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LATEST ARTICLES
BP Appoints Meg O’Neill As New CEO As Murray Auchincloss Steps Down
BP has announced the appointment of Meg O’Neill as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective 1 April 2026, making her the first woman to lead a major global oil company.
The appointment follows the resignation of Murray Auchincloss from his position as CEO and as a director of the Board, effective Thursday, 18 December.
Ms O’Neill, who currently serves as Chief Executive Officer of Australian oil and gas firm Woodside Energy, is expected to continue BP’s recent strategic shift away from renewables, refocusing the company on its core oil and gas business.
Commenting on her appointment, Ms O’Neill said she looks forward to helping BP “do our part to meet the world’s energy needs.”
“BP plays a critical role in delivering energy to customers around the world. I am honoured to serve as the company’s next CEO. With an extraordinary portfolio of assets, BP has significant potential to re-establish market leadership and grow shareholder value. I look forward to working with the BP leadership team and colleagues worldwide to accelerate performance, advance safety, drive innovation and sustainability, and do our part to meet the world’s energy needs,” Ms O’Neill said.
BP also announced that Carol Howle, current Executive Vice President, Supply, Trading and Shipping, will serve as interim CEO until Ms O’Neill formally assumes office.
Mr Auchincloss will remain in an advisory role until December 2026 to ensure a smooth leadership transition.
Since her appointment as CEO of Woodside Energy in 2021, Ms O’Neill has overseen the company’s growth into the largest energy firm listed on the Australian Securities Exchange. Among her notable achievements, she led the transformative acquisition of BHP Petroleum International, creating a geographically diversified business with a portfolio of high-quality oil and gas assets.
Before joining Woodside Energy in 2018, Ms O’Neill spent 23 years at ExxonMobil, holding a range of technical, operational and senior leadership roles across multiple regions.
Albert Manifold, Chair of BP, welcomed the appointment, describing Ms O’Neill as the right leader for the company’s next phase.
“We are delighted to welcome Meg O’Neill to the BP team. Her proven track record of driving transformation, growth and disciplined capital allocation makes her the right leader for BP. Her relentless focus on business improvement and financial discipline gives us high confidence in her ability to shape this great company for its next phase of growth and pursue significant strategic and financial opportunities,” Mr Manifold said.
He added that the Board believes the leadership transition presents an opportunity to accelerate BP’s strategic vision.
“Following a comprehensive succession planning process, the Board believes this transition creates an opportunity to accelerate our strategic vision to become a simpler, leaner and more profitable company. While progress has been made in recent years, increased rigour and diligence are required to deliver the transformative changes needed to maximise shareholder value.”
In his remarks, Mr Auchincloss said the timing was right to hand over leadership.
“After more than three decades with BP, now is the right time to hand the reins to a new leader. When Albert became Chair, I expressed my openness to step down if an appropriate leader was identified who could accelerate delivery of BP’s strategy. I am confident BP is well positioned for significant growth, and I look forward to watching the company’s future progress and success under Meg’s leadership.”
Mr Manifold also paid tribute to Mr Auchincloss’s tenure.
“On behalf of the Board, I want to thank Murray for his many contributions to BP and for his commitment to our people and our business. We wish him every success in his next chapter.”
He further acknowledged Ms Howle’s interim role, noting that her 25 years at BP provide deep institutional knowledge and will ensure strategic continuity until Ms O’Neill takes office.
The appointment of Ms O’Neill follows a global search process overseen by a Board search committee and supported by an independent recruitment firm, as part of BP’s long-term succession planning.
Ghana: Energy News Africa Founder Michael Creg Afful Earns MSc In Energy Economics From GIMPA
The Executive Director of Energy News Africa Limited, one of Africa’s leading energy sector news platforms, Mr Michael Creg Afful, has graduated from the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA) with a Master of Science (MSc) degree in Energy Economics.
The degree was conferred during GIMPA’s 25th Congregation, held under the theme “From Heritage to Creative Futures: Reimagining Development through Creative Education and Enterprise.”
