The Ghana Police Service has arrested two suspects in connection with an armed robbery incident at a GOIL filling station in Kwafokrom near Nsawam on Sunday, May 24, 2026.
A statement issued on Tuesday by DSP David Fianko-Okyere of the Public Affairs Unit of the Eastern South Regional Command confirmed the arrests and identified the suspects as Amos Boame and Collins Adjei.
According to the statement, a third suspect, identified as Ashivie, is currently on the run and is being pursued by the police.
Police said exhibits retrieved from the suspects included an Alder Tupal pump-action gun with serial number 245A-12944, one electronic shocker, a cutlass, and a bulletproof vest, all of which are being kept for evidential purposes.
The police stated that during the robbery, the suspects shot a security guard and a pump attendant who had taken refuge in an office within the station.
The suspects also made away with cash amounting to Thirteen Thousand Four Hundred and Sixty Ghana Cedis (GH¢13,460.00), as well as assorted provisions whose value is yet to be determined.
Police further inspected the scene and found nineteen spent cartridges and one live round of ammunition.
According to the police, the victims are in stable condition and are receiving treatment.
The police assured the public that strenuous efforts are ongoing to arrest the remaining accomplices and bring them to justice.
They also urged residents to remain calm, assuring them that the police, in collaboration with the filling station managers, have put in place robust security measures to prevent further incidents.
BP, the British multinational oil and gas company, has dismissed its chairman, Albert Manifold, after less than a year in the role, citing “serious concerns” about “governance standards, oversight and conduct.”
The surprise ouster marks the latest episode of leadership turmoil at the British oil giant, which has seen several CEOs depart abruptly under controversial circumstances.
The company did not provide further details about the alleged failings related to governance and conduct.
“Albert has helped bring a welcome focus and pace to BP’s transformation. However, the board has been surprised and disappointed to learn of governance, oversight and conduct issues it deems unacceptable and has taken decisive action,” Amanda Blanc, Senior Independent Director at BP, said in a statement on Tuesday, May 26, 2026.
Manifold, the former CEO of Irish building materials company CRH, succeeded Helge Lund as BP chairman on October 1.
Reacting to his dismissal, Manifold pushed back against the company’s decision in a statement.
“I dispute entirely the characterisation of my conduct and I will not allow a false narrative to go unchallenged,” Manifold said, as reported by CNN.
“I was removed without warning and without explanation. During my time as chairman, I worked to drive genuine change at BP — cutting costs, challenging excess, and holding the organisation to higher standards.”
BP has appointed Ian Tyler as interim chairman “with immediate effect” while it searches for a permanent replacement, the company said.
Tyler said BP was “moving at pace” to deliver on “the strategic direction we have laid out” and added that he had been “very impressed” with Meg O’Neill, who became the company’s first female CEO in April.
“Under her leadership, we are building a simpler, stronger and more valuable BP,” he added.
O’Neill, the former chief executive of Australia’s Woodside Energy, is BP’s third CEO since 2020 and the first external candidate ever to lead the company.
BP has faced several difficult years marked by strategic reversals and leadership instability. In 2023, the company backtracked on ambitious plans announced less than three years earlier to cut oil and gas production and transform into a green energy company under then-CEO Bernard Looney.
Looney resigned later that year after admitting he had failed to properly disclose past relationships with colleagues.
He was succeeded by the company’s chief financial officer, Murray Auchincloss, who remained in the role for less than two years before O’Neill was announced as his successor.
“The announcement of Albert Manifold’s departure is certainly a surprise, although BP has had more than its fair share of senior personnel leaving the company abruptly over the past 20 years,” Maurizio Carulli, global energy analyst at asset manager Quilter Cheviot, wrote in a note.
Alongside Looney and Auchincloss, Carulli also cited Lord John Browne, who stepped down in 2007 after it emerged that he had lied to a UK court, and Tony Hayward, who resigned in 2010 following the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.
Despite its struggles, BP appears to be on a stronger footing this year.
The company’s share price has risen roughly 20% year-to-date, while the Iran war has delivered a profit windfall.
BP’s profits more than doubled in the first three months of the year as the company’s oil traders capitalised on sharp swings in oil prices triggered by the conflict.
