On Friday, China retaliated and hiked its tariff to 125% for U.S. goods.
“Even if the U.S. continues to impose higher tariffs, it will no longer make economic sense and will become a joke in the history of world economy,” according to a CNBC translation of a statement from the Customs Tariff Commission of the Chinese State Council. While equity markets took a breather with a short-lived relief rally after the 90-day tariff pause, oil prices continued to be hammered by the U.S.-China trade and tariff tit-for-tat as investors fear economic downturns would dent demand for oil. Early on Friday in Asian trade, crude oil prices were on track to book their second consecutive weekly loss as markets reel from President Trump’s tariff offensive. “While the pause offers some relief to markets, there’s still plenty of uncertainty on the trade front,” ING commodity analysts Warren Patterson and Ewa Manthey wrote in a note on Thursday. “This uncertainty is still likely to drag on global growth, which is clearly a concern for oil demand. Still, conditions are not looking as bad as they were just a few days ago.” Source: https://energynewsafrica.comOil Prices Drop As China Retaliates With 125% Tariff On U.S. Goods
China hit back at the U.S. tariffs by raising on Friday the Chinese tariff on U.S. goods to 125% from 84% earlier, escalating the U.S.-China standoff.
“The U.S. imposition of abnormally high tariffs on China seriously violates international and economic trade rules, basic economic laws and common sense and is completely unilateral bullying and coercion,” China’s Finance Ministry said in a statement.
Oil prices, which had been climbing before China’s announcement, dropped in response to the news. At the time of writing, both WTI and Brent were in the red at $59.91 and $63.16, respectively.
U.S. President Donald Trump backed down earlier this week from a full-blown trade war with the entire world and announced a 90-day pause in the planned tariffs on all countries.
However, China remained in the crosshairs of the Trump Administration, which continued to impose higher and higher tariffs on imports from China.
The U.S. Administration had signaled that countries would be “rewarded” if they did not retaliate.
The Gambia Launches Technical Working Group For National Deep Decarbonization Pathways
The Gambia’s Ministry of Petroleum, Energy and Mines has launched a Technical Working Group (TWG) to develop the country’s National Deep Decarbonization Pathways (NDDPs), a crucial step towards transitioning to a low-carbon energy sector.
The TWG will collaborate with STANTEC, a consulting firm, to design NDDPs for The Gambia’s energy sector.
The Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Petroleum, Energy and Mines, Mrs. Mansata M. Darboe said TWG will be responsible for codesigning the NDDPs and providing requested data and guidance to the consultant on the country-specific priorities.
This plan aims to support African member states in developing their national energy transition and decarbonization pathways.
The primary goal of this initiative is to support The Gambia’s transition to a low-carbon energy sector, aligning with global efforts to limit global warming to 2°C or less.
The NDDPs will provide a roadmap for the country’s energy sector transformation, ensuring sustainable development and reduced greenhouse gas emissions.
The Deep Decarbonization Pathways initiative is a global effort, with similar projects implemented in 35 countries across all continents.
Source:https://energynewsafrica.com
This plan aims to support African member states in developing their national energy transition and decarbonization pathways.
The primary goal of this initiative is to support The Gambia’s transition to a low-carbon energy sector, aligning with global efforts to limit global warming to 2°C or less.
The NDDPs will provide a roadmap for the country’s energy sector transformation, ensuring sustainable development and reduced greenhouse gas emissions.
The Deep Decarbonization Pathways initiative is a global effort, with similar projects implemented in 35 countries across all continents.
Source:https://energynewsafrica.com The Gambia: NAWEC Announces Emergency Power Shutdown In Banjul
The National Water and Electricity Company (NAWEC) has announced an emergency power shutdown in Banjul, effective Thursday, April 10, from 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM, affecting residents and businesses.
According to NAWEC, the shutdown is necessary to facilitate critical emergency maintenance work on both outgoing lines from Karpowership.
“This maintenance requires both engines to be temporarily taken offline during the shutdown period,” a statement issued by NAWEC said.
The company assured the public that its teams are working diligently to complete the work as quickly and safely as possible.
“Efforts will be made to minimize the impact on affected areas,” NAWEC said.
The company apologised for any inconvenience caused and appreciated the public’s patience and understanding during this time.
