Ghana: Police Officers Assault Energy Ministry Staff On Board Bus
Two unidentified police officers travelling in a Toyota pickup on Thursday allegedly attacked a Ministry of Energy and Green Transition staff bus and assaulted several staff members on board, nearly killing an IT Department staff member at Kasoa Amanfrom along the Mallam–Kasoa Highway.
The incident reportedly occurred after staff on board the bus complained about the reckless driving of the police officers.
According to a source at the Ministry, the bus was travelling from Kasoa to the Ministry when it encountered a police pickup parked dangerously close to the middle of the road, making it difficult for the bus to merge onto the main highway.
After the bus successfully joined the highway, one of the staff members reportedly informed the pickup driver that the vehicle had been improperly parked.
The pickup is said to have followed the Ministry’s bus at high speed and cut across it dangerously. Although the bus driver managed to manoeuvre away, the pickup allegedly crossed the bus a second time.
A video of the incident seen by this portal shows occupants of the pickup, identified as police officers in plain clothes, stepping out of the vehicle and attacking Ministry staff through the windows of the bus.
The officers reportedly forced their way onto the bus, assaulted several staff members, and dragged Prince, an IT officer at the Ministry of Energy, off the bus.
He was allegedly beaten, forced into the pickup, and driven away.
The officers are also said to have seized his mobile phone to prevent him from communicating with colleagues or Ministry officials.
He was allegedly taken to the police headquarters, where he was detained for some time, before being transferred to the police hospital for medical treatment.
It took the intervention of the Ministry to secure his release.
WAPCo To Shut Down Facilities In Nigeria, Benin, Togo And Ghana For Routine Maintenance
The West African Gas Pipeline Company (WAPCo) has announced that it will shut down its gas receiving facilities in Nigeria, Benin, Togo, and Ghana between Sunday, January 18 and January 31, 2026 for routine maintenance works.
The scheduled Emergency Shutdown (ESD) and High Integrity Pressure Protection System (HIPPS) tests are expected to last for a maximum of nine hours.
During the exercise, WAPCo’s facilities will not transport gas to customers in the four countries.
“These tests are mandated under the West African Gas Pipeline Authority (WAGPA) regulations and are planned collaboratively with key stakeholders in the four countries,” the company said in a post on its official social media platforms.
The company noted that the tests are aligned with industry best practices to safeguard the integrity, safety, and reliability of WAPCo’s gas transportation infrastructure.
WAPCo transports gas on behalf of power generation companies through its pipeline infrastructure, which traverses four West African countries: Nigeria, Benin, Togo, and Ghana.
Kenya: Fuel Prices Drop As Shilling Appreciates Against US Dollar
Fuel prices have been reduced across Kenya, providing some relief to households and businesses grappling with high living costs.
The new prices take effect from January 15 to February 14, 2026, this portal can confirm.
The prices of super petrol, diesel, and kerosene have been reduced by KSh2.00, KSh1.00, and KSh1.00 per litre, respectively.
As a result, motorists in Nairobi will now pay KSh182.52 per litre for super petrol, KSh170.47 for diesel, and KSh153.78 for kerosene, according to a statement issued by the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA).
For the previous three months, pump prices in Nairobi stood at KSh184.52 for super petrol, KSh171.47 for diesel, and KSh154.78 for kerosene.
In the coastal city of Mombasa, motorists will enjoy the lowest prices among major towns, with super petrol retailing at KSh179.24 per litre, diesel at KSh167.19, and kerosene at KSh150.49.
In western Kenya, Kisumu recorded significantly higher prices than the national average, with super petrol selling at KSh190.88 per litre, diesel at KSh178.83, and kerosene at KSh162.13.
Meanwhile, in the Rift Valley, Nakuru’s prices have been set at KSh181.56 for petrol, KSh169.87 for diesel, and KSh153.21 for kerosene. Eldoret, in the north-western region, will see prices of KSh182.38 for petrol, KSh170.68 for diesel, and KSh154.03 for kerosene.
A key factor behind the fuel price reduction has been the improved performance of the Kenyan shilling against the US dollar. The local currency has strengthened to trade at around KSh128 to the dollar, compared to about KSh132 in the previous quarter. This appreciation of approximately 3 per cent has reduced the cost of importing petroleum products, which are priced in US dollars.
