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LATEST ARTICLES
Senegal: Petrol, Diesel Prices Drop
The Government of Senegal has announced a reduction in the prices of automotive fuels (super gasoline and diesel) to ease the burden on transport operators and commuters.
Under the new pricing, petrol (super unleaded gasoline) is now sold at 920 FCFA per litre, down from 990 FCFA per litre, while diesel is sold at 680 FCFA per litre, down from 755 FCFA per litre.
The measure reflects the government’s commitment to strengthening household purchasing power, supporting economic operators, and promoting transparency in the pricing of petroleum products.
A statement jointly issued by the Minister of Energy, Petroleum and Mines and the Minister of Industry and Trade noted that the prices set are maximum rates.
Distributors are therefore authorized to offer lower prices, provided they comply with existing regulations.
The statement added that the relevant departments of the ministries concerned will monitor the proper implementation of these provisions across the national territory.
Ghana: COMAC Celebrates Double Win At 9th Ghana Energy Awards
The Chamber of Oil Marketing Companies (COMAC) in the Republic of Ghana received double honours at the 9th Ghana Energy Awards, held recently at the Labadi Beach Hotel in Accra.
The Chamber was named Brand of the Year, a recognition of its consistent efforts in strengthening industry standards, driving meaningful advocacy, and supporting the growth of Ghana’s downstream petroleum industry.
Formerly known as the Association of Oil Marketing Companies (AOMC), COMAC’s transition into a chamber has enhanced its visibility and amplified its advocacy efforts.
On the same night, the Chief Executive Officer of COMAC, Dr. Riverson Oppong, was honoured with the Energy Advocate of the Year award.
This award acknowledges his leadership, commitment to policy development, and dedication to advancing a safer and more efficient industry for all stakeholders.
“These achievements reaffirm COMAC’s role as a trusted voice for OMCs and LPGMCs across the nation. We are grateful to our members and partners for their continued support as we work toward a more innovative and sustainable energy future,” the Chamber said.
Zambia: Chinese Firm Plans To Develop 900MW Solar Project To Address Power Crisis
China’s Green Shield Security Services Limited has announced plans to develop a 900MW solar power project with battery storage to support Zambia’s efforts to address the ongoing power crisis facing the country.
According to the company, work on the project will begin immediately once the Government grants formal approval.
The announcement was made during a meeting with the Minister of Energy, where the company sought guidance on suitable locations and available incentives for the solar plant.
The company expressed a strong commitment to fast-tracking the investment and aligning with Zambia’s energy development agenda.
Minister of Energy Makozo Chikote welcomed the delegation and assured them of the Government’s full support.
He emphasised that all energy projects remain a priority and that clearance processes would be expedited to ensure quick implementation.
The Minister highlighted the need for rapid project execution, teamwork, and minimal bureaucracy to attract and retain serious investors.
He encouraged Green Shield and other potential investors to work closely with the Ministry to expand Zambia’s energy capacity and drive economic growth.
Ghana: J.K Horgle Transport & Co Wins Energy Sector Operational Resilience Award
Ghana’s largest petroleum haulage company, J.K. Horgle Transport & Company Limited, has been honoured with the Energy Sector Operational Resilience Award at the 9th edition of the Ghana Energy Awards held at the Labadi Beach Hotel in Accra.
The recognition underscores the company’s outstanding performance and long-standing impact on petroleum logistics in Ghana and across West Africa.
Its strong culture of rigorous staff training, continuous monitoring, and performance-driven operations has positioned it as a benchmark for operational excellence in petroleum haulage.
From a humble beginning with about three heavy-duty trucks in the 1970s, the founder, Mr. Joseph Kwaku Horgle, has expanded the business to a fleet of more than 500 heavy-duty trucks.
Founded in the early 1970s and incorporated in 2001, J.K. Horgle Transport & Company Limited has grown from a national operation into an international business, transporting petroleum and allied products across West Africa for multinational and local oil marketing companies.
