliance. Much of this dominance comes from hydropower, supported in some cases by biomass and smaller-scale solar and wind systems.

In places like DR Congo and Ethiopia, vast river systems provide clean electricity, while in Kenya and Tanzania, investments in geothermal and hydropower have transformed their national energy profiles.

The 2025 Statistical Review of World Energy highlights the significance of these shifts in a broader global context. Worldwide, energy demand rose by around 2% in 2024, but electricity demand grew even faster at nearly 4%, creating pressure to expand capacity quickly.

For the first time, low-carbon electricity sources (renewables plus nuclear) accounted for more than 40% of global electricity production, thanks largely to record additions of solar and wind. Yet fossil fuels continue to rise in absolute terms, showing the world is still in a difficult transition phase.

Africa’s dominance in renewable share is not just about resources, but also about constraints. Many of these nations lack the infrastructure to rely heavily on coal, oil, or gas. Electricity demand is relatively low compared to industrialised economies, which means that even modest renewable installations can supply the majority of power.

At the same time, dependence on hydropower makes these systems vulnerable to drought and climate variability, raising questions about resilience and reliability.

Globally, the conversation around renewables is moving beyond capacity building to issues of finance, policy, and grid integration. Recent news reflects a major pact cut public funding for fossil fuels by as much as 78% in 2024, while clean energy investments in 2025 are projected to reach $2.2 trillion, nearly double fossil fuel financing.

South America actually stretches farther from north to south than its northern counterpart, 5,100 kilometres compared to North America’s 4,300 kilometres.

South America’s sheer length, from the Caribbean coast of Colombia to the windswept southern tip of Chile and Argentina, makes it one of the most geographically diverse regions on Earth.

Within its span lie the dense Amazon rainforest, the soaring Andes mountains, and the icy reaches of Patagonia. This unique diversity has positioned South America as a central player in environmental and economic debates.

The Amazon, often referred to as the “lungs of the planet,” is crucial in the fight against climate change, yet it faces escalating threats from deforestation and rising global temperatures.

Meanwhile, the continent’s natural resources, particularly lithium reserves in the Andes, have placed it at the heart of the renewable energy transition and the race for green technology supply chains.

North America, while shorter in length, holds its own place of prominence. From the Arctic archipelagos of Canada down to the tropical lowlands of Panama, it encompasses a vast array of ecosystems in its 4,300 kilometres.

Its influence, however, extends far beyond geography. The continent remains central to global trade and politics, with U.S. elections and policy decisions echoing across the world .

The economic and political weight of North America complements its diverse landscapes, from boreal forests to deserts and tropical regions.

“We have no big enemies in the world in the true sense. If we have any enemy, it is our dependence on other countries. This is our biggest enemy,” he said. “The enemy must be defeated. We always have to repeat this. The more foreign dependence, the greater the failure of the country.”

He urged collective action to reduce this vulnerability, framing self-reliance as a pillar of national strength rather than merely an economic plan. Modi’s remarks come at a tense moment in India–U.S. relations, with trade and energy policies at the centre of dispute.

Washington recently imposed a 25% reciprocal duty on Indian goods from August 7, followed by an additional 25% penalty tariff beginning August 27 — a direct response to India’s continued purchases of Russian oil.

New Delhi has defended its stance, insisting that it will secure the “best deal” on oil to protect its citizens’ interests. Indian officials have accused Washington of double standards, pointing to ongoing U.S. imports of Russian chemicals and fertilisers, allegations rejected by President Donald Trump .

This striking figure, published by World Visualized and confirmed by data from, highlights a widening gap between regions where power is cheap and those where households face mounting energy bills.

The disparity is dramatic. Countries such as Egypt , Oman, Laos, and Kuwait pay just a fraction of what European households do, with rates as low as USD 0.024 per kWh.

Meanwhile, Germany, Italy, Belgium, Ireland, and the UK routinely exceed USD 0.40 per kWh. In other words, a European family may be paying more than ten times as much for the same amount of power as a household in parts of Asia or Africa.

The reasons for these steep prices are complex and interconnected. European electricity generation still relies heavily on natural gas, leaving prices vulnerable to global fuel markets.

When gas prices climb , as they did in 2024 and 2025, so do wholesale power costs. Compounding this, the European Union’s Emissions Trading System adds a carbon price to fossil-fuel power generation, which directly flows into consumer bills.

Weather patterns have also played a role. Lower-than-expected wind output in northern Europe and reduced hydropower generation in southern regions have forced a return to fossil-fuel-based generation, pushing costs even higher.

Grid bottlenecks across the continent add another layer of expense, limiting the ability to move cheaper renewable power to where it’s needed most. The European Commission recently launched its “Energy Highways” initiative, targeting eight major grid constraints to improve interconnectivity, lower prices, and enhance energy security.

For households, these trends translate into steadily climbing energy bills and a growing risk of energy poverty. Reports from several EU countries show more families falling behind on payments, especially after the summer heatwaves that drove cooling demand to record levels. For businesses, especially in energy-intensive sectors, high electricity costs threaten competitiveness and may encourage production shifts to cheaper jurisdictions.

