Ghana: Transport Operators Suspend Planned 20% Fares Increment
Transport Operators in the Republic of Ghana have suspended a planned 20% increase in fares which was expected to take effect on Friday, August 8, 2025.
The decision to suspend it follows an emergency meeting on Wednesday between transport operators and the Ministry of Transport, citing lack of broader consultation before the announcement of the proposed increase.
A statement issued by Mr Emmanuel Nii Ankrah, National Vice Chairman, and Emmanuel Ohene-Yeboah, General Secretary of Ghana Road Transport Coordinating Council, stated that they had agreed to maintain current transport fares.
Many Ghanaians questioned the planned quantum jump in transport fares when fuel prices have been a bit lower in recent times compared to same period last year.
The operators said they had not experienced a corresponding reduction in the cost of spare parts and other goods and services following an earlier 15% fare reduction implemented on May 21, 2025.
They further argued that a newly introduced GH¢1.00 per litre fuel levy has pushed fuel prices up by approximately 8%, directly impacting operational costs for drivers and transport companies.
Lastly, they mentioned worsening road conditions across the country, resulting in increased maintenance costs, further compounding the financial strain on operators.
The 20% increase will apply to all categories of public transport, including shared taxis, intra-city “trotro” services, long-distance intercity transport, and haulage.
“All commercial transport operators and companies are to comply with the new fares and visibly post them at their loading terminals,” the Council said.
The Council appealed to commuters, transport operators, and the general public to cooperate for the smooth implementation of the revised fares.
Reacting to the issue, the Chamber of Petroleum Consumers Ghana (COPEC) questioned the matrices that informed any such drastic upward reviews of public transport fares.
The Executive Director of COPEC, Mr Duncan Amoah, rejected the argument by the transporters that the recent introduction of GH¢1 levy on a litre of petroleum products had pushed fuel prices upwards.
“The overall effect of the new One Ghana levy is still not sufficient to wipe out the sustained reductions recorded at the pumps over the past couple of months.
“For the avoidance of doubt, fuel prices which used to sell for around GH¢15/litre as of January 2025, when it declined to around GH¢11 and GH¢12/litre saw a section of drivers who were magnanimous in reducing transport fares by some 15%, though a cross section of other driver unions did not reduce their fares and had to be literally chased by the local assemblies.
“On the balance of odds or numbers, the pricing levels as of today are still not anywhere near the January prices…”
Touching on government attempts to reintroduce the road toll systems, Mr Amoah noted that although the tolls system would have some monetary impact on them, it is justification for any increment in transport fares as the effects would not only be felt by the already suffering masses but would further diffuse genuine outcry by the people for the cost of goods and services to be reduced across all sectors to bring some relief.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Suncor Beats Expectations With Q2 Results
Canadian oil heavyweight Suncor Energy reported higher-than-expected earnings for the second quarter, booking a net result of $820 million and returning over $1 billion to shareholders in the period.
The company benefited from an increase in crude oil production during the second quarter that helped it compensate for lower overall energy commodity prices, accumulating some C$2.7 billion ($1.96 billion) in funds from operations, and C$1 billion ($730 million) in free cash flow. Operating profits, however, halved from the first to the second quarter of the year and were substantially lower than the figure for the second quarter of 2024, at C$873 million versus C$1.626 billion for Q2 2024. In the first quarter of 2025, Suncor posted operating profits of C$1.629 billion. Cash flow from operating activities, however, went up to C$2.9 billion, from C$2.16 billion for the first quarter of the year. This came from a record production of 808,000 barrels daily, which drove the first-half average to a record as well, at 831,000 barrels daily. Refinery throughput during the second quarter was also at a record level. The daily average stood at 442,000 barrels, while the first-half daily average reached 462,000 barrels, also a record high. “What stands out the most about our strong second quarter is the outstanding execution of major upstream and downstream turnaround activities, completed safely and ahead of schedule,” chief executive Rich Kruger said, commenting on the second-quarter results. “This performance was a key driver behind Suncor’s record-setting second quarter and first half volumes results and positions us extremely well for a strong second half of the year.” Suncor lowered its capital expenditure plans for the full year, now planning to spend some C$5.7-5.9 billion ($4.1-$4.3 billion), which is down from earlier spending plans for over C$6 billion, or $4.36 billion. Source:Oilprice.comMadagascar Commits To SADC Centre For Renewable Energy And Energy Efficiency Program
Madagascar has signed the SADC Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (SACREEE) Intergovernmental Memorandum of Agreement (IGMoA), becoming the 12th SADC Member State to sign the SACREEE IGMoA.
