Africa is where I was born, and I am proud to be an African. I will never fault the Creator—God Almighty—for placing me on African soil, for this continent is richly endowed with both natural resources and vibrant, active human capital.
We are blessed with abundant minerals such as uranium, gold, bauxite, manganese, diamonds, lithium, and vast oil and gas reserves. Beyond these, we have timber, cocoa, and enormous water resources.
Many young Africans would not wish to leave such a richly blessed continent if these resources were efficiently harnessed for the benefit of all. Despite the bad leadership witnessed across the continent, Africa remains our home.
I dare say that if I had the opportunity to relocate from Ghana, I would first consider an East African nation or South Africa before choosing any advanced country in the world.
However, despite my love for Africa, I would not want to live on a continent described not only as the “Dark Continent” because of the colour of its people, but also because over 600 million Africans still lack access to electricity. Ironically, in some parts of Africa, consumers pay exorbitant tariffs yet receive only about four hours of electricity supply daily.
From the south to the north, and from the east to the west, millions struggle to access electricity. Those who even have access to electricity endure frequent power outages.
Africans often travel to Europe, Asia, the United States of America, and the Middle East for conferences where cutting-edge energy technologies are discussed.
Unfortunately, after spending thousands of taxpayers’ money on travel, accommodation, and conference fees, we return home and fail to implement the valuable ideas we were exposed to.
In other cases, African governments lack the will and power to take long-term strategic bold initiatives, due primarily to short-term political campaign targets to woo electorates.
Nuclear power technology has existed for over seven decades. The first nuclear power plant to generate electricity for a power grid was inaugurated in Obninsk, Russia, in 1954.
Since then, many countries in Europe, Asia, and North America have invested heavily in nuclear energy to ensure energy security and industrialisation.
According to the World Nuclear Association (WNA), there are currently 440 nuclear power reactors operating across 31 countries, with 70 reactors under construction around the world.
Sadly, in Africa, only South Africa operates a nuclear power plant—the Koeberg Nuclear Power Station. It is thus refreshing to see Egypt take bold steps to construct four large reactors which are progressing steadily.
More of such bold projects are needed if Africa is to add value to its vast raw materials, industrialise, and grow the economy to provide hope for the teeming youth on the continent.
What caused the delay? Few Africans have allowed themselves to be influenced by anti-nuclear environmental groups who demonize the same technology their home countries depend on for power and prosperity.
These groups often cite the two major nuclear accidents—Chernobyl (1986) in Ukraine and Fukushima Daiichi (2011) in Japan. It is important to state that the Chernobyl incident was not caused by the nuclear plant itself, but rather by human negligence, lack of safety culture, and a faulty reactor design which would never be licensed today.
Regarding the Fukushima incident, it is a fact that it was caused by a tsunami generated by a massive earthquake, resulting in the displacement of hundreds of people. Since these two incidents, nuclear scientists and the IAEA have invested massively in research and safety innovations to make nuclear power safer and more environmentally friendly.
Modern reactors—the Gen III and Gen III+ reactors—that are currently under construction and operation have incorporated passive safety systems to mitigate risks, making them safer.
Similarly, Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) come with several inherent safety systems that operate without human intervention or external power.
These reactors are designed to withstand extreme natural events without releasing harmful radiation. With their compact size and reduced fuel inventory, SMRs minimise potential impact even further.
Nuclear energy offers one of the lowest greenhouse gas emissions across its lifecycle—thanks to its high efficiency and zero-carbon operation. Despite lingering fears, nuclear incidents remain extremely rare today, largely due to modern safety protocols, technological advancements, and stringent regulatory regimes.
In 2023 and 2024, I had the rare opportunity to join other African journalists to tour Russia’s Leningrad Nuclear Power Plant in St. Petersburg and the world’s first Floating Nuclear Power Plant, the Akademik Lomonosov, located in Pevek, the northernmost part of Russia.
Facilitated by the Russian State Atomic Energy Corporation (ROSATOM), the tour exposed us to the rigorous safety culture underpinning both land-based and floating nuclear facilities.
Since the Fukushima incident in 2011, there has not been any major nuclear accident—thanks to enhanced reactor designs and strict operational protocols. Africans, therefore, should not fear when their governments consider nuclear energy.
Instead, we should be more concerned about the rampant road accidents claiming thousands of lives annually—silently robbing the continent of its human capital.
Let’s consider these worrying statistics on road accidents that occurred in 2024 in six African nations.
The chart above illustrates the number of persons injured and killed in road accidents across six African countries in 2024, based on data from national road safety agencies and police services. Egypt recorded the highest number of road accident injuries, with 76,362 people injured, far exceeding the other countries in the comparison. It also had a relatively high fatality figure of 5,260 deaths.
Nigeria followed with 31,154 injuries and 5,421 deaths, reflecting a significant road safety challenge in Africa’s most populous nation.
Uganda recorded 20,664 injuries and 5,144 deaths, suggesting a high casualty rate relative to its number of injuries.
Zambia and Ghana reported moderate figures, with 15,921 injuries and 2,199 deaths for Zambia, and 11,408 injuries and 2,494 deaths for Ghana.
Kenya had the lowest number of injuries (9,094) but a comparatively higher fatality rate (4,748 deaths), indicating more severe accidents on average.
These alarming figures demonstrate that road accidents remain far deadlier than the potential risks associated with nuclear power generation, a highly regulated and safety-conscious industry.
Nuclear technology today is safer than ever before. It provides clean, reliable, and stable baseload power—a critical foundation for Africa’s industrialisation and economic growth.