Globally, the picture is mixed. While much of Asia, Africa, and the Middle East continue to enjoy very low residential electricity prices, their grids face challenges of reliability and capacity.

A map highlights the countries struck by Israeli forces: Yemen, Syria, Iraq, Iran, and Oman, illustrating how the conflict has become a regional confrontation rather than a strictly local war.

Israeli operations have hit multiple fronts. In Yemen, airstrikes targeted Houthi command centres and military depots in Sanaa and al-Jawf, leaving at least 46 dead and 165 wounded. The Houthis, who have launched drone and missile attacks toward Israel, vowed retaliation, further heightening tensions.

In Syria, strikes have focused on Iranian-backed militia networks and weapons convoys, with analysts noting a sharp increase in frequency and precision since October 7.

Israel has also carried out targeted operations inside Iraq and Iran, hitting militia and drone facilities tied to Tehran. These attacks have sparked fears that the conflict could spill over into a confrontation with Iran, a scenario that would have profound consequences for the region.

The impact of these strikes is being felt well beyond the battlefield. Oil prices have spiked repeatedly on news of Israeli attacks against Iranian and Houthi targets, reflecting fears of disruption to shipping lanes in the Red Sea and the Strait of Hormuz.

European diesel prices have also risen as the conflict threatens critical energy flows. Investors are flocking to gold and U.S. Treasuries as safe-haven assets, while Gulf stock markets have dipped on days of heavy strikes.

Economists warn that if the conflict continues to expand, global growth projections could be downgraded, and inflationary pressures could persist longer than expected. For businesses and governments alike, the stakes are high: any escalation risks disrupting energy supplies, shipping routes, and trade flows that connect Asia, Europe, and Africa.

The map of countries targeted by Israel is no longer just a visual of military strikes; it is a warning sign of a region edging toward a broader conflict with potentially global economic consequences. Whether diplomacy can catch up to the pace of escalation will determine how deep and far-reaching the next phase of this crisis becomes.

For Ethiopia, the continent’s second-most populous nation with more than 120 million people, the GERD is a symbol of national pride and economic transformation. The government says the dam will power homes, factories, and infrastructure projects, creating new opportunities for development and export of electricity to neighboring states.

But the project has also heightened tensions with Egypt and Sudan, who depend heavily on Nile waters for drinking, farming, and industry. Cairo has long feared that the dam will reduce its share of the river, which supplies more than 90% of Egypt’s freshwater. Sudan, too, has expressed concern about how water flows and dam operations might affect its irrigation systems and existing dams.

Ethiopia has dismissed these fears, arguing that the project will benefit the region by regulating floods and expanding power supply. Officials insist that GERD will not significantly harm downstream countries, pointing instead to its role in stabilizing water flows during drought years.

The dispute also touches on history. By moving forward with GERD, Ethiopia is sidestepping the 1929 Anglo-Egyptian Treaty, a colonial-era pact that gave Egypt veto power over Nile projects and granted it the lion’s share of water rights. Addis Ababa has long rejected the treaty as outdated and unjust.

Talks between Ethiopia, Egypt, and Sudan have repeatedly stalled, and analysts warn that the absence of a binding agreement could fuel further tensions in an already fragile region.

Ghana, Cote d'Ivoire under threat as Sahel insurgencies creep south: Eigenrac analysis

Militant reach from Burkina Faso is eroding buffers to wealthier coastal states. A recent attack in northern Côte d’Ivoire highlights how extremist violence is spilling into Benin, Togo, and Ghana, fueling displacement and cross-border threats. The southward push raises wider concerns for Europe and the West over migration, humanitarian crises, and insecurity along the Gulf of Guinea. Read more here .

Emerging markets news: Morocco’s bet on digital and green energy assessed

Leveraging its position between Europe and Africa, Morocco is emerging as a centre for digital innovation and renewable energy, driven by major solar, wind, and hydrogen projects to meet local and European demand. Read more here .

Why food prices are surging everywhere

Global food prices are surging, squeezing households, straining farmers, and threatening food security worldwide. Read more here .

Asia

Xi Jinping leads China’s largest military parade in decades: Video

China marked Victory Day with its biggest military parade in decades, showcasing advanced weapons and projecting global influence. Read more here .

Japan PM Ishiba resigns after bruising election losses

Japanese PM Shigeru Ishiba resigned Sunday, raising policy uncertainty for the world’s fourth-largest economy. Read more here .

How Taiwan could revive nuclear power, step by step: Video

Taiwan closed its last nuclear reactor in August, but debate over the future of nuclear power and its impact on health, safety, and energy security continues. Read more here .

Latin America

Bolsonaro supporters rally in Brazil as coup trial nears verdict

Thousands of Bolsonaro supporters protested across Brazil on Sunday, days before his trial over alleged coup plotting after the 2022 election. Read more here .

Global South Politics: The ‘collapse’ of Bolivia’s ruling MAS party - Video

Bolivia’s ruling MAS party faced a major setback in the August 17 elections, driven by economic troubles and internal divisions. Read more here .

COP30 comes to the Amazon — But will it help the people who live there?

Amid Brazil’s Amazon’s illegal activities, the world often overlooks the harsh social and economic realities facing indigenous people. Read more here .