The Board of the Ghana Grid Company Limited (GRIDCo), led by Chairlady Kuukua Maurice Ankrah, together with the Chief Executive, Ing. Frank Otchere, paid a courtesy call on the Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Bagbin.
Speaking on behalf of the Board, Board Member Hon. Solomon Kuyon, MP for Krachi Nchumuru, introduced the GRIDCo delegation and noted that, after nine months in office, it was important for the Board to formally introduce itself to the Speaker.
In his remarks, CEO Ing. Frank Otchere provided an overview of GRIDCo, explaining how the company was established and the role it plays in Ghana’s energy sector.
For her part, Board Chairlady Kuukua Maurice Ankrah stated that the Board has been very supportive of her as the only female chairperson in the energy sector.
Touching on the restoration of power supply from the Akosombo Generation Station to the national grid following the fire incident at GRIDCo’s switchyard, she commended GRIDCo’s engineers, noting that the progress made reflects the quality and professionalism of the company’s technical staff.
In a warm and cordial atmosphere, Rt. Hon. Bagbin praised the wealth and diversity of experience among the Board members and encouraged them to remain united in their work.
He also underscored the importance of the energy sector and urged GRIDCo to leverage its strategic assets to attract investment into Ghana’s transmission infrastructure.
Tanzanian Deputy Minister for Energy, Hon. Salome Makamba, has said that the government, through TANESCO, will replace fragile electric poles with stronger alternatives, including concrete and steel poles.
The government will also strengthen pole foundations in areas with soft soil to address the challenge of falling electric poles.
Salome made the remarks in Parliament in Dodoma while responding to a question from Hon. Sara Msafiri Ally, Member of Parliament for Mvomero, who wanted to know when the government would resolve the issue of collapsing electric poles in Mgeta.
In response, Salome said the government recognizes the challenge of collapsing power poles in some areas of Mgeta due to several factors, including heavy rainfall, weak soil conditions, and soil erosion affecting some poles.
She added that the government, through TANESCO, continues to conduct regular inspections of electricity infrastructure to identify and address challenges as soon as they arise.
Salome further explained that the government, through the Ministry of Energy, has allocated a special budget to replace wooden poles in wet areas and in locations with intensive human activity.
She also called on citizens to avoid improper land-use practices, including careless burning of farms, which has been damaging electricity infrastructure by burning electric poles.
Saudi Arabia’s state oil giant Aramco has announced the transfer of its equity stakes in the Pengerang Refining Company and Pengerang Petrochemical Company (PRefChem) in Malaysia to Malaysia’s energy giant Petronas.
The company confirmed the deal in a statement on Monday, ending an eight-year downstream partnership in Southeast Asia.
The deal, which is subject to closing conditions, will make PRefChem a wholly owned subsidiary of the Malaysian state energy company.
The statement did not disclose the financial terms of the transaction.
The deal underscores how the Iran war is reshaping energy partnerships across Asia.
The effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz since late February has slashed crude flows to the region, forcing refiners to cut runs and triggering shortages of jet fuel, gasoline, and diesel — products produced by PRefChem.
Full ownership of PRefChem will enable PETRONAS to further enhance operational alignment and flexibility across its value chain, while harnessing its international supply network and integrated operating model to support continued reliability under varying market conditions.
For Aramco, the transaction supports the strategic optimization of its downstream portfolio, providing the company with additional flexibility to pursue investments aligned with its downstream strategy.
“The transaction was concluded on mutually agreed terms, reflecting the evolving strategic priorities of both parties,” a joint statement issued by both companies said.
PRefChem comprises two joint ventures — Pengerang Refining Company and Pengerang Petrochemical Company — which operate an integrated refinery and petrochemical complex within the Pengerang Integrated Complex in the southern Malaysian state of Johor.
The refinery has a capacity of about 300,000 barrels per day and produces fuels including jet fuel, gasoline, and diesel, while supplying feedstock to the petrochemical complex, which has a nameplate capacity of about 3.4 million tonnes per year.
Aramco agreed in 2017 to invest $7 billion for equal participation in the project, signing a share purchase agreement during a state visit to Malaysia by King Salman. At the time, it was one of the company’s largest downstream investments abroad. The two joint ventures were formally established in March 2018.