The recent lifting of the World Bank’s ban on nuclear power financing should encourage African nations—especially Ghana, Uganda, Rwanda, Niger, Tunisia, Morocco, Kenya, Guinea, Algeria, Tanzania, and Senegal—to pursue their nuclear ambitions boldly.
As Egypt’s El Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant makes steady progress, South Africa has reaffirmed its commitment to nuclear energy in its Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) and plans to add 5,200 MW to its nuclear generation capacity.
During the 2025 African Energy Week (AEW) in Cape Town, Eskom’s Chief Nuclear Officer at the Koeberg Nuclear Power Station, Velaphi Ntuli, stated that Koeberg Unit 1 had already received a 20-year operational license extension and was awaiting approval for Unit 2’s license extension for an additional 20 years.
Investors consistently prioritise countries that demonstrate political stability and energy security. Africa has become one of the world’s most attractive investment destinations, and sustaining that confidence requires substantial investment in energy infrastructure—particularly nuclear power—to ensure reliable energy supply for both citizens and industry.
The writer is the Executive Director of Energy News Africa Ltd. He is pursuing an MSc in Energy Economics at the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA).
First Bank of Nigeria’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Olusegun Alebiosu, has thrown his weight behind the Federal Government’s decision to impose a 15% import duty on gasoline (petrol) and gasoil (diesel).
The policy aims to protect local refineries and strengthen the naira.
Nigeria’s oil refinery market is at a critical turning point, and Alebiosu—an alumnus of Harvard Business School—has made clear his support for domestic refining efforts.
Speaking exclusively to Energy News Africa (https://energynewsafrica.com) on the sidelines of the OTL Africa Downstream Energy Week 2025 in Lagos, he noted the growing influence of Namco de Refinery and the broader energy market.
Alebiosu highlighted concerns over market control, warning: “When new refineries join the market, who is buying them? They will control the market. When there’s a put-up block, prices will drop.”
Backing the Federal Government’s 15 percent ad valorem tax on imported diesel and Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), Alebiosu described the move as a necessary shield against unfair foreign dumping, particularly from Russia, whose fuel has been flooding African markets amid the ongoing Ukraine conflict.
He further noted that refinery ownership sometimes falls into the hands of “criminal” actors who manipulate prices for personal gain.
Alebiosu also drew attention to the dominance of international oil giants such as BP and Qatar Energy, pointing out that they “benefit from every process they undertake,” operating with European costs, banks, and salaries — factors that ultimately push prices higher for African consumers.
He stressed the need to rebalance this dynamic, saying:
“Now I produce in Africa. I refine in Africa. I use in Africa. My cost must come down to the African economy. It’s important because Russia is dumping PMS in Africa. People will continue dumping products in Africa and Nigeria.”
Alebiosu cautioned that failing to protect domestic refineries could have dire consequences.
“If we don’t protect our refinery industry, it will collapse. If we don’t protect the refineries our economies won’t stand.”
To safeguard the sector, he urged Nigerians to buy from Dangote Refinery saying “We must protect our interest in the market. We must buy from Dangote Refinery because it’s cheaper.”
Alebiosu’s remarks carry weight not only because of his position as a seasoned banking executive with over 28 years of experience, but also due to his strong academic background, including degrees from the University of Lagos, the London School of Economics, and Harvard Business School.
His firm backing of local refining and support for government policy underscore a pragmatic approach toward energy independence and economic stability—key ambitions for Nigeria’s future.
Ghana has reiterated its strong commitment to advancing the global clean energy transition and accelerating renewable energy development as part of its national development agenda.
Speaking on behalf of the Government of Ghana at the 8th Assembly of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) in New Delhi, India, Ghana’s Minister for Energy and Green Transition, John Abdulai Jinapor, highlighted the nation’s ongoing efforts to expand access to clean and sustainable energy.
Mr. Jinapor reaffirmed Ghana’s unwavering dedication to the global renewable energy agenda and commended the ISA for its continued partnership in promoting solar energy development across member countries.
In a bold demonstration of national leadership and alignment with international sustainability goals, President John Dramani Mahama, upon assuming office, renamed the Ministry of Energy to the Ministry of Energy and Green Transition.
According to Mr. Jinapor, this move reflects the government’s firm resolve to integrate renewable energy, climate action, and green growth into the core of Ghana’s economic transformation strategy.
To drive this vision, Ghana has established a renewable energy investment pipeline worth approximately US$3.4 billion, supported by the Renewable Energy and Green Transition Investment Fund.
The Fund aims to attract both concessional and private capital to fast-track renewable energy projects nationwide.
Mr. Jinapor emphasized that these efforts form part of Ghana’s broader goal to achieve 10% renewable energy penetration in the national energy mix by 2030—equivalent to about 1,350 megawatts of clean energy capacity.
Looking ahead, Mr. Jinapor noted that Ghana will continue to collaborate closely with the ISA and other global partners to promote policy reforms, innovative financing mechanisms, and scalable solar solutions—particularly in sectors such as agricultural value chains and e-mobility—to power a sustainable, inclusive, and resilient green future for the nation.
Nigeria’s leading indigenous energy group listed on both the Nigerian Exchange and Johannesburg Stock Exchange has announced its unaudited results for the nine months ended September 30, 2025, reflecting production growth and disciplined execution.
The Group recorded a Profit After Tax (PAT) of ₦210 billion, representing a 164% increase from ₦76 billion in the same period of 2024 — a performance driven by stronger production volumes and operational efficiency.