According to EPRA, the latest price review shows that the average landing cost of imported petroleum products declined during the review period, contributing significantly to the reduction in pump prices.
The landed cost of super petrol fell from about KSh73,800 per cubic metre in the previous pricing cycle to approximately KSh71,500 per cubic metre in January 2026. Diesel and kerosene also recorded modest declines in their landing costs. These costs include the free-on-board (FOB) price, ocean freight charges, and insurance.
The fuel price reduction comes as welcome relief for Kenyan households and businesses that have been contending with elevated costs. Transport expenses, which are closely linked to fuel prices, are expected to ease slightly, potentially reducing pressure on food prices and other goods dependent on road transport.
EPRA has assured Kenyans that it will continue to closely monitor market developments.
US Says Canada Will Regret Decision To Allow Chinese EVs Into Their Market
Officials of the administration of United States President Donald Trump have said that Canada will regret its decision to allow imports of up to 49,000 Chinese EVs, and that those cars would not be allowed to enter the US.
“I think they’ll look back at this decision and surely regret it to bring Chinese cars into their market,” US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said on Friday at an event with other government officials at a Ford factory in Ohio to tout efforts to make vehicles more affordable.
Canada in 2024 imposed 100 percent tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles (EVs) following similar US duties.
But on Friday, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced a trade deal in Beijing that would allow in up to 49,000 Chinese EVs at a tariff of 6.1 percent on most-favoured-nation terms.
That move has prompted alarm in the US that it could help China get a broader foothold in North America even as Washington takes an increasingly hardline on Canadian vehicles and parts.
US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said the limited number of vehicles would not impact US car companies exporting cars to Canada.
“I don’t expect that to disrupt American supply into Canada,” he said. “Those cars are going to Canada – they’re not coming here.”
The Canadian Embassy in Washington did not immediately comment.
Greer, in a separate CNBC interview, called Canada’s decision “problematic” and added, “There’s a reason why we don’t sell a lot of Chinese cars in the United States. It’s because we have tariffs to protect American auto workers and Americans from those vehicles.”
As per the trade agreements announced in Beijing on Friday, Carney said he expects China to lower tariffs on its canola seed by March 1 to a combined rate of about 15 percent, down from 85 percent.
Greer questioned that agreement. “I think in the long run, they’re not going to like having made that deal,” he said.
Cybersecurity of vehicles
Greer said rules adopted in January 2025 on vehicles that are connected to the internet and navigation systems are a significant impediment to Chinese vehicles in the US market.
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“I think it would be hard for them to operate here,” Greer said. “There are rules and regulations in place in America about the cybersecurity of our vehicles and the systems that go into those, so I think it might be hard for the Chinese to comply with those kind of rules.”
In contrast, President Donald Trump has said he would like Chinese automakers to come to the US to build vehicles.
However, lawmakers from both major US parties have expressed strong opposition to Chinese vehicles as major US car makers warn China poses a threat to the US car sector.
Ohio Senator Bernie Moreno, a Republican, said at the event he was opposed to Chinese vehicles coming into the US — and drew applause from the other government officials.
“As long as I have air in my body, there will not be Chinese vehicles sold the United States of America — period,” Moreno said
Sierra Leone: President Holds Talks With Oil Companies, Reaffirms Commitment To Private Sector Growth
President of Sierra Leone, Dr Julius Maada Bio, has engaged with oil marketing companies (OMCs) operating in the country, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to strengthening private sector growth through sustained dialogue and partnership.
During the meeting, the President emphasised the critical role oil marketing companies play in the national economy, noting that the sector directly affects the daily lives of Sierra Leoneans and therefore requires deliberate government attention.
“This year, I am not only acting; I want to act with haste. If we are to work together, we must continue to engage in dialogue,” the President stated, according to the Sierra Leone News Agency.
Describing the oil marketers as key development partners, President Bio said the engagement was aimed at listening to stakeholders’ concerns, reviewing the state of the partnership, and jointly identifying ways to strengthen collaboration.
“We are here to listen to you, to understand your concerns, assess our partnership, and explore how we can further strengthen it,” he said.