The companies said they would continue exploring cooperation in areas including crude supply, technology exchange, and product distribution.
African Energy Week (AEW) 2026:Date and Time: 12 – 16 October 2026.
Venue: CTICC 1 in Cape Town, South Africa.
About:
African Energy Week (AEW) is the African Energy Chamber (AEC)’s annual event, uniting African energy leaders, global investors and executives from across the public and private sector for four days of intense dialogue on the future of the African energy industry.
An interactive conference, exhibition and networking event, AEW was established in 2021 under the premise to make energy poverty history by 2030, hosting panel discussions, investor forums, industry summits and one-on-one meeting opportunities, and driving the discussions that will reshape the trajectory of the continent’s energy development.
In 2026, the event returns bigger and better than ever before, serving as the official meeting place for Africa’s energy elite. At the forefront of the African energy industry, AEW promotes the role Africa plays in global energy matters, centred around African-led dialogue and decision making. Covering the entire energy sector and value chain, AEW represents the only conference on the continent representative of the entire sector.
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The Gambia’s petroleum sector made a strong showing at the recently concluded Africa Energies Summit 2026, held in London from May 11 to 14, 2026, with the country showcasing its upstream potential and engaging prospective investors and industry partners.
The Gambian delegation was led by the Honourable Minister for Petroleum, Energy and Mines, Hon. Nani Juwara, and included the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry, Mr Abdoulie Jallow; the Director General of the Petroleum Commission, Engr. Cany Jobe; the Deputy Managing Director of the Gambia National Petroleum Corporation, Mr Muhammed Jawara; the Director of Petroleum at the Ministry, Mr Sheick Omar Bittaye; and the Data Officer of the Petroleum Commission, Mr Siddy Mendy.
The Summit brought together more than 800 delegates from international oil companies, governments, regulators, national oil companies, geophysical service providers, legal and advisory firms, investors and other stakeholders across Africa’s energy sector.
Throughout the event, The Gambia maintained a well-managed exhibition booth showcasing the country’s petroleum potential within the MSGBC Basin.
The booth highlighted The Gambia’s strategic location, improving data coverage, open exploration opportunities and commitment to a transparent, rules-based investment environment.
It attracted interest and enquiries from a broad range of participants, including explorers, geophysical service providers, data companies, advisory firms and government institutions. Discussions focused on exploration opportunities, data improvement, reconnaissance activities, petroleum systems analysis, data marketing and future technical collaboration.
As part of the Summit programme, Permanent Secretary Abdoulie Jallow delivered The Gambia’s country showcase and briefing under the theme: “The Gambia: Unlocking Exploration Potential and Positioning for First Investment.”
The presentation positioned The Gambia as a promising offshore frontier within the MSGBC Basin and reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to a transparent, stable and investor-friendly petroleum sector.
It highlighted improving geological confidence, strengthened regulatory oversight, clearer investment frameworks and opportunities across upstream exploration, petroleum storage, bunkering, LPG infrastructure, downstream logistics, power and regional supply services.
Engr. Cany Jobe, Director General of the Petroleum Commission, participated in two high-level panel discussions during the Summit.
In the panel discussion on “West Africa and MSGBC: Country Strategies, Basin Data and Commercial Pathways,” she appeared alongside Samuel Essoh of PETROCI, Fabian Lai of NOCAL Liberia, Erling Frantzen of Viridien and Johnny Chigbo of TGS.
Engr. Jobe spoke on The Gambia’s evolving investor proposition, noting that the country should be viewed not as a vague frontier opportunity, but as an emerging opportunity with structure.
She highlighted The Gambia’s dedicated regulator, improving institutional framework, model petroleum agreement with competitive entry terms and growing technical database.
She further noted that modern seismic coverage, regional integration studies and post-well analysis have helped shift investor discussions from general basin interest to more focused technical evaluation.
Engr. Cany Jobe
In a second panel discussion titled “Building Africa’s Stability, Credibility and Trust: The Real Currency of Investment,” Engr. Jobe joined Joanna Kuenssberg of Shell International BV, Valerie Marcel of New Producers for Sustainable Energy, Huw Charles of The Risk Advisory Group, Akshai Fofaria of Pinsent Masons and Armando Zamora of New Producers for Sustainable Energy.