The Minister for Energy and Hydrocarbons, Hon. Olivier Jean-Baptiste, signed the document on behalf of Madagascar during the 8th SADC Industrialisation Week, witnessed by the SADC Deputy Executive Secretary for Regional Integration, Ms. Angele Makombo N’tumba.
This commitment underscores Madagascar’s dedication to the uptake of clean and green energy, energy efficiency, and increasing energy access for its people.
Since its establishment, the SACREEE Intergovernmental Memorandum of Agreement has now been signed by twelve (12) SADC Member States, namely Angola, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, the United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
Out of the twelve (12) Member States, seven (7) – Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Mauritius, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe – have submitted SACREEE instruments of ratification.
The SADC Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (SACREEE) was established in 2015 by SADC Energy Ministers, with a mandate to promote increased access to modern energy services and improved energy security across the SADC Region.
SACREEE operates from Windhoek, Namibia, as approved by the SADC Council of Ministers, following a recommendation by SADC Ministers responsible for Energy to host the centre in Namibia.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Ghana: GNPC Inaugurates New Audit Committee To Enhance Governance And Accountability
The Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) has inaugurated a new Audit Committee to strengthen its governance, accountability, and financial oversight.
The new Audit Committee, chaired by Mr. Benjamin Sowah Adjetey, comprises Mrs. Stella Hannah A. B. Segbawu, Mr. Paul Kwasi Agyemang, Yoo Naa Andani Yakubu Abdulai, and Hon. Seidu Alhassan Alajor as members.
The inauguration ceremony, held on July 29, 2025, was presided over by Mr. Thomas Ashaley Thompson-Aryee, the Acting Director-General of the Internal Audit Agency (IAA). Mr. Kwame Ntow Amoah, GNPC’s Acting Chief Executive Officer, emphasized the committee’s importance in maintaining trust and transparency.
He pledged management’s full support for the new committee’s work.
Speaking at the inauguration, Mr. Thompson-Aryee highlighted the evolving role of audit committees in the public sector, noting recent parliamentary discussions and public financial management reforms, including the Commitment Control Compliance Checklist (CCCC).
This checklist requires entities to obtain approval for procurement transactions above a certain threshold and mandates internal auditors to submit quarterly CCCC reports to the IAA.
Mr. Thompson-Aryee reminded attendees that the second-quarter reports were due by July 31, 2025, and stressed the importance of compliance to avoid sanctions.
He also extended an invitation for GNPC leadership to attend the 2025 Annual Internal Audit Conference in November.
In his closing remarks, Mr. Amoah expressed confidence that the new committee would resolve existing audit issues and help establish GNPC as a model of accountability within the public sector.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Speaking at the inauguration, Mr. Thompson-Aryee highlighted the evolving role of audit committees in the public sector, noting recent parliamentary discussions and public financial management reforms, including the Commitment Control Compliance Checklist (CCCC).
This checklist requires entities to obtain approval for procurement transactions above a certain threshold and mandates internal auditors to submit quarterly CCCC reports to the IAA.
Mr. Thompson-Aryee reminded attendees that the second-quarter reports were due by July 31, 2025, and stressed the importance of compliance to avoid sanctions.
He also extended an invitation for GNPC leadership to attend the 2025 Annual Internal Audit Conference in November.
In his closing remarks, Mr. Amoah expressed confidence that the new committee would resolve existing audit issues and help establish GNPC as a model of accountability within the public sector.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com Tanzania: RSK Delivers HSSE Oversight For Puma Energy Tanzania’s CNG Project
RSK Tanzania, a consulting and contracting company, has been contracted by Puma Energy to provide health, safety, sustainability, and environmental (HSSE) oversight for its inaugural compressed natural gas (CNG) infrastructure project in Tanzania.