With another referendum off the table for at least two years, questions now turn to what role nuclear power could play in import-dependent Taiwan, an island still grappling with the threat of a Chinese blockade.

For nuclear energy researcher Suleyman Turkes, the way forward lies in international partnerships.

“The way forward for Taiwan should start with cooperation, agreements on SMR (small modular reactor) technology, and Generation III reactors with big international companies, like the United States, France, South Korea, and Japan,” said Turkes, who studies nuclear energy and energy policies at Turkey’s Academic Research Institute (Akademik Araştırma Enstitüsü).

“This partnership will bring not only reactors, but also the transfer of safety culture and operational standards,” he told Global South World . 

Turkes outlined a three-step roadmap he believes could guide Taiwan’s nuclear future: first, revive decommissioned reactors; second, work with foreign partners to build new plants; and third, develop local expertise to design Taiwan’s own next-generation reactors.

He noted that jointly built facilities could be completed faster, a key advantage if Taiwan decides to quickly scale back on energy imports, which currently shoulder roughly 98% of its consumption. 

In the meantime, he suggested reviving Maanshan and other previously decommissioned reactors to serve as a “bridge” between old and new facilities for up to two more decades.

Over the longer term, Turkes said Taiwan must invest in its own academic institutions and researchers to sustain nuclear capacity.

“Taiwan must also think of its own capacity, its own nuclear know-how,” he said. “Because if you only use foreign technology, maybe you solve today's problem, but not tomorrow’s.”

“Universities should expand their nuclear program, and new research and development centres must come. Young engineers should also join international projects,” he added.

Although critics argue that nuclear power only contributes around 5% of Taiwan’s energy mix, Turkes said the impact of completely abandoning it would go far beyond that figure.

“That 5% share from nuclear will not only be replaced by fossil fuels, but it can only be replaced by imported fossil fuels. And this means Taiwan will move away from net zero, more exposed to global price change, and under more political pressure from suppliers,” he said.

“Losing nuclear is just not losing 5%. It's losing competitiveness, losing stability, losing also the credibility of climate commitments.”

While recognising Taiwan’s potential to expand renewable energy such as solar and wind, Turkes stressed that these could only operate at a supporting capacity due to storage and reliability issues.

Nuclear, he argued, can deliver the same output with far greater stability.

“The best way for Taiwan's energy security is nuclear,” he said. “Nuclear not only reduces fossil dependence, it's the backbone of the system.”

Chile leads with about 5.3 million tonnes of copper mined in 2024 and 2025, more than any other country. The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has rocketed into second place with roughly 3.3 million tonnes, while Peru follows at 2.6 million tonnes, trailed by China and Indonesia (1.8 million and 1.1 million tonnes, respectively).

These figures align with production estimates compiled by the United States Geological Survey .

According to the USGS’s Mineral Commodity Summaries 2025 , Chile holds 190 metric tonnes in reserves , making it a cornerstone of global supply. The DRC's reserves are also estimated at 80 metric tonnes, underpinning its long‑term potential.

Peru mined 2.6 metric tonnes of copper and holds 100 metric tonnes in reserves. China , meanwhile, produced about 1.8 metric tonnes and maintains 41 metric tonnes of reserves. China’s domestic production has increased by 277 % over three decades.

The USGS estimates world copper reserves at about 980 million tonnes, with mine production reaching ~23 million tonnes in 2024. Identified resources contain 1.5 billion tonnes of unextracted copper, and undiscovered resources could hold another 3.5 billion tonnes.

These numbers highlight both the abundance of copper and the challenges of extracting it economically.

Copper demand is accelerating due to growth in electric vehicles, renewable‑energy installations and data-centre infrastructure . While Chile and Peru still account for roughly one‑third of global output, the DRC’s surge underscores how shifting investment patterns and geopolitical factors can rapidly reshape supply chains.

With world copper reserves concentrated in a few countries and production often vulnerable to social and environmental disruptions, analysts warn that supply bottlenecks could emerge during the energy transition.

A visual breakdown charts the top ten nations: Venezuela, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Canada (163 bn), Iraq (145 bn), UAE (113 bn), Kuwait (102 bn), Russia (80 bn), the United States (74 bn), and Libya (48 bn).

These top ten nations “hold strategic leverage in shaping global energy markets and international policy frameworks” and underscore how membership in OPEC or OPEC+ amplifies their global influence.

Political stability, technological access, and strategic alliances significantly influence actual production capacity and how these reserves translate into power.

More than just numbers

Green transition: Rapidly expanding solar, wind , and hydrogen projects to meet domestic and European demand.

Digital pivot: Investment into data centres, submarine cables, and digital services are making Morocco the connectivity bridge between Africa and Europe.

In the near term, Morocco's stability and infrastructure advantage gives it momentum. In the medium term, success will depend on whether it can incorporate regional partners and elicit sustained buy-in from Europe.

What’s at stake?

For Morocco, it's not just about energy exports or data services. The combined effort of both renewable energy and digital infrastructure, the emphasis will be on safeguarding Morocco's future economy, while diversifying away from a reliance on agriculture and traditional manufacturing. However, it also is about safeguarding political stability through job creation.