While Group revenue declined by 20% year-on-year to ₦2.5 trillion from ₦3.2 trillion in 2024, this was primarily due to reduced gasoline imports following the ramp-up of the Dangote Refinery — a development that has permanently reshaped Nigeria’s refined products market.
Gross profit stood at ₦113 billion, representing a 42% decline, reflecting shifts in market dynamics and the Group’s evolving segment mix.
Commenting on the results, Wale Tinubu, CON, Group Chief Executive, Oando PLC, stated:
“In the first nine months of 2025, we consolidated the gains achieved following our acquisition of NAOC’s assets last year. Our assumption of operatorship has been transformational, granting us the agility to act decisively and execute with precision in driving production growth and operational efficiency.”
He added that the Group achieved a 59% year-on-year increase in crude oil and gas production, now averaging 38,121 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boepd), underscoring the impact of the NAOC acquisition and signaling the beginning of the unlocking of the tremendous value its reserves possess.
During the period, the company reported a surge in oil and gas output and continued operational gains, signaling strong momentum across its upstream operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2025.
To sustain its growth drive, Oando upsized its Reserve-Based Lending (RBL 2) facility to $375 million, strengthening its financial flexibility and supporting the accelerated development of its 1 billion barrels of oil equivalent (boe) upstream portfolio.
The company also renegotiated key credit facilities on more favorable terms, extending repayment periods to free up liquidity and fund its ongoing drilling programme.
The indigenous energy giant said Group production averaged 38,121 boepd, up 59% year-on-year, in line with its full-year guidance. The performance was driven by the consolidation of its Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) joint venture interest and improved asset uptime across its operated portfolio.
Oando noted that the revamp of its NGL processing plant played a key role in the improved performance, delivering 82% operational uptime and boosting recovery and reliability across production assets.
The company also completed the Obiafu-44 gas-condensate well, which was brought onstream in October, and advanced surface facility upgrades to minimize downtime and enhance flow efficiency.
In a bid to expand its regional and global footprint, the company was awarded operatorship of Block KON 13 in Angola — marking its strategic entry into the Kwanza Basin — and was selected as the preferred bidder for the Guaracara Refinery in Trinidad & Tobago, signaling its entry into the Caribbean downstream market.
In the downstream segment, Oando’s trading subsidiary lifted 21 crude cargoes (19.8 MMbbl), up from 15 cargoes (16.7 MMbbl) in the same period last year, following a deliberate strategic pause as the division rebalanced its portfolio toward higher-margin crude and gas trading opportunities.
With output rising and new international assets in play, analysts say Oando appears firmly on track to consolidate its leadership among Africa’s indigenous oil and gas players, even as it continues to pursue diversification into clean energy and mining ventures.
In its clean energy division, the company advanced its electric mobility, solar, and recycling initiatives, progressing development of a 1.2GW solar PV assembly plant, completing a techno-economic study for a 6MW geothermal pilot, and securing land for a 2,750-ton-per-month PET recycling facility.
Oando’s performance reflects a period of strategic transition, marked by strong profitability and upstream growth despite softer trading revenues. In the same vein, sector peers such as Aradel Holdings Plc and Seplat Energy Plc reported higher top-line growth, benefiting from more stable upstream portfolios and consistent production trends.
Aradel Holdings posted ₦368.1 billion in revenue, up 37.2% year-on-year, and ₦146.4 billion in profit after tax, reflecting stable production and improved operational efficiency.
Similarly, Seplat Energy reported sustained revenue growth and double-digit margins in its half-year results, supported by steady production and a robust gas business.
During the review period, Mrs. Folashade Ibidapo-Obe was appointed Chief Compliance Officer and Company Secretary, reinforcing Oando’s governance and compliance framework.
The company also completed the first tranche of its 1.28 billion-share distribution programme, delivering a 5.33% dividend yield to shareholders — its first direct payout in years — as part of a broader plan to restore sustainable shareholder returns.
Looking ahead, Oando maintains its full-year production guidance of approximately 40,000 boepd, with capital expenditure projected at $120–130 million, focused on drilling, infrastructure optimization, and ESG projects.
Tinubu concluded: “As we enter the final quarter of 2025, we remain focused on further strengthening our balance sheet, accelerating production growth, expanding our trading footprint, optimizing our cash flows, and sustaining long-term value creation.”
Nestoil Group has responded to the recent seizure of its headquarters in Victoria Island, Lagos, by armed police officers enforcing a High Court order over the company’s failure to repay a $1 billion debt owed to its lenders.
The company, in a statement issued, reassured stakeholders that its operations across Nigeria remain unaffected despite the development.
According to Nestoil, the enforcement action pertains to a specific legal dispute and does not impact its ongoing projects or commitments within the oil and gas sector.
“We wish to assure all our stakeholders, partners, and clients that our business operations continue without interruption. The matter under enforcement is being addressed through appropriate legal channels,” the statement said.
The company emphasized its long-standing reputation as a key player in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry and reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining operational stability, transparency, and engagement with all relevant authorities.
Ghana’s anti-corruption and financial crimes agency, the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), has dismissed a media report by NorvanReports, an online news portal, which claimed that the agency had failed to act on a petition to investigate the Chief Executive Officer of Springfield E&P, Mr Kevin Okyere, for allegedly defrauding by false pretence.
According to NorvanReports, EOCO’s alleged inaction compelled the petitioner, Swiss-based Petraco Oil Company SA, to file a case against GMP Energy Limited, a subsidiary of Springfield E&P, at the Dubai International Arbitration Centre (DIAC), which allegedly led to Mr Okyere’s arrest and detention on Saturday, November 1.