Source:https://energynewsafrica.com
Zambia: Gov’t Takes Delivery Of First Diesel Consignment Under Tazama Open Access System
Key Details
The Ministry celebrated this milestone, stating that it represents a significant achievement in implementing the TAZAMA Open Access system.
This system fosters equitable and transparent access to pipeline infrastructure for multiple importers.
“We are encouraged by the high level of professionalism, coordination, and dedication demonstrated by all teams involved in this critical process,” the Ministry said.
The Ministry acknowledges the efforts of the Energy Regulation Board, TAZAMA Pipelines Limited, participating importers, and technical teams for their collaboration and commitment to ensuring the smooth execution of the Open Access Framework.
The Ministry remains committed to advancing strategic reforms that foster long-term improvements in the energy sector and contribute to the sustainable development of the nation.
Source:https://energynewsafrica.com
- The MT ISABELLA vessel arrived on March 31 and began discharging into Tazama storage tanks on April 5, concluding on April 8, 2025, at 19:45 hours local time.
- The first diesel consignment was imported by three companies: Titanium Oil Corporation/ADNOC Joint Venture, Boltt Global Solutions Limited, and Indeni Energy Company Limited.
The Ministry celebrated this milestone, stating that it represents a significant achievement in implementing the TAZAMA Open Access system.
This system fosters equitable and transparent access to pipeline infrastructure for multiple importers.
“We are encouraged by the high level of professionalism, coordination, and dedication demonstrated by all teams involved in this critical process,” the Ministry said.
The Ministry acknowledges the efforts of the Energy Regulation Board, TAZAMA Pipelines Limited, participating importers, and technical teams for their collaboration and commitment to ensuring the smooth execution of the Open Access Framework.
The Ministry remains committed to advancing strategic reforms that foster long-term improvements in the energy sector and contribute to the sustainable development of the nation.
Source:https://energynewsafrica.com South Africa: Eskom Warns Vandalism Remains A Significant Threat To Continuous Electricity Supply And Public Safety, Losing $11.2 Million In A Year
Key Findings
“We urge communities to play a role in safeguarding the infrastructure that delivers electricity to their homes and businesses,” says Monde Bala, Eskom’s Group Executive for Distribution in a statement issued on Wednesday, April 9,2025.
“Reliable electricity is essential for daily life, preserving food, cooking, heating, lighting, and enabling children to study after dark. Protecting this infrastructure is a shared responsibility,” Monde added.
Vandalism results in unplanned power outages, often leaving homes and businesses without electricity for extended periods.
The restoration process can be prolonged, particularly when essential infrastructure such as transformers or high-voltage breaker components is damaged, as these items can take weeks to replace.
Although Eskom has seen a reduction in these crimes due to increased collaboration with law enforcement agencies and improved security measures, the problem persists and remains unacceptable.
“We cannot continue to lose members of our communities to these preventable incidents,” concludes Bala.
“Everyone must remain vigilant, report suspicious activities, and reject the notion that vandalism is an acceptable means of survival.”
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
- Infrastructure vandalism and theft have cost Eskom approximately R221 million ($11,206,086.21) year-to-date (April 1, 2024, to February 2025), down from R271 million ($13,741,399.84) in the same period the previous year.
- Eskom commends the South African Police Service (SAPS) for its recent intelligence-driven operation, which led to the arrest of six suspects found in possession of Eskom property valued at R1.5 million.
- The suspects appeared in the Ngwelezane Magistrate’s Court on April 7, 2025.
“We urge communities to play a role in safeguarding the infrastructure that delivers electricity to their homes and businesses,” says Monde Bala, Eskom’s Group Executive for Distribution in a statement issued on Wednesday, April 9,2025.
“Reliable electricity is essential for daily life, preserving food, cooking, heating, lighting, and enabling children to study after dark. Protecting this infrastructure is a shared responsibility,” Monde added.
Vandalism results in unplanned power outages, often leaving homes and businesses without electricity for extended periods.
The restoration process can be prolonged, particularly when essential infrastructure such as transformers or high-voltage breaker components is damaged, as these items can take weeks to replace.
Although Eskom has seen a reduction in these crimes due to increased collaboration with law enforcement agencies and improved security measures, the problem persists and remains unacceptable.
“We cannot continue to lose members of our communities to these preventable incidents,” concludes Bala.
“Everyone must remain vigilant, report suspicious activities, and reject the notion that vandalism is an acceptable means of survival.”
