LATEST ARTICLES

Masdar Secures $5.1 Billion For World’s Largest Solar-And-Battery Project In Abu Dhabi

Masdar, the United Arab Emirates’ clean energy company, said on Monday it had secured financing for what it described as the world’s first gigascale round-the-clock renewable energy project in Abu Dhabi. The project, which will require a total investment of $6.1 billion, will see Masdar contribute $1 billion in equity. The company said it had reached financial close on a $5.1 billion financing package backed by a consortium of 13 international and local banks. The lenders include Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank, Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank, Bank of China, HSBC, KfW IPEX-Bank, Natixis and Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, among others. The financing package “demonstrates strong market confidence in both the project’s commercial viability and Masdar’s ability to deliver complex energy infrastructure at scale,” the company said in a statement. Read Also: Ghana: Puma Energy Africa Head Pays Courtesy Visit To NPA Chief Executive The project will comprise a 5.2-gigawatt (GW) solar photovoltaic plant integrated with a 19-gigawatt-hour (GWh) battery energy storage system. It is being developed jointly by Masdar and Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC). Masdar said the project would be the world’s largest and most technologically advanced integrated solar photovoltaic and battery energy storage facility capable of delivering round-the-clock renewable power. The company, which broke ground on the project in October 2025, expects it to begin operations in 2027. “The 24/7 renewable energy project remains a cornerstone of the UAE’s clean energy strategy, contributing to energy security and economic diversification,” Masdar said. Masdar currently has a diversified portfolio of more than 65 GW spanning solar, onshore wind, offshore wind, battery energy storage and hybrid renewable energy projects. The company aims to expand its global renewable energy portfolio to 100 GW by 2030 as it seeks to become one of the world’s largest renewable energy companies. Masdar is jointly owned by Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), Mubadala Investment Company and Abu Dhabi National Energy Company (TAQA).

 

Liberia: LEC Strengthens Thermal Generation Capacity Through JICA-Supported Diesel Generator Maintenance Programme

The Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC), in partnership with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), has reviewed progress on a capacity-building programme aimed at strengthening diesel generator maintenance as the utility seeks to improve power reliability. The review was conducted during a Joint Coordinating Committee (JCC) meeting, where officials assessed the implementation of the Project for Capacity Development in Diesel Generator Maintenance and reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing technical expertise within LEC’s Thermal Generation Division. The project has provided classroom and hands-on practical training for LEC personnel, focusing on the 2,400-hour maintenance cycle for diesel generators. Preparations are now underway to train staff on the more advanced 20,000-hour maintenance programme to strengthen the utility’s long-term operational capacity. LEC said its Thermal Generation Division remains a key component of Liberia’s electricity system, providing backup generation when hydroelectric output or other power sources are insufficient to meet demand. The utility said it would continue investing in staff development and technical capacity as part of efforts to improve service delivery and maintain critical generation assets. The meeting brought together senior officials from the Liberian government, LEC and JICA, including Deputy Minister of Energy Charles Umehai, LEC’s deputy managing directors for Operations, Technical Services and Administration, as well as directors from the Strategy, Corporate Affairs and Revenue Protection departments. The JICA expert team presented an update on the project’s implementation, highlighting progress in strengthening maintenance capabilities within LEC. Presentations were delivered by Chief Advisor Jujii Kyoji, Technical Planning and Management Expert Iwago Mikiko, and Senior Representative of the JICA Ghana Office, Ito Miwa. Speaking on behalf of the trainees, Saidu S. K. Jalibah, Operations Manager of LEC’s Thermal Generation Division, said the programme had enhanced staff knowledge and practical skills in generator maintenance. He also outlined the division’s operations and maintenance plan, saying the training would improve equipment reliability, operational efficiency and the sustainability of power generation. LEC management thanked JICA for its continued technical support, describing investment in human capital as essential to strengthening Liberia’s electricity sector and improving the reliability of power supply across the country.