Puma Energy is looking to create four new CNG facilities across Dar es Salaam and Morogoro as part of its strategic commitment to enhance fuel accessibility and drive sustainable growth across transport, commercial, and industrial sectors.
The facilities will include a high-installed-capacity mother station, one of the largest of its kind in Africa, a daughter station, and two retail stations, marking a transformative step in the nation’s energy landscape.
RSK Tanzania is working with Puma Energy Tanzania to ensure health, safety, sustainability, and environmental (HSSE) compliance during the pre-construction, construction, and commissioning phases of the project, drawing on its international structure to provide a comprehensive suite of HSSE services.
The RSK team carried out all aspects of the health, safety, security, and environmental due diligence checks on the project.
Experts comprehensively assessed system readiness, refined risk management plans, developed new and evaluated plans, and updated critical HSSE policies, procedures, and standards in alignment with both national regulations and international best practices.
RSK Project Manager Emmanuel Patrick emphasized the project’s alignment with the Tanzanian Government’s efforts to promote alternative energy sources: “CNG offers a cost-effective, lower carbon alternative for transport, commercial, and industrial applications, directly supporting the government’s vision for cleaner energy.”
Patrick said, “This is a big and innovative project, and RSK Tanzania has brought in experts from across the international RSK Group, including environment, health, and safety experts from Australia, India, and the Middle East, to support our national team.”
Patrick said RSK is providing ongoing monitoring with periodic audits and site visits to oversee compliance throughout the project, from construction to commissioning.
Puma Energy CNG Project and Operations Manager Engineer Chagaka Kalimbia highlighted the project’s significance: “As Puma Energy’s first CNG project in Africa, this investment represents a significant milestone in Tanzania’s approach to lower-carbon and sustainable energy solutions.”
The increased availability of CNG will enable broader fuel switching across sectors, including transportation and industrial thermal applications, by allowing more users to convert not only vehicles but also equipment such as generators and boilers.
The two retail online stations will have a combined dispensing capacity of up to two million standard cubic feet per day, serving a wide range of vehicles, including light-duty vehicles, three-wheelers, heavy-duty trucks, and CNG-powered buses.
The mother station, which can supply up to 6.7 million cubic feet per day, is engineered to supply bulk volumes to CNG tube trailers, heavy trucks, and CNG buses, while supporting reliable distribution to CNG daughter stations across Tanzania.
Engineer Chagaka further noted that CNG dispensing at retail online stations should begin in the near future.
Expansion plans include additional facilities in the country.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Ghana: Energy Minister Visits NEDCo Over Unprovoked Attacks On Staff
Ghana’s Minister for Energy and Green Transition, John Abdulai Jinapor, has paid a working visit to Tamale in the Northern Region to engage the management of Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo) and chiefs following recent unprovoked attacks on some NEDCo staff by youth in Tamale.
The incident compelled NEDCo staff to withdraw field services in Tamale.
According to sources, Minister Jinapor has already met with some chiefs and is yet to meet NEDCo management.
On July 30, 2025, some NEDCo staff were stopped, dragged out, and beaten with clubs and sticks by Tamale youth while driving official vehicles. The vehicles were seized and parked at the Gukpe Naa’s Palace.
More soon…..
Ghana: Reassigned Director Martin Sulemana Fingered In Unprovoked Assault On NEDCo Staff, Seized NEDCo Vehicles
It has emerged that the recent unprovoked and unwarranted attack on the staff of Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo) by some youth of Tamale was instigated by a director of the company who is unhappy about his reassignment to another department.
A document available to this portal indicates that Mr Martin Sulemana, who was the Director for Human Resources Department, was on July 11, 2025 reassigned as Director for Corporate Strategy and Business Development alongside Ing. Noble Dormenu as Director for Engineering Services Department.
Following his reassignment, which per the fact available to this portal is not the first time Mr Sulemana, according to impeccable sources, went to complain to His Royal Majesty, the Overload of Dagbon, and other chiefs about his reassignment and asked them to intervene.
Consequently, the acting Managing Director, Ing John Okine Yamoa, was invited to the Palace of the Overlord and some of the chiefs to address the concerns and clarify the reassignments of both Mr Sulemana and Ing. Noble Dormenu.
