Kenya: Kenya Power To Connect 150,000 Customers Under Last Mile Connectivity Project

Kenya’s electricity distribution company, Kenya Power, has announced a plan to connect 150,000 customers to the national grid under the Last Mile Connectivity Project (LMCP) Phase VI, funded by the African Development Bank (AfDB). The customers, comprising households and medium enterprises, will be spread across 45 counties, except Nairobi and Mombasa. “The Government of Kenya has received financing from the African Development Bank toward the cost of the implementation of the sixth phase of the Last Mile Connectivity Project,” said Kenya Power’s Managing Director & CEO, Dr. (Eng.) Joseph Siror. “The funding will go a long way to boost the ongoing national electrification efforts and accelerate the attainment of universal access to electricity by the year 2030.” This is the third round of funding for the Last Mile Connectivity Project (LMCP) from AfDB, with the continental lender having funded Phase I and III of the project, where a total of 536,077 customers were connected. In addition to the targeted customers, the latest phase of the LMCP will also entail system reinforcements and grid extensions. The project will involve the construction and refurbishment of 13 substations (construction of three 33/11kV new substations, refurbishment and upgrade of three 33/11kV substations, and construction of seven new 33kV switching stations). The project will also entail the construction of 211 kilometers and 14 kilometers of 33kV and 11kV distribution lines, respectively, to boost social infrastructure to serve education, healthcare, and water and sanitation. Additionally, 650 kilometers of 33kV lines and 6,798 kilometers of low-voltage network will be constructed to facilitate last-mile connections. To kick-start the LMCP Phase VI project, the Company has invited bids for project consultancy services. The consultant will undertake technical designs and environmental and social performance audits. Further, they will provide support to the Company through procurement and supervision of construction works. Since the inception of the Last Mile Connectivity Project in 2015, Kenya Power has connected 746,867 customers to the national grid. The Company is currently implementing the fourth and fifth phases of the LMCP, which seek to connect an additional 280,000 and 11,000 new customers to the grid, respectively. Apart from the African Development Bank, the LMCP has also been funded by various lenders, including the Government of Kenya, the World Bank, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the French Development Agency (AFD), the European Union (EU), and the European Investment Bank (EIB).         Source: https://energynewsafrica.com

Ghana: Energy News Africa Celebrates 5th Anniversary With Record-Breaking Public Lecture And Forum Attendance

Scores of energy sector players and business operators in the Republic of Ghana attended the 5th anniversary public lecture and forum organised by Energy News Africa Ltd at the Science Technology and Policy Research Institute (STEPRI)-CSIR in Accra, capital of Ghana, on April 7th,2025. The public lecture and forum, themed “Can Ghana’s current power situation support the implementation of 24-Hour Economy and Accelerated Export Development Policy?”, brought together officials from various organizations, including:
  • 24-Hour Economy and Accelerated Export Development Secretariat
  • Electricity Company of Ghana
  • Independent Power Generators-Ghana
  • Energy Commission
  • Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC)
  • Tema Oil Refinery
  • West Africa Gas Pipeline Company (WAPCo)
  • Volta River Authority
  • Trades Union Congress (TUC)
  • Ghana Hotels Association (GHA)
  • Ghana Electrical Contractors Association (GECA)
  • WAC Energy
  • CENIT
  • Association of Ghana Industries (AGI)
  • Bulk Energy Storage and Transportation (BEST) Company
  • African Energy Chamber
  • Centre for Environmental Management and Sustainable Energy (CEMSE)
  • Ghana Energy Awards
  • Genec Electric Limited
  • Chamber of Bulk Oil Distributors
  • Chamber of Oil Marketing Companies
The Head of Innovative Finance, Partnership and Markets at the 24-Hour Economy and Accelerated Export Development Secretariat, Dr. Ishmael Nii Amanor Dodoo, outlined areas of the government flagship policy that will be focusing. Wisdom Ahiataku-Togobo, a sustainable energy specialist, also made a presentation highlighting the current energy situation in the country and what is required to ensure successful implementation of the 24-Hour Economy policy. The presentation was followed by a panel discussion on the power sector, featuring:
  •  Dr. Elikplim Kwabla Apetorgbor, Chief Executive Officer of Independent Power Generators-Ghana
  •  Ing. Mark Awuah Baah, Acting Chief Executive Officer of GRIDCo
  • Ing. Kwadwo Ayensu Obeng, Deputy Managing Director in charge of Operations and Engineering at the Electricity Company of Ghana.
  • Mr. Awal Sakib Mohammed, President of Ghana Electrical Contractors Association (GECA)
  • Ing. Kwaku Wiafe, Director for Engineering Services at the Volta River Authority (VRA)
The second panel discussion focused on petroleum, featuring:
  • Mr. Francis Nii Boi Boye Esq., General Manager, Asset & Infrastructure at Bulk Energy Storage and Transportation (BEST) Company Limited
  •  Dr. Yussif Sulemana, Managing Director of Tema Oil Refinery
  •  Mr. Stephen Jomo, Commercial Manager at Ghana National Gas Company
Below are exclusive photos from the event, featuring key stakeholders and discussions from the public lecture and forum

