Nigeria: Apapa Residents Scoop Diesel From Overturned Tanker Amid Danger
Hundreds of residents of Apapa in Lagos on Monday morning ignored the dangers associated with fuel exposure as they thronged the Liverpool Bridge, inward Mile 2, where a diesel-laden tanker had overturned, to scoop fuel.
In a video circulating on social media, residents were seen collecting diesel from the fallen tanker using various containers. The diesel reportedly spread across the bridge following damage to the tanker.
The incident was swiftly reported to the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), which dispatched officers to the scene to ensure order and public safety.
In a statement posted on its official X (formerly Twitter) page, LASTMA confirmed that it had been notified of the situation.
The statement read: “There’s a fallen tanker loaded with diesel on top of Liverpool Bridge inward Mile 2.
“The diesel is spreading on the bridge as a result of the damaged tank.
“Men of the Nigeria Police Force from Area B and other safety agencies have been swiftly notified.”
LASTMA further disclosed that traffic had been diverted as a safety precaution and urged motorists to comply with traffic regulations.
“Traffic has been diverted to the other side of the bridge for safety measures.
“Please adhere strictly to all instructions from traffic managers.”
Ghana: Cape Coast And Surrounding Communities To Experience Power Interruption On Tuesday
Central Regional capital, Cape Coast, and surrounding communities will experience a power supply interruption on Tuesday, 20 January 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) and the Ghana Grid Company Limited (GRIDCo) have announced.
In a joint statement issued on Friday, 16 January 2026, the two utilities explained that the interruption is to facilitate the final phase of work associated with the upgrade of a 66MVA power transformer at the Cape Coast Substation.
The transformer upgrade is expected to significantly enhance the substation’s capacity, leading to improved and more reliable power supply for residents and businesses in Cape Coast and surrounding areas, while also improving the overall quality and stability of electricity supply in the region.
According to the statement, all necessary measures have been put in place to ensure the final works are completed promptly and power supply is restored within the scheduled time.
The utilities apologised for any inconvenience the temporary power interruption may cause.
“We assure the public of our continued commitment to delivering reliable and improved electricity transmission services,” the statement concluded.
Zambia, Tanzania Agree On Monthly Fuel Offloading At Dar es Salaam Port
Zambia and Tanzania have agreed on a structured operational arrangement that will guarantee the monthly offloading of one fuel vessel at the Port of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania’s commercial capital.
Under the arrangement, one fuel vessel carrying more than 100,000 metric tonnes of fuel will be berthed and offloaded between the 15th and 25th of each month.
The agreement was announced on Thursday in Dar es Salaam by Tanzania’s Minister of Energy, Deogratius Ndejembi, and Zambia’s Minister of Energy, Makozo Chikote, following a high-level technical engagement involving permanent secretaries and technical experts from both countries.
The Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA) will facilitate the timely berthing and offloading of the vessel, providing certainty in vessel handling schedules and supporting uninterrupted petroleum supply to Zambia.
Addressing the technical teams, the two ministers emphasised the need for strict adherence to the agreed operational decisions, stressing that effective coordination and institutional discipline are critical to sustaining reliable fuel logistics for Zambia.
Mr Ndejembi stated that the measures agreed upon would enhance the security and efficiency of diesel supply logistics to Zambia. He added that additional bilateral energy-related matters were also discussed.
He further underscored the importance of strengthening the long-standing relationship between the two countries by expanding cooperation into other energy sub-sectors, including electricity and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).
Mr Chikote commended the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania for its continued cooperation and facilitation role, noting that the agreement reflects the strong bilateral partnership between the two countries and their shared commitment to regional energy security.
Currently, Zambia transports more than 85 per cent of its diesel requirements under the Petroleum Access Policy Framework through the TAZAMA Oil Pipeline, with fuel offloaded at the Port of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania.
The agreement builds on the historic TAZAMA Pipeline, jointly owned by Zambia and Tanzania, which has for decades served as a critical petroleum transportation corridor for Zambia.
Ghana: Navy Foils Illegal Fuel Bunkering Operation In Volta Region, Seizes Fuel-Laden Canoes
The Ghana Navy has intercepted seven modified canoes suspected to have been used for illegal fuel bunkering along the Keta–Denu–Aflao coastline in the Volta Region.
The suspects involved in the illicit activities reportedly abandoned the vessels upon spotting a naval patrol ship, leaving the canoes to be seized and towed to the naval base in Tema.
Speaking at a press briefing in Tema, the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) of the Eastern Naval Command (ENC), Commodore Solomon Asiedu-Larbi, explained that the perpetrators were detected by a Ghana Navy Ship (GNS) on Monday, January 12, 2026, during a routine sea patrol.
According to him, the suspects were using specially built canoes, locally known as “Dendes,” which contained about 378 empty barrels.
These canoes were clearly engineered for fuel smuggling at sea, underscoring their role in illegal bunkering operations.
Upon sighting the naval ship, the suspects fled the scene, abandoning the canoes.
Commodore Asiedu-Larbi commended the naval crew for their professionalism and vigilance, reaffirming the Ghana Navy’s firm commitment to combating illegal fuel bunkering, as well as other maritime threats including unlawful fishing, smuggling, and transnational maritime crimes.
He further disclosed that, under the guidance of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Godwin Livinus Bessing, additional maritime assets are being deployed to enhance surveillance and improve rapid response capabilities in the Eastern Corridor.
The Command Operations Officer of the ENC, Commander James Dzigbordzi Agrah, provided further details on the incident, noting that the specially built canoes were seized and towed to the harbour after the perpetrators fled upon detecting the Navy ship.
Commander Agrah explained that fuel bunkering syndicates typically operate using larger “mother vessels” stationed offshore, which offload stolen fuel onto smaller canoes for onward smuggling to coastal landing sites.
He noted that such activities result in significant revenue losses through tax evasion, contaminate local markets with adulterated fuel, and cause environmental pollution through fuel spills that threaten marine ecosystems and fish stocks.
Commodore Asiedu-Larbi announced enhanced countermeasures, including intensified community sensitisation programmes, the deployment of unmanned aerial systems, and closer collaboration with maritime stakeholders to dismantle these criminal networks.
The Ghana Navy reaffirmed its commitment to securing the nation’s maritime domain and urged coastal communities to report suspicious activities to help safeguard national security, marine biodiversity, and the sustainability of Ghana’s blue economy.
Ghana: Energy Minister Petitions IGP To Probe Assault On Energy Ministry Staff By Police Officers
Ghana’s Minister for Energy and Green Transition, Hon. Dr John Abdulai Jinapor, has formally petitioned the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), demanding a full and impartial investigation into the alleged assault on staff of the Ministry by two police officers last Thursday while they were commuting to work in one of the Ministry’s official buses.
The development was disclosed by Richmond Rockson, Spokesperson and Head of Communications at the Ministry of Energy and Green Transition.
He said the Minister expects the Ghana Police Service to act swiftly and decisively to ensure accountability, justice for the victims, and the restoration of public confidence in the professionalism and discipline of the Service.
“No citizen of this country should ever be subjected to such treatment, particularly at the hands of law enforcement officers who are mandated to protect lives and uphold the rule of law. The alleged justification for this assault—that staff of the Ministry ‘insulted’ the officers over reckless driving—is wholly indefensible and cannot, under any circumstances, warrant violence or abuse of power,” he stated in a Facebook post.
It will be recalled that two unidentified police officers travelling in a Toyota pickup allegedly assaulted staff members on board a Ministry of Energy and Green Transition bus and nearly killed 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.
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.