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Kenya: Energy Cabinet Secretary Explains Fuel Price Hike Amid Public Concern
The Kenyan government has attributed the rise in pump fuel prices to volatility in the global oil market driven by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
Fuel prices surged on Friday, with motorists in Nairobi now paying Ksh.214.25 per litre for Super Petrol and Ksh.242.92 for Diesel after the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) increased prices by Ksh.16.65 and Ksh.46.29 respectively, while Kerosene remained unchanged at Ksh.152.78 per litre.
The hike has triggered public concern, with sections of Kenyans worried that the increase has come at the wrong time, as families are already struggling with high taxes and the rising cost of basic commodities.
However, in a statement issued on Friday, Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi addressed public concerns, noting that geopolitical tensions have disrupted global energy supply chains and increased the cost of importing petroleum products.
According to Wandayi, Kenya, as a net importer of petroleum products, remains exposed to external market shocks, including rising crude oil prices, elevated freight charges, and uncertainty in global supply.
“Consequently, the prices of Super Petrol and Diesel have been adjusted in line with prevailing global market conditions, exchange rate pressures, and increased supply chain costs,” the ministry said.
Wandayi explained that the average landed cost of imported Super Petrol rose from USD 823.27 per metric tonne in March to USD 906.23 in April, representing a 10 per cent increase.
Diesel recorded the highest jump, increasing by 20.32 per cent from USD 1,073.82 per metric tonne to USD 1,291.98 over the same period.
Kerosene increased marginally by 1.59 per cent, from USD 1,311.93 per metric tonne to USD 1,332.73.
However, the government said it had maintained Kerosene prices at current levels to cushion vulnerable households that rely on the commodity for domestic use.
The government further noted that insurance premiums had increased significantly due to tensions around the Strait of Hormuz, further compounding global petroleum import costs.
According to the ministry, Kenya continues to benefit from fixed freight and premium costs negotiated under the government-to-government (G-to-G) arrangement for refined petroleum imports.
To ease the impact of rising global fuel prices, the government said it had utilised the Petroleum Development Levy (PDL) stabilisation mechanism, applying approximately Ksh.5 billion to cushion Diesel and Kerosene prices during the current review cycle.
The ministry also defended the government-to-government fuel importation framework, saying it had shielded Kenya from surging global freight and premium charges.
“Currently, global spot freight and premium rates for petroleum cargoes have more than doubled, exposing countries reliant on spot purchases to very high escalations in landed costs,” the statement read.
The ministry assured Kenyans that the country currently has adequate fuel stocks and that the government is closely monitoring developments in the international oil market.
It added that consultations are ongoing with stakeholders in the transport, manufacturing, energy, and business sectors to identify measures aimed at reducing the impact of rising fuel prices on consumers.
“The Government remains steadfast in its commitment to delivering reliable, accessible, and affordable energy in support of economic growth, job creation, and improved livelihoods for all Kenyans,” said Wandayi.
Ghana: Petrol Relief Scrapped, Diesel Support Cut To GH¢1.07 Amid Rising Fuel Costs
The Government of Ghana has revised its recent measures aimed at cushioning motorists against soaring pump prices by scrapping the 36-pesewa relief on petrol and reducing the GH¢2 relief on diesel to GH¢1.07 for the second pricing window, effective May 16.
A statement from the Ministry of Energy and Green Transition, signed by Richmond Rockson Esq. on Friday, confirmed that the decision was taken after a Cabinet meeting chaired by President John Dramani Mahama, which reviewed developments in the international oil market and the impact of global price volatility on domestic fuel costs.
The new measure is expected to run for two pricing windows, subject to further review based on market conditions.
The government says it will continue to monitor global market trends and adjust its policy response accordingly to balance fiscal sustainability with consumer protection.
This latest development is expected to push pump prices upwards.
Already, petrol, diesel, and LPG price floors published by the petroleum downstream regulator, the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), show marginal increases in pump prices, with petrol pegged at GH¢14.60 per litre, diesel at GH¢15.81 per litre, and LPG at GH¢13.16 per kilogram.
This compares with the first pricing window of May, when petrol sold at a floor price of GH¢13.25 per litre, diesel at GH¢14.30 per litre, and LPG at GH¢13.02 per kilogram.