Responding to the publication, EOCO, in a statement on Sunday, described the report as false, stating that contrary to the claims, the agency is actively investigating not one, but two cases involving Springfield E&P.
“Contrary to the claims made by NorvanReports, EOCO has two active investigations involving Springfield Energy,” the statement said.
Mr. Raymond Archer, Executive Director of EOCO
EOCO explained that the first petition concerns Springfield Energy while the second involves an ongoing dispute between BOST and Springfield Energy.
It noted that the BOST–Springfield case is of significant economic importance, with immediate implications for BOST’s finances, making it a priority investigation.
The anti-corruption body further emphasised that it is the directive of EOCO’s leadership that investigations must precede arrests; not the reverse.
While declining to comment on the ongoing investigations, EOCO expressed disappointment that NorvanReports did not seek clarification before publishing its story.
EOCO assured the public of its unwavering commitment to investigating and prosecuting economic and organised crimes in Ghana, pledging to continue working diligently to fulfill its mandate.
“We urge the public to disregard the false claims made by NorvanReports,” the statement concluded.
One of Africa’s biggest oil producers, Angola, will sign next week an exclusive agreement with Shell under which the supermajor will explore and potentially develop several offshore blocks, Angola’s oil and gas agency ANPG has said.
“This event marks a historic moment for the Angolan oil sector, consolidating Shell’s presence in Angola, an ANPG statement said, as carried by Reuters.
Under the agreement Shell will explore Blocks 19, 34, and 35 and several ultra-deepwater blocks as Angola looks to revive its exploration and production sector following years of underinvestment and supply restrictions under the deals within OPEC, which the country quit effective January 2024.
Earlier this year, Angola’s crude output slipped below 1 million barrels per day (bpd) for the first time in two and a half years and for the first time since one of Africa’s biggest oil producers quit OPEC.
Angola’s motivation to exit the cartel after 16 years was a spat with the OPEC and OPEC+ members about production quotas. At a meeting in mid-2023, Angola and Nigeria were given lower crude oil production quotas as part of the OPEC+ agreement, after the two producers had underperformed and failed to pump to their quotas for years, due to a lack of investment in new fields and maturing older oilfields.
Angola now aims to revitalize its oil and gas industry and it is betting big on natural gas developments to monetize more of its fossil fuel resources.
Shell, for its part, is looking to boost exploration efforts, including in Africa, where it has made a discovery offshore Namibia, to Angola’s south.
“We went through a significant reset, I would say, of our exploration department, capability, the funnel, because the hard truth is while we have had some good progress in certain areas, it hasn’t delivered what we had wanted,” Shell’s chief executive, Wael Sawan, told analysts on the Q2 earnings call at the end of July.
Shell will continue to invest in exploration where it has established track records, like the Gulf of Mexico, Malaysia, Oman, and in areas like Namibia, added Sawan, who has said that reducing global oil and gas production would be “dangerous and irresponsible”.
The global energy system is witnessing the next greatest transition, standing on the cusp of a new energy era championed by clean electricity and the increased adoption of electrification across the board.
Rystad Energy is pleased to announce the release of its flagship annual report, Global Energy Scenarios (GES) 2025, which provides in-depth degree scenarios toward 2100 and a newly developed nationally determined contribution (NDC) scenario to 2035.
Clean electricity and electrification are expanding faster than any shift in modern history, with energy sources of the next era growing from around 9% in 2015 to more than 14% this year as a share of primary energy.
While nations grapple with the dual challenge of addressing climate change and strengthening energy security, renewables are expanding faster than any previous energy technology, with total wind and solar capacity additions for 2024–2025 set to exceed 700 gigawatts (GW).
Because of this, our research indicates that a 1.9-degree Celsius trajectory – referring to an average global temperature rise above pre-industrial levels – is more likely toward 2040, as a hybrid energy ecosystem is now in place.
As these scenarios play out, the transformation of the global energy system requires three clear steps:
Task 1: Clean up and grow the power sector
Cleaning up and expanding the power sector plays a dominant role in reducing emissions through 2050. Our analysis indicates that achieving a global warming scenario more ambitious than 1.9 degrees Celsius will require at least 90% of the identified opportunities for a reduction in emissions to be realized.
Task 2: Electrify almost everything
Electrification becomes particularly impactful in pathways that limit warming at or below 1.6 degrees. The greatest contribution comes from the adoption of electric vehicles (EV), alongside widespread energy efficiency improvements across buildings, industry, and transport.
Task 3: Address residual emissions
Addressing residual fossil fuel use through CO? capture or substitution with low-carbon fuels contributes little to a net reduction in emissions before mid-century in pathways exceeding the 2.2-degree scenario. This limited impact reflects its later-stage deployment and higher costs.
“Already today, we’re seeing the energy system shift to a hybrid model of renewable and fossil energy. With half of global power generation capacity now renewable and one in four new cars sold being electric, the energy system is transforming rapidly. There are already clear signs of change across investments, new capacity additions, and technological adoption curves that indicate we will witness a genuine transition over the next two to four decades. ” – Jarand Rystad, founder and CEO, Rystad Energy
Although the transition to renewable energy is gaining momentum, oil and gas are expected to remain resilient in the near term.
Oil demand is projected to peak by the early 2030s, and gas growth will likely slow down towards the end of this decade; however, neither fuel experiences a sharp contraction.
The energy transition is fast enough to alter the growth profile of fossil fuels, but not fast enough to deeply disrupt their dominance by 2040. Oil and gas remain the backbone of the system, tied to transport, petrochemicals and energy services, where alternatives are not yet cost-competitive or scalable.