European capitals are viewing Morocco as a stable partner within an increasingly unstable region. As EU countries desperately search for ways to lessen their reliance on Russian gas, and meet the aggressive climate targets set by their constituents, Morocco is uniquely situated within Europe’s energy security. With an abundance of renewable resources and its geographic proximity to Iberia, Morocco's vast potential in helping solve Europe’s energy issues is immense.

During this time, however, the significant investment in data connectivity, including new submarine internet cables, newly built data centres in Casablanca and Rabat, and partnerships with major tech providers means that Morocco is vying for its role in Africa’s digital economy. This matters for Europe too, with the future of controlling data and digital standards between Africa and Europe likely to become a strategic issue for the next decade.

The background

Morocco has long positioned itself as a stable entry point between Europe and Africa . Now Morocco has recast itself around two pillars: renewables and digital.

Renewables : The Noor Ouarzazate Solar Complex is already one of the largest in the world . Wind farms on the Atlantic coast from Tarfaya to Tangier are scaling up. The green hydrogen sector has recently become the flagship, with Rabat signing MoUs with German, British and Gulf investors to build electrolysis and export corridors. Morocco is aiming to fulfil 4% of Europe’s hydrogen demand by 2030.

Digital : An assortment of submarine cables connecting Morocco to Europe and West Africa (e.g. for the new EllaLink and Medusa projects) are positioning the country to become a digital crossroad. Morocco is developing some of Africa’s largest data centres, including a 500 MW renewable-powered facility near Dakhla, with supporting government policies to improve fibre connectivity, as well as fintech and e-commerce development.

The government’s overarching strategy — “Morocco Digital 2030” — brings these two corners together, along with cybersecurity, AI and e-governance alongside rollout of renewables. Each leg is backed by political stability and substantial state interest through agencies such as MASEN (Moroccan Agency for Sustainable Energy) and the Digital Development Agency.

Comment: a partner Europe cannot ignore

For European states, Morocco's course offers both opportunities and risks. Morocco is a reliable partner when many of its neighbours face varying degrees of instability (Libya, Algeria, the Sahel) and are not able to cooperate as easily. Morocco is also physically close, politically close to Western institutions, and has a proven track record of developing massive infrastructure projects.

On the other hand, dependence on Morocco brings exposure. European industries will increasingly rely on Moroccan H2, solar electricity, and digital services — particularly in Spain, Portugal, Germany and France. Should Morocco face any internal challenges (youth unemployment, water limited by drought for green hydrogen production, domestic protests over cost of living), this may create shocks to European supply chains.

Western investors are already wary of governmental bottlenecks and slow regulatory reform processes that Morocco exhibits. While the state can execute megaprojects, questions remain about the positive spillovers for smaller enterprises and rural areas, or whether wealth will be concentrated in urban areas such as Casablanca and Tangier.

Projections for the near-medium term future:

In the short-term Morocco will certainly bolster its position as North Africa’s renewable leader, with increasing solar and wind supply and at least one hydrogen export pilot to Europe. It will also build on its digital infrastructure, with new submarine cables and data centres, attracting investment from European and Gulf investors, and its European partners will increasingly view Morocco as a secure secondary supplier of green energy.

In the medium-term, there is the realistic possibility that Morocco could become the leading external hydrogen supplier to Europe if German-backed projects become fully operational, and its digital role may evolve into a continental data hub between Africa and Europe. However, risks still exist for Morocco; rising domestic discontent over water use and land allocations, competition from regional rivals, and uncertainty on global hydrogen demand. For Western states, Morocco’s path will tie European utilities and industries more closely to Rabat, making Morocco an indispensable yet strategically sensitive partner.

Significant solar and wind projects are in development or operational in Boujdour, Dakhla, and Laayoune - regions with some of North Africa's highest renewable resources potential. These projects contribute significantly to Morocco’s national green energy targets, supplying power for domestic needs and supporting the country’s ambitions for future hydrogen exports and electricity links with Europe. However, the international status of the territory within which these projects are found is disputed, and some agreements related to the area have faced legal scrutiny and challenges in European courts, such as an annulment of an EU trade deal in October 2024. Rabat views these investments as part of its broader national energy strategy and refers to these areas as the “southern provinces,” whereas the United Nations continues to list Western Sahara as a non-self-governing territory.

With Kenya, the UK, Ghana and Portugal swinging behind Morocco's proposal to resolve the situation in the past few months, there are signs that momentum is shifting in Rabat's favour. Nevertheless, multilateral backing from the European Union, African Union or United Nations remains elusive.

Conclusion

There is no guarantee of Morocco’s transformation, but the path is clear: green energy and digital infrastructure are redefining its future role in the region. Where Morocco was once identified primarily as a tourism destination or manufacturing base, it is now building leverage as a renewable power supplier and a connector for digital networks. For Europe, Morocco is no longer just a neighbour — it is quickly becoming a partner in the race for a sustainable and secure future.