The changes indicate that petrol price floors increased by GH¢1.35 per litre. Diesel recorded the highest increase, rising by GH¢1.51 per litre.
Ghana: NPA, Western Naval Command Burn Boat Used For Fuel Smuggling
LPG price floors also went up by 14 pesewas per kilogram for the second pricing window of May.
The NPA explained that the price floors exclude premiums charged by international oil trading companies, operating margins of bulk import, distribution, and export companies, as well as marketers’ and dealers’ margins.
Under the Petroleum Products Pricing Guidelines, oil marketing companies and LPG marketing companies are required to comply with the approved price floors for the pricing window under consideration.
The price floor is the minimum benchmark price set by the National Petroleum Authority for fuel products during a specific pricing window.
Nigeria: Dangote Petroleum Refinery Files Fresh Lawsuit Against Government, Regulator Over Fuel Import Licences
Nigeria -based Dangote Petroleum Refinery, Africa’s largest petroleum refinery, has filed a fresh lawsuit against the Nigerian government and the country’s downstream regulator in a renewed effort to challenge fuel import licences issued to petroleum marketers and the state-owned Nigerian National Petroleum Company.
The refinery alleges that these licences violate a prior court order and undermine its operations, arguing that domestic refining capacity now exists.
Despite expectations that Dangote Petroleum Refinery would reduce Nigeria’s reliance on fuel imports, the country continues to import fuel due to the refinery’s gradual production ramp-up.
Ghana: NPA, Western Naval Command Burn Boat Used For Fuel Smuggling
Ghana’s petroleum downstream regulator, the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), in collaboration with the Western Naval Command (WNC) of the Ghana Navy, has intensified efforts to combat illicit fuel smuggling and trading along Ghana’s coastal areas.
The joint operation led to the interception of wooden boats suspected to have been used for the transportation and distribution of illicit and unaccounted-for fuel products in Sekondi-Takoradi.
In a symbolic gesture aimed at deterring illegal petroleum activities, the Chief Executive Officer of the NPA, Mr. Godwin Kudzo Tameklo Esq., ordered the burning of an impounded wooden boat following the operation in Sekondi-Takoradi.
Addressing personnel and stakeholders during the exercise, Mr. Tameklo declared that “enough is enough,” stressing that the Authority would deepen its cooperation with the security forces to crack down on illicit fuel activities across the country’s coastal belt.
He further described the economic cost of the illegal trade to the Ghanaian people as unethical and unacceptable, underscoring the urgent need to bring such acts to an end in order to protect national revenue and preserve the integrity of the downstream petroleum sector.
Also present at the operation was Commodore (Cdre) Samuel Ayelazono, Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) of the Western Naval Command, who underscored the Ghana Navy’s continued collaboration with the NPA in tackling maritime-related fuel smuggling and other unlawful activities along the country’s coastline.
Morocco: ONHYM Head Says Africa Can Lead Green Energy
Africa has the potential to become a global green energy leader, and Ghana is well-positioned to play a key role through the new Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline, Amina Benkhadra, head of Morocco’s Office of Hydrocarbons and Mining (ONHYM), said at a recent Stimson Center online event.
Benkhadra highlighted ONHYM’s dual approach: drilling for gas off Morocco’s coast while building hydrogen fuel factories, capturing carbon emissions, and converting phosphate rock into materials for electric vehicle batteries, including lithium iron phosphate.
She called 2026 a “make-or-break” year for the $25 billion pipeline. The project will run through 13 countries—including Senegal, Mauritania, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, and Liberia—and aims to deliver its first gas by 2031, once agreements are finalized next year.
ONHYM’s subsidiary, OMCo, is leading the project to supply both Europe and Africa. ONHYM’s strategy director confirmed the plan is moving full speed ahead.
Expert Peter Tutu called it a “political deal,” cautioning: “Africa shouldn’t just give away its gas—we need fair prices and rules.”
For Ghana, the pipeline could mean transit revenue, cheaper fuel for factories, and boosted trade under the AfCFTA.
Nigeria is seeking Ghana’s support, which aligns with the country’s own plans, including a new refinery capable of processing 300,000 barrels per day and 2023 regulations to process lithium, graphite, and manganese domestically.