During the discussion, she addressed the importance of predictable frameworks, credible state participation and investment terms that protect national value without discouraging exploration activity.
She emphasised that, for frontier jurisdictions, regulatory credibility is built through discipline, consistency and alignment between policy, licensing and implementation.
On the margins of the Summit, the delegation also held meetings with representatives of international oil companies, geophysical service providers, data companies and technical partners interested in supporting data enhancement and exploration promotion efforts in The Gambia.
Following the Summit, members of The Gambian delegation joined senior representatives from other participating countries at a leadership seminar on licensing and contracts, organised by New Producers for Sustainable Energy in collaboration with Curtis, Mallet-Prevost, Colt & Mosle LLP, The Risk Advisory Group and Westwood Energy.
The seminar focused on critical licensing, fiscal and contractual issues shaping exploration investment across Africa, including direct negotiations and competitive bidding rounds, petroleum fiscal regimes, production sharing agreements, cost recovery structures, investment risk, and how different categories of companies assess opportunities in frontier and early-stage petroleum jurisdictions.
The country’s participation at the Africa Energies Summit is expected to further strengthen investor confidence and public interest in The Gambia’s oil and gas exploration sector.
It also demonstrated the continuous technical, commercial and institutional work being undertaken to position The Gambia as a credible, responsible and investment-ready frontier petroleum jurisdiction.
Kenya’s President, William Samoei Ruto, has commissioned the fully energised 400/220kV Mariakani Substation located in Kilifi County, developed by Kenya Electricity Transmission Company.
The project was funded through a partnership between the Government of Kenya and the African Development Bank at a total cost of KES 4 billion and executed by China CAMC Engineering Co. Ltd under the supervision of KETRACO engineers.
The Mariakani Substation, which is regarded as the most strategic power substation in the Coast region, forms a critical gateway linking the Coast to Nairobi through the national transmission grid.
The project will significantly strengthen electricity transmission capacity while advancing the Government’s Vision 2030 agenda of achieving 100 percent renewable energy.
For decades, the Coast region has heavily relied on expensive thermal generation to meet its electricity demand due to limited renewable energy generation within the region.
Following the energisation of the Mariakani Substation and associated transmission infrastructure in December 2025, thermal power generation at the Coast has reduced drastically from 100MW to 35MW, representing a 65 percent reduction in reliance on fossil fuel-based energy.
Originally developed as a 220kV facility, the Mariakani Substation has now been upgraded to 400kV, greatly improving power quality, reliability and transmission efficiency across the Coast region, while enabling the region to draw more power from Olkaria and the Suswa Substation, a major national and regional switching centre.
The enhanced capacity is expected to support rapid industrialisation, investment growth and the expansion of Kenya’s Blue Economy initiatives.
Speaking during the commissioning ceremony on Monday, May 25, 2026, President Ruto reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to accelerating Kenya’s transition to clean and sustainable energy.
“My Government is committed to adopting innovative, clean and sustainable energy technologies that will drive economic growth while protecting our environment. Projects such as the Mariakani Substation are critical in strengthening our national grid, expanding access to reliable electricity and advancing Kenya’s vision of achieving 100 percent clean energy,” said President Ruto.
The substation forms part of the Nairobi–Mombasa Transmission Line designed to carry more than 1,000MW of electricity between the two regions while easing pressure on the Coast’s power network.
“The Mariakani transmission infrastructure has significantly reduced the Coast region’s reliance on expensive diesel-powered electricity generation by enabling efficient transfer of power between Nairobi and Mombasa through the 400kV Mariakani–Isinya double-circuit transmission line. The project has also improved voltage stability and enhanced overall power quality across the region, resulting in a more reliable and efficient electricity supply for homes, businesses and industries,” said Eng. Kipkemoi Kibias, Acting Managing Director of KETRACO.
Eni, Italian oil and gas giant, and its partners Petroci and Vitol have approved the final investment decision (FID) for the Baleine Phase 3 project, marking a significant milestone in the development of the largest hydrocarbon discovery ever made in the country.