Energy drinks top the list

According to the Mathematics Department at the University of Utah , the energy drink Red Bull contains about 80 mg of caffeine in an 8.2‑ounce can. That may not sound like much compared with coffee (a typical 8‑ounce drip coffee ranges from 115 mg to 175mg), but it’s nearly four times the amount in a 12‑ounce can of Coca‑Cola. Another early energy drink, Jolt Cola, packs 71.2 mg of caffeine per 12 ounces, still formidable even decades after its launch.

One surprise on the graphic is Zero Sugar Mountain Dew, which has about 68 mg of caffeine per 12 oz, substantially more than the 55 mg found in regular Mountain Dew. PepsiCo, which makes Mountain Dew, markets the zero‑sugar version as having a bold flavour with an extra kick. Its caffeine content is closer to energy‑drink territory than to most sodas.

Sodas vary widely

Among traditional soft drinks, the caffeine count ranges from 55mg in Mountain Dew (and its Code Red and Diet versions) to 46mg in Diet Coke. Dr Pepper and Diet Dr Pepper both contain 41mg, while Pepsi‑Cola has 37.5mg. Coca‑Cola Classic, as well as its cherry, lemon and vanilla variants, delivers 34 mg of caffeine per 12‑ounce can.

At the lower end is Barq’s Root Beer with 23mg; diet root beers from Barq’s and other brands are caffeine-free.

These differences matter if you routinely reach for multiple cans a day. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) notes that most adults can safely consume up to 400mg of caffeine per day. However, the FDA warns that children and adolescents should avoid energy drinks and other high‑caffeine beverages because they can cause increased heart rate, high blood pressure and sleep disturbances.

The Centre for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) adds that the FDA doesn’t require companies to list caffeine content on labels and has compiled a caffeine chart with data for more than 200 products. In that chart, caffeinated soft drinks typically range from 23mg to 83mg per 12‑ounce serving, so the drinks in the World Visualized graphic span much of the spectrum.

Together, the next eight nations, India, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Japan, Brazil, South Korea, Canada and Germany, trail far behind but still collectively account for a massive share of global demand.

According to figures compiled by Jagran Josh from U.S. Energy Information Administration data, the top 10 oil-consuming countries account for about 61 million barrels per day, or roughly 61 % of global consumption.

Their ranking reads: United States (20.01 million bpd), China (15.15), India (5.05), Russia (3.68), Saudi Arabia (3.65), Japan (3.38), Brazil (3.03), South Korea (2.55), Canada (2.41) and Germany (2.18).

With the International Energy Agency projecting global demand to hit 103.9 million barrels per day in 2025, these few countries wield outsized influence over oil markets.

The United States alone consumed about 20.25 million barrels per day in 2023, roughly 20 % of world petroleum use, with transportation the dominant sector. China, now the world’s largest crude‑oil importer, has seen demand surge from 2.3 million barrels per day in 1990 to around 16.2 million bpd in 2023.

India, consuming 5.05 million barrels per day, is the third‑largest consumer and has ramped up from 1.2 million bpd in 1990. It is also heavily reliant on imports; over 85 % of its crude comes from abroad, leaving it vulnerable to geopolitical shocks and price swings. India’s recent pivot back to Middle Eastern suppliers after Russia trimmed exports underscores this dependency.

A concise quiz from the UPSC portal Vajiram & Ravi points out that the top five oil consumers, the United States, China, India, Russia and Japan, together use nearly 48 % of the world’s oil. On the supply side, just five countries produce about half of all crudevajiramandravi.com, making the market doubly concentrated.

While developed economies still dominate oil consumption, Asia is closing the gap.

As China and India’s appetite grows, and as Western nations push toward cleaner energy, the future of oil will hinge on how these few big consumers balance growth with energy transition. In this high‑stakes landscape, policy decisions in Washington, Beijing and New Delhi will ripple through fuel prices, trade flows and global climate goals.

Saturday’s outcome effectively seals the phaseout of nuclear power on the island, once a cornerstone of its electricity mix, and fulfils the ruling Democratic Progressive Party’s pledge to create a “nuclear-free homeland.” 

What happens next remains uncertain. For some analysts, the strong but insufficient support for nuclear power could prompt policymakers to rethink their hardline stance.

“The result sends a very strong signal to the government that more Taiwanese people, in fact, are not in favour of the government's current stance of completely ruling out nuclear power as one of the sources of energy for Taiwan,” William Hao-Wei Yang, a Taiwanese analyst with the International Crisis Group, told Global South World .

“This result has already pushed the government to come out and positively respond to the more than 4.3 million Taiwanese people's votes,” he added. “I believe that this could lead to further reconsideration for the ruling party regarding its longstanding opposition to nuclear power.”

Turnout, more than the arguments from the anti-nuclear camp, proved decisive in the referendum. Only about a quarter of Taiwan’s nearly 20 million eligible voters cast their ballots, leading to the sub-threshold result.

Yang argues that limited public engagement stemmed from poor communication and a lack of emphasis from political leaders.

“This issue hasn't really been the defining topic that has mobilised a large number of Taiwanese people to come out and participate in voting,” he said. “Neither the opposition parties nor the ruling party has put enough emphasis on this particular topic.”

“This remains an issue that needs more public discussion and perhaps more, you know, grassroots level public education so that Taiwanese people have a broader understanding about where they might want to stand on this particular issue going forward,” he added. 

