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Ghana: Afenyo-Markin Calls For ECG Reforms To Curb Losses, Ease Burden On Consumers
Former Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) Board Chairman Hon. Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin has proposed three measures to improve the state-owned utility’s finances and operations, urging it to address inefficiencies before seeking further tariff increases.
In a Facebook post on Sunday, Afenyo-Markin, the minority leader in Ghana’s parliament, called for strict enforcement of the revised Cash Waterfall Mechanism, renegotiation of legacy take-or-pay power purchase agreements and automatic monthly deductions by the finance ministry to settle debts owed to ECG by public institutions.
He said ECG’s difficulties stemmed from systemic inefficiencies that required a national dialogue on structural reform rather than partisan blame.
Consumers had faced cumulative tariff increases exceeding 28% over the past 19 months without the underlying structural problems being resolved, he said.
Citing ECG’s financial results, Afenyo-Markin said its loss after tax narrowed to GH¢2.52 billion in 2025 from GH¢8.25 billion in 2024, a reduction of nearly 70%. Revenue rose to GH¢22.1 billion from GH¢19.6 billion.
New connections increased by 31.3% to 222,979, while prepaid customers accounted for 53.5% of the customer base, he said.
Afenyo-Markin described the improvements as real but not yet secure, urging ECG to plug revenue leakages before seeking tariff increases or new levies.
“Reform has achieved what tariff increases alone could not,” he said.
He also called for tighter spending controls and the retention of procurement reforms introduced during his tenure.
Afenyo-Markin said that when he became chairman, vendors could present bills of lading for goods delivered to the port without adequate verification of the consignments.
The arrangement left ECG with financial obligations before taking custody of the goods, exposing it to mounting port charges, delays and the risk of loss, damage or disputes, he said.
“I led the Board to tie contractual completion and payment to verified delivery at ECG’s own facilities,” he said.
“That reform must be sustained,” he said
He urged full implementation of ECG’s Loss Reduction Programme, including boundary metering, smart prepaid meters and systematic electricity theft detection.
These measures, alongside strict enforcement of the Cash Waterfall Mechanism, would help recover lost revenue and reduce the need to pass costs on to consumers through higher tariffs, he said.
Afenyo-Markin also commended ECG Managing Director Kwame Kpekpena and his team for recently convening a luncheon for former managing directors and board chairpersons to share ideas on improving the utility’s performance.
Ghana’s LPG Storage Capacity Exceeds 38,000 Tonnes After Sahara Terminal Opens
Ghana’s liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) storage capacity has increased to more than 38,000 metric tonnes following the commissioning of Sahara Group’s 6,000-tonne terminal in the Tema industrial area.
Other LPG storage facilities include those operated by Tema Oil Refinery, Quantum, and Ghana National Gas Company, whose facility is at Atuabo.
Speaking at the commissioning, Godwin Kudzo Tameklo, chief executive of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), described the terminal as a significant addition to Ghana’s downstream petroleum infrastructure.
“With this investment, Sahara Group now accounts for more than 10 per cent of Ghana’s entire LPG storage capacity. This is a significant addition to our national infrastructure and will help improve supply reliability as Ghana works to expand LPG access,” he said.
Tameklo said the terminal’s round-the-clock operations aligned with President John Dramani Mahama’s 24-Hour Economy initiative.
“The facility operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and is in line with the President’s vision for a 24-hour economy. It demonstrates how strategic private-sector investment can support continuous economic activity and strengthen critical sectors of the economy,” he said.
Abayomi Oyenuga, facility manager at Asharami Ghana, said the terminal comprised two propane-rated spherical tanks with a combined LPG storage volume of approximately 12,000 cubic metres.
“We have invested heavily in the terminal automation system for this facility. Right from product receipt to dispatch, it is fully automated,” he said.
The terminal has six loading bays, seven product pumps, an LPG liquid compressor and a dedicated 12-inch pipeline extending 3.5 kilometres.
It also incorporates fire protection, emergency response and preventive maintenance systems designed to ensure safe and efficient operations.