The President stressed that regular engagement between government and private sector actors is essential for mutual benefit and sustainable economic growth, adding that the meeting would serve as a foundation for continuous dialogue.
Chief Minister Dr David Moinina Sengeh said the meeting was convened at the President’s initiative, underscoring the importance of oil marketing companies as major contributors to the country’s economy and development agenda.
“We are here to listen to you, to understand your concerns, assess our partnership, and explore how we can further strengthen it,” he said.
The President stressed that regular engagement between government and private sector actors is essential for mutual benefit and sustainable economic growth, adding that the meeting would serve as a foundation for continuous dialogue.
Chief Minister Dr David Moinina Sengeh said the meeting was convened at the President’s initiative, underscoring the importance of oil marketing companies as major contributors to the country’s economy and development agenda.
Nigeria: Reforms Attract $5.3bn In Upstream Petroleum Investment In 2025
Africa’s largest crude oil producer, Nigeria, attracted $5.3 billion in upstream capital investment in 2025, accounting for about 38 per cent of all major project sanctions on the continent over the past 24 months.
This was disclosed by the Special Adviser to the President on Energy, Olu Verheijen, in a post on X earlier this week.
She said the surge occurred despite an 18 per cent overall decline in upstream spending across Sub-Saharan Africa, signalling a decoupled growth trajectory for Nigeria’s energy sector.
Between 2015 and 2023, Nigeria attracted only 4 per cent (about $5 billion) of sanctioned African Final Investment Decisions (FIDs), accounting for just six of the 44 upstream petroleum projects approved during that period.
However, in just the past two years (2024–2025), the country has secured 38 per cent of the continent’s major projects, attracting about $8 billion in capital through five high-impact project sanctions.
The turnaround follows reforms introduced under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), which have helped reverse the trend and enabled Nigeria to secure five of the eight upstream projects sanctioned across the continent in 2025.
“The administration’s data-driven benchmarking has propelled Nigeria into the top quartile of global jurisdictions for investment competitiveness. With the Bonga North and Ubeta gas developments also advancing, the Presidency expects this momentum to carry into 2026.
“As Nigeria enters a new cycle of upstream investment, we must strengthen local content as a catalyst for smooth and timely project delivery. Regulators must shed legacy mindsets and act as enablers of speed, clarity, and efficiency,” Verheijen concluded.
Shell, Exxon Cancel Sale Of UK North Sea Natural Gas Assets To Viaro Amid Regulatory Review
Shell and ExxonMobil have cancelled a proposal to sell their North Sea natural gas assets to upstart firm Viaro Energy, Bloomberg has reported.
According to a statement issued by Shell, the oil majors were unable to complete the transaction to sell the strategic Bacton onshore gas terminal and 11 offshore facilities to Viaro, owned by oil tycoon Francesco Mazzagatti, due to a protracted regulatory review by the North Sea Transition Authority (NSTA).
The regulator said it required additional information from Viaro before making a decision.
“The parties have worked hard and in close alignment to try and complete this transaction over many months, but despite this being a fully funded opportunity, the completion conditions were not met as commercial and market conditions evolved, and we mutually agreed not to proceed,” Mazzagatti said last Wednesday.
In 2024, Shell said the transaction was expected to be completed in 2025.
The NSTA, which was recently granted expanded powers to oversee mergers and acquisitions in the North Sea, said it was “waiting to receive the additional information requested from the purchasing party to make a decision.”
The deal included the Bacton terminal on England’s east coast, which Shell has described as being of “strategic national importance.”
The terminal is the sole entry point for gas from Belgium and the Netherlands and supplies as much as one-third of the UK’s gas demand.
Mazzagatti, Viaro’s founder, is facing criminal charges in Italy and civil forgery and fraud allegations in the UK. He has denied all allegations.
The collapse of the deal has paused an acquisition streak that made Viaro the most prolific buyer of UK oil and gas assets over the past five years, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. The decision also follows a ruling by the London Court of Appeal late last year in relation to a joint venture with an Abu Dhabi firm, in which judges overturned an earlier judgment in favour of Mazzagatti.
Shell and Exxon must now decide whether to pursue alternative buyers. Exxon has otherwise been reducing its UK asset footprint.