This transition will have significant implications for costs and investments, as fossil fuel growth slows down and they are outpaced by renewables, ultimately leading to lower costs for consumers over time.
Looking ahead, we can clearly outline five pathways that will shape the global energy outlook, which include the Rystad Energy NDC, 1.6 degrees Celsius, 1.9 degrees Celsius, 2.2 degrees Celsius, and the Rystad Energy House View scenarios.
Global CO? emissions are expected to peak around 2026 before starting a gradual decline, driven by rapid renewable deployment in power and EV adoption in transport.
This marks a turning point, showing that the world is moving from growth to decline in emissions. However, current NDCs remain far from sufficient to limit warming to 1.5 degrees. Even if fully implemented, they would not achieve the substantial reductions necessary for achieving the lower range of the Paris Agreement.
Our prediction of a 1.9-degree Celsius scenario is heavily predicated on renewable energy installations setting all-time high records and serving as the backbone of new power growth, with solar leading the pack.
Solar is forecast to rise from 1,868 GW in 2024 to 2,412 GW in 2025 – a 544 GW increase that cements its position as the leader of new global power generation.
Record manufacturing output, sustained cost declines, and accelerating deployment in China, India, and the US drive the expansion.
Fueling this exponential growth in renewable energy development is a global increase in low-carbon investments. Currently, low-carbon technologies attract over $900 billion annually, compared to $735 billion for oil and gas.
This $181 billion delta widens to an estimated $391 billion by 2030, reflecting a complete shift in growth dynamics.
The installed base changes slowly, but investment is a leading indicator: today’s capital flows determine the 2040 energy system. By 2030, low-carbon sources are set to capture 46% of all energy investment, compared to 30% for fossil fuels, with grids accounting for 24%.
A huge nuclear deal announced by the Trump administration earlier this week provides a multi-billion-dollar incentive for the U.S. government to issue permits and approvals for new Westinghouse reactors – an unprecedented structure that critics say poses environmental and safety risks.
Under the agreement with Westinghouse Electric’s owners, Canada-based Cameco and Brookfield Asset Management , the U.S. government will arrange financing and help secure permits and approvals for $80 billion worth of Westinghouse reactors.
In return, the plan offers the U.S. government a path to a 20% share of future profits and a potential 20% stake in the company if its value surpasses $30 billion by 2029.
The deal is one of the most ambitious plans in U.S. atomic energy in decades, underscoring President Donald Trump’s agenda to maximize energy output to feed booming demand for artificial intelligence data centers.
But the financial incentives risk clouding regulatory scrutiny aimed at preventing nuclear accidents, according to safety advocates and regulatory experts.
“The things that could go wrong are Three Mile Island, Chernobyl and Fukushima,” said Greg Jaczko, a former chairman of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, pointing to three of the worst nuclear power accidents on record.
“All have causes tied to insufficient regulatory independence.”
The White House said concerns about safety were unfounded.
“The regulatory regime remains the same and is not compromised. There’s nothing in the deal about regulatory changes,” the White House said in an emailed statement.
Westinghouse owner Cameco declined to comment. Brookfield and Westinghouse did not respond to messages requesting comment.
TD Cowen analysts told clients in a research note this week they expect Westinghouse to have 10 new large-scale reactors – enough gigawatts to power several million homes – under construction by 2030 as a result of the deal.
Typically, it takes around a decade for a new nuclear power plant to get built, largely due to the rigorous permitting requirements and enormous costs and complexities associated with construction.
Patrick White, a nuclear regulatory and technology expert at the Clean Air Task Force, said effective regulation did not need to be a slow or extended process and there were benefits to moving more efficiently.
“Ensuring that nuclear regulation is also timely and predictable is in the best interest of both companies and the public,” White said.
Todd Allen, a nuclear expert at the University of Michigan, said the design of Westinghouse reactors is well established, but questioned how fast projects could progress.
“With that aggressive timeline, and demand for the reactors around the world, I wonder if there is a big enough workforce to handle all of these projects,” Allen said.
DELAYS TO PREVIOUS U.S. PROJECT
Westinghouse’s last U.S.-based nuclear project, building two nuclear reactors at the Vogtle power plant in Georgia, forced the company into bankruptcy protection in 2017.
The two reactors were about seven years behind schedule and cost about $35 billion, more than double the original estimate of $14 billion.
Patty Durand, director of nonprofit Georgians for Affordable Energy, has spent years analyzing that project and said she fears fast permitting would overlook the risks associated with climate change.
She said severe droughts have forced operators to curtail nuclear power in Europe and the United States to avoid overheating their reactors.
Westinghouse also had a slew of problems related to the modular design of its AP1000 reactors, such as some parts’ dimensions being wrong when they arrived on site. The AP1000 would also be used for the new reactors, built from prefabricated parts and assembled on site.
Edwin Lyman, a physicist at the Union of Concerned Scientists, said he fears the Trump administration will exert too much power over the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to get the new reactors permitted.
“If the White House fully takes over the NRC and it is no longer at all independent, then it could be used just as a tool for sweeping deals for which the White House could accelerate licensing on its preferred projects regardless of their actual safety implications, and that’s a dangerous thing,” Lyman said.
Kenya’s electricity demand reached a record peak of 2,411.98 megawatts (MW) in October 2025, up from 2,363.41MW recorded in August, reflecting rising industrial and household consumption, according to officials of the Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen).
KenGen attributed the growth to increased uptake of clean and reliable renewable energy, mainly from geothermal and hydropower sources.