IEA Urges Members To Accelerate Diesel Releases As Global Supply Tightens
The International Energy Agency (IEA) has urged its member governments to accelerate remaining releases pledged under its March collective action, prioritising diesel, to ease tightening global diesel markets amid Middle East tensions.
Fatih Birol, executive director of the Paris-based agency, made the call in a letter to member governments ahead of an IEA Governing Board meeting on October 15.
He also encouraged all members, including those that have completed their pledged releases, to assess whether additional diesel releases are needed and, where appropriate, outline their scale, timing and supplemental nature.
The governing board meeting will provide an opportunity to review these efforts.
“As we did in March, I believe we can once again demonstrate the IEA’s capacity to act together in support of energy security and economic stability,” Birol said.
Birol also noted renewed attacks on civilian and energy infrastructure in Saudi Arabia, including attacks on the international airport in Riyadh.
Qatar, Saudi Arabia Sign Energy Cooperation Agreement
Qatar and Saudi Arabia have signed a memorandum of understanding to cooperate across the energy sector, QatarEnergy said on Sunday.
Qatar’s Minister of State for Energy Affairs Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi and Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman signed the agreement on the sidelines of the 17th International Energy Forum Ministerial Meeting and the 25th WPC Energy Congress in Riyadh.
The agreement covers oil and gas, refining, petrochemicals, electricity, clean hydrogen, renewable energy, energy efficiency and storage.
It also provides for cooperation on technologies to reduce emissions and address climate change, including carbon capture, transport, utilisation and storage.
The two countries will coordinate on energy, sustainability and climate change through relevant international initiatives and frameworks.
The agreement will take effect once both countries complete the required legal procedures, QatarEnergy said.
UAE Rescues 22 Crew Members From Burning Oil Tanker In Gulf
The United Arab Emirates rescued 22 crew members from an oil tanker that caught fire in the Gulf, Arab News reported, citing the UAE National Guard.
The National Guard said its coast guard responded to a distress call reporting a fire aboard the tanker and dispatched emergency teams to the vessel.
All 22 crew members, described as Asian nationals, were safely evacuated and given first aid before being handed over to the relevant authorities, the statement said.
All were reported to be in stable condition.
The statement did not identify the tanker or disclose the cause of the fire.
The rescue came a day after the Panama-flagged crude oil tanker GEM NO.2 was reportedly struck by an unidentified projectile off the UAE coast on Friday, triggering a fire.
It was unclear whether the two reports concerned the same vessel.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations agency said the vessel was hit about 13 nautical miles west of Al Jazeera in the UAE.
The fire was subsequently extinguished, it said.
The reported strike occurred outside the Strait of Hormuz, raising concerns about risks to commercial shipping elsewhere in the Gulf.
No group has claimed responsibility for the strike.
Tankers have faced heightened security risks in recent weeks amid Iranian threats to block vessels from passing through the Strait of Hormuz without its authorisation.
The strait is a key route for global energy supplies.
Earlier in the week, another tanker was reportedly struck by projectiles off Qatar.
Maritime security authorities have urged shipping operators to exercise greater vigilance amid the escalating tensions.
Ghana: Energy Ministry Names Tema Oil Refinery MD Energy Sector Recovery Programme Champion Of The Year
Ghana’s Ministry of Energy and Green Transition has named Edmond Kombat Esq., managing director of state-owned Tema Oil Refinery (TOR), its Energy Sector Recovery Programme Champion of the Year for 2026.
The recognition was conferred at the ministry’s annual retreat at Volta Serene in the Volta Region. The retreat brings together energy sector leaders to review achievements and challenges and set priorities for the coming year.
Under Kombat’s leadership, TOR returned to profitability, recording a profit before tax of GH¢1.24 billion in 2025.
Before he took office in 2025, the refinery had been largely idle for more than six years and faced significant debt.
Kombat and his team undertook a major rehabilitation programme, enabling the refinery to resume crude processing in late December 2025.
TOR currently processes about 28,000 barrels of crude oil per day. Work is underway to restore its second processing unit, which would return the refinery to its original capacity of 45,000 barrels per stream day. Management plans to increase capacity further to 85,000 barrels per day in the short to medium term, with a long-term target of 200,000 barrels per day.