The company currently employs more than 600 staff and continues to invest heavily in well-trained and experienced drivers and support personnel.
Zambia: Gov’t Announces Electricity Connection Subsidies, Fees Cut To K300
The Government of Zambia has announced a new subsidy programme for electricity connections, effective December 22, 2025. Under the initiative, applicants for new electricity connections will now pay only K300, a significant reduction from the previous fee of K4,846.
Energy Minister Makozo Chikote made the announcement during the Rural Electrification Authority (REA) launch of the Accelerated Sustainable and Clean Energy Access Transformation (ASCENT) initiative in Lusaka.
According to the Minister, the 2026 application window for the subsidy targets 100,000 new electricity connections next year alone.
Mr Chikote also directed REA and ZESCO to ensure the programme is widely publicised, reaffirming the government’s commitment to achieving universal electricity access by 2030.
The US$200 million World Bank–funded ASCENT Zambia Programme aims to connect more than 1.6 million Zambians to electricity and clean cooking technologies over the next five years.
World Bank Country Manager Dr Achim Fock said the initiative brings together the World Bank Group, the African Development Bank, and other partners to support sub-Saharan African countries in providing electricity access to 300 million people.
Meanwhile, REA Acting Chief Executive Officer Alex Mumba commended the government for championing the policy and financing reforms that made the programme possible.
Tanzania: Speed Up Electricity Connection To Customers – TANESCO MD Tells Staff
Tanzania Electric Supply Company Limited (TANESCO) Executive Director, Mr. Lazaro Twange, has urged employees to accelerate electricity connections to customers in line with President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s directive to ensure that 1.7 million new customers are connected annually.
Mr. Twange made the call during a recent visit to the Lake Region, where he held a working session with staff from the Mara, Geita, and Kagera regions. He encouraged them to meet the targets set for each region, particularly in speeding up electricity connections to customers.
He also advised staff to maintain courteous communication when dealing with customers to strengthen collaboration and enhance TANESCO’s public image as a commercial entity.
“I congratulate you for the good work that continues to enhance the organisation’s image in customer service. But I urge you to remain responsible. Leaders, stand with your teams to ensure what is agreed upon is implemented on time. In this, we will be a bit strict; our goal is to ensure every customer is served within the stipulated period,” Mr. Twange emphasised.
For her part, the Director of Human Resources and Administration, Mrs. Margareth Mwandu, said TANESCO recognises and appreciates the contribution of its staff in achieving its goals and advancing its agenda. She reminded employees to avoid actions that could jeopardise their jobs.
“We are pleased to meet you. You are the face of our organisation because you interact with customers directly. Let me commend you for the work you are doing. As you are aware, the company has taken steps to address various challenges, including employee welfare. What we now ask of you is responsibility; the organisation depends on you in serving citizens,” Mrs. Mwandu said.
The working session aims to reinforce key responsibilities and ensure that the organisation’s targets are met.
Ghana: Energy Minister Pushes For Urgent Steps To Tackle Energy Poverty
Ghana’s Minister for Energy and Green Transition, Hon. John Abdulai Jinapor, has emphasised the urgent need for Africa to foster strong partnerships and take the lead in the global clean energy revolution.
“Let us continue to foster strong partnerships and champion an energy transition that empowers people, strengthens economies, and positions Africa as a global exemplar of clean energy leadership,” he said while addressing participants at the 3rd Renewable Energy Forum Africa (REFA 2025) in Accra, the capital of Ghana.
Minister Jinapor highlighted Africa’s vast solar potential—home to 60% of the world’s solar resources—yet more than 600 million people on the continent still lack access to energy.
“Africa holds 60% of the world’s solar potential, yet millions continue to face energy poverty. This must change,” Jinapor stressed.
“Africa must lead in clean energy. Without bold action, we will perpetuate inequality,” he added.