Ghana: National Security Operatives Discover ECG Meters In Uncompleted Building, Cables In Bush

National Security operatives in the Western Region of the Republic of Ghana have reportedly discovered stacks of ECG equipment at two sites in Kansaworado, a suburb of Sekondi-Takoradi in the Western Region. According to media reports, the security operatives detected an uncompleted building, where about seven standard-sized drums of fiber and aluminum cables were found stashed at the compound. Additionally, the team uncovered approximately 100 boxes of single-phase meter enclosures, packs of electrical switches, and other electrical tools. Upon further investigation, it was established that the stock was released by MBH Power to Hegmic Co. Ltd for some electrification works under the Loss Reduction Program (LRP) of the ECG. A supervisor with MBH Power, Evans Lartey, upon interrogation, indicated that the company has documentation covering the said equipment. “I have documentation for this. We started this project around August 2023,” he said. When asked who supervises his work, Mr. Lartey replied, “We have the District Technical Officers, the District Managers, and the Regional Manager of the ECG, who are aware of this.” At the second site, an undeveloped land located a few meters from a private residence, had 41 full drums of aluminum cables and five used cables, including bundles of angle iron bars, dumped in the bush. The owner of the site or the individual who packed the cables there has yet to be identified. Hashem Tanko Nuhu of the National Security disclosed they had been instructed to confiscate the items for further investigation. “Our Regional National Security Coordinator will call our head office in Accra for further instructions. We will call ECG to the table. As of now, nobody has owned up to this. We’ve spoken to some residents here, but they seem not to know the actual owners of the items. We are yet to even establish who owns this parcel of land,” he added. Regarding MBH Power, Mr. Nuhu says the responses offered by the supervisor are dissatisfactory, adding that “the problem we have is how those items got to a private residence.” In the meantime, a reliable source at the ECG has confirmed that the company has a contractual relationship with MBH Power under the Loss Reduction Program. The source, however, did not confirm the operational procedures with the storage of electrical supplies at a private residence.               Source:https://energynewsafrica.com