The ministry recognised Kombat for his role in the refinery’s recovery.
In a Facebook post on Thursday, Kombat thanked President John Dramani Mahama for what he described as his visionary leadership and commitment to revitalising Ghana’s energy sector.
He also thanked Energy and Green Transition Minister John Abdulai Jinapor and the ministry’s leadership and staff for their guidance and support, and commended TOR’s board, management and employees.
“This recognition is a testament to our collective commitment, sacrifice, resilience, and determination to restore TOR to its rightful place as a strategic national asset,” Kombat said.
He said the completion of critical maintenance work and the resumption of crude refining reflected the dedication of the refinery’s team.
“As we reflect on 2026 and prepare for 2027, this honour serves not only as a moment of celebration but also as a renewed call to duty,” he said.
Kombat said the award would encourage the team to improve operational performance, strengthen Ghana’s energy security and contribute to economic growth.
“At TOR, we recognise that the work is not finished. The journey towards a stronger, more efficient, commercially sustainable, and globally competitive refinery continues,” he said.
“I dedicate this recognition to every member of the TOR family and all stakeholders who believe in the vision of a revitalised Tema Oil Refinery.”
In a Facebook post on Thursday, Kombat thanked President John Dramani Mahama for what he described as his visionary leadership and commitment to revitalising Ghana’s energy sector.
He also thanked Energy and Green Transition Minister John Abdulai Jinapor and the ministry’s leadership and staff for their guidance and support, and commended TOR’s board, management and employees.
“This recognition is a testament to our collective commitment, sacrifice, resilience, and determination to restore TOR to its rightful place as a strategic national asset,” Kombat said.
He said the completion of critical maintenance work and the resumption of crude refining reflected the dedication of the refinery’s team.
“As we reflect on 2026 and prepare for 2027, this honour serves not only as a moment of celebration but also as a renewed call to duty,” he said.
Kombat said the award would encourage the team to improve operational performance, strengthen Ghana’s energy security and contribute to economic growth.
“At TOR, we recognise that the work is not finished. The journey towards a stronger, more efficient, commercially sustainable, and globally competitive refinery continues,” he said.
“I dedicate this recognition to every member of the TOR family and all stakeholders who believe in the vision of a revitalised Tema Oil Refinery.” Trump Says Russia Agrees To Supply More Than 4.8 Million Tons Of Diesel
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday that Russia had agreed to supply more than 4.8 million tons of diesel to U.S. and global markets following a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Russia would immediately supply more than 300,000 tons, followed by 500,000 tons in November and another 1 million tons immediately afterwards, Trump said in a post on Truth Social.
A further 3 million tons would be delivered within a short period, depending on the condition of Russia’s diesel refineries, he said.
The U.S. Treasury Department on Friday issued a general licence authorising transactions involving the sale, delivery and importation of Russian diesel, including into the United States, until April 7, 2027.
Trump said U.S. control of the Strait of Hormuz, combined with the Russian supply agreement, would bring down diesel prices in the United States and globally at a record pace.
He said lowering fuel costs for Americans, particularly farmers, ranchers and truck drivers, was his top priority.
He also reiterated that Iran would not be allowed to acquire a nuclear weapon.
The announcement comes as Trump seeks to secure fuel supplies and lower prices amid disruptions to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
On Oct. 2, his administration urged European Union countries to release some of their diesel reserves to ease global fuel prices.
The Group of Seven nations agreed later that day to coordinate the release of 100 million barrels of diesel and other reserves through the International Energy Agency to stabilise global energy markets.
Togo Approves Draft Law To Open Electricity Market To Private Investors
Togo’s Council of Ministers has approved a draft law to open the electricity market to greater private investment and improve the sector’s financial viability, Togo First reported.
The bill, approved on October 6, seeks to modernise existing legislation and facilitate investment in electricity generation, transmission and distribution.
It would establish a legal framework for electricity storage, introduce a new category of eligible customers and allow third-party access to electricity grids.
The proposed law would also strengthen the role of independent power producers and clarify rules for self-generation, self-consumption and feeding surplus renewable electricity into the grid.