The Phase 3 development is expected to increase oil production from 60,000 to 150,000 barrels per day and gas output from 80 million to 200 million cubic feet per day.
The approval ceremony, held on Monday in Abidjan, was witnessed by the Minister of Mines, Petroleum and Energy of Côte d’Ivoire, Mamadou Sangafowa-Coulibaly.
The project includes the development of a new floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) unit, designed to ensure high standards of operational efficiency and safety while reducing environmental impact.
It builds on the phased and fast-track development model already implemented in Baleine’s first two phases, enabling early production while optimising costs and leveraging existing infrastructure.
All gas produced will be allocated to the domestic market, contributing to Côte d’Ivoire’s energy needs, expanding electricity generation and supporting the country’s industrial development.
Commenting on the development, Chief Executive Officer of Eni, Claudio Descalzi, stated:“Baleine is a testament to Eni’s exploration and production model, built on excellence in exploration activities, the ability to develop projects through a fast-track and phased approach, and a consistent commitment to sustainability, in continuous dialogue with the host country.
“This project reflects our commitment to strengthening energy security, supporting local economic development and advancing a lower-carbon energy future.”
Eni has been present in Côte d’Ivoire since 2015, where it made the Baleine and Calao discoveries.
These discoveries have contributed to increasing interest in the Ivorian offshore sector, confirming the country’s potential as one of the most promising energy frontiers in West Africa.
The company is also committed to promoting sustainable development through initiatives in education, training, healthcare, economic diversification and the development of local entrepreneurial capacity.
Ghana’s Ministry of Energy and Green Transition has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Canadian clean energy company, Portage Energy Group Inc., for a major waste-to-energy and sustainable aviation fuel project.
The MoU, signed on May 19, 2026, designates Portage Energy as the preferred development partner for the initiative to convert municipal solid waste into bio-organic pellets, clean electricity and, eventually, Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF).
The project will begin with technical and environmental engineering studies within the Tema Metropolitan Area, particularly at the Kpone landfill site.
Under the arrangement, integrated facilities will be developed to produce bio-organic pellets, generate electricity and support future SAF production.
Each facility is expected to generate up to 25 megawatts of electricity. About 5 megawatts will power operations, while the remaining electricity will be supplied to the national grid.
The project will be fully funded by the private sector through Portage Energy, with no financial burden on the state.
Minister for Energy and Green Transition, Dr John Abdulai Jinapor, who was represented his deputy, described the partnership as a major step in Ghana’s green transition drive.
“This partnership aligns seamlessly with Ghana’s strategic commitment to sustainable waste management and our green transition.
“By turning municipal solid waste into reliable, clean electricity, we are not only addressing sanitation challenges but also strengthening our national energy security and driving local economic growth without drawing on public funds,” he said.
Craig Latimer, Chief Executive Officer of Portage Energy Group Inc., said the company was honoured to support the project.
“Portage Energy is honoured to be designated as a Preferred Development Partner for this transformative project.
“Our proven waste-to-value solutions will reduce landfill dependence, generate up to 25 megawatts of clean power, and lay the essential groundwork for future Sustainable Aviation Fuel production in West Africa,” he stated.
Canadian High Commissioner to Ghana, Myriam Montrat, also described the agreement as another milestone in relations between Ghana and Canada.
“The signing of this Memorandum of Understanding marks another proud milestone in the strong bilateral relationship between Canada and Ghana.
“We are thrilled to see Canadian innovation and expertise supporting Ghana’s ambitious climate resilience and circular economy goals,” she said.
Ghana’s petroleum downstream regulator, the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), has intensified its consumer education and petroleum safety campaign with a series of public sensitisation engagements across markets, transport terminals, women’s groups and tertiary institutions in the Volta and Ashanti regions.
The exercise, led by the Authority’s Consumer Services Directorate, focused on petroleum safety practices, fuel quality assurance, LPG handling, consumer rights, complaint reporting mechanisms and the dangers associated with fuel siphoning from accident scenes involving Bulk Road Vehicles.