According to the company, geothermal stations produced 12,787 megawatt-hours (MWh) — exceeding dispatch projections by 5.07 percent — while hydropower plants generated 9,871MWh, 3.23 percent above target, helping stabilize the grid amid fluctuating wind and solar output.
“KenGen’s consistent renewable generation continues to anchor Kenya’s grid reliability and reduce reliance on expensive thermal power, aligning with national climate goals,” said KenGen Managing Director and CEO, Eng. Peter Njenga, noting that the company’s renewable portfolio now exceeds 1,605MW in installed capacity.
Njenga added that no load shedding was reported during the record-breaking demand period, underscoring Kenya’s robust system management and continued investment in renewable capacity.
“This growth in power demand is a strong indicator of Kenya’s economic rebound and the success of our long-term investments in sustainable generation,” he said.
The Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC) has announced that it has commenced power restoration across the country following an improvement in weather conditions.
The power distribution company had temporarily shut down its feeders on Thursday as a precautionary measure to safeguard electrical systems and ensure the safety of customers amid stormy weather and lightning activity.
In a statement updating the public, LEC referenced its Public Service Announcement (PSA) issued on October 30, 2025, and confirmed that weather conditions have stabilized and the storm has subsided.
“With the exception of the Black Gina area along the Gardnerville–Johnsonville feeder, all feeders are being re-energized by our technical teams to restore full power supply,” the statement said.
The statement further advised communities affected by the recent weather conditions to contact the Customer Service Hotline at 4500 for assistance.
“LEC appreciates the public’s patience, understanding, and cooperation during this period,” the statement concluded.
Ghana’s Chamber of Oil Marketing Companies (COMAC) has called on West African governments to abolish taxes on Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) to boost clean energy adoption and curb widespread deforestation linked to charcoal use.
The Chamber of Oil Marketing Companies (COMAC) in the Republic of Ghana has called on West African nations to remove all taxes on Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) to boost adoption and help prevent the continuous felling of trees for charcoal production.
COMAC Chairman, Mr. Gabriel Kumi, made the call during a high-level panel discussion on the topic “Energy Optimisation, Transition & Sustainability (Gas & Renewables)” at the 19th OTL Africa Downstream Energy Week 2025 in Lagos, Nigeria.
He explained that LPG was originally intended as a transitional solution to reduce the cutting of trees for charcoal production. However, he lamented that several countries have introduced numerous taxes on the commodity, which has hindered market penetration and forced low-income earners to revert to charcoal for cooking.
Citing Ghana as an example, Mr. Kumi said what he described as “nuisance taxes” imposed on LPG have made it unaffordable for the majority of citizens. According to him, only about 30 percent of the population — primarily middle-income earners — can afford LPG, leaving most low-income households dependent on charcoal and firewood.
“In Ghana, it is mainly middle-income couples who can afford LPG, and they make up about 30% of the population. The majority of our people — the 60 to 70% who need affordable energy — are unfortunately being priced out of LPG,” he stated.
Mr. Kumi noted that LPG consumption in Ghana stagnated between 2015 and 2020 following the introduction of taxes on the product.
“We were growing at less than 5% during that period. Between 2020 and 2024, growth was below 1%. It’s only this year (2025), in the first half, that we’ve seen about 5% growth compared to the same period last year. This shows how sensitive LPG consumption is to pricing,” he said.
He, however, commended Nigeria for keeping LPG prices relatively affordable.
“Nigeria is doing better than Ghana in terms of pricing. The pump price in Nigeria is about 80 cents per kilogram, while Ghana’s is around 120 cents — a significant difference that reflects in consumption trends,” he added.
Mr. Kumi stressed that it was time for West African countries — and Africa as a whole — to remove all taxes on LPG and even introduce targeted subsidies for rural populations to encourage adoption.
“Across Africa, about 60 to 70% of people still rely on firewood and charcoal. These are the poorest households who cannot afford LPG. Unless we take bold steps to make LPG affordable, we will not achieve meaningful progress,” he warned.
He cautioned that without practical action, policy discussions and conferences on clean energy transition would remain ineffective.
“We can hold all the conferences and make all the speeches, but if people cannot afford LPG at the pump, it’s all in vain. West Africa’s forests are depleting at one of the fastest rates in the world — largely because people rely on firewood and charcoal for cooking,” he said.
Mr. Kumi concluded by emphasizing that the only viable alternative to stop the persistent destruction of forests is to make LPG affordable and accessible.
“The cost of LPG in West Africa is simply too high. Unless governments act decisively to remove these taxes, the growth we desire in LPG consumption will remain out of reach,” he said.
A barrage of Russian missile and drone strikes on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure left three people dead on Wednesday, forcing nationwide power restrictions.
Ukrainian officials reported that two men in the city of Zaporizhzhia were killed in the overnight strikes, while a seven-year-old girl from the central Vinnytsia region also lost her life from injuries sustained in the attacks.
“Its goal is to plunge Ukraine into darkness. Ours is to preserve the light,” Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko said on Telegram. “To stop the terror, we need more air defence systems, tougher sanctions, and maximum pressure on the aggressor.”Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy confirmed that Russia launched more than 700 missiles and drones overnight, with many being intercepted by Ukraine’s missile defense systems, but several managed to land. Ukraine’s air defence units shot down 31 missiles and 592 drones during the attacks.In his latest visit to the White House, Zelensky failed to secure new tomahawk missiles in his latest visit to the White House a few weeks ago, despite previously signalling a willingness to help Ukraine regain territory lost to Russia.
Reports emerged that Zelenskiy’s meeting with Trump descended into a ‘shouting match’, with the American leader demanding that Ukraine give away territory to Russia in exchange for a peace settlement.