Businesses operating in special economic zones would be able to diversify their electricity supplies through self-generation and direct contracts with domestic or regional power producers.
The reforms aim to improve electricity availability, contain costs for businesses and make industrial zones more attractive to investors.
The proposed changes come amid rising electricity demand. Projections by the national utility, Compagnie Énergie Électrique du Togo (CEET), show consumption increasing to 2,753 gigawatt-hours by 2030 from 2,085 GWh in 2024, a rise of nearly 32%, according to Togo First.
Peak electricity demand reached 360 megawatts in the first quarter of 2026, with annual demand growth estimated at about 10%.
Options being explored to meet rising demand include a 120 MW dual-fuel thermal power plant, with support from the World Bank.
Renewables accounted for 41.24% of the country’s total installed electricity generation capacity of 327 MW in 2024.
If enacted, the legislation could help attract private investment, strengthen energy security and support Togo’s goal of universal electricity access by 2030.
Zambia Surpasses 1,000 MW Solar Capacity Target
Zambia has surpassed its target of 1,000 megawatts of installed solar capacity for 2026, President Hakainde Hichilema said, calling for stronger regional cooperation to support Africa’s energy development.
The country’s installed electricity generation capacity has increased to 4,722 MW from 3,777 MW in 2024, while solar capacity has risen to 1,027 MW from 178 MW, Hichilema said in a speech read by Vice President Mutale Nalumango at the opening of the 2026 Energy Forum.
The forum was held under the theme “Driving a Borderless Energy Future for Africa”.
Hichilema said the expansion of solar capacity marked progress in diversifying Zambia’s energy mix as climate change challenges its reliance on hydropower.
The success of Zambia’s energy strategy should be measured by its contribution to economic growth and transformation, as well as by installed capacity, he said.
As the country works towards a generation capacity target of 10,000 MW by 2031, investment in transmission and distribution infrastructure must keep pace, Hichilema said, urging energy sector participants to prioritise transmission.
He said the government was committed to providing a policy environment that supports sustainable investment and called for greater regional energy integration.
Acting Energy Minister Situmbeko Musokotwane said Zambia had several energy projects at different stages of development and expressed confidence that partnerships would help the country meet its 2031 target.
Musokotwane urged investors who had signed power purchase agreements to proceed with implementation, saying the forum should help turn commitments into projects.
Zambia was positioning itself as a regional electricity hub, with its Grow Zambia Agenda focusing on generation, transmission and distribution, he said in a speech read by Arnold Simwaba, permanent secretary responsible for electricity.
Zimbabwe’s Energy Minister July Moyo said an integrated regional energy system was necessary to support expanding industries, particularly mining and agriculture.
Zambia and Zimbabwe were working on an electricity interconnector to strengthen regional energy security, Moyo said, urging countries to invest in cross-border infrastructure before energy crises arise.
Russian Firms To Showcase Energy Technologies At African Energy Week In Cape Town
A delegation of 13 Russian companies will showcase energy and industrial technologies at African Energy Week 2026 in Cape Town, seeking partnerships with businesses in South Africa and other African countries, the Russian Export Center (REC) said.
The business mission, organised by the REC under the national “Made in Russia” brand, will begin on October 13.
Participating companies will present technologies for oil and gas production, drilling and pipeline infrastructure, alongside industrial equipment, instrumentation, control systems and digital infrastructure solutions.
The programme will include business-to-business meetings with importers, distributors and industry representatives from across Africa to discuss local market requirements, supply terms and opportunities for technological cooperation.
The REC said the mission aimed to establish direct business contacts and develop long-term partnerships between Russian and African companies.
The REC, (part of the VEB.RF Group), is a government institution that supports Russia’s non-resource, non-energy exports.
It provides financial and non-financial assistance to companies entering international markets.
The REC Group includes the Russian Agency for Export Credit and Investment Insurance (EXIAR), ROSEXIMBANK and the REC Export School.
Malawi: Trade Unions Call For Urgent Action Over Fuel Shortages, Soaring Black-Market Prices
The Malawi Congress of Trade Unions (MCTU) has urged the government to tackle worsening fuel shortages, saying the crisis is placing an unsustainable burden on workers and households already struggling with rising living costs.