He outlined Ghana’s ambitious US$3.4 billion renewable energy plan, which targets 1,400 MW of clean power, 400 mini-grids, and e-mobility infrastructure.
Jinapor emphasised that addressing energy poverty and climate vulnerability requires collective effort, ambition, and determination.
“Let us champion an energy transition that empowers people, strengthens economies, and positions Africa as a global exemplar of clean energy leadership,” he urged.
The forum brought together investors, policymakers, and industry leaders to explore opportunities and promote investment in Africa’s energy transition.
Ghana’s ongoing effort —including Africa’s largest 16.8 MW rooftop solar system and a new 200 MW solar project—demonstrate its commitment to advancing clean energy.
Uganda: UEGCL Records 40% Revenue Growth In 2025
Uganda Electricity Generation Company Limited (UEGCL) has recorded a 40% increase in revenue, reaching UGX 492 billion, strengthening its equity position to UGX 1.54 trillion, and delivering exceptional operational performance across all its power plants.
The company announced this during its 15th Annual General Meeting (AGM) held on Thursday, December 4, 2025.
At the AGM, UEGCL presented its audited financial statements to its shareholders — the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development (MEMD) and the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development (MoFPED).
UEGCL Board Chairperson, Eng. Proscovia Njuki, highlighted the year as a transformational one for the company.
The AGM also showcased several key strategic milestones, including the commissioning of the 6.6 MW Nyagak III Small Hydropower Plant (SHPP), progress on Uganda’s first floating solar project on the Isimba reservoir, and continued advancements under the Nalubaale–Kiira Rehabilitation Program.
Congo: Eni Launches Second Phase Of Congo LNG Ahead Of Schedule
Italian oil and gas firm Eni has announced the start-up of Phase 2 of the Congo LNG project, exporting its first LNG cargo in early 2026 following the arrival of the Nguya FLNG floating liquefaction unit.
The project features three production platforms, the Scarabeo 5 gas treatment and compression unit, and the Nguya FLNG, bringing capacity to 3 million tonnes per annum (MTPA), equivalent to 4.5 billion cubic meters per year.
The second phase launched ahead of schedule, 35 months after Nguya FLNG construction began, setting a new industry benchmark for speed and efficiency. Eni attributes this to technological innovation, industrial planning, and local stakeholder engagement.
Much of the project was carried out in Congo, enhancing local workforce skills and strengthening the national industrial sector.
The Nguya FLNG employs advanced technologies to reduce its carbon footprint, processing gas with different compositions.
The Scarabeo 5, converted from a drilling rig, incorporates decarbonization solutions, exemplifying circular economy and industrial reuse.
Eni has operated in Congo for over 55 years, developing gas resources and supplying the Centrale Électrique du Congo, which provides 70% of the nation’s power.
The company is upgrading the transmission network and supporting energy transition initiatives like the agri-feedstock project, improving access to energy, water, healthcare, and economic diversification.
Ghana: ECG Vows To Pursue Customers For Unpaid Bills Even During Christmas
The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has announced an intensive revenue mobilisation exercise for the entire month of December 2025 to recover outstanding electricity bill arrears from its customers, including during the Christmas holidays.
In a public notice dated Wednesday, December 3, 2025, the company explained that the initiative is aimed at “mopping up” all arrears in the system by the end of the year on December 31, 2025.
The power utility said the exercise will target all categories of customers who are in debt.
ECG advised customers who owe to use their regular payment channels—particularly the ECG Mobile App—to settle their bills promptly in order to avoid disconnection and enjoy uninterrupted power supply throughout the festive season.
The company emphasised that timely payment will help households and businesses participate fully in Christmas activities without the inconvenience of losing electricity.
ECG further indicated that revenue mobilisation teams will be deployed across its operational areas and will be identifiable by official staff identity cards.
The company strongly advised customers to insist on seeing ID cards before allowing anyone claiming to be from ECG onto their premises, in order to guard against imposters.