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com Gambia: NAWEC Commissions New Switching Station In Farafenni To Enhance Power Reliability
The Gambia’s National Water and Electricity Company (NAWEC) has commissioned and energized the newly constructed switching station in Farafenni, North Bank Region. This achievement marks a significant milestone under the GERMP Backbone Access Project Phase 2, financed by the European Investment Bank (EIB), European Union (EU), and World Bank (WB).
According to NAWEC, the new switching station is a critical upgrade that enables improved power distribution, system flexibility, and reduced losses across the region. Prior to this development, the network relied on a 33kV line with limited capacity and significant constraints.
“The new infrastructure allows for efficient power importation and facilitates easier isolation during faults or maintenance, enhancing reliability for residents and businesses from Farafenni to Kerewan and Barra/Amdalai,” NAWEC said.
“This new infrastructure, implemented through NAWEC’s Project Implementation Unit, significantly enhances power reliability across the North Bank Region, ensuring quality delivery and timely execution.”
Commissioning works were completed on April 7, 2025, and electricity supply has been fully restored to all affected areas.
NAWEC says it will continue to monitor the system to maintain stability and optimal performance.
Source:https://energynewsafrica.com
UK: Gov’t Investigating Claims Green Fuel Contains Virgin Palm Oil
The UK government is investigating a fast-growing “green fuel” called HVO diesel amid claims of significant fraud, the BBC has learned.
HVO is increasingly popular as a transport fuel and for powering music festivals and its backers say it can curb carbon emissions by up to 90% as it can be made from waste materials like used cooking oil.
But industry whistleblowers told the BBC they believe large amounts of these materials are not waste but instead are virgin palm oil, which is being fraudulently relabelled.
And data analysed by the BBC and shared with the UK’s Department for Transport casts further doubt on one of the key ingredients in HVO, a material called palm sludge waste.
Europe used more of this waste in HVO and other biofuels in 2023 than it is thought possible for the world to produce.
In response to the BBC’s findings, the Department for Transport said they “take the concerns raised seriously and are working with stakeholders and international partners to gather further information”.
HVO, or hydrotreated vegetable oil, has been called something of a wonder-fuel in recent years as it can be used as 100% substitute for diesel reducing planet warming emissions.
UK consumption rocketed from 8 million litres in 2019 to about 699 million litres in 2024, according to provisional government figures.
Its green credentials rely heavily on the assumption that it is made from waste sources, particularly used cooking oil or the waste sludge from palm oil production.
But industry whistle-blowers have told the BBC that they believe virgin palm oil and other non-waste materials are often being used instead.
That would be bad news for the planet, as virgin palm oil is linked to increased tropical deforestation, which adds to climate change and threatening endangered species like orang-utans.
This palm oil “floods the market like cancer,” one large European biofuel manufacturer told the BBC.
They said that to stay in business they have to go along with the pretence that they are using waste materials.
Another whistle-blower, a former trader of these biofuels, also speaking anonymously, gave the BBC his account of one recent case dealing with supposedly waste products.
“I believe that what I bought was multiple cargos of virgin palm oil that has been wrongly classified as palm oil sludge,” they said.
“I called one of the board members and told them about the situation, and then I was told that they didn’t want to do anything about it, because the evidence would be burned.”
As well as this testimony, data compiled by campaign group Transport & Environment and analysed by the BBC suggests that more palm sludge waste is being used for transport biofuels than the world is probably able to produce.
The figures show that the UK and EU used about two million tonnes of palm sludge waste for HVO and other biofuels in 2023, based on Eurostat and UK Department for Transport figures.
EU imports of this sludge appear to have risen further in 2024, according to preliminary UN trade data, although the UK appears to have bucked this trend.
But the data analysed by the BBC, which is based on well-established UN and industry statistics, suggests the world can only produce just over one million tonnes of palm sludge waste a year.
This mismatch further suggests non-waste fuels such as virgin palm oil are being used to meet Europe’s rapid growth in biofuels, according to researchers and industry figures.
“It’s a very easy game,” said Dr Christian Bickert, a German farmer and editor with experience in biofuels, who believes that much of the HVO made with these waste products is “fake”.
“Chemically, the sludge and the pure palm oil are absolutely the same because they come from the same plant, and also from the same production facilities in Indonesia,” he told BBC News.