Speaking during the recent engagements, the Director of Consumer Services, Mrs Eunice Budu-Nyarko, urged motorists and consumers to remain vigilant when purchasing fuel by confirming the type of fuel being dispensed, monitoring dispenser screens and demanding receipts after every transaction.
In the Volta Region, the team visited the Ho Market and Lorry Park, Ho Technical University, the Ho Nursing Training College and women’s groups in Hohoe.
The Ashanti Regional exercise covered Bantama Market, Fomena Nursing Training College, Kumasi Technical University and the Tepa Nursing and Midwifery Training College, Anyinasuo Campus.
Technical presentations during the exercise were delivered by Ing. Johnson Gbagbo Jnr, Head of Consumer Data Analytics and Market Intelligence, and Maureen Adwoa Duori, Head of Consumer Education and Stakeholder Engagement, with support from NPA regional managers and staff.
The Gambian female celebrated petroleum engineer and Director General of the Petroleum Commission of The Gambia, Ms Cany Jobe, has bagged another award at the just concluded Africa Energies Summit held in London, demonstrating her competence and recognition in the global energy industry.
She was announced the winner of the Leading Woman in African Energy Award at the 30th Anniversary Edition of the Big Five Board Awards, held during the grand finale of the Africa Energies Summit.
The award recognises her pioneering female leadership in Africa’s energy sector.
The multiple award-winning energy expert was nominated alongside distinguished industry figures, including Acting CEO of the Petroleum Commission of Ghana, Emeafa Hardcastle; Vice President for Exploration at Shell, Nisrine Al Kadi; and Special Adviser on Energy to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Olu Arowolo Verheijen.
In her acceptance remarks, Engr. Jobe said the recognition was profoundly meaningful, not only because of the award itself, but because of what it represents. She noted that it recognises the role of women in shaping Africa’s energy future through leadership, policy, regulation, exploration, investment and national development.
She accepted the award with gratitude, humility and a deep sense of responsibility, dedicating it to her fellow nominees and to girls and women everywhere — both those on the margins and those in leadership positions.
Cany Jobe was appointed Director General of the Petroleum Commission in January 2026 by President Adama Barrow and has over 18 years of international experience across the oil and gas value chain.
She holds a Master’s degree in Engineering from the University of Western Australia and a Master’s degree in International Project Management from Glasgow Caledonian University.
Prior to her appointment, she served as Director of Exploration and Production at the Gambia National Petroleum Corporation, where she was instrumental in upstream strategy development, data management and engagement with prospective investors.
She has also held positions with regional and international institutions across Asia, Australia, West Africa and America, including roles with China Petroleum Corporation, Venezuela’s PDVSA and the ECOWAS Commission as a national consultant.
Rwanda is aiming to commission its first nuclear power plant, mainly based on Small Modular Reactor (SMR) technology, by 2030, with plans to scale up nuclear generation to account for more than 60% of the country’s energy mix by 2050.
President of Rwanda, Paul Kagame, disclosed this in Kigali during the recent Nuclear Energy Innovation Summit for Africa, which was attended by Rafael Mariano Grossi, alongside Samia Suluhu Hassan and Faure Gnassingbé.
The summit brought together governments, regulators, financiers, industry players, and technology partners to explore how nuclear energy can support development opportunities across Africa.
The IAEA Director-General discussed Rwanda’s ambitious nuclear power plans with President Kagame and delivered the final report of an Integrated Nuclear Infrastructure Review (INIR) mission.
Mr. Grossi also signed an agreement with Rwanda’s Minister of Infrastructure, Jimmy Gasore, to strengthen cooperation between Rwanda and the International Atomic Energy Agency on integrating nuclear energy into the country’s energy mix, including the deployment of small modular reactors.
The INIR report marks a major milestone in Rwanda’s efforts to lay the foundation for a safe, secure, and sustainable nuclear power programme.
President Kagame welcomed the delivery of the report, saying: “Rwanda is pleased to have successfully completed the IAEA’s Phase 1 Integrated Nuclear Infrastructure Review (INIR).
“We intend to have nuclear energy operational by the early 2030s, and this assessment confirms that we are on track. For Africa, energy is not simply a development issue; it is the foundation of industrial growth and competitiveness,” he said.