Ghanaian Workers Union Rejects New Electricity And Water Tariffs Set For January 1, 2026
Ghana’s Trades Union Congress (TUC), the umbrella body of labour unions in the West African nation, has expressed outrage over the 9.86% and 15.92% increases in electricity and water tariffs announced by the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC), which are scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2026.
In a statement issued by its Secretary-General, Mr. Joshua Ansah, on Wednesday, December 3, the TUC said: “Workers cannot accept these increases unless the government comes back to the negotiating table to top up the wage increase for 2026.”
The union stated that it would vehemently protest the new tariffs unless the government reviewed the 9% wage adjustment for 2026, warning that failure to act could trigger nationwide mobilisation against the new tariffs.
The TUC stressed that it would reject the increases unless the government returned to the negotiating table, cautioning that any inaction could lead to a nationwide pushback:
“Anything short of that, the TUC will mobilise workers to resist the implementation of these insensitive increases in utility prices.”
Describing the hikes as a “New Year’s gift” from the government, the union lamented that the decision contradicts the recently approved 9% increase in the national minimum wage and base pay of workers.
The TUC also contended that the adjustments would wipe out the gains expected from the 2026 wage increment, noting that workers were already concerned about the insufficiency of the 9% wage increase amid unbearable living costs.
The union added that electricity tariffs rose by more than 18% in 2025 despite a 10% wage increase for the same period.
According to the TUC, the new hikes reflect “government’s insensitivity” to the economic hardships facing workers and ordinary Ghanaians, effectively cancelling out the 9% wage adjustment for 2026.
The union further announced plans to hold a press conference on Monday, December 8, 2025, to outline its next steps in response to what it described as “obnoxious” utility price increases.
The new electricity and water tariffs, expected to take effect on January 1, 2026, follow a comprehensive review by the PURC involving extensive public hearings, consultations, and stakeholder engagements on proposals submitted by utility companies.
The Commission said the adjustments were necessary to address the investment needs of utility providers, maintain industry competitiveness, and safeguard consumer interests, among other considerations.
Nigeria Offers 50 Oil And Gas Blocks, Seeks To Attract $10 Billion In New Upstream Investment
Nigeria has unveiled an ambitious plan to attract $10 billion in new investments and unlock up to two billion barrels of crude oil reserves by offering 50 oil and gas blocks in its 2025 Petroleum Licensing Bid Round.
Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Gbenga Komolafe, announced this on Monday, explaining that the blocks span onshore, shallow-water, frontier, and deepwater terrains.
He noted that the latest bid round aims to reverse declining exploration activity, expand national reserves, and boost overall production. Komolafe described the exercise as a major step in Nigeria’s drive to revitalise upstream exploration and strengthen long-term production capacity.
According to him, the Commission has released detailed guidelines on its portal—br2025.nuprc.gov.ng—and adopted a two-stage bidding process designed to ensure credibility, investor confidence, and fairness, as prescribed by Section 73 of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021.
He stated, “The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission is proud to formally announce the commencement of the Nigeria 2025 Licensing Round and the launch of the licensing round online portal, br2025.nuprc.gov.ng.
“This announcement is in line with Section 73 of the Petroleum Industry Act, 2021, which prescribes a fair, transparent, and competitive bidding process. Further to this, the NUPRC, following the gracious approval of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, has listed 50 oil and gas blocks across onshore, swamp/shallow-water, and offshore terrains spanning diverse basins.”
Of the 50 blocks, 15 are onshore assets, 19 are in shallow-water areas, 15 are frontier blocks, and one is a deepwater asset. According to the NUPRC, the 2025 round is expected to significantly scale up upstream activity over the next decade, with projections indicating that the awarded blocks could collectively produce up to 400,000 barrels per day when fully operational.
“The Nigeria 2025 Licensing Round is therefore expected to attract about $10 billion in investments and add up to two billion barrels of oil over the next 10 years, with an estimated 400,000 barrels per day of production when the blocks are fully operational,” he added.