Nigeria: ExxonMobil Commits $1 Billion To Usan Infill Project

U.S. oil major ExxonMobil and its partners have committed $1 billion to the Usan Infill Project in Oil Mining Lease (OML) 138 offshore Nigeria, marking a significant investment aimed at boosting crude oil production in the West African country. ExxonMobil’s Nigerian affiliates Managing Director, Jagir Baxi, announced the investment commitment during the 25th NOC Energy Week Conference and Exhibition in Abuja. The investment decision is expected to increase production from the Usan field through the drilling of additional wells and the development of supporting subsea infrastructure. The project forms part of ExxonMobil’s broader strategy to sustain output from its deepwater assets in Nigeria while strengthening the country’s upstream oil sector. Baxi said the investment underscores ExxonMobil’s long-term commitment to Nigeria and reflects confidence in the country’s improving investment environment and ongoing reforms in the oil and gas industry. Read Also: Iran Shuts Strait Of Hormuz, Launches New Attacks On US Bases In The Gulf The announcement comes as Nigeria seeks to attract fresh upstream investments following the implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act and other measures aimed at improving the competitiveness of its energy sector. The Usan field, located about 100 kilometres offshore in the eastern Niger Delta, is one of Nigeria’s major deepwater producing assets. Production from the field began in 2012. The block is operated under a Production Sharing Contract (PSC) with NNPC Limited. Other partners in OML 138 include Chevron, TotalEnergies and Nexen, a wholly owned subsidiary of CNOOC. The new investment is expected to support Nigeria’s efforts to increase crude oil production, enhance government revenues and create employment opportunities across the oil and gas value chain. ExxonMobil remains one of Nigeria’s largest international oil investors, with interests in both offshore and deepwater operations through its Nigerian affiliates. Commenting on the announcement, the Chief Executive of the Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Mrs. Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, said the investment decision was particularly significant because Esso Exploration and Production Nigeria, ExxonMobil’s Nigerian affiliate, had not undertaken any drilling operations since 2016.

Ghana: Puma Energy Africa Head Pays Courtesy Visit To NPA Chief Executive

The Head of Puma Energy Africa, Ben Ouattara, on Friday paid a courtesy visit to the Chief Executive of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Godwin Kudzo Tameklo Esq. Ouattara, who is on a working visit to Ghana, thanked the NPA for its support and cooperation, saying it had enabled Puma Energy to strengthen its operations in the country. He reaffirmed the company’s commitment to deepening its partnership with the Authority to support the development of Ghana’s downstream petroleum industry. Ouattara said Puma Energy was diversifying into strategic business areas where it has expertise and can add greater value to Ghana’s economy. He added that the company was expanding its operations across Africa, with Ghana serving as the hub for its sub-regional activities. Responding, Tameklo said President John Dramani Mahama’s vision is to create an enabling environment for the private sector to drive economic growth. He said the NPA is committed to supporting that vision by fostering a conducive business environment for companies operating in the downstream petroleum sector, enabling them to grow and realise returns on their investments. Tameklo said the downstream petroleum industry continues to face significant infrastructure gaps and encouraged greater private sector investment to help address them. He described Puma Energy as an important partner in Ghana’s downstream petroleum industry, noting that the company’s contribution to the sector is well established. Tameklo also acknowledged Puma Energy’s strong presence in the aviation fuel market and reaffirmed the Authority’s commitment to strengthening its partnership with the company to support its growth and attract further investment into Ghana. The Puma Energy delegation included Lanzeni Couliba, General Manager of Puma Energy Ghana, and Daniel Reppah, Commercial Manager of Puma Energy Ghana.

Ghana: JK Horgle Urges Government To Improve Transport Infrastructure For Successful 24-Hour Economy