“There’s no paper which proves [the fraud], no paper at all, but the figures tell a clear story.”
Underpinning the sustainability claims of biofuels is an independent system of certification where producers have to show exactly where they get their raw materials from.
It is mainly administered by a company called ISCC, and in Europe it has a long-standing reputation for ensuring that waste materials turned into fuel really do come from waste, by working with national authorities.
But in Indonesia, Malaysia and China, three of the main sources of the raw ingredients claimed to be waste for HVO, supervision is much more difficult.
“ISCC is simply not allowed to send anybody to China,” said Dr Christian Bickert.
“They have to rely on certification companies in China to check that everything is OK, but China doesn’t allow any inspectors in from outside.”
This concern is echoed by several other groups contacted by the BBC.
Construction giant Balfour Beatty, for example, has a policy of not using the fuel, citing sustainability concerns.
“We just are not able to get any level of visibility over the supply chain of HVO that would give us that level of assurance that this is truly a sustainable product,” Balfour Beatty’s Jo Gilroy told BBC News.
The European Waste-based and Advanced Biofuels Association represents the major biofuel manufacturers in the EU and UK.
In a statement they said “there is a major certification verification issue that needs to be addressed as a matter of priority”, adding that the “ISCC should do much more to ensure that non-EU Biodiesel is really what it claims to be”.
In the light of growing fraud allegations, the Irish authorities have recently restricted incentives for fuels made from palm waste.
The BBC also understands that the EU is about to propose a ban on ISCC certification of waste biofuels for two-and-a-half years, although it is expected to say it is not aware of direct breaches of renewable goals.
It would then be up to individual member countries to decide whether to accept certifications.
In response, the ISCC said it was “more than surprised” by the EU’s move, adding that it had been “a frontrunner in implementing the strictest and effective measures to ensure integrity and fraud prevention in the market for years”.
“The measure would be a severe blow to the entire market for waste-based biofuels,” it said.
Source: BBC.com
Trump Revokes Oil Majors’ Gas Project Licenses Offshore Venezuela
The Trump Administration has revoked licenses for oil supermajors Shell and BP and their partners to operate natural gas projects offshore Venezuela that plan to send gas to Trinidad and Tobago, the Caribbean island’s Prime Minister Stuart Young has said.
Since taking office in January, U.S. President Trump has started to tighten the screws on Venezuelan oil industry and exports, revoking Chevron’s license and the licenses of the European firms to export crude from the South American country, which holds the world’s largest crude oil reserves.
The U.S. Treasury has revoked a license for French oil firm Maurel & Prom to operate in Venezuela and is no longer allowing firms to receive oil from Venezuelan state oil firm PDVSA in lieu of payments.
The U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has issued a wind-down license until May 27, 2025, authorizing M&P, Spain’s Repsol, and Italy’s Eni to undertake transactions necessary to conclude operations previously covered under the now-revoked license.
Now the withdrawal of the licenses has hit BP and Shell for two gas fields in Venezuelan waters that the supermajors plan to develop with Trinidad and Tobago and its National Gas Company (NGC).
The U.S. Treasury in early 2023 granted a license to Trinidad and Tobago, allowing the Caribbean nation to develop the Dragon gas field offshore Venezuela in partnership with Shell and do business related to the gas field with Venezuela’s state oil firm PDVSA.
The importance of energy security for Trinidad and Tobago was one of the reasons why the U.S. granted the initial license—to boost the energy security in the Caribbean basin.
But now the licenses for the Dragon field with Shell’s participation and the Cocuina-Manakin project involving Trinidad and Tobago and BP are revoked by the Trump Administration, making Trinidad and Tobago more vulnerable to a decline in its gas production.
Prime Minister Young said Trinidad and Tobago would seek a meeting with representatives of the U.S. Administration to pitch the importance of the gas projects for Trinidad.
Source: oilprice.com
Angola: SPIE Secures Five-Year Maintenance Contract For Offshore Angola Oil Platforms
SPIE Global Services Energy, a subsidiary of SPIE, has announced the signing of a five-year contract with Sonangol Exploração & Produção for the general maintenance of the Block 3/05 oil complex in Angola.
This contract, which commenced in early September 2024, covers the offshore maintenance of Cobo, Pacassa and Palanca platforms in Block 3/05, oil fields located about 200 km off the coast of Luanda and operated by Sonangol Exploração & Produção.