The colourful and memorable graduation ceremony was marked by joy and celebration as Mr Afful achieved his long-held ambition of earning a postgraduate degree from the premier institution, widely regarded as a centre of excellence.
Mr Afful began his professional journey in 2006 as a freelance contributor to the letters column of the state-owned Daily Graphic. His passion for writing influenced his decision to pursue formal training in journalism in 2007 at the then School of Professional Studies.
In 2018, he enrolled at the African University of Communications and Business (AUCB), formerly the African University College of Communications (AUCC), where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Studies, with a specialisation in Strategic Communication.
Prior to his enrolment at AUCB, Mr Afful had developed a strong interest in energy reporting, which later led to the founding of Energy News Africa Limited.
Through the platform, he has contributed to shaping Africa’s energy sector narrative by publishing accurate, credible, and timely energy news across the continent and beyond.
Despite having no formal background in energy or related disciplines, Mr Afful, driven by ambition and professional curiosity, enrolled at GIMPA in 2023 to pursue an MSc in Energy Economics, with the aim of deepening his expertise and broadening his understanding of the energy sector.
Mr Afful has authored several articles addressing critical issues in the energy sector.
His most recent publication, “Why Road Accidents Are Deadlier Than Nuclear Power Plants,” has attracted significant attention for its insightful analysis.
Nigeria: Tinubu Appoints Dr. Musiliu Olalekan Oseni As NERC Chairman
Nigeria’s President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has appointed Dr. Musiliu Olalekan Oseni as Chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), alongside six other commissioners, the Presidency announced on Thursday.
The appointment follows media speculation last week that Dr Oseni was being considered for the position after the expiration of the tenure of Engr Sanusi Garba.
Dr Oseni, who holds a PhD, began his service at NERC as a Commissioner in January 2017 and was subsequently appointed Vice Chairman of the Commission.
His appointment as Chairman takes effect from December 1, 2025, and will run until the completion of his ten-year tenure at the Commission, in accordance with the provisions of the Electricity Act, 2023.
President Tinubu also appointed six other commissioners in line with the Electricity Act, 2023.
In a statement issued by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, the president named Dr Yusuf Ali as Vice Chairman of NERC, while five others were appointed as commissioners.
They are Mr Nathan Rogers Shatti, Mr Dafe Akpeneye, Mrs Aisha Mahmud Kanti Bello, Dr Chidi Ike, and Dr Fouad Animashaun.
President Tinubu charged the newly appointed board members to deepen and consolidate the ongoing transformation of Nigeria’s power sector, in strict alignment with the letter and spirit of the Electricity Act, 2023.
Ghana: ECG MD Named Energy Sector Recovery Programme Champion Of The Year 2025
The Managing Director of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), Ing. Julius Kwame Kpekpena, has been adjudged the Energy Sector Recovery Programme Champion of the Year by the Ministry of Energy and Green Transition.
The award was in recognition of Ing. Kpekpena’s unwavering commitment to driving financial and operational turnaround within the energy sector, particularly at ECG.
The award acknowledges his strategic direction, discipline, and accountability, which have helped restore confidence and renewed momentum in the implementation of the ESRP agenda.
According to the citation, under Ing. Kpekpena’s leadership, ECG has significantly strengthened its participation in the Cash Waterfall Mechanism (CWM) through improved transparency, accurate monthly declarations, and the timely remittance of collections.
These measures have resulted in notable increases in revenue collections, enhanced liquidity across the energy value chain, and a more stable financial position for the sector.
The citation further highlights Ing. Kpekpena’s emphasis on operational integrity, which has ensured ECG’s continued reliability as a key revenue allocator within the sector — an achievement widely acknowledged by stakeholders.
“For your visionary leadership, relentless pursuit of operational excellence, and decisive contributions to a strengthened financial architecture of the energy sector, you are deservedly honoured as the Energy Sector Recovery Programme Champion of the Year, 2025,” the citation stated.