Moscow’s latest strikes come amid renewed diplomatic maneuvering involving Washington, Beijing, and Kyiv. Zelenskyy has urged U.S. President Donald Trump to press China to end its material and political support for Moscow’s war effort, warning that Beijing’s purchases of Russian crude and other commodities have become a lifeline for the Kremlin. During his Asia tour, Trump met Chinese leader Xi Jinping in South Korea, where the two pledged to cooperate on Ukraine and agreed to roll back parts of their trade dispute. Trump said the meeting yielded understandings on tariffs and rare-earth mineral flows and that he and Xi would “work together on Ukraine.” Chinese officials have yet to release their own account of the talks. The outcome leaves open whether Beijing will moderate its energy trade with Russia, which remains crucial to financing Moscow’s campaign against Ukraine.
South Africa’s Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI), in collaboration with the South African National Energy Development Institute (SANEDI), the Uyilo e-Mobility Programme at Nelson Mandela University (NMU), and Volvo Cars South Africa, has launched the e-Mobility Energy Drive — an initiative aimed at promoting electric vehicle (EV) adoption across the country.
The landmark campaign began over the weekend and will culminate at the Uyilo e-Mobility Innovation Summit in Gqeberha, which begins on Tuesday, 28 October 2025.
The summit, held in the Eastern Cape, serves as a flagship event celebrating Transport Month, commemorated annually in October, and highlights South Africa’s progress toward a sustainable mobility future.
As part of the initiative, a fully equipped Volvo XC40 Recharge Twin Motor Ultimate is being driven from Johannesburg to Gqeberha, passing through Gauteng, the Free State, and the Eastern Cape.
Along the route, the vehicle is collecting real-world data on EV performance, charging efficiency, and energy consumption. This data will contribute to ongoing research by DSTI and SANEDI on infrastructure readiness and user experience.
“This initiative proves that clean mobility is not just a vision for the future; it is happening now,” said Mandy Mlilo, Acting Chief Director for Hydrogen and Energy at DSTI.
“Through strategic partnerships with SANEDI, Uyilo and Volvo, we are building public confidence in electric mobility, advancing our just energy transition goals, and reducing our national carbon footprint.”
The Energy Drive aims to raise awareness about clean mobility, featuring DSTI and SANEDI branding and messaging as it travels through various communities.
Through public engagements and media events, the initiative showcases the advantages of EVs, the expansion of public charging infrastructure, and the role of innovation in transforming South Africa’s transportation sector.
The Uyilo e-Mobility Summit and Energy Drive together provide a crucial platform for collaboration between government, academia, and industry, positioning South Africa as a rising leader in the global transition toward smart and sustainable mobility.
Dr. Titus Mathe, CEO of SANEDI, emphasized:
“This partnership reflects our nation’s growing capacity and commitment to cleaner transportation. By aligning research, innovation and public engagement, we are driving tangible progress toward a low-carbon, energy-efficient future.”
The EV will be on display throughout the summit at NMU before returning to Johannesburg to continue its awareness and data-gathering mission.
The e-Mobility Energy Drive underscores South Africa’s commitment to building a resilient, sustainable transport ecosystem that supports economic growth, environmental stewardship, and energy justice.
The summit concludes today Thursday, 30 October 2025.
The chart above illustrates the number of persons injured and killed in road accidents across six African countries in 2024, based on data from national road safety agencies and police services. Egypt recorded the highest number of road accident injuries, with 76,362 people injured, far exceeding the other countries in the comparison. It also had a relatively high fatality figure of 5,260 deaths.
Nigeria followed with 31,154 injuries and 5,421 deaths, reflecting a significant road safety challenge in Africa’s most populous nation.
Uganda recorded 20,664 injuries and 5,144 deaths, suggesting a high casualty rate relative to its number of injuries.
Zambia and Ghana reported moderate figures, with 15,921 injuries and 2,199 deaths for Zambia, and 11,408 injuries and 2,494 deaths for Ghana.
Kenya had the lowest number of injuries (9,094) but a comparatively higher fatality rate (4,748 deaths), indicating more severe accidents on average.
These alarming figures demonstrate that road accidents remain far deadlier than the potential risks associated with nuclear power generation, a highly regulated and safety-conscious industry.
Nuclear technology today is safer than ever before. It provides clean, reliable, and stable baseload power—a critical foundation for Africa’s industrialisation and economic growth.
The recent lifting of the World Bank’s ban on nuclear power financing should encourage African nations—especially Ghana, Uganda, Rwanda, Niger, Tunisia, Morocco, Kenya, Guinea, Algeria, Tanzania, and Senegal—to pursue their nuclear ambitions boldly.
As Egypt’s El Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant makes steady progress, South Africa has reaffirmed its commitment to nuclear energy in its Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) and plans to add 5,200 MW to its nuclear generation capacity.
During the 2025 African Energy Week (AEW) in Cape Town, Eskom’s Chief Nuclear Officer at the Koeberg Nuclear Power Station, Velaphi Ntuli, stated that Koeberg Unit 1 had already received a 20-year operational license extension and was awaiting approval for Unit 2’s license extension for an additional 20 years.
Investors consistently prioritise countries that demonstrate political stability and energy security. Africa has become one of the world’s most attractive investment destinations, and sustaining that confidence requires substantial investment in energy infrastructure—particularly nuclear power—to ensure reliable energy supply for both citizens and industry.
The writer is the Executive Director of Energy News Africa Ltd. He is pursuing an MSc in Energy Economics at the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA). 