Nuclear not gone for good

Doing away with nuclear power has long been a signature promise of the Democratic Progressive Party, giving the August referendum undeniable political undertones.

“In Taiwan, relevant conversations oftentimes become too politicised, and that overshadows the necessary scientific factors and elements that should be included in the discussion and debate," Yang said.

While the outcome bolstered the party’s credibility in pursuing its “nuclear-free homeland” policy, it also exposed growing unease with its uncompromising stance, according to Yang.

“(Saturday’s) outcome means more than just their energy policy,” he said. “(It reflects the) public's discontent with the approach that the ruling party has adopted since President Lai Ching-te came to power in May 2024,” 

“I think we might in fact see a fundamental shift — or at least an adjustment — from the ruling party when it comes to their policies on energy,” he added. “It could set off a re-evaluation within the ruling party about the validity of its political slogan (nuclear-free homeland).”

After the vote, Taiwan President Lai Ching-te, a staunch opponent of nuclear power, acknowledged what he called “society’s expectations for diverse energy options.”

"If in the future, the technology becomes safer, nuclear waste is reduced, and societal acceptance increases, we will not rule out advanced nuclear energy," he told reporters on Saturday.

That tentative opening could leave a path forward for nuclear power in Taiwan, Yang noted.

“Based on the consensus and the government's positive response to the outcome, it could probably help find that path for civil society, but also Taiwan as a whole, to move forward when it comes to resolving the current dilemma that Taiwan faces when it comes to improving energy resilienc in a scientific and safe way,” the analyst said.

A path forward

Debates over nuclear power in Taiwan have largely focused on health concerns, energy security, and the economy, and arguments for nuclear power have mostly centred on restarting decades-old plants . 

Pro-nuclear groups often point to Taiwan’s reliance on imports for about 98% of its energy, a vulnerability for the world’s leading semiconductor maker. Before its shutdown, nuclear power provided about 5.3% of the island’s electricity supply.

Yang warned that without a serious policy rethink, this dependence will persist.

“Before the government really adjusts its energy policy and makes a public commitment to pursue advanced nuclear-based energy solutions, Taiwan, unfortunately, will continue to have to rely on 98% of its energy imported from abroad,” he said. 

Yang also underscored the need for a more nuanced approach to Taiwan’s energy problems.

“At this point, the majority of the Taiwanese public's understanding about different types of nuclear energy solutions remains very limited, and that is not going to help push relevant conversations forward,” he said. 

“The government will have to genuinely consider taking the initiative to organise nationwide local-level information sessions to raise public awareness about relevant issues, and then that can lead to a better-informed public and also a better-informed policymaking process.” 

While Saturday’s referendum failed to overturn the standing nuclear-free homeland policy, Yang believes it could mark the beginning of a broader discussion in Taiwan. 

“I think it will accelerate the domestic discussion, and it really sends a sense of urgency that will push politicians, both the government but also lawmakers in the parliament, to try to come together and determine a path forward for maintaining Taiwan's energy resilience and at the same time ensuring its ability to provide a stable energy supply.”

“I do believe that the decision of not continuing that decades-old power plant for the safety risk reasons and the sustainability reasons, and also the nuclear waste processing issues are valid,” Yang told Global South World.  

Bringing an ageing facility back online is not a long-term solution, he added. 

“When it comes back to the particular issue of whether restarting a decommissioned nuclear power plant is the solution or not, I hold some doubt against the argument that restarting that should be the primary solution that Taiwan needs to consider.”

Taiwan once operated three nuclear facilities with six total reactors, but the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) pledged to phase out nuclear power after coming to office in 2016.

The Chinshan plant, the country’s first, saw its two reactors closed in December 2018 and July 2019. At the Kuosheng site, the first unit was expected to run until late 2021 but was shut down months earlier because of limited storage space for spent fuel, while the second unit ceased operation in March 2023.

Work on the Lungmen power station, launched in 1999, was repeatedly delayed by political and legal disputes. Unit 1 was placed in long-term storage in 2015, while construction of Unit 2 was halted the year before.

Yang said Saturday’s referendum would be critical both to Taiwan’s future energy resilience and the Democratic Progressive Party’s promise of a nuclear-free homeland .

“The current government's legitimacy and credibility as an advocate for a nuclear-free Taiwan hinges on the outcome of this referendum,” he said. “But of course, I think there are other realistic steps that will be taken before an actual restart of the nuclear power plant.” 

“It's not a very easy process to just say if the referendum's outcome favours restarting the nuclear power plan, then that would then immediately lead to the restart of that power plant,” Yang added. 

Dependence on imports

Another factor shaping the debate is Taiwan’s reliance on imported energy, which accounts for more than 97% of supply. 

Pro-nuclear groups argue this leaves the island vulnerable to global market shifts and geopolitical risks.

“That (importing) would basically force the country to be in a vulnerable position if the supply gets disrupted by commercial reasons or there are disputes between Taiwan and the source of the country that it usually imports those energy sources,” Yang said. 

“If one day China decided to disrupt the shipping of those energy sources into Taiwan, then that would suddenly make Taiwan very vulnerable and exposed,” he added. 