The award was signed by the Minister for Energy and Green Transition, Hon. Dr. John Abdulai Jinapor (MP), and the ESRP Coordinator, Dr. Ishmael Ackah, and presented with profound appreciation and admiration.
The recognition places Ing. Kpekpena among key national figures championing reforms to ensure sustainability, transparency, and long-term stability in Ghana’s energy sector.
“For your visionary leadership, relentless pursuit of operational excellence, and decisive contributions to a strengthened financial architecture of the energy sector, you are deservedly honoured as the Energy Sector Recovery Programme Champion of the Year, 2025,” the citation stated.
The award was signed by the Minister for Energy and Green Transition, Hon. Dr. John Abdulai Jinapor (MP), and the ESRP Coordinator, Dr. Ishmael Ackah, and presented with profound appreciation and admiration.
The recognition places Ing. Kpekpena among key national figures championing reforms to ensure sustainability, transparency, and long-term stability in Ghana’s energy sector.
The Gambia: GNPC’s Exploration Director, Cany Jobe, Wins Industry Pioneer Woman Award For Leadership In Gas
The Director of Exploration and Production at the Gambian National Petroleum Corporation, Cany Jobe, has been honored with the Industry Pioneer Woman Award for her leadership, technical expertise, contribution to Africa’s upstream sector, and commitment to frontier basin development, collaboration, and opportunities for women in the energy sector.
Her service to the sector has not gone unrecognized in the continent, in West Africa, and at home in The Gambia.
Mauritania, Senegal, Gambia, Guinea Bissau, and Conakry (MSGBC Basin) – has seen significant natural gas and oil discoveries in recent years, particularly offshore from Mauritania and Senegal, and is expected to drive regional economic growth) hosted the Oil, Gas and Power Conference in Dakar, Senegal on December 8-10, 2025.
The MSGBC Oil, Gas & Power 2025 Conference closed its first day on December 9 with a gala dinner and awards ceremony, celebrating a transformative year for the region.
The evening honored leaders and companies shaping West Africa’s evolving energy landscape, as Senegal, Mauritania, and the entire MSGBC basin accelerate investments in hydrocarbons, renewable energy, and green hydrogen.
Among the awardees was Cany Jobe, affectionately called The Gambia’s queen of the petroleum sector.
“MSGBC, we are here,” said H.E. Birame Souleye DIOP, Minister of Ministère de l’Energie, du Pétrole et des Mines – MEPM, adding, “What we are talking about tonight could shape the future of Senegal. We are making history.”
The conference & exhibition aims to unite the MSGBC region through energy cooperation, supporting cross-border collaboration and shared development strategies to drive sustainable growth and long-term economic integration across the Basin.
GORÉE GEV Senegal received the Excellence in Local Content Award for its role in building national capacity.
The company collaborates with MODEC, Woodside Energy, and Subsea7 on the Sangomar oil and Greater Tortue Ahmeyim gas projects, supporting the creation of skilled jobs, skills transfer, and national autonomy.
The Ministry of Energy of Guinea-Conakry received the Renewable Energy Pioneer Award.
The country is establishing itself as a regional leader in the sector thanks to projects such as Souapiti (450 MW) and Amaria (300 MW), the 84 MW CleanPower Generation project, and several programs aimed at universal electrification.
For four years, MSGBC Oil, Gas & Power has established itself as the premier platform for industry leaders, innovators, and policymakers in the MSGBC region.
Each edition has played a crucial role in determining the region’s energy future, driving investment, and advancing project development.
By connecting governments, energy companies, global operators, and financiers, MSGBC Oil, Gas & Power facilitates strategic partnerships and regional cooperation.
Global Coal Demand Plateaus And May Decline Slightly By 2030, Says IEA
A new International Energy Agency (IEA) market report reveals increasing competition from other power sources, with developments in China’s electricity sector remaining key to coal’s prospects.