According to Mr. Jinapor, this move reflects the government’s firm resolve to integrate renewable energy, climate action, and green growth into the core of Ghana’s economic transformation strategy.
To drive this vision, Ghana has established a renewable energy investment pipeline worth approximately US$3.4 billion, supported by the Renewable Energy and Green Transition Investment Fund.
The Fund aims to attract both concessional and private capital to fast-track renewable energy projects nationwide.
Mr. Jinapor emphasized that these efforts form part of Ghana’s broader goal to achieve 10% renewable energy penetration in the national energy mix by 2030—equivalent to about 1,350 megawatts of clean energy capacity.
Looking ahead, Mr. Jinapor noted that Ghana will continue to collaborate closely with the ISA and other global partners to promote policy reforms, innovative financing mechanisms, and scalable solar solutions—particularly in sectors such as agricultural value chains and e-mobility—to power a sustainable, inclusive, and resilient green future for the nation.
“Already today, we’re seeing the energy system shift to a hybrid model of renewable and fossil energy. With half of global power generation capacity now renewable and one in four new cars sold being electric, the energy system is transforming rapidly. There are already clear signs of change across investments, new capacity additions, and technological adoption curves that indicate we will witness a genuine transition over the next two to four decades. ” – Jarand Rystad, founder and CEO, Rystad Energy
Although the transition to renewable energy is gaining momentum, oil and gas are expected to remain resilient in the near term.
Oil demand is projected to peak by the early 2030s, and gas growth will likely slow down towards the end of this decade; however, neither fuel experiences a sharp contraction.
The energy transition is fast enough to alter the growth profile of fossil fuels, but not fast enough to deeply disrupt their dominance by 2040. Oil and gas remain the backbone of the system, tied to transport, petrochemicals and energy services, where alternatives are not yet cost-competitive or scalable.
This transition will have significant implications for costs and investments, as fossil fuel growth slows down and they are outpaced by renewables, ultimately leading to lower costs for consumers over time.
Looking ahead, we can clearly outline five pathways that will shape the global energy outlook, which include the Rystad Energy NDC, 1.6 degrees Celsius, 1.9 degrees Celsius, 2.2 degrees Celsius, and the Rystad Energy House View scenarios.
Global CO? emissions are expected to peak around 2026 before starting a gradual decline, driven by rapid renewable deployment in power and EV adoption in transport.
This marks a turning point, showing that the world is moving from growth to decline in emissions. However, current NDCs remain far from sufficient to limit warming to 1.5 degrees. Even if fully implemented, they would not achieve the substantial reductions necessary for achieving the lower range of the Paris Agreement.
Our prediction of a 1.9-degree Celsius scenario is heavily predicated on renewable energy installations setting all-time high records and serving as the backbone of new power growth, with solar leading the pack.
Solar is forecast to rise from 1,868 GW in 2024 to 2,412 GW in 2025 – a 544 GW increase that cements its position as the leader of new global power generation.
Record manufacturing output, sustained cost declines, and accelerating deployment in China, India, and the US drive the expansion.
Fueling this exponential growth in renewable energy development is a global increase in low-carbon investments. Currently, low-carbon technologies attract over $900 billion annually, compared to $735 billion for oil and gas.
This $181 billion delta widens to an estimated $391 billion by 2030, reflecting a complete shift in growth dynamics.
The installed base changes slowly, but investment is a leading indicator: today’s capital flows determine the 2040 energy system. By 2030, low-carbon sources are set to capture 46% of all energy investment, compared to 30% for fossil fuels, with grids accounting for 24%.
Citing Ghana as an example, Mr. Kumi said what he described as “nuisance taxes” imposed on LPG have made it unaffordable for the majority of citizens. According to him, only about 30 percent of the population — primarily middle-income earners — can afford LPG, leaving most low-income households dependent on charcoal and firewood.
“In Ghana, it is mainly middle-income couples who can afford LPG, and they make up about 30% of the population. The majority of our people — the 60 to 70% who need affordable energy — are unfortunately being priced out of LPG,” he stated.
Mr. Kumi noted that LPG consumption in Ghana stagnated between 2015 and 2020 following the introduction of taxes on the product.
“We were growing at less than 5% during that period. Between 2020 and 2024, growth was below 1%. It’s only this year (2025), in the first half, that we’ve seen about 5% growth compared to the same period last year. This shows how sensitive LPG consumption is to pricing,” he said.
He, however, commended Nigeria for keeping LPG prices relatively affordable.
“Nigeria is doing better than Ghana in terms of pricing. The pump price in Nigeria is about 80 cents per kilogram, while Ghana’s is around 120 cents — a significant difference that reflects in consumption trends,” he added.
Mr. Kumi stressed that it was time for West African countries — and Africa as a whole — to remove all taxes on LPG and even introduce targeted subsidies for rural populations to encourage adoption.
“Across Africa, about 60 to 70% of people still rely on firewood and charcoal. These are the poorest households who cannot afford LPG. Unless we take bold steps to make LPG affordable, we will not achieve meaningful progress,” he warned.
He cautioned that without practical action, policy discussions and conferences on clean energy transition would remain ineffective.
“We can hold all the conferences and make all the speeches, but if people cannot afford LPG at the pump, it’s all in vain. West Africa’s forests are depleting at one of the fastest rates in the world — largely because people rely on firewood and charcoal for cooking,” he said.
Mr. Kumi concluded by emphasizing that the only viable alternative to stop the persistent destruction of forests is to make LPG affordable and accessible.
“The cost of LPG in West Africa is simply too high. Unless governments act decisively to remove these taxes, the growth we desire in LPG consumption will remain out of reach,” he said.
