Breaking News Today – Wednesday 31 December 2025

Business News Today

Space Factory a Reality

Space Forge the Aerospace tech group, focussed on next generation semi-conductor production, have successfully sent a microwave-sized factory into space, and demonstrated that its furnace can be switched on and reach temperatures of around 1,000C. The company’s plan is to manufacture semiconductors using space-derived crystal seeds to grow ultra-high quality semiconductor substrates on Earth. They have demonstrated that the technology is viable and believe the lower ambient pressure and micro-gravity conditions in space will remove contaminants and enhance crystal formation. In addition the crystals can be instantly cured due to freezing temperatures in space. These crystals will be used to create advanced semi-conductors on earth that would not be possible to currently be produced with materials produced on earth’s surface. Space forge had a successful Series A funding in May this year of around$30 million, which was a record-breaking largest Series A raise for UK space tech.

New Oil Deal for Equatorial Guinea Announced

UK-listed Europa Oil & Gas has moved closer to drilling a large shallow-water gas prospect off Equatorial Guinea after sealing a farm-in agreement with a Chinese investor, strengthening momentum behind one of its most promising African assets.The company announced that Fuhai (Beijing) Energy, a wholly owned subsidiary of privately held Fuhai Group New Energy Holding, will acquire a 40 per cent interest in the EG-08 production sharing contract offshore Equatorial Guinea.The deal significantly reduces Europa’s financial exposure while accelerating plans to drill the Barracuda prospect in the second half of 2026.

Zambian Kwacha Strengthening

The Zambian kwatcha has appreciated notably in the final week of 2025, reaching around 22.23–22.38 ZMW per USD by December 30 (down from mid-month highs near 22.8–23), marking a ~21–24% year-to-date gain against the dollar—one of the world’s top-performing currencies. The primary driver of the currency strength has been record-high copper prices, surging over 40% in 2025 and hitting new peaks in December, boosting export revenues (copper accounts for ~70% of Zambia’s forex earnings). Other contributing factors are the tighter monetary policy instituted by the Bank of Zambia, together with strong mining export inflows for the year.

Breaking News Shorts:  

• China’s RatingDog China General Manufacturing PMI unexpectedly increased to 50.1 in December 2025 from November’s four-month low of 49.9, beating market forecasts of 49.8. This was driven largely by domestic sales. The latest reading indicated a slight increase in factory activity, supported by higher inflows of new work despite a modest decline in new export sales
• Protests and strikes have spread in Iran over severe currency inflation and devaluation. The protests spread from the capital, Tehran, to several other cities on a third day of unrest yesterday.The protests began on Sunday after shopkeepers in Tehran’s Grand Bazaar staged a strike when the Iranian rial hit a record low against the US dollar on the open market. This comes after denials of resignation reports concerning outgoing governor Mohamed Reza Farzin and the reappointment of Abdolnasser Hemmati as Iran’s Central Bank governor.
• The US dollar held steady 98.2 on the final trading day of 2025, remaining close to its lowest level since early October and on track for its largest annual decline since 2017. Over the year, the US dollar has fallen 9.4%, reflecting a turbulent period that began with the rollout of global tariffs.
• Gold prices rose above $4,360 per ounce this morning, marking a year of exceptional gains and positioning the precious metal for its strongest annual performance in more than four decades. Bullion has surged by 66% this year, 
• Silver futures fell more than 5% to $72 per ounce today, pulling back sharply from gains as investors cashed in on year-end profits. Silver recorded a notable rally in 2025, briefly exceeding $80 per ounce, underpinned by constrained supply and low inventories. Over 2025, silver has emerged as one of the strongest performing commodities, with prices up by 162% 

Markets by Numbers 

Currency markets indicate the US dollar strengthening today, with the Euro trading against the US dollar at 1.17361 while the Pound is trading at 1.34614 to the US dollar. The Yen is currently trading at 156.56 to the dollar. The rand (ZAR) is currently trading at around R16.60 to the dollar.

Commodities:  

• Gold futures are currently trading slightly softer after spiking earlier today, and currently selling at around $4326.15 per ounce.  
• Copper prices are trending -0.4% lower today, with prices currently around $5.6345
• Silver futures have dropped on profit taking and down by -1.5% today, and currently trading around $71.623
• Platinum futures have plunged the morning, down by over -9% today, and currently trading at $1942.20, While Palladium prices have fallen by over -6% this morning, and currently trading around $1514.50 per ounce.
• Brent crude oil prices are trending softer today, and currently at $61.24 with WTI trading at $57.86
• Cocoa futures have dropped by over -2.8% today, and currently trading around $6063 per ton. 
• Coffee futures are currently trading flat at around $3.5068 per pound

Crypto Currencies: 

• Bitcoin prices are fairly flat this morning, and trading at around $87311 per coin currently 
• Ether prices are slightly up today, and are currently trading around $2942.75
• $Trumpcoin are trending lower today, and currently trading around $4.905

(All prices quoted at approximately 07H45 Central African Time) 

Africa News Briefs:

• Gen Mamady Doumbouya has been elected president of Guinea after securing the majority of the vote, according to initial polling results published by the country’s election commission. The leader of the military junta is anticipating the result will legitimise his rule after seizing power in a coup four years ago. There are questions being raised by civilian groups who view the election as illegitimate, after the main opposition leaders were barred from contesting the election.
• Ivory Coast has signed a major bilateral health agreement with the United States aimed at strengthening the country’s health system. The deal, valued $487 million, will focus on boosting disease detection systems and expanding health services to combat HIV/AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis.Ivorian Prime Minister Beugre Mambe said the agreement aligns with the United States’ new global health strategy, which emphasises stronger national ownership of health priorities.