Global coal demand is forecast to edge down through the end of this decade as competition intensifies with other power sources, including renewables, natural gas, and nuclear, according to the 2025 edition of the IEA’s annual market report.
Coal 2025 explores current market dynamics and provides forecasts through 2030 for demand, supply, and trade at the global and regional levels. It also examines key trends in investment, costs, and pricing.
The report finds that global coal demand is on course to rise by 0.5% in 2025, reaching a record 8.85 billion tonnes. In several major markets, consumption patterns diverged from recent trends.
In India, an early and intense monsoon season resulted in a decline in annual coal use for only the third time in five decades.
In the United States, higher natural gas prices and policy measures that slowed coal plant retirements lifted coal consumption, which had been on a downward trajectory for the previous 15 years.
After two years of double-digit declines, coal demand in the European Union shrank only modestly.
Meanwhile, in China, coal use remained broadly unchanged from its 2024 level. By 2030, global coal demand is expected to tick lower, returning to the same level as in 2023.
This is largely driven by shifts in the power sector, which accounts for two-thirds of total coal consumption today.
With renewable capacity surging, nuclear expanding steadily, and a huge wave of liquefied natural gas coming to market, coal-fired power generation is forecast to decline from 2026 onward. Coal demand from industry is expected to remain more resilient.
In China, which currently accounts for more than half of global coal use, demand is expected to fall slightly by the end of the decade.
“Despite uncharacteristic trends in several key coal markets in 2025, our forecast for the coming years has not changed substantially from a year ago: we expect global coal demand to plateau before edging down by 2030,” said IEA Director of Energy Markets and Security Keisuke Sadamori.
The largest absolute increase in coal consumption to 2030 is expected to take place in India, where demand is set to rise by 3% per year on average, leading to an overall increase of over 200 million tonnes.
Southeast Asia is forecast to see the fastest growth, with demand increasing by over 4% per year to 2030.
Nigeria: Two Top Petroleum Regulators Resign Amid Damning Claims By Aliko Dangote
Nigeria’s petroleum regulatory sector has been rocked by the resignation of two top officials, coming just days after Africa’s largest petroleum refinery founder, Aliko Dangote, made damning allegations against the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
Following the allegations, Dangote submitted a formal petition to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), seeking an investigation into the Chief Executive Officer of the NMDPRA, Mr Farouk Ahmed, over alleged corruption.
Barely a day after the petition, the Nigerian Presidency, in a statement released by Mr. Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Information and Strategy, announced the resignation of the chief executives of the NMDPRA and the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC).
The statement did not assign specific reasons for their resignation, except to note that both officials were appointed in 2021 by former President Muhammadu Buhari to lead the two regulatory agencies established under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).
However, the statement revealed that President Tinubu has nominated Madam Oritsemeyiwa Amanorisewo Eyesan as Chief Executive Officer of the NUPRC and Engineer Saidu Aliyu Mohammed as Chief Executive Officer of the NMDPRA.
The President has written to the Senate, requesting expedited confirmation of the nominees.
Both nominees are seasoned professionals in the oil and gas industry.
Madam Eyesan, a graduate of Economics from the University of Benin, spent nearly 33 years with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and its subsidiaries.
She retired as Executive Vice President, Upstream (2023–2024), and previously served as Group General Manager, Corporate Planning and Strategy at NNPC from 2019 to 2023.
Engineer Saidu Aliyu Mohammed, born in 1957 in Gombe State, graduated from Ahmadu Bello University in 1981 with a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering.
He was announced on Tuesday as an independent non-executive director at Seplat Energy.
His previous roles include Managing Director of Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company and the Nigerian Gas Company, as well as Chair of the Boards of the West African Gas Pipeline Company, Nigeria LNG subsidiaries, and NNPC Retail.
He also served as Group Executive Director/Chief Operating Officer, Gas and Power Directorate, where he provided strategic leadership for major gas projects and policy frameworks, including the Gas Master Plan, the Gas Network Code, and key contributions to the Petroleum Industry Act.