Concerns about a potential Chinese blockade, however, were unlikely to weigh heavily on voters in this referendum, according to Yang. 

“If Taiwan is able to ensure its imported energy supply remains steady, and also ensures that it has the ability to try to deal with potential challenges that could disrupt these energy import schedules, then whether to restart the nuclear power plant or not will have little to do with Taiwan's current status or state of energy supply.”

Saturday’s vote will also be crucial to Taiwan’s flagship semiconductor industry. 

As the world’s biggest manufacturer of advanced chips, the country’s Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) alone accounts for about 8% of total usage, a figure projected to rise to 24% by 2030.

“As Taiwan continues to attract more high-end semiconductor chip manufacturing and tries to increase its pivot toward the AI chip production becoming a hub, the energy supply, both the stability of that and also the sustainability, has come into question,” Yang said. 

Looking beyond the referendum, Yang said Taiwan must prepare for the future rather than the past. 

“In order for Taiwan to become more resilient, it is necessary to consider other, much safer and more advanced and developed new power that might involve some type of safer nuclear source,” he said.

The power plant located in Pingtung County's Hengchun Township, in southern Taiwan, began operations in 1985. It was one of three operational nuclear sites in Taiwan, which started building nuclear plants in the 1970s.

In 1985, after Maanshan came online, nuclear power accounted for a significant 52.4% of the island's electricity generation.

Key points about the referendum

The Taiwan People's Party (TPP) proposed the referendum on April 18, with support from the main opposition Kuomintang (KMT), and it is seen by some as a "direct-democracy counteroffensive" by the KMT after a mass recall vote, where voters are allowed to remove elected officials from office, which threatened their parliamentary majority. Allegations were made that the KMT had close ties to China.

The referendum will specifically ask voters if they agree that the Maanshan Nuclear Power Plant should continue operation upon approval by the competent authority and confirmation that there are no safety concerns.

Arguments for restarting

Supporters of the referendum, including TPP and KMT, argue that nuclear power provides stable electricity with low carbon emissions, unlike weather-dependent solar and wind. They highlight Taiwan's reliance on imported fossil fuels and potential national security risks in the event of a Chinese blockade. The semiconductor industry, a world leader in Taiwan, requires large amounts of stable electricity, and there have been recent power outages.

Arguments against restarting 

Opponents, such as the National Nuclear Abolition Action Platform and the Pingtung County government, warn of seismic risks due to the plant's location near a fault line above the Manila Trench, an area with a high earthquake risk. They also cite unresolved nuclear waste issues and the high cost of extending operations. Opponents also argue that the decommissioning of the plant reflected social consensus and that the sudden referendum challenges procedural justice and local rights.

Nuclear phase-out plan

The Maanshan Nuclear Power Plant’s second reactor (Maanshan-2) was shut down in May 2025, after 40 years of service. Its first reactor was turned off in 2024. This shutdown was in line with the "nuclear-free homeland" policy announced in 2016 by the governing Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).

Following the decommissioning of Chinshan in 2019 and Kuosheng in 2022, Maanshan was Taiwan's last nuclear power plant reactor to be shut down. As of May 2025, none of Taiwan's energy is generated domestically using nuclear power.

Historical context

While Taiwan once relied on nuclear power for over half its electricity in the 1980s, this share fell to about 6% in 2023. Anti-nuclear sentiment grew after events like the 1986 Chernobyl disaster and the 2011 Fukushima disaster, which led to significant public opposition and protests. 

Previous nuclear-related referendums include a 2018 proposal on using nuclear to support green energy, which passed, and a 2021 proposal on "restarting the Lungmen Nuclear Power Plant", which failed.

Threshold for passage

For the proposal to pass , "agree" votes must exceed "disagree" votes and make up at least one-quarter of Taiwan’s 5 million eligible voters. If rejected, the same question cannot be raised again for two years.

The United States and Pakistan announced a trade deal Thursday, which Islamabad said would boost investment and reduce tariffs, though exact rates weren’t disclosed. Pakistan's finance ministry called it the start of a new era of economic cooperation across sectors like energy, IT, crypto, and mining. Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb said the agreement reflected broader strategic goals beyond trade. Previously facing a possible 29% tariff, Pakistan secured a suspension ahead of the August 1 trade talks deadline, aiming for better terms than regional competitors like Vietnam (20%) and India (threatened with 25%).

Intel says Pakistan is rebuilding terror camps

Pakistan is allegedly reviving terrorism infrastructure with a new approach, an intelligence report reveals. The Pakistan Army, ISI, and other agencies are reportedly aiding major terror groups in reconstructing at least 13 camps and launchpads destroyed in Operation Sindoor, especially near the Line of Control in PoK and the Jammu border. Sites named include Kel, Shardi, Dudhniyal, Lipa Valley, and Jura, among others. Four launchpads near Jammu — Masroor, Chaprar, and a drone hub in Shakargarh — are also being reactivated using advanced techniques and funding from state entities.