A multi-year process to divest the Bacton assets saw Shell narrow bidders to three finalists, Bloomberg reported in 2023. Ithaca Energy Plc and Perenco SA were shortlisted alongside Viaro.
Since announcing the deal, Shell has spun off its UK North Sea business and merged it with Equinor’s operations to create the basin’s largest independent fossil fuel producer under a new company, Adura.
Shell remains the operator of the assets.
Malawi: EGENCO Board Members Tour Power Stations
The newly appointed Board of Directors of the Electricity Generation Company (Malawi) Limited (EGENCO) has toured the company’s power stations in the Southern and Central regions to gain firsthand insight into power generation operations and ongoing projects.
Led by Board Chairperson Justin Saidi, who is also Chief Secretary to the Government, the Board toured the Mapanga Diesel Power Plant, as well as the Kapichira, Nkula, and Tedzani hydropower stations between January 3 and 4, 2026.
The tour continued on January 13, 2026, with visits to the Kanengo Diesel Power Plant and the Salima Solar Power Project.
Speaking at the end of the tour, the Board Chairperson commended EGENCO employees for their dedication and assured them of the Board’s full support.
“Thank you for the great work that you are doing. As your Board, we are available to provide any support that will enable the country to have power throughout the day,” Saidi said.
The EGENCO Board was appointed in December 2025 and has since commenced its official duties.
EGENCO’s Board Chairperson (first left) interacts with EGENCO’s Director of Operations and other Board Members during the tour.
EGENCO’s Board Chairperson (first left) interacts with EGENCO’s Director of Operations and other Board Members during the tour.
Ghana: Petrol Prices Fall To GH¢9.99, Diesel To Around GH¢11 Per Litre
Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) in Ghana have begun reducing pump prices for petrol and diesel in the second pricing window of January 2026.
As of Friday morning, January 16, 2026, two leading OMCs—GOIL and Star Oil—had adjusted their prices, with other OMCs expected to follow before the close of trading today or tomorrow.
Market leader Star Oil Ghana is selling petrol (RON 91) at GH¢10.97 per litre and petrol (RON 95) at GH¢12.54 per litre, while diesel is being sold at GH¢10.97 per litre.
GOIL PLC is selling petrol (RON 91) at GH¢9.99 per litre and petrol (RON 95) at GH¢13.97 per litre, while diesel is selling at GH¢11.21 per litre.
During the first pricing window, Star Oil sold petrol (RON 91) at GH¢10.86 per litre, diesel at GH¢11.96 per litre, and petrol (RON 95) at GH¢13.56 per litre.
GOIL sold petrol (RON 91) at GH¢10.99 per litre, diesel at GH¢11.96 per litre, and petrol (RON 95) at GH¢13.97 per litre during the same period.
The latest adjustments show that GOIL reduced petrol prices by GH¢1.00 and diesel by 75 pesewas, while Star Oil reduced petrol prices by 89 pesewas and diesel by 99 pesewas.
The decline in fuel prices is attributed to the continued appreciation of the local currency, the cedi, against major foreign currencies, as well as the fall in refined petroleum product prices on the international market.
Ghana: Petrol, Diesel And LPG Prices To Fall Again By 2–5% In January – COMAC
Fuel prices are expected to decline for a second consecutive period in January, beginning Friday, January 16, according to projections by the Chamber of Oil Marketing Companies (COMAC).
The chamber said petrol prices are expected to fall by between 1.26% and 2.30%, diesel by 1.97% to 2.10%, and LPG by 3.10% to 5.09%.
“These reductions are driven by the appreciation of the Ghana cedi and the decline in international petroleum product prices,” COMAC said in its January 2026 Pricing Outlook.
Unlike many African countries, fuel prices in Ghana are reviewed every two weeks.
During the first pricing window of January 2026, which ended on January 15, petrol sold for between GH¢10.45 and GH¢12.50 per litre, while diesel sold for between GH¢11.35 and GH¢12.99 per litre. LPG sold for between GH¢12.32 and GH¢13.91 per kilogram.
On the international front, although crude oil prices surged, refined petroleum product prices continued to soften over the period. Petrol declined by 1.07%, diesel by 0.68%, and LPG by 3.40%.