SPIE Global Services Energy is providing general maintenance services covering electrical and mechanical equipment, HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning), as well as turbomachinery, instrumentation, and automation systems.
The services provided to Block 3/05 are tailored to the specific needs of the installations and are geared towards curative and conditional maintenance rather than systematic preventive maintenance.
“The nature of the site requires more staff than a standard field. Our safety requirements are particularly stringent and we train our teams with a view to ensuring optimal safety on the various sites,” explains Jean-Claude Roumagnac, Director of Operations for Angola and Mozambique.
SPIE Global Services Energy has been responsible for part of the maintenance at Block 3/05 since 2012. Over time, a trusted collaboration and spirit of partnership have developed with the customer. This was one of the decisive factors in securing this key contract covering all the sites.
Prioritizing local employment and training
SPIE Global Services Energy’s ambitious training policy, along with its proposal for the nationalization of positions, also played a significant role in winning the contract.
“In 2022, we launched our own training center, thereby reaffirming our commitment to the development of local skills,” said Jerome M. Oliveira, Sub-Saharan Africa Business Unit Director.
“This center makes us one of the few companies in the country to offer continuous training to our teams, strengthening the skills of Angolan employees and actively preparing them for access to strategic positions. Since the beginning of 2024, 256 employees have already benefited from this initiative, concretely demonstrating our commitment to promoting the nationalization of positions and supporting the development of local talent.”
Indeed, local employment is a priority for SPIE Global Services Energy: the process has already begun with the aim of achieving 85% local employment by the time the contract comes to an end.
“We are proud of the trust that Sonangol Exploração & Produção has placed in us by awarding us this strategic contract, which positions us as the leading provider of general maintenance services in Angola,” says Christophe Bernhart, Managing Director of SPIE Global Services Energy.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Ghana: TOR’s Commerce Division Exceeds Expectations, Records Highest Revenue In Three Years
State-owned Tema Oil Refinery’s Commerce Division recorded $2,919,515.27 in monthly revenue for February 2025, surpassing its initial target of $1,166,820.00.
This portal understands this is the highest recorded monthly revenue in the last three years.
Sources within the refinery revealed to this portal that the new management has implemented cost-cutting measures to enhance efficiency and minimize product losses.
Furthermore, plans are underway to automate flow meters at the loading gantry to reduce human intervention.
Additional initiatives, including the installation of Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras, are also being considered to improve operational oversight.
According to TOR’s internal report, captioned “TOR In Brief,” March 2025 edition, exceeding the revenue target sets a new benchmark for success in the upcoming months to support the company in meeting its administrative and statutory obligations.
“The refinery almost tripled its internally generated funds (IGF) in monthly revenue, achieving the highest recorded monthly revenue in the last three years.”
It added that this was the outcome of a team that refuses to settle for less, hard work, and strategic planning, resulting in increased inflows and enhanced product storage, reflecting the refinery’s commitment to the strategy of sweating its assets for increased profits.
“At the heart of this achievement are the resilience and dedication of the Commerce Division, with support from finance, maintenance, production, and teams across the organization to maximize revenue opportunities.”
The publication added that collective efforts have strengthened TOR’s financial standing and set an ambitious precedent for future performance, noting that this serves as motivation for the commerce division to achieve even greater success in the upcoming months to drive sustainable growth in the refinery’s terminal business.
During the previous administration, TOR struggled to return to its former glory.
With the new administration in place and Dr. Yussif Sulemana at the helm, Ghanaians, especially industry players, are expecting nothing but a turnaround of the refinery to guarantee fuel security.
Source:https://energynewsafrica.com
Kenya: Kitale Court Sentences Serial Power Equipment Vandal To 6 Years And 10 Month In Jail
A Kenyan court has sentenced a man linked to multiple incidents of vandalism and theft of electricity infrastructure in Western Kenya to six (6) years and ten (10) months in jail, or a fine of KShs. 10.2 million (equivalent of $ 78,764.48), after pleading guilty to four charges under the Energy Act.
The convict, George Odiyo, was charged before Kitale Law Courts on April 1, 2025, with four offenses, including vandalism of energy infrastructure, stealing energy equipment, handling stolen energy equipment, and carrying out electrical installation work without authority.