Trump Faces Pressure As Gas Prices Surge Amid Iran Conflict
The U.S. government is scrambling to contain the economic and political fallout from the war with Iran, Reuters reported, citing three people familiar with White House discussions, as hopes for a quick resolution fade.
U.S. President Donald Trump this week backed suspending the federal gas tax, a step that would knock 18 cents a gallon off motor fuel prices, which are currently averaging more than $4.50 a gallon nationwide.
According to the Reuters report, there is a consensus among some White House officials that, with prices up 50% since the start of the war, Trump needs “a visible consumer relief move now.”
Historically, $4-per-gallon gasoline has been a level that triggers public backlash and economic anxiety.
That has been evident since the war began, as consumer sentiment recently dipped to a record low and U.S. consumer inflation surged to 3.8% in April, the highest level in nearly three years.
More than six in 10 Americans say their household finances have taken a hit from higher gas prices, according to a May Reuters/Ipsos poll that put Trump’s economic approval rating at just 30%, down several points since the beginning of the war.
Trump now faces mounting pressure from fellow Republicans who fear the economic pain caused by the war could spark voter backlash and cost the party control of the House of Representatives and possibly the Senate in November’s midterm elections.
Some White House officials have been poring over market data to gauge whether the national average gas price could climb to $5 a gallon.
OPEC Lowers 2026 Global Oil Demand Growth Forecast
Seven states have already surpassed that mark, according to AAA data.
“They feel like that’s their largest vulnerability right now: that specific cost — gas — not overall economic conditions,” said a political adviser to the White House. “The toughest thing, too, is that we made gas prices the Achilles’ heel for former President Joe Biden, and now it’s our own.”
White House spokeswoman Taylor Rogers said Trump and his energy team had anticipated the war’s disruptions to global energy markets and prepared a plan to mitigate the impact.
“The ability to supply both the United States and our allies with reliable, affordable, and secure energy has long been a key strategic objective of President Trump, and his successful efforts to unleash American oil and gas have achieved this objective,” Rogers said.
The administration’s concerns have deepened as U.S. oil and fuel exports have surged to record levels, driven by Asian and European buyers scrambling for supply.
That has drawn down U.S. inventories at a time when they typically rise, raising alarms among Wall Street analysts who warn the U.S. could face a crunch that sends gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel prices even higher this summer.
Energy prices have spiked since Iran cut off access to the Strait of Hormuz, a waterway that normally carries one-fifth of the world’s oil supplies.
Companies ranging from airlines to McDonald’s are seeing the effects, with the fast-food giant’s CEO saying last week that lower-income consumers were spending less.
U.S. airlines’ fuel expenses in March jumped 56% from February, according to Transportation Department data, squeezing carriers already operating on thin margins, including Spirit Airlines, the troubled budget carrier that shut down earlier in May.
Trump has called the increases “a small price to pay” for efforts to topple Iran’s regime and prevent Tehran from acquiring a nuclear weapon.
More than six in 10 Americans say their household finances have taken a hit from higher gas prices, according to a May Reuters/Ipsos poll that put Trump’s economic approval rating at just 30%, down several points since the beginning of the war.
Trump now faces mounting pressure from fellow Republicans who fear the economic pain caused by the war could spark voter backlash and cost the party control of the House of Representatives and possibly the Senate in November’s midterm elections.
Some White House officials have been poring over market data to gauge whether the national average gas price could climb to $5 a gallon.
OPEC Lowers 2026 Global Oil Demand Growth Forecast
Seven states have already surpassed that mark, according to AAA data.
“They feel like that’s their largest vulnerability right now: that specific cost — gas — not overall economic conditions,” said a political adviser to the White House. “The toughest thing, too, is that we made gas prices the Achilles’ heel for former President Joe Biden, and now it’s our own.”
White House spokeswoman Taylor Rogers said Trump and his energy team had anticipated the war’s disruptions to global energy markets and prepared a plan to mitigate the impact.
“The ability to supply both the United States and our allies with reliable, affordable, and secure energy has long been a key strategic objective of President Trump, and his successful efforts to unleash American oil and gas have achieved this objective,” Rogers said.
The administration’s concerns have deepened as U.S. oil and fuel exports have surged to record levels, driven by Asian and European buyers scrambling for supply.
That has drawn down U.S. inventories at a time when they typically rise, raising alarms among Wall Street analysts who warn the U.S. could face a crunch that sends gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel prices even higher this summer.