JK Horgle Transportation & Company Limited, one of Ghana’s largest petroleum haulage companies, has expressed concern over the country’s poor transport infrastructure, urging the government to urgently improve roads, railways and electric vehicle charging networks if its 24-hour economy programme is to succeed. The company’s Chief Executive Officer, JK Horgle, made the call in a speech delivered on his behalf by Elinam Horgle during the Ghana Investment and Trade Week in Accra. Drawing on more than 50 years of experience transporting petroleum products across Ghana and parts of West Africa, Mr. Horgle described transportation as the backbone of every economy. “Movement is the heartbeat of any economy. If the trucks stop, Ghana stops. If the logistics fail, our development fails,” he said. He stressed that efficient transport infrastructure is essential for the successful implementation of a round-the-clock economy. “Our transport infrastructure must be the strong foundation upon which everything else works,” he said. “You cannot have a 24-hour factory if the raw materials are stuck on a broken-down truck at 2:00 a.m. because of potholes. You cannot have a 24-hour market if delivery vans are delayed by poor road networks.” According to him, national development depends on the country’s ability to move people, goods and energy efficiently without unnecessary delays. Mr. Horgle proposed a three-pillar strategy to transform Ghana’s transport infrastructure. The first pillar, he said, is the development of quality roads supported by a strong safety culture and strict enforcement of transport regulations, including Legislative Instrument (LI) 2180. “For 24/7 operations, we need more than just asphalt; we need a culture of safety and total compliance,” he said. He noted that productivity cannot be separated from safety, adding that proper enforcement of road transport regulations would not only save lives but also reduce vehicle maintenance costs, shorten travel times and lower the cost of goods for consumers. “When the road is good, the economy breathes,” he added. The second pillar is the revitalisation of Ghana’s railway network. Mr. Horgle said road and rail transport should complement rather than compete with each other, arguing that an integrated logistics system would reduce pressure on the country’s roads, lower the cost of transporting bulk cargo and strengthen supply chain resilience. “By supporting bulk transportation with rail, we preserve the lifespan of our roads, reduce the cost of large-scale logistics and make our entire supply chain more resilient,” he said. The third pillar focuses on the development of nationwide electric vehicle charging infrastructure to support Ghana’s transition to cleaner transportation. He called for government policies that would encourage private investment in charging networks, saying the country must position itself to benefit from the growing global shift toward electric mobility. “Imagine a fleet of supply trucks moving across the country powered by clean energy and supported by a charging network that never sleeps. This is how we ensure Ghana remains globally competitive,” he said. Mr. Horgle further emphasised the importance of strong collaboration between government and the private sector, saying economic transformation could only be achieved through partnership. He said government should provide the policy direction and infrastructure while the private sector drives innovation, investment and job creation. Iran Shuts Strait Of Hormuz, Launches New Attacks On US Bases In The Gulf According to him, such collaboration would enable entrepreneurs to transport goods efficiently across the country and ensure that businesses and markets operate seamlessly throughout the day and night. He also highlighted his partnership with the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA), to establish a Centre of Excellence in Logistics and Transport aimed at developing the skilled workforce needed to support Ghana’s modern transport and logistics industry. “We are training the next generation to manage these complex systems. We are teaching them that safety, hazard management and professionalism are the keys to building a vibrant 24-hour economy,” he said. He concluded by urging government, industry and citizens to work together to build transport systems capable of supporting continuous economic activity. “When we build better roads, expand our railways and embrace new energy networks, we are not just moving cargo—we are moving Ghana forward. Let us build a nation that never sleeps because our dreams are too big for a 9-to-5 economy. Together, we will keep Ghana moving.”  

Gambia, Ghana Petroleum Regulators Sign Deal To Strengthen Upstream Oversight And Capacity Development

The Petroleum Commission of The Gambia and the Petroleum Commission of Ghana have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to strengthen cooperation in regulating and managing the upstream petroleum sector.

The agreement was signed on July 10 by Director General of the Petroleum Commission of The Gambia, Engr. Cany Jobe, and Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Petroleum Commission of Ghana, Ms. Emeafa Hardcastle, during a three-day visit by Ghanaian delegation to Banjul.

The MoU establishes a framework for cooperation in upstream petroleum regulation, local content, petroleum data management, legal and regulatory frameworks, and compliance monitoring and enforcement.

It also provides for institutional strengthening and capacity development through staff exchanges, training, study visits, internships, secondments, technical assistance and joint programmes.

During the visit, the Ghanaian delegation paid courtesy calls on The Gambia’s Minister of Petroleum, Energy and Mines, Nani Juwara, and the Gambia National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC).

The minister welcomed the delegation and conveyed his regards to his Ghanaian counterpart, Dr. John Abdulai Jinapor, Ghana’s Minister for Energy and Green Transition. He reaffirmed the longstanding relationship between the two countries and The Gambia government’s commitment to strengthening cooperation between their petroleum institutions.

During the technical engagement, the two commissions exchanged experiences on regulatory governance, institutional development, upstream licensing and licence management, local content implementation, public procurement, institutional financing, stakeholder engagement, human resource development, and collaboration with Parliament and other oversight institutions.

Describing the agreement as a practical partnership founded on institution-building and shared learning, Engr. Cany Jobe said strong institutions were essential to ensuring petroleum resources deliver lasting national benefits.

“A country may discover petroleum, but without capable institutions, clear rules, technical discipline, public trust and responsible oversight, the opportunity can easily be weakened,” she said.

Jobe said while petroleum discoveries depend on geology, science and investment, it is strong institutions that ultimately determine whether those discoveries translate into sustainable national benefits.

She added that this was why the partnership with the Petroleum Commission of Ghana was significant.