Mr. Grossi also held discussions with President Samia Suluhu Hassan of Tanzania on expanding cooperation between the IAEA and Tanzania, covering cancer care and plans to boost food security under the IAEA’s Rays of Hope and Atoms4Food flagship initiatives, as well as Tanzania’s plans to develop its power infrastructure.
African countries account for around half of all newcomer nations working with the IAEA, with 13 countries actively pursuing nuclear power programmes.
New financing opportunities for nuclear power projects on the continent are also expected after the International Atomic Energy Agency and the World Bank signed an agreement in 2025 to collaborate on nuclear energy for development.
“Africa’s energy future will be built by Africans, and the IAEA is ready to continue supporting countries across the continent, from infrastructure development and capacity building to new technologies such as SMRs,” said Mr. Grossi.
“Africa’s economic transformation depends fundamentally on reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy systems,” said President Hassan during the summit.
She added that Africa’s expanding digital infrastructure, as well as growing demand in manufacturing and mining, had increased the need for stable baseload power.
“Civil nuclear power — and in particular small modular reactors and micro-reactors — are no longer a distant prospect,” said Faure Gnassingbé. “The World Bank has lifted its long-standing ban on financing nuclear power. COP meetings and financial institutions have endorsed this technology because it has evolved, and the global context has changed too. It is now up to us to change our perspective.”
India’s state-owned energy majors that trade in fuels raised prices at the pump for the fourth time in the space of a month, reflecting the continued effect of the Strait of Hormuz closure on oil and fuel flows.
The cumulative price hike since the start of the month comes in at 8.6% for diesel fuel, Reuters reported today, and 7.8% for gasoline.
The first fuel price hike took place in Mid-May, with refiners including Indian Oil Corp., Bharat Petroleum Corp, and Hindustan Petroleum Corp. hiking their retail prices by over 3% for the first time in four years.
Since the war in the Middle East began and cut off over 40% of India’s crude oil flows, those that passed through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the highest-flying economies in Asia has seen its oil import bill soar, investors fleeing the capital market, and the local currency plunging to an all-time low against the U.S. dollar.
As a result, the world’s third-largest crude importer saw its wholesale inflation jump to 8.3% in April from a year earlier, significantly accelerating from 3.88% annual inflation in March, driving wholesale fuel prices higher.
These surged in April, with gasoline prices up by 32.4% and diesel prices up by 25.19%. That’s up from a monthly rise of 2.5% for gasoline in March, and 3.62% for diesel.
The government in New Delhi, meanwhile, has called for fuel conservation, including through working from home, carpooling, and using public transport instead of personal vehicles.
The measures are urgently needed because, as international oil prices surge, so does India’s oil import bill, which in turn affects refiners’ bottom lines.
The oil and fuel import bill for March stood at $12.1 billion, The Banker reported this month, rising further to $18.6 billion in April, in a 53% monthly jump.
This month will likely see a further rise in oil import prices as benchmarks creep higher.
The seminar focused on critical licensing, fiscal and contractual issues shaping exploration investment across Africa, including direct negotiations and competitive bidding rounds, petroleum fiscal regimes, production sharing agreements, cost recovery structures, investment risk, and how different categories of companies assess opportunities in frontier and early-stage petroleum jurisdictions.
The country’s participation at the Africa Energies Summit is expected to further strengthen investor confidence and public interest in The Gambia’s oil and gas exploration sector.
It also demonstrated the continuous technical, commercial and institutional work being undertaken to position The Gambia as a credible, responsible and investment-ready frontier petroleum jurisdiction.
Cany Jobe was appointed Director General of the Petroleum Commission in January 2026 by President Adama Barrow and has over 18 years of international experience across the oil and gas value chain.
She holds a Master’s degree in Engineering from the University of Western Australia and a Master’s degree in International Project Management from Glasgow Caledonian University.
Prior to her appointment, she served as Director of Exploration and Production at the Gambia National Petroleum Corporation, where she was instrumental in upstream strategy development, data management and engagement with prospective investors.
She has also held positions with regional and international institutions across Asia, Australia, West Africa and America, including roles with China Petroleum Corporation, Venezuela’s PDVSA and the ECOWAS Commission as a national consultant. 