Engineer Mohammed played a pivotal role in delivering major projects such as the Escravos–Lagos Pipeline Expansion, the Ajaokuta–Kaduna–Kano (AKK) Gas Pipeline, and Nigeria LNG Train projects.
It remains unclear whether Mr Farouk Ahmed will respond to the allegations levelled against him following his resignation.
Togo: Nangbeto Hydro Dam Resumes Operations After CFA25.5bn Upgrade
The rehabilitated Nangbeto hydroelectric dam, which supplies electricity to Togo and Benin, has resumed operations following its official inauguration last week.
The hydroelectric power dam was rehabilitated at a cost of CFA25.5 billion (€39 million).
The rehabilitation project, which began in 2019, was financed by Germany through its development bank, KfW.
The works included the design, supply, installation and commissioning of upgraded and new equipment, notably turbines, alternators, power transformers, spillway gates, the tailrace and the spillway.
Mechanical and electrical installations were also modernised, along with high-voltage protection systems, lifting equipment, control systems, and water treatment and drinking water facilities.
Officials said the upgrade would strengthen the reliability of electricity supply in both countries.
“The rehabilitation of Nangbeto marks a major step in securing our shared energy production,” Kamirou Chabi Sika, Director -General of Electricity Community of Benin(CEB) said, adding that the upgraded facility would improve performance, resilience and availability to meet rising demand.
Robert Eklo, deputy Minister for Energy of Togo described the dam as a symbol of bilateral cooperation and a key driver of energy stability.
“This rehabilitation strengthens our national capacity and supports our ambition of universal access to electricity,” he said.
With an installed capacity of 65 megawatts, Nangbeto has been one of the main hydroelectric plants supplying Togo and Benin for nearly four decades.
The rehabilitation comes as Togo pursues several initiatives aimed at achieving universal electricity access by 2030.
“The rehabilitation of Nangbeto marks a major step in securing our shared energy production,” Kamirou Chabi Sika, Director -General of Electricity Community of Benin(CEB) said, adding that the upgraded facility would improve performance, resilience and availability to meet rising demand.
Robert Eklo, deputy Minister for Energy of Togo described the dam as a symbol of bilateral cooperation and a key driver of energy stability.
“This rehabilitation strengthens our national capacity and supports our ambition of universal access to electricity,” he said.
With an installed capacity of 65 megawatts, Nangbeto has been one of the main hydroelectric plants supplying Togo and Benin for nearly four decades.
The rehabilitation comes as Togo pursues several initiatives aimed at achieving universal electricity access by 2030.
Ukraine Hits Slavyansky Oil Refinery And Rostov Depot In Overnight Deep Strikes
Ukrainian drones struck a major oil refinery in southern Russia and a fuel depot in the Rostov region overnight, Kyiv’s military confirmed via Telegram on Wednesday, continuing a relentless campaign to dismantle the energy infrastructure financing Moscow’s war effort.
The latest barrage, which lit up the night sky over the Krasnodar region on December 17, targeted the Slavyansky Oil Refinery in Slavyansk-on-Kuban.
Ukrainian defense officials stated the refinery was being used to supply fuel to Russian occupation forces. While the full extent of the damage is still being assessed, the strike signals Kyiv’s refusal to let up on “deep strike” missions despite the onset of winter.
Simultaneously, Ukrainian forces hit the “Nikolaevskaya” oil depot in the neighboring Rostov region. Preliminary reports indicate damage to a storage tank and a river vessel, the Captain Gibert, which was docked at the facility.
A Second Front in the Caspian
The overnight attacks come as Kyiv confirms it has effectively opened a new, distant front in the energy war: the Caspian Sea.
In an operational update released Wednesday, Ukrainian officials confirmed that attack drones struck the “Grayfer” drilling rig in the Caspian Sea on December 14. The strike damaged the platform’s gas processing and pumping module, forcing a complete halt to all 14 wells at the site. The platform had been extracting roughly 3,500 tons of oil daily.