Energy prices have spiked since Iran cut off access to the Strait of Hormuz, a waterway that normally carries one-fifth of the world’s oil supplies.
Companies ranging from airlines to McDonald’s are seeing the effects, with the fast-food giant’s CEO saying last week that lower-income consumers were spending less.
U.S. airlines’ fuel expenses in March jumped 56% from February, according to Transportation Department data, squeezing carriers already operating on thin margins, including Spirit Airlines, the troubled budget carrier that shut down earlier in May.
Trump has called the increases “a small price to pay” for efforts to topple Iran’s regime and prevent Tehran from acquiring a nuclear weapon. Ghana: One By One, GOIL PLC Counts Its Blessings
Ghana’s largest indigenous oil marketing company, GOIL PLC, has been making significant strides in the energy sector through stronger controls, renewed discipline, improved liquidity, competitive pricing, restored staff morale, and the modernization of its stations.
Below is an article by the Corporate Affairs Department of GOIL PLC. highlighting its recent achievements.
A Story of Leadership, Discipline, Renewal and Restoration
GOIL was still respected. Its name still carried history. Its colours still inspired confidence across Ghana. But behind the familiar brand was a business under strain.
The Early Signs of Decline
The company that had once stood comfortably as market leader was gradually losing ground. Products were not consistently available at several outlets because supplier indebtedness had tightened supply lines. Where products existed, GOIL was often unable to compete aggressively at the pumps. Annual financing costs had risen to approximately GH¢130 million, draining resources that should have gone into growth, infrastructure and operational renewal. Several stations, the very face of the brand, had fallen into a dilapidated state. Staff morale was low. Discipline had weakened. Across parts of the organisation, systems and controls were either inadequate or absent.
The governance gap
For a listed company of GOIL’s stature, there was no comprehensive Audit Charter to strengthen internal controls across the business. There was also no robust Procurement Manual to guide procurement decisions and enforce consistency, transparency and accountability. In any modern institution, such gaps create fertile grounds for inefficiency, weak controls and potential corruption. Left unaddressed, they threaten not only profitability, but institutional credibility itself.
The implication was clear: without decisive intervention, GOIL risked slowly surrendering both its market leadership and the trust that generations of Ghanaians had placed in the brand.
But leadership is tested not when the seas are calm, but when the tides begin to turn.
The new leadership chose action over excuses.
Leadership understood from the beginning that restoring GOIL would require more than rhetoric. It would demand discipline, sacrifice, difficult decisions and a clear moral commitment to rebuilding the institution from within. One by one, the rebuilding began.
Governance as the Starting Point
The Board and Management moved swiftly to develop and approve a comprehensive Audit Charter and Procurement Manual to strengthen accountability, reinforce controls and streamline procurement processes across the Group. These were not merely administrative documents; they were statements of intent. They signaled a new culture, one rooted in transparency, discipline and institutional responsibility.
Financial Restructuring and Recovery
The company’s debt exposure to suppliers constrained operations and weakened competitiveness. Management therefore, engaged financial institutions and strategic partners to refinance key obligations and create breathing space for the business. This intervention eased liquidity pressures, restored confidence among suppliers and repositioned GOIL to source products competitively again. Financing was no longer treated merely as a treasury function; it became a strategic instrument for recovery.
Restoring Commercial Competitiveness
Management aggressively pursued more competitive product sourcing strategies. Once product availability improved and pricing became competitive again, customers responded. Volumes began to rise. Confidence returned to the stations. The market could once again feel the presence of GOIL.
Cultural and human transformation
No turnaround succeeds without people. Management therefore worked closely with the Senior Staff Association and the Union to reorient staff around discipline, teamwork, professionalism and customer service. A new sense of purpose slowly began to emerge across the organisation. Staff who once felt disconnected from the company’s mission began to rediscover pride in the GOIL brand.
Physical Transformation Across the Network
The state of many GOIL stations reflected the broader decline the company had experienced. Leadership therefore initiated the first major wave of station rehabilitation and renovation works. Contractors were engaged to begin modernising selected outlets, restoring not just buildings, but confidence and brand identity.