Olympian killed in climbing accident

Olympic gold medallist Laura Dahlmeier died after being struck by falling rocks while climbing Laila Peak in Pakistan’s Karakoram range, officials said Wednesday, July 30. Bad weather delayed rescue efforts, and her body has not been recovered. Her partner survived, and local authorities said any recovery attempt would respect her family’s wishes. An Instagram post stated Dahlmeier did not want anyone to risk their life retrieving her body. German President Steinmeier paid tribute, calling her an “exceptional sportswoman” and recalling awarding her the Silver Laurel Leaf in 2018.

Pakistan keeps key rate unchanged to curb inflation

Pakistan’s central bank kept its key rate at 11% on Wednesday, defying expectations of a cut due to worsening inflation driven by higher energy prices. The State Bank cited rising gas costs and a widening trade deficit as key risks, noting that inflation pressures had intensified. All 15 analysts in a Reuters poll had predicted a rate cut. Central Bank Governor Jameel Ahmad said it was prudent to wait rather than risk reversing a premature easing move.

Pakistan repeats claims of 'resounding success' in Operation Sindoor

Pakistan dismissed India’s Operation Sindoor statements in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday, July 30, as “baseless and provocative,” accusing New Delhi of spreading disinformation and jingoism. It reiterated claims of military success and warned Indian leaders to acknowledge their losses and third-party roles in the ceasefire. Islamabad also alleged India lacked evidence for the Pahalgam attack and failed to meet strategic goals, while praising its military response as decisive.

President Hakainde Hichilema launched the plant on June 30, saying the move would help free up electricity for local households and businesses.

Zambia has faced growing energy challenges due to a prolonged drought that has lowered water levels and reduced the output of hydropower stations.

Speaking at the launch, President Hichilema said, “This drought has taught us that we need to urgently diversify our energy sources.”

The solar plant is expected to play a key role in stabilising Zambia’s power supply while supporting one of its most important industries.

It is part of a wider effort by Egypt to become a hub for green energy in Africa and the Middle East.

The project will cover 200,000 square metres and be built in two stages.

The first phase will produce two gigawatts of solar cells and modules each year, while the second will focus on making raw materials like silicon ingots and wafers and increasing overall output.

The complex is expected to create more than 1,800 direct jobs, with many more expected through related services.

Officials say it will help Egypt develop advanced manufacturing skills and support local industry.

At the launch ceremony, key Egyptian and Chinese officials praised the project’s role in building stronger industrial ties.

Waleid Gamal El-Dien, Chairman of SCZONE, said , “This project represents a significant step forward in localising advanced industries in Egypt and enhancing industrial integration in clean energy.”

Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly and Industry Minister Kamel El-Wazir also attended the event, which was seen as a sign of Egypt’s strong support for green technology .

He Fei, managing director of Sunrev Solar, said Egypt was chosen for its commitment to renewable energy. “We are bringing to Egypt our most advanced technologies in solar energy,” he said.

The plan was presented at the Africa Energy Forum in Cape Town, where the government unveiled its National Energy Compact under the Mission 300 initiative led by the World Bank and African Development Bank.

The money will go toward building and upgrading energy infrastructure to connect around 42 million people to the power grid.

Tanzania's energy permanent secretary, Felchesmi Mramba, said the country needs $8.85 billion in public funding and $4.04 billion from private investors over the next five years.

Key projects include power generation , transmission lines, grid expansion, clean cooking, and last-mile electricity connections.

In the last year, Tanzania more than doubled its national power supply to over 4,000 megawatts, with the bulk coming from hydropower and natural gas.

But the country is also working to tap into solar, wind , biomass, and geothermal energy sources. Mramba said Tanzania’s location between the East and Southern African power pools offers strategic opportunities for cross-border electricity trade.

Several steps are being planned out for implementation in the next 18 months. These include new power trading systems, regional interconnectors, support for private energy companies, and clean cooking solutions.

A national fund will also help households get connected through credit, while tax cuts are expected to make clean stoves more affordable.

The government has already allocated nearly $427 million in its 2025/26 budget to begin implementation.

Officials said the reforms are part of broader goals to meet rising electricity demand, strengthen climate resilience, and attract global partners to help close the country’s energy gap.

Officials say the new site, known as GPR-1X, could add at least two million recoverable barrels to national reserves.

The EGPC confirmed the well is now undergoing production testing, with signs suggesting more oil could be found in nearby layers of rock.

The find follows another nearby discovery made just three months ago, and both came after the EGPC began using artificial intelligence tools to guide its exploration efforts.

Authorities say these results show that Egypt’s mature oil fields still have major untapped potential when modern technology is used.

The government hopes such discoveries will support its ambition to become a key regional hub for oil and liquefied gas trade.

The record-breaking plant, located in Al-Khobar, is part of the second phase of the city’s production system and can produce over 670,000 cubic metres of desalinated water daily.

It was built on a small plot of land, made possible through new engineering techniques.

The record was officially recognised in February this year.

The second record was for energy efficiency at the Shuaibah plant, where engineers managed to lower energy use during the salt separation stage to 1.7 kilowatt-hours per cubic metre.

Total energy use came to 2.34 kilowatt-hours per cubic metre, lower than any similar plant in the world .

This achievement was officially recorded in April and has been praised by the World Bank .

Saudi Arabia now holds 11 Guinness World Records in the water sector.