She said Ghana’s petroleum sector provides valuable lessons for frontier petroleum jurisdictions such as The Gambia.

Ghana began commercial oil production in 2010 and currently produces oil from three fields: Jubilee, TEN and Sankofa-Gye Nyame.

For her part, Emeafa Hardcastle described the signing as “far more than a formal act” and “a landmark moment and a powerful symbol of our mutual commitment to a brighter future.”

She said the agreement comes at a time when African petroleum-producing and frontier countries face common challenges, including increasing competition for investment and the realities of the global energy transition.

She added that collaboration among African regulators had therefore become increasingly important, enabling institutions to leverage their complementary strengths, deepen technical cooperation and pursue mutual development.

Emphasising that implementation would determine the success of the partnership, Hardcastle said: “Our most important task begins: turning the commitments in our MoU into meaningful, on-the-ground results.”

She expressed confidence that the partnership would strengthen not only the two institutions but also the enduring friendship between the peoples of Ghana and The Gambia.

Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Petroleum, Energy and Mines, Abdoulie Jallow, representing the minister, reaffirmed the ministry’s full support for the partnership. He described the MoU as a reflection of Pan-African cooperation and the shared belief that African countries can accelerate their development by learning from one another.

Under the MoU, the two commissions will establish a Joint Steering and Oversight Committee to guide implementation, develop annual work programmes and coordinate technical cooperation through specialised sub-committees.

The Petroleum Commission of The Gambia expressed its appreciation to the Petroleum Commission of Ghana for its visit, friendship and continued partnership, as well as to the Ministry of Petroleum, Energy and Mines, the Commission’s Board, management and staff, and all stakeholders whose support contributed to the success of the visit.

Ghana Risks Electricity Imports Without Renewable Energy Investment, Tanoh Warns

Presidential Advisor to the 24-Hour Economy and Accelerated Export Development Secretariat, Goosie Tanoh, has called for urgent investment in renewable energy to expand Ghana’s electricity generation capacity and support the country’s industrialisation agenda. Tanoh said Ghana risked becoming dependent on imported electricity if it failed to make strategic investments in renewable energy while other countries continued to build cheaper and cleaner power generation systems. Speaking at Ghana Investment and Trade Week, organised by the Ghana Chamber of Construction Industry, Tanoh outlined a number of renewable energy projects the Secretariat is implementing with private investors at its industrial parks to help power the government’s 24-hour economy initiative. He said renewable energy offered a cheaper and more sustainable alternative to fossil fuels, which are finite and increasingly expensive for electricity generation. “Renewable energy does not run out. The sun rises over Ghana every day at no charge, and the cost of equipment that captures it has fallen by about 90% over recent years. An economy that runs on fossil fuel must buy fossil fuel again every year in foreign currency. An economy that runs on renewable energy pays for the equipment once, and the energy costs nothing thereafter,” Tanoh said. He said disruptions to global energy markets caused by tensions in the Middle East, including concerns over shipping through the Strait of Hormuz during the recent Iran-Israel conflict and U.S. military involvement, underscored the need for Ghana to accelerate its transition to renewable energy. Citing China, Tanoh said the country had, over the past two decades, installed more solar power capacity than any other nation, helping to drive industrial growth and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. He also referred to the United States’ Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, under which the Biden administration committed hundreds of billions of dollars to clean energy investment, including solar power. He said Texas had installed more new solar generating capacity than any other U.S. state because it had become one of the cheapest sources of electricity. Turning to Africa, Tanoh cited Morocco’s Noor Ouarzazate Solar Complex, one of the world’s largest concentrated solar power facilities with a total installed capacity of about 580 megawatts, as an example of how renewable energy can support industrialisation. Tanoh said the 24-Hour Economy and Accelerated Export Development Secretariat was committed to developing solar power projects to supply its industrial parks with reliable electricity, enabling continuous industrial operations and supporting the government’s industrialisation drive.