Liberia: LEC’s New MD Vows To Tackle Liberia’s Power Challenges

The new Managing Director of the Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC), Mohammed Sheriff, paid a courtesy visit to the Minister of Mines and Energy, Wilmot Paye. Both MD Sheriff and Minister Paye exchanged friendly notes with bright prospects of forging a cordial working relation that provides practical solutions to addressing challenges facing electricity availability, sustainability and affordability in Liberia. During the official visit, the new LEC Managing Director also met in audience, the Deputy Minister for Energy, Charles Umehai, who heads the Department of Energy. Minister Paye assured the LEC MD that his administration remains open and supportive in cooperating with the Corporation to revamp the provision of electricity which is a key driver to economic growth and national development. As sector lead, the Ministry of Mines and Energy has and continues to exercise a strong leadership and policy guidance role, ensuring that all actors of the sector are on course with effective and efficient implementation of government programs and projects. Mr. Sheriff was recently appointed by the President of the Republic, H.E Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr., after the conclusion of an independent recruitment process spearheaded by the Minister of Mines and Energy as Chairman. He comes to the position as Head of the national power utility – (LEC) having provided quality leadership over the sub-regional electricity body known as CLSG, which connects Cote d’Ivoire, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea in terms of electricity supply. His appointments come at a critical time when the government is intensifying efforts to stabilize and reform the electricity sector. With new leadership in place, there are hopes for a renewed focus on improving the efficiency and reach of Liberia’s electricity distribution. Beaming with smiles and positive hopes, Mr. Mohammed Sheriff looked ready to hit the ground running in leading reforms and prevailing on transformation at the LEC where necessary in order to revitalize the Corporation. As the country looks toward progress in the energy sector, the acting management at LEC faces the significant task of overcoming longstanding challenges to deliver reliable and affordable power to the people of Liberia.         Source: https://energynewsafrica.com

Ghana: Executive Secretary Of PURC Pays A Courtesy Call To Ashanti Regional Minister

The Executive Secretary of the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC), Dr. Shafic Suleman, paid courtesy call on Ashanti Regional Minister Hon. Dr. Frank Amoakohene on Friday, April 4, 2025, as part of his official working tour in the Ashanti Region. The visit forms part of the Commission’s deliberate and sustained efforts to strengthen institutional collaboration with key Stakeholders and discuss critical issues affecting water and electricity service delivery in the region. Dr. Shafic expressed the team’s appreciation to the Minister for the warm reception and congratulated him on his appointment as Regional Minister. He emphasised that the visit was formally to introduce the Commission’s presence and leadership to the Minister and to explore collaborative strategies for addressing service delivery challenges in water and electricity. Dr. Shafic also outlined the Commission’s national initiative aimed at proactive stakeholder engagement, identifying utility service bottlenecks, and proposing solutions. The Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) is committed to timely interventions and plans to launch a virtual stakeholder platform for real-time customer concern resolution. “The PURC’s approach emphasizes the importance of stakeholder management in achieving successful outcomes. By engaging stakeholders, identifying areas for improvement, and implementing effective solutions, the Commission aims to enhance utility services and customer satisfaction”. Hon. Dr. Frank Amoakohene welcomed this initiative and confirmed his interest in participating and making the enabling environment for state institutions, including PURC, to carry out their mandate. “The Regional Minister, among others, is to facilitate the implementation of presidential policies and therefore pledged his full support to PURC’s activities in the region”. According to Dr. Amoakohene, it appears there is a lack of effective communication from Utility Service Providers, particularly during planned maintenance exercises and emergency power outages, and that continue to be a major concern among residents and called for the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) and other utility service providers to improve their responsiveness, openness, and adopt an integrated and responsive communication strategy. “I have received many complaints regarding high utility tariffs, perceived expensive prepaid meters fees, access to potable water in hinterlands, and accessibility of fire hydrants, which are often obstructed, during fire outbreaks” Hon. Dr. Amoakohene concluded by reaffirming that his office remains open for continuous engagement and expressed optimism that proactive public engagement and service transparency will go a long way in reducing consumer dissatisfaction. Dr Amoakohene accepted the proposal from Dr Shafic for the Commission to create a common WhatsApp platform for key stakeholders in the region to share information and offer real-time solutions to the challenges of electricity and water. Dr. Shafic assured the Hon. Minister that the concerns raised would be factored into the Commission’s strategy for Ashanti as it remains a strategic priority for PURC. The Executive Secretary of PURC was accompanied by Alhaji Jabaru Abukari, Director for Regional Operations and Consumer Services; Dr. Eric Kofi Obutey, Director for Research and Corporate Affairs; Mr. Leon Acquaye, Deputy Director, Regional Operations and Consumer Services responsible for the Southern Zone; Dr. Robert Tia Abdulai Aziz, Head of Corporate Affairs; Mr. Peter Agbemefor, Assistant Manager, Finance; and Mr Godfred Kwaku Ennin, the Secretary to the Executive Secretary. The Ashanti regional team of PURC, comprising Mr. Edward Boduah, Regional Manager; Mr. Richard Asiedu, Regional Public Relations and External Affairs Officer; Mr. Frank Agyekuhene, Complaints Officer; Mr. Alex Asare, Complaints Officer; Ms Adubea Anita Ntim, Administrative Officer; and Mr. Francis Asenso Yeboah, Transport Officer were all present to assist in the success of the Executive Secretary’s tour of the region           Source: https://energynewsafrica.com      