According to information available to this portal, when the Overlord couldn’t attend some of the scheduled engagement by the management of NEDCo in person due to health issues, he sent a delegation.
Despite explanations offered by the management of NEDCo, it appears Mr Sulemana was not satisfied.
A statement issued by the National Executive Council (NEC) of the Volta River Authority claimed that Mr Sulemana had mentioned that he had appointed 37 Dagombas since he became Director of HR Department, a move which he claims the acting MD has not been happy about.
The NEC accused Mr Sulemana of leaking his reassigned letter on social media and to some media houses in Tamale, including Zaa TV, ostensibly to seek public support for his diabolical action.
According to NEC, reassignment is not alien as far as the operations of the company are concerned and highlighted similar reassignments in the past.
NEC mentioned the reassignment of the former Director, Corporate Strategy, Ing Bukari Danladi, to VRA’s
Corporate office in Accra, Mr. David Adomako-Mensah, Director, Services (NEDCo), to main VRA as Director, Real Estate and Security Services Department,
Mr. Hashim Iddrisu and Director, Finance (NEDCo) to Director, Commercial,
NEDCo.
NEC said the staff of NEDCo are reassigned from time to time, including managers, in line
with the strategic objectives of the company.
The group, which condemned the assault on the staff, demanded the arrest of the perpetrators, retrieval of three-seized NEDCo vehicles parked at the Gulkpenaa palace and urged Martin Sulemana to respect management’s decision.
Besides, the group called on the Minister for Energy and Green Transition, Mr John Abdulai Jinapor, to intervene to bring peace and harmony to the company.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Nigeria: Energy Sector Challenges: 5 Key Issues That Require Immediate Action
I. A Reform with Promise—and Peril
Yes, the Electricity Act 2023 fulfills a constitutional mandate and provides a legal basis for state‑level electricity regulation. But granting power to the States is only half the story—successful decentralization demands institutional capacity, coordination mechanisms, and legal harmonization. Without these, the Act risks becoming a vehicle for market fragmentation rather than inclusive empowerment.
II. Multiple Regulators = Market Fragmentation
IT must be stated that State Regulatory Autonomy comes with high regulatory transaction costs:
- PwC warned that 37 distinct state electricity laws could result in market distortions and unhealthy rivalry, disrupting the national market.
- Mondaq predicts multiple licensing across states would significantly increase operational delays and compliance costs for multi‑state GENCOs, DisCos, and IPPs.
- NERC’s own Legal Commissioner cautioned that lack of regulatory alignment could destabilize grid operations and drive away investors, especially when tariff orders conflict.
- Several analysts note that only a handful of states ever started serious regulatory work after NERC ceded authority. Others have yet to draft meter‑based tariffs, rules for theft reduction, or wholesale pricing mechanisms.
- During implementation forums, PwC advised caution—many states are yet to develop feasibility studies or invest required capital to set up regulatory agencies.
- Without engineers, economists, legal analysts and tariff n + 3 experts, State regulators risk becoming rubber stamps—or worse, vehicles for political rent‑seeking.
- With each state setting tariffs independently—some subsidizing, others cost‑reflecting—consumers in one border town could pay 60% more than their neighbor.
- There are no clear national guardrails: no standard subsidy policy, no mechanism to ensure lowest bands receive minimum access—even though Section 34 calls for inter‑state coordination.
- If high‑capacity industrial customers migrate to low‑tariff states, the fiscal load will fall on small //Band E// households, undermining equity.
- Dr. Idowu Oyebanjo argued that amendment attempts already created uncertainty—investors freeze when regulatory frameworks look unstable mid‑implementation.
- PwC and BusinessDay reports stressed that ambiguous rules across 36 regulators, unknown fees, and conflicting state laws make developers wary of committing capital.
- Nigeria’s grid collapsed ten times in 2024 due to underinvestment, vandalism, and aging lines—impacting multiple regions simultaneously.
- Without national coordination, asset transfer disputes (e.g. spanning multiple states) could paralyze planning and delay upgrades.
- The Transmission Service Provider (TSP) and NISO now exist—but federal authorities are still the gatekeeper of interstate wheeling and generation dispatch. In effect, States are regulators, not grid operators.