Iran Shuts Strait Of Hormuz, Launches New Attacks On US Bases In The Gulf

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said on Sunday it had closed the Strait of Hormuz after firing a naval cruise missile at a vessel it accused of using an unauthorised route, in what it described as a further escalation in tensions with the United States. This portal could not independently verify the claims or whether shipping through the strait had been halted. The announcement came after what the IRGC described as a new wave of U.S. military strikes on Iranian positions. In a statement carried by the IRGC-affiliated Tasnim News Agency, the force accused foreign powers of violating security in one of the world’s busiest maritime trade routes through what it called unauthorised shipping activity. “Given the precariousness caused by this unlawful interference by outside parties, the Strait of Hormuz is to be closed until further notice and until regional interference by the U.S. ceases,” the statement said. “No vessel or naval craft will be allowed to pass.” The IRGC warned that any attempt by the United States to challenge the blockade would prompt a military response and said U.S. military bases in the region would become legitimate targets if hostilities continued. Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who has also played a role in negotiations with the United States, wrote on X: “The era of one-sided deals is OVER.” “We told you: keep your word or pay the price. Reality is knocking,” he added. The developments, if confirmed, would threaten to undermine a ceasefire agreed by Washington and Tehran in June after months of hostilities. The agreement was intended to reduce tensions, safeguard shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and support stability in global energy markets. The ceasefire has come under repeated strain as the two sides have exchanged military strikes, while negotiations over Iran’s nuclear programme have remained unresolved.

Ghana, ENI Discuss Oil, Gas Production And Future Investment Plans

Ghana’s Minister for Energy and Green Transition, Dr. John Abdulai Jinapor, has met a delegation from Italian energy company ENI, led by Guido Brusco, Chief Operating Officer of Global Natural Resources, to discuss the company’s operations in the West African country.

ENI has operated in Ghana since 2009 through the Offshore Cape Three Points (OCTP) block, which includes the Sankofa and Gye Nyame fields.

According to Jinapor, the meeting focused on ENI’s performance in Ghana’s upstream petroleum sector and opportunities for future investment.

The minister commended the company for reversing declining oil production through the successful drilling of new wells.

He also praised ENI for producing 282 million standard cubic feet of gas per day, which supports power generation, and for maintaining operational reliability of more than 99.9%.

The talks also covered ongoing exploration activities, including appraisal wells, as well as future investment plans and potential field extensions.

In a post on social media, Jinapor said he reaffirmed the government’s commitment to maintaining a stable, transparent and investor-friendly business environment to encourage responsible investment, increase production, strengthen energy security and deliver long-term benefits to Ghanaians.

“I look forward to continued collaboration with ENI and all our industry partners as we work together to maximize the value of our nation’s natural resources,” he said.

Ghana: EPA Shuts Down Dukes Fuel Station In Kasoa Over Sanitation Concerns

Ghana’s Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) on Friday shut down Dukes Petroleum’s filling station  at Kasoa Second Bus Stop in the Central Region over sanitation concerns. The EPA said a blocked drain in front of the filling station was contributing to flooding along the highway. The issue was identified during a nationwide clean-up exercise on July 10. The exercise follows recent flooding in parts of Ghana that killed more than 30 people and displaced over 38,000 others in the Greater Accra and Central regions. Kasoa Area Head of the EPA, Abbas Dawood, said the clogged drains caused water to overflow onto the main road during heavy rainfall, posing a risk to motorists and pedestrians. He said inspectors found the fuel station operating despite the poor sanitary conditions around the premises. Following the inspection, the Kasoa Municipal Assembly ordered the immediate closure of the station until the drains are desilted and all sanitation concerns have been addressed. Dawood said the EPA and the Assembly would continue enforcing environmental regulations to ensure businesses comply with sanitation standards and help reduce the risk of flooding. “We assessed the area and found that the drains were choked, causing water to overflow onto the road,” Dawood said. “We want residents, shops and businesses to take responsibility for environmental sanitation to help reduce flooding in Kasoa.” He said authorities would also close other businesses that fail to desilt drains in front of their premises. “This is necessary, and we will meet with the management to discuss the way forward,” he said.

Ukraine Says It Hit Russian Fuel Tankers Supplying Occupied Crimea

Ukraine has launched large-scale strikes against Russian tankers transporting fuel to occupied Crimea, Ukrainian officials said, as Kyiv seeks to disrupt Moscow’s military logistics on the peninsula.

The campaign follows Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil refineries, including the Omsk refinery in Siberia, Russia’s largest, located about 2,500 km (1,550 miles) from the Ukrainian border.

Ukrainian officials say the attacks have contributed to fuel shortages in Russia.

Commander of Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces, Robert Brovdi, said Ukrainian forces struck 19 Russian tankers, a cargo ship and a ferry between July 6 and July 8, including nine tankers during the night of July 7.

Ukrainian Navy spokesperson Dmytro Pletenchuk told public broadcaster Suspilne that Russia had shifted fuel deliveries to Crimea by sea after Ukraine disrupted overland supply routes.