Ghana: Immediate Past Energy Commission Head Appointed MD Of Karpower Ghana

Rev. Ing. Oscar Amonoo-Neizer, the immediate past Executive Secretary of the Energy Commission, Ghana’s technical regulator for electricity and natural gas, has been appointed as the new Managing Director of Karpowership Ghana. Karpowership Ghana is the second-largest independent power generator in the Republic of Ghana, operating a 470 MW power plant, after Sunon Asogli Power Ghana, which operates a 560 MW combined cycle plant. Ing. Oscar Amonoo-Neizer brings to his new role over 30 years of wealth of experience in the energy sector, spanning policy and energy management, technical regulation, electrical design, and project coordination. Ing. Oscar Amonoo-Neizer played a pivotal role in shaping Ghana’s energy sector through his work in policy formulation, regulatory compliance, and strategic development at the Energy Commission. His leadership was instrumental in implementing technical regulations, developing energy efficiency standards, and strengthening compliance frameworks within Ghana’s electricity and natural gas industries. He also previously served as Director of Energy at the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC), where he led technical audits, policy development, and regulatory enforcement to ensure efficiency and reliability in the electricity sector. Ing. Amonoo-Neizer is a trained Electrical Engineer from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST). He holds an Executive MBA from the University of Ghana Business School and a Postgraduate Certificate in Electrical/Electronic Engineering from Fachhochschule Aachen in Germany. He is a member of the Ghana Institution of Engineers (GhIE) and has been actively involved in international energy negotiations and regulatory forums. Commenting on his new role, Ing. Amonoo-Neizer said, “As the new Managing Director of Karpowership Ghana, I am excited to lead a company that is committed to supplying reliable power to the national grid. “Together with our talented team, we will continue to strengthen operations and ensure that Karpowership Ghana remains a cornerstone of the country’s power sector for years to come.” Karpowership Ghana continues to be a key player in Ghana’s energy mix, delivering consistent and reliable power to the national grid. Under Amonoo-Neizer’s leadership, the company is poised to consolidate its impact while exploring new opportunities for growth and development.     Source: https://energynewsafrica.com

OPEC+ Countries Boost Oil Production Amid Healthy Market Outlook

Eight OPEC+ countries – Saudi Arabia, Russia, Iraq, UAE, Kuwait, Kazakhstan, Algeria, and Oman – held a virtual meeting on April 3, 2025, to assess global market conditions and outlook. Given the strong market fundamentals and positive outlook, the countries decided to implement a production adjustment of 411,000 barrels per day in May 2025, as part of their gradual return of 2.2 million barrels per day voluntary adjustments. This adjustment, equivalent to three monthly increments, may be paused or reversed based on market conditions, allowing the group to maintain oil market stability. The countries also aim to fully compensate for any overproduced volume since January 2024 and will submit updated compensation plans to the OPEC Secretariat by April 15, 2025. The eight OPEC+ countries reaffirmed their commitment to voluntary production adjustments and will hold monthly meetings to review market conditions, conformity, and compensation. Their next meeting is scheduled for May 5 to determine June production levels. Source:https://energynewsafrica.com