The Results Begin to Emerge
In 2025, GOIL had slipped behind Star Oil in market share despite its proud history. Yet by Q1 2026, GOIL had reclaimed market leadership with 256.8 million litres and 12.23% market share. In April 2026 alone, GOIL recorded over 108 million litres in sales, the highest monthly sales volume in the company’s history and the strongest performance among all Oil Marketing Companies in Ghana.
Ghana: NPA Announces 268 Fuel Stations For 24-Hour Operations In Four Regions
Even more remarkable was the pace of the recovery. While the overall market grew by 16.6% year-on-year in Q1 2026, GOIL grew by 35.8%.
That growth did not come from chance.
It came from leadership that confronted reality honestly.
It came from governance reforms that strengthened accountability.
It came from financial discipline that restored stability.
It came from commercial courage that returned competitiveness.
It came from staff who chose to believe again.
And it came from a collective refusal to allow a great Ghanaian institution to decline quietly.
Today, GOIL counts its blessings one by one.
Stronger controls.
Renewed discipline.
Improved liquidity.
Competitive pricing.
Restored staff morale.
Modernising stations.
Recovered market leadership
But above all, GOIL counts the blessing of renewed purpose.
The journey is still ongoing. The work is not finished. But the direction is clear. GOIL is once again rising, not merely as a company chasing volumes, but as a disciplined national institution rebuilding trust, restoring pride and delivering Good Energy to Ghana.
Source: Corporate Affairs, GOIL PLC
Nigeria:Ex-Power Minister Saleh Mamman Sentenced To 75 Years For ₦33.8Bn Fraud
Nigeria’s former Minister for Power, Saleh Mamman, has been sentenced to 75 years in prison in absentia over a N33.8 billion money laundering and fraud case brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice James Omotosho, delivered the judgment on Wednesday, May 13, 2026.
The court convicted Mamman on all 12 counts filed against him by the anti-graft agency, holding that the prosecution proved its case beyond a reasonable doubt.
Justice Omotosho ordered that the prison terms run consecutively rather than concurrently, resulting in a total jail term of 75 years.
South Africa: Eskom Partners Energy Vault To Deploy Grid-Scale Gravity Energy Storage Systems
The judge sentenced the former minister to seven years’ imprisonment each on counts 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12, without an option of a fine.
He also sentenced him to three years’ imprisonment on count four, with an option of a N10 million fine, and two years’ imprisonment on count five, without an option of a fine.
The judge held that Mamman’s absence in court during the judgment and sentencing proceedings was a deliberate attempt to frustrate the administration of justice.
Relying on provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, the court agreed with EFCC counsel Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN) that sentencing could validly proceed despite the defendant’s absence.
Justice Omotosho subsequently ordered all security agencies, including Interpol, to arrest Mamman wherever he is found and hand him over to the Nigerian Correctional Service to begin serving his sentence.
The court ruled that the jail term would commence from the date of his arrest.
The judge also ordered the final forfeiture of recovered funds, foreign currencies, and properties linked to the convict, including properties traced to him in Abuja.
He further directed Mamman to refund the outstanding balance from the N22 billion the prosecution established was diverted from funds meant for the Mambilla and Zungeru hydroelectric power projects.
Mamman, who served under former President Muhammadu Buhari, was initially arraigned in July 2024 on allegations bordering on conspiracy and money laundering involving N33.8 billion in a suit marked FHC/ABJ/CR/273/2024.
Justice Omotosho had, on May 7, convicted the former minister in absentia after holding that the EFCC established his culpability beyond reasonable doubt and subsequently issued a warrant for his arrest.
Source:https://energynewsafrica.com
Russia’s Oil Revenues Surge $6.3 Billion As High Prices Offset Production Losses
Russia’s oil export revenues have continued to rise despite lower production thanks to high oil prices.
According to the International Energy Agency (IEA) monthly market report for May, Russia’s oil export revenues clocked in at $19.18 billion in April, good for a modest $180 million increase from March but a massive jump of $6.28 billion compared to April 2025.
The increase in oil revenues came despite total output falling by 460,000 bpd to 8.8 million bpd, while total exports declined by 90,000 bpd to an average of 7.03 million bpd.
The ongoing Iran war and the subsequent closure of the Strait of Hormuz severely choked global energy supplies, sending global benchmarks skyrocketing and pushing Russian Urals crude closer to open-market prices.