“They had few options left. It’s either a land corridor or a sea connection,” Pletenchuk said. “As far as we know, they don’t use the Kerch Bridge for such transportation in the necessary volumes.”

The Kerch Bridge, which links Russia to Crimea, was damaged in a truck bombing in 2022 that ignited a fuel train travelling across the bridge.

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy told the Financial Times that Ukraine had shifted its focus to Crimea after disabling Russia’s oil offloading terminal at Novorossiysk on the Black Sea.

“We were slowing down the militarisation of our peninsula occupied by Russia,” Zelenskiy said.

“We cut off the logistics and took control of the fuel and energy complex.”

The Ukrainian president’s representative office in Crimea said the strikes had triggered what it described as “a management crisis” on the peninsula.

It said fuel sales to civilians had been suspended in Sevastopol and that power outages had affected more than a dozen districts.

Ukraine said it also carried out additional strikes on military targets in Crimea over the past week, including attacks on the Saky and Hvardiiske (Guardske) airfields and the Kerch oil transshipment terminal.

Russia also came under renewed drone attacks, with Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin saying Ukraine launched one of its largest drone attacks on the Russian capital in two years.

Russian authorities said they intercepted more than 400 drones headed toward Moscow on July 7, the opening day of a NATO summit in Ankara.

“When our drones weren’t flying to Moscow and St. Petersburg, Putin didn’t think much about it. He understood that the war was far from the Kremlin,” Zelenskiy told the Financial Times.

“When not a hundred drones, but a thousand would start flying to Moscow … this would be a moment like a new page on the path to ending the war,” he said.

Algeria: SONATRACH Delivers First LNG Cargo To Germany’s Wilhelmshaven Terminal

Algeria’s state-owned energy company SONATRACH has delivered its first liquefied natural gas (LNG) cargo to Germany at the Wilhelmshaven 1 floating regasification terminal, the company said.

In a statement, SONATRACH said the cargo was loaded at its GL2Z liquefaction complex in Bethioua, Algeria, and transported aboard the TESSALA, an LNG carrier owned by the company.

The company said the delivery supports its strategy to expand the marketing of its gas resources in strategic, high-potential markets while demonstrating the flexibility of its LNG trading operations.

SONATRACH said it plans to increase LNG exports to the German market, strengthening its position as a supplier and contributing to Europe’s energy security.

Ghana: ACEP, SolarTaxi Graduate First Cohort Of 24 Women In Green Energy Skills Program

The Africa Centre for Energy Policy (ACEP), a Ghanaian policy think tank, in partnership with SolarTaxi, has graduated the first cohort of its Green Energy Technology Capacity Development Programme (GET-CaDeP), equipping 24 young women with practical skills in solar, electric vehicle (EV) and battery technologies.

The participants completed four months of intensive training and industry internships designed to prepare them for careers in Ghana’s clean energy sector while helping to narrow the gender gap in the country’s growing green technology industry.

Read Also:Ghana’s Energy Commission Signs MoU With Abu Dhabi’s Global South Utilities

Speaking at the graduation ceremony, ACEP’s Policy Lead for Petroleum and Conventional Energy, Kodzo Yaotse, said the initiative was a deliberate effort to address the underrepresentation of women in Ghana’s clean energy and technology sectors.

SolarTaxi Chief Executive Officer Jorge Appiah commended the graduates for their commitment and resilience in pursuing technical fields traditionally dominated by men. He encouraged them to see the programme as a foundation for future leadership roles and careers in Ghana’s energy sector.

Petrobras Secures Block 3 In São Tomé And Príncipe’s Exclusive Economic Zone

Brazil’s state-controlled oil company Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. (Petrobras) has secured Block 3 in the Exclusive Economic Zone of São Tomé and Príncipe, the National Petroleum Agency of São Tomé and Príncipe (ANP-STP) said. The production sharing contract for Block 3 will run for 28 years. Petrobras will operate Block 3 with a 75% participating interest, while Oranto Petroleum and ANP-STP will hold 15% and 10% interests, respectively. In a statement, ANP-STP Executive Director Álvaro Silva said applications for Blocks 7, 8 and 9 did not meet all of the state’s award criteria, particularly its objective of diversifying operators in São Tomé and Príncipe. As a result, ANP-STP, acting in its capacity as the sector regulator, decided not to award the three blocks, in line with the government’s strategy for the petroleum sector. “The state will concentrate its exploration efforts on the awarded blocks and, when it deems appropriate, will launch a new licensing round for additional blocks,” Silva said.