Black-market traders are selling fuel for as much as 20,000 Malawian kwacha per litre, compared with a regulated pump price of approximately 5,619 kwacha, the union said.
In a statement signed by Secretary General Charles Kumchenga, MCTU said the shortages were hurting workers, households, businesses and the wider economy.
It urged the government, through relevant ministries and agencies, including the Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority (MERA), to restore reliable fuel supplies nationwide.
The crisis comes as wages remain well below living costs, the union said, citing 2026 estimates from the Centre for Social Concern that a household needs about 959,522 kwacha a month to meet its basic needs. Many workers earn between 83,720 and 600,000 kwacha a month, depending on their sector and occupation, it added.
MCTU warned that fuel shortages could drive up the prices of essential goods and services, adding to inflationary pressures.
The consequences for Malawi’s economy could be severe if the situation persisted, it said, adding that workers could not continue absorbing fuel shortages and rising prices while their incomes remained largely unchanged.
The union outlined five demands, calling first for immediate government action to ensure adequate and consistent fuel supplies across the country.
It also urged decisive action against fuel hoarding, illegal trading and black-market pricing, saying these practices exploited vulnerable consumers.
MCTU called for stronger management and distribution of fuel supplies to ensure available stocks reached consumers fairly and transparently.
It also demanded regular public updates on fuel availability and the measures being taken to address the shortages.
Finally, the union urged the government to address the foreign exchange shortage, which it said was directly contributing to the fuel crisis.
Nigeria: Government Plans 30-Day Petrol Discount At NNPC Stations, Prioritises Public Transport Operators
Nigeria plans to offer discounted petrol at filling stations operated by state-controlled NNPC Limited for an initial 30 days, giving priority to public transport operators, Finance Minister Taiwo Oyedele said on Thursday.
Speaking in Abuja, Oyedele said the measure would allow the government to sell petrol at cost.
“We are offering a discount on petrol dispensed by NNPC Limited for the next 30 days in the first instance with priority for public transporters nationwide,” he said.
He said the arrangement was not a subsidy.
The government also plans to sell crude oil forward to domestic refiners, with the duration and price yet to be determined, Oyedele said.
“That preserves your budget, provides certainty to the refiners and price stability to the consumers,” he said.
Oyedele said the government was negotiating a ceiling of 1,350 naira per litre for petrol at the ex-gantry level or on its landing cost to help stabilise fuel prices. The price would be reviewed monthly.
“Pump prices do not have to follow every swing in global crude prices or the exchange rate,” he said.
The federal government is also working with state governments to accelerate the rollout of compressed natural gas (CNG), he added.
Oyedele urged transport operators to pass the savings on to passengers through lower fares.
The government would also consider an “excess profit tax” on operators who take undue advantage of consumers anywhere along the energy value chain, he said.
“The proceeds will be used exclusively to cushion the impact of fuel prices, through transport support or vouchers for urban minimum wage earners who are the most vulnerable,” he said.
Oyedele added that the government would work with the National Assembly to consider additional tax relief for low-income earners under the 2027 Finance Bill.
IEA Members Release 325 Million Barrels Of Oil, Seek Faster Stock Drawdowns
Members of the International Energy Agency (IEA) have released about 325 million barrels of oil under a collective action launched in March 2026, with some countries releasing more than they initially pledged, the agency said.
In a statement following a meeting on Wednesday, the Paris-based agency said member governments supported accelerating the remaining stock releases to complete the action as soon as possible.
They also backed prioritising diesel stock releases where possible, citing tightness in diesel markets.
Participants reaffirmed their commitment to completing the March action and expressed support for the IEA’s response to the energy impacts of the Strait of Hormuz crisis.
They stressed the importance of the agency’s continued monitoring of the releases and provision of up-to-date market analysis.
Participants also welcomed a recent statement by G7 leaders on global energy security and market stability, including its emphasis on the free flow of energy trade.
The IEA said its members stood ready to release additional stocks if needed.
The agency’s secretariat will continue working with member governments to monitor implementation of the March action.
Member governments agreed to review the situation at the next scheduled meeting of the IEA Governing Board next week.