Meanwhile, the Trump administration issued a temporary sanctions waiver that allowed global buyers to take delivery of Russian oil cargoes in a bid to stabilize energy prices during geopolitical disruptions.
While the initial waiver expired on April 11, Washington extended this relief for another 30 days through May 16 in a bid to manage volatile energy prices, despite initial indications that it would not be renewed.
That said, Russia’s energy sector continues to face major challenges stemming from the war in Ukraine. Ongoing Ukrainian drone attacks have repeatedly targeted major Russian refineries and Baltic ports like Primorsk and Ust-Luga, destroying processing capacity and severely restricting Russia’s refined product output.
By April 2026, drone attacks reduced Russia’s total oil output by roughly 460,000 barrels per day (bpd) compared to 2025, with refined product exports falling by roughly 200,000 bpd.
However, Russia has managed to offset losses through a 36% surge in pipeline exports, aided by the late-April resumption of the southern Druzhba pipeline to Hungary and Slovakia.
The resumption allowed Hungary and Slovakia–both exempt from EU bans–to resume receiving approximately 175,000–200,000 barrels per day of Russian oil, offsetting earlier dips in their import volumes following a January 2026 drone strike by Ukraine that halted flows through the southern Druzhba branch.
OPEC Lowers 2026 Global Oil Demand Growth Forecast
Summary
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OPEC has lowered its forecast for global oil demand growth in 2026 due to geopolitical tensions linked to the Iran war, while slightly raising its outlook for 2027.
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The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has disrupted oil flows, reduced output, and contributed to higher fuel prices and supply constraints globally.
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Despite the downgrade for 2026, OPEC expects demand to remain resilient overall, supported by steady global economic growth and a projected rebound in consumption.
German Cabinet Agrees to Replace Green-Friendly Heating Law
Summary
New law drops mandatory renewables, allows households to keep existing boilers Industry federation welcomes move as a boost for investment and construction Greens’ Katherina Droege criticizes the change as abandoning climate targets The German government agreed on Wednesday to scrap a contentious heating law and introduce measures to boost long-term power generation capacity, as it pledged to push ahead with a package of reforms aimed at reviving the struggling economy. India’s PM Modi Cuts Convoy Size By 50% To Save Fuel Amid West Asia Crisis Economy Minister Katherina Reiche said replacing the 2023 law, which required new building heating systems to use at least 65% renewable energy, would make it easier for companies to invest in construction and building restoration. Source: Reuters.comSouth Africa: Eskom Partners Energy Vault To Deploy Grid-Scale Gravity Energy Storage Systems
South Africa’s state-owned electricity utility Eskom has signed a Strategic Development Agreement with Energy Vault Holdings, Inc. to deploy a long-duration Gravity Energy Storage System (GESS) at its power stations.
The companies announced plans to deploy the first gravity storage system at the Hendrina Power Station in Mpumalanga Province, South Africa, with the intention to license, co-develop, and collaborate on the deployment of up to 4GWh of long-duration energy storage across the 16 member states of the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
The partnership is expected to significantly advance regional efforts to transition away from coal while leveraging advanced material science technology for the economic re-use of waste coal ash within the energy storage medium.
The initiative is also aimed at improving grid reliability, creating jobs, and supporting local economic development.
Eskom said the first GESS plant will be built at its Hendrina Power Station in Mpumalanga, one of the utility’s oldest operating stations.
The system is expected to provide 25MW of capacity with four hours of storage, equivalent to 100MWh, and is designed to be fully scalable up to 4GW. The landmark agreement establishes a long-term partnership between the two companies to accelerate the decarbonization of Southern Africa’s power sector.
Under the terms of the agreement, Energy Vault will provide Eskom with its latest EVx 2.0™ GESS technology system and associated equipment, along with on-site engineering, project management, and localized training support.
The partnership intends to license, co-develop, and collaborate on the deployment of up to 4GWh of GESS storage, with significant potential across the 16-member SADC region by 2035.
Energy Vault’s EVx 2.0™ GESS platform incorporates major advancements over the previous EVx design, particularly in software orchestration, mechanical operation, energy efficiency, construction automation, and construction tooling.
These enhancements enable a system capable of scaling to multi-gigawatt energy storage capacity to support increasing renewable energy penetration.