- Create a national template for SERCs, with mandatory minimum standards and mirror Sections of NERC’s Metering, Theft, and Tariff Code.
- Phase in decentralization slowly—only states that demonstrate readiness (financial plan, staffing, assets, analytics team) should assume regulation.
- Adopt regional regulators or consortiums (e.g. North‑West pooling)—to preserve economies of scale while allowing local flexibility.
- Harmonize wholesale pricing and cross‑border rules via NERC’s oversight of grid‑connected generators; prevent double licensing where investments cross state lines.
- Activate the Power Consumer Assistance Fund (PCAF) before removing subsidies, to cushion vulnerable consumers—already named in the electricity law but still dormant.
- Keep any amendment bill on hold until all State electricity laws are operational, with deep stakeholder consultation—not speeded legislation.
Russia’s Gasoline Prices Surge To Record High On Refinery Attacks
Russia’s domestic gasoline market is under mounting pressure, with prices hitting a new record high despite an emergency export ban aimed at stabilizing supply.
The price of Ai-95 gasoline surged past 77,000 rubles ($946.6) per ton on the St. Petersburg International Mercantile Exchange (SPIMEX) on August 4.
The latest spike follows Ukrainian drone strikes on August 2 that damaged multiple oil refineries across Russia, cutting processing capacity by around 40,000 tons of crude per day. Facilities in Ryazan, Penza, Samara, and Voronezh Oblasts were targeted, with the Ryazan refinery sustaining notable damage. Repairs could take anywhere from one to six months, industry sources say.
Moscow imposed a sweeping ban on gasoline exports on July 28, set to last until the end of August, in an effort to prevent fuel shortages and curb price increases. The Kremlin has used similar temporary restrictions multiple times in the past two years to safeguard domestic supply.
Despite the export ban, traders were warning just days before the record-breaking spike that the ban may not prevent shortages. Export volumes are far smaller than domestic consumption, meaning that redirecting them to the local market will have a limited impact.
Market participants expect state regulators to pressure oil companies to sell more domestically and delay planned maintenance. But even so, low domestic stocks, peak seasonal demand, and ongoing refinery repairs are straining the market.
The shortage concerns go beyond disrupted supply chains. According to industry sources, private retail networks have not built up sufficient fuel reserves this summer. A spike in interest rates to 20% made borrowing to stockpile gasoline prohibitively expensive, leaving traders without the buffer needed to weather sudden supply shocks.
In addition, frequent flight delays in Russia this summer have reportedly driven more travelers to take to the roads, pushing gasoline consumption higher than usual. The combination of low reserves and elevated demand has intensified fears that shortages will persist through September.
Ukraine’s strikes on Russian oil infrastructure are designed to limit Moscow’s fuel export revenues and disrupt supplies to its military. The damage from the latest attacks has added to the already fragile balance in the domestic fuel market.
Given that refinery repairs could extend into early 2026, the current supply squeeze is unlikely to be resolved quickly. Even with the export ban in place, the record price level strongly suggests the market is already grappling with real physical shortages rather than just speculative pressure.
Industry experts expect prices to remain elevated at least until October, when seasonal demand eases and local refineries complete major repairs. Until then, the Kremlin may be forced to consider additional interventions to avert a politically damaging fuel crisis.
Source: Oilprice.com
Tanzania: Over 5,000 Three-Wheelers Converted To Use CNG
More than 5,000 three-wheeled motorized vehicles in Tanzania have been converted to use Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) as an alternative to petrol or diesel, according to the Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation (TPDC). Senior Community Development Officer at TPDC, Mr. Ally Mluge, disclosed this at the ongoing Nane Nane 2025 exhibition for the Southern Zone in Lindi Region.
“To date, over 5,000 three-wheeled vehicles are running on CNG instead of petrol or diesel,” Mr. Mluge said, noting the growing shift towards cleaner and more cost-effective fuel solutions. He added that TPDC has developed eight CNG filling stations across the country, including the largest ‘mother station’ in Dar es Salaam, which was launched in May 2025.