Nigeria:NNPC Ltd Names New 8-Man Senior Management Team

Nigeria: Nigeria’s national oil company, NNPC Limited, has announced the appointment of a new 8-man Senior Management Team following the appointment of Mr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari as the new Group Chief Executive Officer. A statement issued by Olufemi Soneye, Chief Corporate Communications Officer, NNPC Ltd, mentioned Roland Ewubare as Group Chief Operating Officer; Adedapo Segun as Group Chief Financial Officer; and Olalekan Ogunleye as Executive Vice President, Gas, Power & New Energy. Other members of the team are: Udy Ntia as Executive Vice President, Upstream; Mumuni Dangazau as Executive Vice President, Downstream; Sophia Mbakwe as Executive Vice President, Business Services; and Adesua Dozie as Company Secretary & Chief Legal Officer. “All appointments are with immediate effect,” the statement said.             Source: https://energynewsafrica.com

Ghana: GRIDCo Restores Full Power Supply After System Disturbance

The Ghana Grid Company (GRIDCo), operator of the National Interconnected Transmission System, has announced the full restoration of power supply following a system disturbance that occurred on Thursday, April 3, 2025. Some parts of Accra, Kumasi, Sunyani, Techiman, Bui, Tumu, Sawla, and other areas in Northern Ghana experienced a power outage on Thursday night. According to GRIDCo, the outage was caused by a fault at 20:09 hours on the Tafo-Nkawkaw transmission line, resulting in a trip. While efforts were underway to restore the line, adjacent lines tripped, causing a loss of some power plants. “This loss of generation resulted in the loss of power supply to some parts of Accra and Kumasi, as well as the Northern parts of Ghana beyond Kumasi,” GRIDCo explained in a statement. GRIDCo’s System Control Centre (SCC) immediately took steps to stabilize the power system and commenced restoration of supply to affected areas. Power supply was fully restored at approximately 22:57 hours. GRIDCo apologizes to the general public for the inconvenience caused by this incident.       Source:https://energynewsafrica.com

Ghana: Northern Region Hit By Massive Power Outage…Residents Sweat In Darkness

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Residents of northern Ghana, who are served by the Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo), are experiencing darkness due to a power outage from the Ghana Grid Company (GRIDCo). A notice shared and sighted by this portal and confirmed by an official of NEDCo reads: “We are currently experiencing outage from GRIDCo affecting all NEDCo areas. Technical men are working to restore power. Sorry for the inconvenience caused.” NEDCo, a subsidiary of state-owned Volta River Authority, supplies power to the Northern Region, Upper East Region, Savanna Region, North East Region and Upper West Region, Bono, Bono East, Ahafo regions and part of the Ashanti and Volta regions.     Source: https://energynewsafrica.com