The EVx 2.0 design also features improved material science technology for the economic re-use of ash from coal combustion as the storage medium in the blocks, which may weigh up to 25–30 tons each.
Commenting on the partnership, Robert Piconi said: “This landmark agreement with Eskom represents a transformational milestone for Energy Vault and for Africa’s energy future.
“By combining our breakthrough EVx 2.0 platform with Eskom’s extensive power generation, grid expertise, and regional reach, we are not only advancing long-duration storage at unprecedented scale but also pioneering a new model for sustainable industrial development.
“This partnership will create local jobs, establish resilient supply chains, and demonstrate how gravity energy storage can accelerate Africa’s transition from coal dependency to energy independence and security — while delivering reliable, affordable power to communities that need it most.”
Liberia: LEC, Thames Electricals Limited Sign $6 Million Deal To Establish Liberia’s First Electrical Manufacturing Plant
Dan Marokane emphasized that the collaboration directly supports Eskom’s Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) initiative, which focuses on achieving a sustainable and equitable transition away from coal while ensuring grid reliability, job creation, and local economic development.
He said Eskom will drive a just and inclusive energy transition by intensifying the repowering and repurposing of coal power stations while exploring clean coal technologies and solutions that use technology as a strategic enabler to improve efficiencies and lower electricity costs.
According to him, Eskom’s partnership with Energy Vault and its innovative gravity storage technology will play a pivotal role in achieving the utility’s Just Energy Transition goals.
Southern Africa is undergoing a significant transformation in its energy landscape, with governments and utilities across the SADC region working to expand access to reliable, affordable, and sustainable electricity.
“Today, 56% of the SADC region’s population has access to electricity, up from just 36% a decade ago, reflecting the impact of coordinated regional efforts and investment in infrastructure. Coal remains the dominant source of power generation, contributing over 80% of South Africa’s electricity supply in 2024, but the region is actively diversifying its energy mix. Utility-scale energy storage technologies are set to play a key role in integrating renewables, strengthening national grid resilience, and improving grid reliability — while also unlocking new opportunities for industrial growth, job creation, and community development,” Marokane concluded.
India’s PM Modi Cuts Convoy Size By 50% To Save Fuel Amid West Asia Crisis
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reduced his convoy by 50% as part of wider austerity and fuel-saving measures amid the US-Iran war, ANI reported on Wednesday, citing sources.
The Special Protection Group (SPG), the elite unit responsible for the Prime Minister’s security, has been directed to reduce the size of PM Modi’s convoy without compromising mandatory security protocols.
Modi has also called for greater use of electric vehicles (EVs) in the convoy, while making it clear that no new vehicles should be purchased to avoid additional expenditure.
IEA Launches Tracker To Monitor Policy Responses To Energy Market Impacts Of Middle East Conflict
The downsizing of the Prime Minister’s convoy was implemented during his recent domestic visits.
Earlier this week, Modi made seven major appeals — described as austerity measures — aimed at cushioning India from the economic uncertainties arising from the prolonged West Asia war.
These included conserving petrol and diesel by using public transport and metro services, avoiding the purchase of gold for a year, and restricting foreign travel to conserve foreign exchange reserves.
Several BJP leaders, including Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, backed Modi’s call to save fuel.
In a post on social media platform X, she wrote:“In internalizing this important appeal of Honourable Prime Minister ji, a decision has been taken to limit the number of vehicles for departmental work. I and all my Cabinet colleagues, all MLAs of the Bharatiya Janata Party, public representatives, officers of the Delhi government, and all departments will also use the minimum number of vehicles as required and prioritize carpooling and public transport.”
On May 12, the opposition Congress party in Madhya Pradesh criticized the BJP after some of its leaders, newly appointed to state corporations, arrived in large convoys despite Modi’s appeal to reduce fuel consumption.
The state government recently made political appointments to various corporations and boards.
https://energynewsafrica.com/tanzania-samia-cuts-convoy-orders-officials-to-follow-by-bus-due-to-rising-fuel-costs/
Saubhagya Singh Thakur, who was appointed chairman of the Madhya Pradesh Textbook Corporation, arrived in Bhopal from Ujjain on Monday with supporters to assume office.
Videos of his convoy, consisting of several vehicles, later went viral.
Similarly, Rakesh Singh Jadon, newly appointed Vice President of the Khadi Village Industries Board, also arrived with a large convoy from Vidisha.