The facility has the capacity to refuel up to 1,200 vehicles per day and is expected to significantly reduce fuel costs and ease congestion at other filling stations.
In a related development, Mr. Mluge noted that approximately 1,512 households in Dar es Salaam, Lindi, and Mtwara have been connected to natural gas for clean cooking purposes. In addition, 57 industries are now using natural gas as a clean energy source.
TPDC is also implementing a project in the Mnazi Mmoja area of Lindi to distribute clean cooking gas to 470 households in Lindi and 570 households in Mkuranga District, Coast Region.
Furthermore, Mr. Mluge said that TPDC, in collaboration with the Rural Energy Agency (REA), is supporting the National Clean Cooking Strategy, which aims to connect 80% of Tanzanian households to clean cooking solutions by 2034.
“TPDC is fully committed to the National Clean Cooking Strategy and is working closely with REA to promote the adoption of clean cooking technologies across households, institutions, and commercial users,” he said.
Lindi District Commissioner, Ms. Victoria Mwanziva, praised TPDC’s efforts in expanding access to clean cooking energy, noting that the initiative has reduced reliance on polluting fuels and helped mitigate the negative impacts of traditional cooking methods.
“We truly appreciate TPDC’s efforts, especially their public awareness campaigns, which are playing a crucial role in encouraging communities to adopt clean energy solutions,” she said.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Zambia: Minister For Energy Launches 2025 Energy Week To Promote A Sustainable Energy Future
Zambia’s Minister for Energy, Makozo Chikote, has officially launched the 2025 Energy Week, which will run from August 4th to 8th, 2025, under the theme “Advancing Towards a Sustainable Energy Future.” Energy Week is an annual event aimed at raising public awareness of the Government’s policies, reforms, and developments in the energy sector.
In his address, Minister Chikote said this year’s theme underscores the Government’s commitment to attracting investment and ensuring Zambia’s long-term energy security, particularly in the wake of the severe drought experienced during the 2023/2024 rainy season.
He reaffirmed that the Government remains determined to provide sustainable solutions and build robust, climate-resilient energy systems through a series of reforms in both the electricity and petroleum sub-sectors.
Minister Chikote mentioned key reforms in the electricity sector, including Net Metering, Single Energy Licensing System, and Incentives for Renewable Energy Equipment.
In the petroleum sector, the Minister highlighted the implementation of an open-access policy for the TAZAMA Pipeline, which now allows licensed oil marketing companies to use the pipeline on a competitive basis. This has improved operational efficiency and contributed to lower fuel pump prices for citizens countrywide.
Minister Chikote noted that under the leadership of President Hakainde Hichilema, the Government has made significant progress in expanding energy access. Since 2021, the national electricity access rate has increased from 34% to 54%, with rural access rising from 8% to 34% and urban access improving from 69% to 80%. He further stated that the Government remains focused on increasing renewable power generation.
He cited the commissioning of the 100MW Phase 1 Chisamba Solar Power Plant as a milestone and reaffirmed that Zambia is on course to deliver an additional 1,000MW of solar PV capacity by the end of 2025, in line with President Hichilema’s directive, to help eliminate load shedding.
Minister Chikote urged citizens, especially those in Mongu, to participate fully, engage with energy sector professionals, and learn about the Government’s ongoing measures to secure a reliable and sustainable energy future for Zambia.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Zambia: ZESCO Emergency Tariffs Extended For Three Months More
Zambia’s Energy Regulation Board (ERB) has extended the emergency tariff period for ZESCO Limited due to ongoing electricity generation challenges caused by low water levels in major reservoirs. Despite recent rainfall, water levels remain inadequate, impacting hydropower production.
As a result, the ERB has extended the emergency period for three more months (from August 1 to October 31, 2025).
In a statement, the ERB said it has maintained the emergency tariffs approved in October 2024.
This decision follows ZESCO’s application and review in line with the Electricity Act No. 11 of 2019, which requires periodic assessments every three months. The ERB’s resolution aims to address the ongoing electricity supply challenges in Zambia.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Nigeria: Dangote Refinery Appoints David Bird As New CEO
Africa’s largest oil refinery, Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals in the Republic of Nigeria, has appointed David Bird as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) in a move seen as a strategic step in company’s push to accelerate its pan-African growth agenda.