Mr. Odiyo, described by prosecutors as a habitual offender with previous convictions for similar offenses, pleaded guilty to all the charges.
For each of the first two counts of vandalism of energy infrastructure and stealing energy equipment, he received a 3-year jail term, or a fine of KShs. 5 million( equivalent of $38,674.12).
On the third count, where he was accused of handling stolen energy equipment, he was sentenced to five months in prison, or a fine of KShs. 100,000($773.48 ).
On the fourth count, Mr. Odiyo was accused of carrying out electrical installation works without authority. For this, he received a five-month jail term, or a fine of KShs. 100,000.
“We welcome the court’s decision to impose stiff penalties on this individual, as it sends a strong message that vandalism of critical energy infrastructure will not be tolerated,” said Maj. Geoffrey Kigen (Rtd.), Kenya Power’s Security Services Manager. “We are working closely with the relevant law enforcement agencies to weed out all illegal activities on our network. This ruling is a major boost toward our efforts to curb vandalism and theft of electricity through illegal connections.”
The energy infrastructure has been a frequent target of vandals and criminals, resulting in widespread power outages, disruptions to essential services, and substantial financial losses due to the cost of replacing vandalized infrastructure and lost electricity sales.
The Company urges members of the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities around energy installations to the police or at any of its offices located across the country.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Ghana: 24-Hour Economy Policy Needs Reliable Power To Thrive-Eunice Biritwum
The Executive Secretary of the Energy Commission (EC), Mrs. Eunice Biritwum, has urged heads of the power and petroleum sectors to work towards resolving issues in their sector, asserting that Ghana’s 24-Hour Economy Policy cannot thrive on the shoulders of irregular power and unstable fuel delivery.
She said this in her remarks as the chairperson of the 5th Anniversary Public Lecture and Forum organized by Energy News Africa Ltd. on the theme: “24-Hour Economy: Can Ghana’s current energy situation support this policy?” in Accra on Monday, April 7, 2025.
According to her, the policy can only succeed if it is powered by a strong grid and efficient power supply .
“To power the sector, leaders here today – your mandate is clear. You are the enablers of this economic shift. Likewise, to our petroleum sector leaders -Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC), Ghana National Gas Company (GNGC), Bulk Energy Storage and Transportation (BEST) Company Limited, National Petroleum Authority (NPA), and Tema Oil Refinery(TOR) – you are the lifeline of a productive and competitive economy,” she charged these critical stakeholders.
Mrs. Biritwum also took the opportunity to task stakeholders at the program to find innovative ways to finance Ghana’s grid expansion, reduce power distribution losses in the sector, ensure fuel security, and solve its affordability challenges, and also adopt an efficient tariff structure to encourage increased energy consumption in the country.
“How can we leverage investments already made in our generation, transmission, and distribution infrastructure to utilize existing idle capacity?” the Energy Commission Boss asked.
She recommended urgent, concrete, and actionable strategies that shape policy and attract sustainable investment to make the 24-Hour Economy Policy successful.
Turning to the media, she asked reporters in the energy sector to focus on more than just power outages and fuel shortages for news headlines but also to explain their causes, investigate to uncover inefficiencies, and spotlight silent innovations that deserve recognition in the power sector.
“Let us envision a Ghana where hospitals no longer fear power cuts during sensitive procedures, where night-shift workers thrive in well-lit environments, and where factories operate at full throttle through the night, enhancing efficient production. A Ghana where policy is informed by evidence and communication is grounded in truth. This is the vision before us. This is the work we must do,” she tasked the media.
The Energy Commission Executive Secretary further tasked the media to leverage the rich knowledge shared at the forum to write accurate, innovative, and corroborated stories, explaining that the energy future Ghana builds must be credible, inclusive, and resilient in its perspective.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Unlocking Africa’s Energy Potential: A Critical Year for Upstream Licensing Rounds
The Invest in African Energy 2025 Forum in Paris will showcase Africa’s key upstream licensing opportunities, offering investors exclusive access to critical data and insights, alongside a comprehensive Licensing Rounds Report to guide strategic decision-making.
With a multitude of licensing rounds set to unfold across the continent in 2025, now is the time for investors to rethink their strategies and seize the substantial opportunities in Africa’s rapidly evolving energy landscape.
From the established fields of North Africa’s Mediterranean basin, to West Africa’s prolific production hubs, to East Africa’s emerging frontiers, these licensing opportunities promise high returns for investors seeking new sources of energy and avenues for growth.