The cedi strengthened from GH¢11.52 to GH¢10.90 against the US dollar, representing a 5.71% gain, according to COMAC.
The expected reductions should provide additional relief to consumers, following price cuts already recorded in the first pricing window of January.
Ghana: NPA Assesses Restart Of Crude Refining At Tema Oil Refinery, Commends Management For Rapid Revamp Of State Asset
Ghana’s downstream petroleum regulator, the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), led by its Chief Executive Officer, Edudzi Tameklo, Esq., on Thursday paid a working visit to the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) following the recent restart of crude refining at the facility, which had been dormant for more than six years.
The restart follows major maintenance work at the refinery.
The CEO, accompanied by his deputies and other senior officials of the Authority, toured key operational facilities to assess progress and verify compliance following the NPA’s approval for the refinery to resume operations.
The refinery is currently processing 28,000 barrels per stream day, and management hopes to bring additional units back online to increase processing capacity to 45,000 barrels per stream day and eventually 55,000 barrels per stream day.
During a meeting with the Managing Director of TOR, Edmond Kombat, Esq., and the general management team, TOR management expressed appreciation for the NPA’s instrumental support in the refinery’s revival.
The Managing Director noted that effective laycan management has resulted in fully stocked tanks—clear evidence of improved operational efficiency.
Commending TOR’s leadership and workforce, Mr. Tameklo reaffirmed his commitment to championing the refinery’s restoration, stating: “I will be the number one champion for the need to support TOR, because if TOR is working, it makes my work easier.”
Drawing on insights from his recent visit to the Dangote Refinery, Mr. Tameklo highlighted the imperative for scale, efficiency, and modernisation. He underscored the importance of automation, noting that “no one should be sent to go and turn a valve.”
He further stressed the shared responsibility of the NPA and TOR to safeguard plant integrity, cautioning that approvals must be grounded in safety and operational readiness: “We must be mindful of our responsibility to ensure that we do not say ‘proceed’ when what is required is ‘stop work’, because the integrity of the plant must not be compromised.”
Mr. Tameklo also emphasised the broader impact of TOR’s revival on Ghana’s downstream petroleum sector, including enhanced price stability and significant foreign exchange savings through reduced reliance on imported petroleum products.
The visit concluded with a facility tour to confirm that TOR is operational and fully compliant with regulatory requirements.
TOR management expressed sincere appreciation to the CEO and management of the NPA for their continued support.
The Tema Oil Refinery’s return to full operations is expected to deliver substantial national benefits, including strengthened energy security, stabilised fuel prices, job creation, and improved foreign exchange management.
Mr. Tameklo also emphasised the broader impact of TOR’s revival on Ghana’s downstream petroleum sector, including enhanced price stability and significant foreign exchange savings through reduced reliance on imported petroleum products.
The visit concluded with a facility tour to confirm that TOR is operational and fully compliant with regulatory requirements.
TOR management expressed sincere appreciation to the CEO and management of the NPA for their continued support.
The Tema Oil Refinery’s return to full operations is expected to deliver substantial national benefits, including strengthened energy security, stabilised fuel prices, job creation, and improved foreign exchange management.
South Africa: Eskom Saves R16bn In Diesel Costs In 2025 As Power System Stability Improves
South Africa’s power utility, Eskom, saved R16 billion (equivalent to approximately US$979,218,240.00 ) in diesel costs by the end of 2025 due to improved reliability of its coal-fired power plants, which enabled a safe reduction in the use of open-cycle gas turbines (OCGTs).
In a statement, Eskom noted that diesel usage continues to decline at the beginning of 2026.
According to the utility, its Generation Recovery Plan, which commenced in April 2023, has enabled South Africa to return from the holiday break with a structurally stronger power system entering 2026 than at any point in the past five years.
This includes an additional 4,400 MW of capacity available compared to the same period last year.
Eskom also noted that the passage of the Debt Relief Act in 2023 provided R254 billion, significantly easing financial pressure on the utility’s balance sheet.
This support enabled Eskom to make critical investments and carry out planned and preventative maintenance, thereby improving operational efficiency and system reliability—benefits now being felt across South Africa.