State Congress President Jitu Patwari said: “PM Modi should first follow his own message and ensure that BJP leaders also follow it. Crores of rupees worth of petrol and diesel were spent on his roadshow yesterday. Forty chartered planes are being sent for BJP leaders and chief ministers to attend the swearing-in ceremony in Assam. Why is the Prime Minister’s message only for the public?”
He added that the war in West Asia has caused greater economic harm to India than to Iran and the United States, noting that the Indian rupee continues to weaken against the US dollar.
He blamed the Union government for the situation.
Liberia: LEC, Thames Electricals Limited Sign $6 Million Deal To Establish Liberia’s First Electrical Manufacturing Plant
Strategic agreement positions Liberia as an emerging manufacturing hub for transformers, conductors, switchgear, and smart meters, following bilateral discussions between the Presidents of Liberia and Kenya.
The Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC) and Thames Electricals Limited, an international electrical engineering and manufacturing company based in Kenya, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish Liberia’s first major manufacturing and refurbishment facility for electrical infrastructure products.
The agreement, signed in Nairobi on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, in the presence of the President of the Republic of Liberia, Mr. Joseph Nyuma Boakai, is expected to mobilize funds for a multi-million-dollar private-sector investment.
The project is also expected to create hundreds of skilled Liberian jobs while reducing the country’s dependence on imported electrical equipment.
Mr. Mohammed M. Sherif, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Liberia Electricity Corporation, signed on behalf of LEC, while Mr. Nilesh Jasani, Chief Executive Officer of Thames Electricals Limited, signed on behalf of his company.
The MoU followed a bilateral meeting between His Excellency President Boakai and His Excellency Dr. William Samoei Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya, during which the two Heads of State discussed the broader strategic partnership between Liberia and Kenya across multiple sectors, including the manufacturing of electrical materials and infrastructure.
The signing ceremony took place on the sidelines of the Africa Forward Summit in Nairobi.
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The facility, to be developed by a dedicated Liberian special-purpose vehicle, will manufacture and refurbish electrical infrastructure products that support national grid expansion, including distribution transformers, overhead and underground conductors, switchgear, smart meters, and related ancillary equipment.
Indicative annual production volumes are expected to grow from US$4 million–US$6 million in Year 1 of operations to US$16 million–US$25 million by Year 5, positioning Liberia as a competitive source not only for domestic consumption but also for the wider ECOWAS, Mano River Union, and AfCFTA markets.
The project is directly aligned with Liberia’s ARREST Agenda under the leadership of President Boakai, the National Energy Compact under the World Bank–African Development Bank Mission 300 initiative, and the Liberia Electricity Corporation’s Strategic Plan 2025–2030.
The plan targets the expansion of generation capacity to 200 MW, growth of the customer base to more than 600,000 connections, and reduction of system losses to below 15 per cent by 2030.
Commenting on the agreement, President of the Republic of Liberia, His Excellency Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr., said:
“This agreement is more than a commercial transaction. It is a statement of confidence in Liberia’s future, a vote for Liberian workers and engineers, and a step forward in our drive to industrialize our economy and modernize our energy sector. We thank our brother nation Kenya and Thames Electricals for choosing Liberia as a partner in building African industrial capability.”
Mr. Mohammed M. Sherif, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Liberia Electricity Corporation, said: “For too long, Liberia has imported the very equipment that builds and maintains its national grid. With this partnership, that begins to change. We will manufacture our own transformers, conductors, and smart meters here in Liberia, by Liberians, for Liberia and for our region. This project supports every pillar of LEC’s Strategic Plan — lower losses, more connections, stronger collections, and a power sector that serves national development. We are deeply grateful to His Excellency the President for his leadership in making it possible.”
Mr. Nilesh Jasani, Chief Executive Officer of Thames Electricals Limited, added: “Thames Electricals is honoured to partner with the Liberia Electricity Corporation and the Government of Liberia on a project of this strategic significance. We see in Liberia a market of real opportunity, leadership of real ambition, and a partner of real capability. Our commitment is not only to invest capital, but also to transfer technology, build skills, and develop local supply chains — so that what we build together stands the test of time.”
Construction of the facility is expected to commence within months, with commercial operations targeted to begin by early 2027