The push for regional energy development is stronger than ever, as the continent is primed to play a pivotal role in meeting rising demand while driving local economic growth.
The Invest in African Energy (IAE) Forum, set to take place in Paris on May 13-14, 2025, serves as a premier platform for showcasing these diverse opportunities and facilitating upstream investment across the continent. The forum will offer investors exclusive access to high-quality technical data, regulatory insights and investment opportunities within Africa’s upstream sector. IAE 2025 provides an opportunity for direct engagement with African governments, national oil companies, energy regulators and international partners, enabling one-on-one discussions and tailored sessions to explore licensing opportunities across the continent.
As high-growth emerging markets increasingly compete for global capital, African countries are distinguishing themselves through competitive fiscal terms, streamlined licensing processes, and a commitment to transparency and investor engagement. Several African governments are partnering with seismic data providers like TGS and SLB to enhance access to high-quality datasets – including seismic surveys, production forecasts and field development plans – with frontier markets such as Liberia, Mauritania and Tanzania making strides in improving geological data transparency.
Africa’s licensing rounds are increasingly backed by robust geological surveys, making due diligence and strategic decision-making more efficient. Transparent processes, such as dedicated digital platforms for easy data access and open bidding rounds, have simplified market entry for both new and seasoned investors.
Regional stability, regulatory clarity and government commitment to long-term energy growth are also key factors enhancing the attractiveness of African licensing rounds. The introduction of oil and gas reforms in Nigeria, for instance, have significantly boosted investor confidence, while specific tax exemptions for marginal fields or new exploration zones make certain rounds even more compelling, offering investors an opportunity to maximize returns while minimizing risk. Africa’s diverse offerings – ranging from established hydrocarbon reserves in Angola’s offshore fields to untapped exploration zones in the East African Rift – provide investors with flexibility to diversify their portfolios across both mature and frontier areas.
To help investors navigate this dynamic landscape, IAE 2025 will highlight key licensing opportunities in Africa, offering detailed insights into each region’s hydrocarbon potential.
To further support this, the forum has compiled a Licensing Rounds Report, which outlines available opportunities, technical data and upcoming bid rounds across North, West, East and Central Africa.
This report provides investors with a valuable roadmap to make strategic, informed decisions and offers a preview of key content to be explored at the upcoming forum.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Ghana: Reliable Power Supply Key To Ghana’s 24-Hour Economy Success
The Executive Director of Energy News Africa Limited, Michael Creg Afful, emphasized the urgent need for reliable and sustainable energy infrastructure as Ghana considers implementing a 24-Hour Economy and Accelerated Export Policy.
He made these remarks at the 5th Anniversary Public Lecture and Forum of Energy News Africa Limited held in Accra.
The Need for Reliable Energy Infrastructure
Reflecting on the theme “24-Hour Economy: Can Ghana’s current power situation support this policy?”, Mr. Afful highlighted the importance of energy availability in driving national development.
“We asked ourselves what energy-related issues could spark national dialogue. Then we realized that the proposed 24-hour economy and Accelerated Export Development Program are heavily dependent on energy,” he said.
Current Energy Situation
Mr. Afful raised critical questions about Ghana’s current energy situation, citing the country’s installed energy generation capacity of 5,260 megawatts against a peak demand of about 3,952 megawatts as of December 2024.
“On paper, it looks like we have enough capacity, but the real question is reliability. Can we ensure uninterrupted power so industries can operate at night? Can transportation systems run from 6 a.m. to 6 a.m. the next day?” he questioned.
Infrastructure Needs
Mr. Afful stressed that unless these infrastructure needs are met, the 24-hour economy will struggle to take off. Consistent power outages, such as load-shedding, would render the policy ineffective and force businesses to rely on costly generators, which is unsustainable.
Success Factors
“The success of a 24-hour economy hinges on three things—reliable power supply, reliable fuel supply, and financial investment into energy infrastructure,” Mr. Afful said.
He welcomed the government’s announcement to invest in the energy sector but called for transparency and urgency.
Call to Action
Mr. Afful concluded by urging the next government to prioritize solving the financial challenges crippling the energy sector. “If the liquidity situation is resolved, all other things will follow. That’s my advice,” he stated.
Source:https://energynewsafrica.com