“The big picture, through the peaks and troughs of delivering the Generation Recovery Plan, is that Eskom has moved from a heavily constrained power system to an increasingly stable one—a system that can reliably deliver 24/7, 365 baseload power. We will now maintain and build on these early gains through a rigorous focus on operational reliability and sustainability. It has been ‘short-term pain for long-term gain’, and I would like to thank the country for its understanding and support, as well as our employees for continuing to deliver on our strategy,” said Eskom Group Chief Executive, Dan Marokane.
“A reliable power system is not just measured in megawatts (MW); it is measured in investor confidence. Eskom’s improved performance has contributed to South Africa receiving its first credit rating upgrade in two decades, while the risk rating associated with Eskom’s 2033 bonds has declined—providing early indications that investors are warming to the turnaround,” Marokane added.
Nigeria Misses OPEC+ Oil Quota For Fifth Straight Month
Nigeria’s crude oil production slipped in December from November as Africa’s top producer continues to struggle to pump to its full OPEC+ output quota amid operational challenges in its upstream sector.
Nigeria’s crude oil production fell to 1.422 million barrels per day (bpd) in December, down from 1.436 million bpd in November, according to figures reported by the country’s authorities to OPEC and included in OPEC’s latest Monthly Oil Market Report (MOMR).
By Nigeria’s own admission, it failed to produce to its 1.5 million bpd quota under the OPEC+ agreements, for the fifth consecutive month.
OPEC’s secondary sources, however, have higher estimates, and according to these, Nigeria’s crude oil production rose from 1.491 million bpd in November to 1.5 million bpd in December.
Nigeria’s state-owned oil and gas company NNPC reported crude oil and condensate production of 1.6 million bpd for November 2025, up by 1.3% from October levels.
NNPC includes condensate in its output figures, but OPEC does not, and the quotas exclude condensate production.
Going forward, NNPC plans to “Intensify collaboration with our partners through year-end and into 2026 to ensure improved production performance, maximise infrastructure uptime, and maintain high facility maintenance standards across all our assets.”
NNPC is set to increase oil production to 2 million bpd over the next two years, its executive vice president for upstream, Udy Ntia, said in November 2025.
By 2030, NNPC will be pumping 3 million barrels daily, according to the official.
Nigeria has been pumping more crude and drilling more new wells than it has in years, thanks to reforms under President Bola Tinubu that are finally leading to more cash flowing into the upstream industry.
Daily output of crude and condensate has climbed to between 1.7 million and 1.83 million barrels, while active rigs surged from 31 in January to 50 by July.
Tanzania: Zambia, Tanzania Energy Ministers Meet In Dar es Salaam For High-Level Petroleum Security Talks
Tanzanian Energy Minister, Hon. Deogratius John Ndejembi, and his Zambian counterpart, Hon. Makozo Chikote, are meeting in Dar es Salaam, the capital of Tanzania, for a high-level bilateral engagement focused on petroleum-related matters.
The meeting aims to strengthen cooperation between the two countries in advancing energy security and sustainability.
It is also being attended by senior officials from both governments to deliberate on petroleum supply, infrastructure management, and policy coordination, with the objective of enhancing regional energy security and ensuring a stable and reliable fuel supply.
The Zambian delegation, led by the Minister of Energy, includes Deputy Secretary to the Cabinet Oliver Kalabo; Permanent Secretary for Energy at the Ministry of Energy, Professor Ephraim Munshifwa; representatives from the Attorney General’s Office; and the Chairperson of the Energy Regulation Board (ERB).
The composition of the delegation underscores the strategic importance Zambia attaches to the discussions, particularly regarding the coordinated management of shared petroleum infrastructure.
A key focus of the engagement is the TAZAMA Pipeline, jointly owned by Zambia and Tanzania and regarded as a cornerstone of bilateral cooperation in the petroleum sector.
Constructed in the late 1960s to secure Zambia’s fuel supply, the pipeline stretches approximately 1,710 kilometres from Dar es Salaam to Ndola.
Both countries reaffirmed their shared commitment to safeguarding and modernising the pipeline to support a reliable petroleum supply, promote economic development, and further deepen the long-standing bilateral ties between Zambia and Tanzania.