Komolafe emphasised that transparency remains central to the 2025 bid round, which will run for six months.
The 2025 round builds on the gains of the 2024 Licensing Round, which introduced digital platforms, automated workflows, and enhanced data access to streamline the bid process. Komolafe recalled that Nigeria’s recent licensing initiatives—the 2022 Mini-Bid Round and the landmark 2024 Licensing Round—were conducted with “unprecedented transparency, unmatched global competitiveness, and extensive investor engagement.”
He noted that the 2024 round was particularly significant, earning commendations from the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) and other stakeholders, and was concluded “remarkably without any petitions or litigations.”
According to him, these achievements demonstrate that the Commission has restored credibility to the licensing process.
The Petroleum Industry Act, passed in 2021, seeks to reverse years of declining investment by establishing transparent processes, competitive fiscal terms, and an empowered regulator mandated to conduct periodic licensing rounds to boost reserves and production.
The 2025 Licensing Round—offering 50 blocks across multiple terrains—is a central element of this broader agenda to rebuild investor confidence, deepen indigenous participation, and reposition Nigeria as a competitive global investment destination.
Nigeria Adopted As Official Headquarters Of AFRIPERF; NUPRC CEO Chairs Forum
The African Petroleum Regulators Forum (AFRIPERF) has unanimously adopted Nigeria as its official headquarters and elected the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Engineer Gbenga Komolafe, as chairman of the Forum.
Before this endorsement, Engineer Komolafe served as the interim chairman of AFRIPERF.
The decision was announced during the inaugural Executive Committee meeting of the Forum, which was held virtually on December 2, 2025.
Eyoanwan Ndiyo-Aiyetan also emerged as Secretary of AFRIPERF.
The development reinforces Nigeria’s central role in the African petroleum regulatory landscape, as well as its position as the continent’s largest crude oil producer.
The meeting, attended by representatives from 16 African countries, was convened to select the Forum’s leadership, headquarters, and logo.
In his acceptance speech, Engineer Komolafe thanked his African counterparts for the trust and honour, promising to ensure that no member country is left behind.
AFRIPERF aims to strengthen regional petroleum governance by fostering collaboration, cooperation, and coordination among member regulators.
EU Agrees On Phasing Out Russian Gas Imports By Late 2027
The European Union agreed on Wednesday to phase out Russian gas imports by late 2027 as part of an effort to end the bloc’s decade-long dependency on Russian energy.
Representatives for EU governments and the European Parliament reached an agreement in the early hours of Wednesday on proposals set out by the European Commission in June to end shipments from the EU’s former top gas supplier following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Under the agreement, the European Union will permanently halt the import of Russian gas and move towards a phase-out of Russian oil. Liquefied natural gas imports will be phased out by the end of 2026 and pipeline gas by the end of September 2027.
“Today, we are stopping these imports permanently. By depleting Putin’s war chest, we stand in solidarity with Ukraine and set our sights on new energy partnerships and opportunities for the sector,” Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in a statement.
For short-term contracts concluded before June 17 this year, the prohibition will apply from April 25, 2026 for LNG and from June 17, 2026 for pipeline gas.
For long-term contracts concluded before June 17, the cut-off dates will be the start of 2027 and the start of October 2026, with a possible one-month extension for EU members facing difficulties reaching required storage levels.
Both categories of gas imports will be subject to prior authorisation, except for from countries that have major gas production and that prohibit or restrict imports of Russian gas.
As of October, Russia accounted for 12% of EU gas imports, down from 45% before its 2022 invasion of Ukraine, with Hungary, France and Belgium among the countries still receiving supplies.
The Commission is also committed to phasing out remaining oil imports from Russia by the end of 2027, with a legislative proposal to be presented early next year.
Under Wednesday’s agreement, EU members will submit ‘national diversification’ plans regarding oil and gas supplies to the Commission by March 1, and will be required to notify the EU executive whether they have Russian gas supply contracts or national bans in place.