Ghana Weighs Three Options For Private Sector Participation In ECG, NEDCo

Ghana’s energy sector stakeholders have proposed three options for the government to consider in introducing Private Sector Participation (PSP) in the power distribution sector. A seven-member technical committee constituted by the Energy Minister, John Abdulai Jinapor, to solicit the views of Ghanaians on the government’s plan to introduce private sector participation in both the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) and the Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo), submitted its report on Wednesday, April 2, 2025, highlighting the three options for consideration.The three proposed options are:
  1. Entity Concession, where the whole distribution business would be given to a private concession as one whole concession.
  2. Multiple Lease, where power distribution across the country would be divided into several parts and awarded to private operators.
  3. Service Franchise, where the private sector would operate the network, the low voltage network from the distribution transformer to deliver services to the homes.
These options seek to improve the efficiency of power distribution in Ghana. The government will evaluate these proposals and select the best option for PSP in ECG and NEDCo. Speaking at the event, Mr John Abdulai Jinapor, expressed his appreciation for the committee’s diligent work and noted that the government was committed to creating a conducive environment for private investment in the power sector. The Minister emphasised that addressing the current inefficiencies and enhancing energy distribution remain top priorities of government to meet the growing demand of the sector. “All we want is a reliable, affordable and dependable supply of electricity,” he stated. The findings of the report stress the need for regulatory frameworks that support private sector engagement while ensuring consumer protection and fair pricing mechanisms. Furthermore, it suggests that strategic partnerships between government and private entities can leverage new technologies and innovative practices, potentially transforming the sector. Mr Jinapor reaffirmed that the government was not going to sell ECG or NEDCo. The Chairman of the committee, Mr Jabesh Amissah-Arthur, said the committee consulted 285 individuals and 35 organisations in the two-month period. Also, he noted that the group had identified nine major challenges that were impeding the performance of distribution utilities in the country, adding that the challenges were categorised into four groups. “The first group has to do with the administrative set-up of ECG, and we see problems with governance, management malaise, and procurement problems,” he said. Additionally, Mr Amissah-Arthur highlighted that operational issues were also hindering the performance of ECG distribution function, which included high losses in both commercialisation and collection, and high losses in terms of technical and unaccounted energy. Furthermore, he indicated that there was a widespread customer dissatisfaction with the services they were receiving from the distribution utilities across the country. Prior to the submission of the committee’s report, the Executive Director of Energy News Africa, Mr. Michael Creg Afful, in an article cautioned against handing over ECG to a single company. He suggested that government should consider a multi-company approach in the proposed Private Sector Participation (PSP). According to him, the multi-company approach was bound to be more successful than a single-company approach. By multi-company approach, he meant that the government should select five companies out of the number of the companies that participated in the bidding process based on their technical expertise and financial strength. Mr. Afful said four of these companies should be made to form two joint ventures (JVs), while the fifth company should be made to stand independently. To ensure efficiency, he proposed that the government should divide ECG’s operational areas into three zones. Zone 1 should comprise Central, Ashanti and Western regions, while Zone 2 should comprise Eastern and Volta regions. He stated that the last zone (zone 3) should be Greater Accra only and should be made standalone due to its large population. Under this arrangement, he proposed that the two joint venture (JV) entities should each be made to manage one of the first two groups, while a single company should oversee Greater Accra. Mr. Afful advised that the government should then establish Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to measure the efficiency and effectiveness of the selected companies. “These companies should be assessed six months after taking over ECG’s revenue collection, with a full assessment at the one-year mark. If any company fails to meet the set targets, their contract should be terminated outright,” he suggested.     Source: https://energynewsafrica.com

Zambia: Energy Minister Pushes For More Investment In Mini-Grids

Zambia’s Energy Minister, Makozo Chikote, has reiterated the government’s commitment to expanding electricity access through mini-grid projects. Speaking at the 8th Mini Grid Action Learning Event in Lusaka on April 2, 2025, Minister Chikote noted that the country has made significant progress in increasing the number of operational mini-grids, from just two to 19. These mini-grids are providing reliable electricity to off-grid areas, supporting businesses, schools, and healthcare facilities. “This expansion demonstrates our dedication to ensuring that no Zambian is left behind in accessing clean and affordable electricity,” Chikote said. “We are working with various stakeholders and development partners to scale up these solutions even further.” The government has set an ambitious target to achieve universal electricity access by 2030, which requires 3.2 million new connections. Key initiatives such as the Micro-Generator Scheme and the Presidential Solar Initiative are expected to play a crucial role in adding 270 megawatts to the national grid. Chikote also stressed the importance of diversifying Zambia’s energy mix beyond hydropower to ensure long-term stability in the face of climate change. The Secretary General of Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) Madam Chileshe Kapwepwe underscored the importance of regional collaboration in advancing sustainable energy solutions. “By fostering cooperation among member states, we can share best practices, mobilize resources, and implement innovative mini-grid technologies that will bridge the energy access gap across the region,” Kapwepwe said. She emphasized that partnerships among governments, private sector players, and development organizations are key to achieving the goal of universal electricity access. World Bank Country Manager for Zambia, Achim Fock, reiterated the institution’s support for the country’s energy sector transformation. He highlighted the National Energy Advancement Transformation initiative aimed at improving Zambia’s electricity sector by 2033. “The focus is on addressing immediate financial challenges while laying the groundwork for a diversified and sustainable energy future,” Fock stated. The 8th Mini Grid Action Learning Event continues until April 3, featuring discussions, workshops, and site visits to mini-grid projects. The outcomes of this gathering are expected to accelerate Zambia’s rural electrification agenda and serve as a model for other nations striving for sustainable energy access.   Source:https://energynewsafrica.com  