Bird, whose appointment took effect on August 1, brings over 30 years of industry experience, including a 14-year tenure as an executive at Shell, where he oversaw the $12 billion Prelude Floating LNG project.
He had previously served as CEO of the Q8 Refinery in Oman. The move comes at a time when the refinery is striving to surmount production challenges and advance its expansion plans, which include nationwide distribution of fuel in Nigeria—a scheme already facing significant pushback.
As Vice-President of Prelude FLNG at Shell, he led the world’s first floating LNG facility and chaired Shell Australia’s RAP board. The oil and gas professional also served as Head of Operations at Pulau Bukom in Singapore, Shell’s largest refinery.
Commenting on his latest appointment, Bird said his focus would be on expanding the group’s footprint beyond the Nigerian market and across the African continent. He added that he would be responsible for driving maximum output and operational efficiency to position the company as a global market leader.
The 650,000 barrels per day (bpd) capacity refinery was inaugurated by former President Muhammadu Buhari in May 2023.
On January 12, 2024, the refinery announced the commencement of diesel and aviation fuel production following the delivery of its sixth one-million-barrel crude cargo.
The plant confirmed the start of petrol production on September 3, 2024, stating that the product meets global quality standards.
The refinery later announced an exclusive partnership with Premier Product Marketing LLC to export its polypropylene to global markets.
By August 15, 2025, Dangote refinery is expected to begin distributing fuel to end-users using 4000 compressed natural gas (CNG)-powered trucks.
Dangote also plans to list its refining business on the Lagos and London stock exchanges, although it has not given a timeframe.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Mozambique: Gridworks’ Chimuara-Nacala Transmission Line Gets $5M U.S. Funding Boost
The United States Government through its International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) has provided a US$5 million grant to support Gridworks’ ongoing development of Phase II and III of the 460km Chimuara-Nacala transmission line, which is connecting central and northern regions of Mozambique.
The project will increase the reliability of the grid, boost industrial development, and allow the uptake of more power generation in the southern African nation.
Gridworks, which is owned by British International Investment, the UK Government’s Development Finance Institution, is developing the project in partnership with Electricidade de Moçambique (“EDM”), Mozambique’s national electricity utility.
This is the first time that DFC is providing a development grant specifically for a transmission project in Africa and reflects DFC’s commitment to supporting the technical, legal, and environmental work being undertaken by Gridworks to fast-track the project to financial close.
The government of Mozambique has shown continent-wide leadership in its desire to attract private sector financing for the development of its key infrastructure. The grant from DFC supports Gridworks’ efforts to implement what is Mozambique’s first privately financed Independent Transmission Project (ITP).
With growing industrial demand for power and only half of the population having access to electricity, Chimuara-Nacala is a high-priority project for the Government of Mozambique, which recognizes that network expansion, increased grid capacity, and resilience are necessary to ensure that increased power generation meets rising customer demand.
Gridworks and EDM began collaborating on the project in 2023. The project infrastructure includes a 400kV transmission line from Alto Molócuè – Namialo (272 km), a 220kV transmission line from Namialo – Nampula (98 km), and a 220kV transmission line from Namialo – Nacala-à-Velha (90 km). It also includes two new substations at Namialo and Nacala-à-Velha and the expansion of the Nampula substation.
The project is being built in three phases, with construction of Phase I by EDM already ongoing.
Gridworks Interim CEO, Chris Flavin, said, “Chimuara-Nacala transmission line is a crucial project connecting the central and northern regions of Mozambique with a high-voltage transmission spine. It will create economic opportunities and support the government’s ambition of universal electricity access.”
DFC Senior Vice President of Investments, Mateo Goldman, added, “DFC is proud to partner with Gridworks to advance energy security in Mozambique. Energy independence is vital for regional stability and economic growth. This strategic investment strengthens local capacity while also laying the groundwork to mobilize private capital to further develop reliable and secure power infrastructure in regions critical to U.S. national interests.”
An investor in Africa’s electricity transmission & distribution sector, Gridworks is developing a series of ground-breaking projects to bring clean, affordable and reliable power to Africa’s people and its businesses.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com