Nigeria: WAPCo Trains 164 Nigerian Artisans, Invests $750,000 Annually

The West African Gas Pipeline Company Ltd. (WAPCo) has committed over 750,000 dollars annually to train more than 164 artisans in Nigeria, with a focus on empowering local communities. Dr Isaac Adjei-Doku, General Manager, Corporate Affairs of WAPCo, made this announcement during the graduation ceremony of youth participants from operational areas in Ota, Ogun State. Adjei-Doku said that the company also provided start-up tools and scholarships to deserving students in Nigeria. “Every year, we allocate no less than 750,000 dollars across the four countries we operate in and we’ve been doing this for over a decade. “In Nigeria alone, WAPCo supports around 170 individuals annually through vocational training and scholarships across Ogun and Lagos States,” he said. Adjei-Doku explained that while some equipment was not brought to the event in Ogun State due to logistical challenges, similar programmes were carried out in other regions, such as Badagry. “Typically, each candidate receives support valued at no less than 600 dollars,” he added. Adjei-Doku emphasised WAPCo’s ongoing investment in the communities where their pipeline passes. The general manager said that this includes funding educational initiatives like building schools and hospitals, as well as transitioning to livelihood programmes aimed at directly empowering local populations. He said that the company introduced the Livelihood Programme to identify talented but disadvantaged individuals within their communities, offering scholarships and vocational training through the Community Youth Employment Scheme (CYES). The spokesperson said that the scheme, which is being celebrated, focuses on providing the skills needed to start businesses and create lasting opportunities. Adjei-Doku highlighted Nigeria as the company’s largest community, with 56 communities located along the pipeline. “We feel it’s our responsibility to give back to the communities that allow us to operate here. “The company’s efforts align with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, as they prioritise social investment and community empowerment. “Upon completing their training, beneficiaries receive tools to start their own businesses, helping to lift themselves and others out of poverty. “WAPCo ensures follow-up support for those who have benefited from their programmes, fostering long-term success,” he added. He said that over the years, WAPCo had built strong, incident-free relationships with the communities along their pipeline, spanning more than 20 years. During the ceremony in Ota, the General Manager of Corporate Affairs also noted the significant funding allocated to scholarships and CYES, aimed at supporting students and young entrepreneurs in their journey toward higher education and self-sufficiency. The local leadership expressed their gratitude to WAPCo for its contributions. Oba Abdul Azeez Akinde, the Oloja Ekun of Igbesa Land, commended the company for its positive impact on the community, vowing to ensure the protection of the pipeline. He urged the youth to wisely use the tools they received to empower themselves and their communities. Similarly, Oba Abdul-Wasiu Ogungbayi, the Onitetiku of Owode, Ota, called for monitoring of the beneficiaries, ensuring they make the most of the opportunities provided to them. One of the beneficiaries, Adeyemi Oluwagbenga, expressed their appreciation for WAPCo’s vocational training initiatives, which, along with the provision of tools, offer a pathway to economic independence and serve as a model for others in their communities. NAN reports that the ceremony featured the distribution of various tools, including ovens, refrigerators, freezers, building materials, sewing machines and catering equipment, empowering the graduates to begin their entrepreneurial journeys.               Source: https://energynewsafrica.com

South Africa: Fuel Prices Fall Amid Strong Rand

South Africa has announced a reduction in petrol and diesel prices for April, bringing relief to motorists. The price drop is driven by lower global oil prices and a stronger rand. A statement issued by the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources confirmed 53 cents and 72 cents reduction for 93 and 95 octane petrol respectively. Diesel price has also seen a decrease of 83 and 85 cents per litre, depending on the grade. Paraffin at the retail level has decreased by R1.14 per litre. Fuel Pricing Manager at the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources Robert Maake says, “The reason for these decreases is the lower oil prices and stronger rand against the dollar during the period under review. The minister has approved the annual adjustment to the transport tariffs and will range from zero cents per litre in zone 1a to 7.5 cents a litre in zone 14c, which is in Mokopane and Limpopo. This means that the fuel price changes will be different in the 54 magisterial district zones.”       Source:https://energynewsafrica.com