This confirmation follows a separate, daring long-range strike just days earlier. On December 11, Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) targeted the nearby Vladimir Filanovsky offshore field—a jewel in Lukoil’s portfolio, forcing the suspension of production at over 20 wells.
Taken together, the attacks on the Grayfer and Filanovsky platforms represent a strategic shift.
By striking targets in the Caspian, hundreds of miles from the front lines, Ukraine is proving that even Russia’s most remote economic lifelines are no longer safe.
Economic Pressure Mounting
The Caspian region is a critical hub not just for Russian oil, but for Central Asian exports moving through the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC). While the strikes have specifically targeted Russian-owned infrastructure, the violence introduces new volatility to a route that handles approximately 1% of the global oil supply.
“The Caspian Sea is another reminder that every enterprise supporting Russia’s war effort is a legitimate target—no matter where it is located,” an SBU source said following the initial strikes last week.
On the ground in occupied Ukraine, the pressure remains equally high. The Wednesday update also confirmed a strike on a field artillery depot belonging to Russia’s 101st Separate Logistics Brigade in the Luhansk region.
Moscow has remained largely silent on the specific damage to its offshore assets, though the Russian Ministry of Defense claimed to have intercepted dozens of drones in recent days. However, the confirmed halts in production at both Slavyansky and the Caspian rigs suggest the physical toll on Russia’s energy sector is deepening as the war approaches its fourth year.
South Africa: Seven Foreign Firms Pre-Qualified For Independent Transmission Procurement Project
Seven international companies that submitted bids to participate in South Africa’s Independent Transmission Procurement (ITP) project have been pre-qualified, Minister of Electricity and Energy Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa has revealed.
The companies, drawn from China, the Middle East, India, Portugal and France, were selected from a total of 17 firms that responded to the request for proposals.
South Africa is seeking to expand its electricity transmission network through public-private sector investment as part of efforts to increase power access to households and industrial enclaves.
Currently, more than 1.6 million South Africans lack access to electricity.
Under the programme, the country plans to construct about 14,000 kilometres of power transmission lines through a public-private partnership framework.
The project is estimated to cost R440 billion over a 10-year period.
Dr Ramokgopa expressed optimism that local companies would qualify in subsequent phases of the procurement process.
“We are happy to announce that of the 17 that responded, we have seven that are successful. It’s the Portuguese, the Indians, the Chinese and the French that are participating in this. All the pre-qualified bidders are international companies,” he said.
The minister attributed the outcome to the stringent requirements of the request for proposals, noting that South African firms could still succeed in future bidding rounds.
In a related development, Dr Ramokgopa also announced that four preferred bidders under Bid Window 7 of the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP) have been appointed to deliver a combined 890 megawatts (MW) of solar photovoltaic capacity.
He further disclosed that the Department of Energy is expected to announce a credit guarantee vehicle in March next year to safeguard private sector investors.
Nigeria: Gas Pipeline Attack Disrupts Electricity Supply Nationwide
The Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) has announced a significant drop in electricity generation on the National Grid, citing gas supply constraints arising from an incident of gas pipeline vandalism within the upstream gas supply network.
The system operator, in a statement issued on Tuesday, noted that the incident affected gas availability to a number of power generation facilities.
It added that the unfortunate incident caused several gas-fired power stations to record low output, resulting in reduced available generation capacity on the National Grid.
NISO, however, said it promptly activated established contingency measures to maintain system stability and reliability.
These measures included increased dispatch from available hydroelectric power stations, continuous generation re-dispatch, voltage control interventions, and other necessary operational actions to balance electricity supply with system demand.
NISO assured Nigerians that it is closely monitoring the system and working with relevant stakeholders to mitigate the impact of the gas supply constraints.
“We are closely monitoring grid conditions, including system frequency and voltage profiles, while working with relevant stakeholders to mitigate the impact of the gas supply constraints.
“The situation highlights the importance of coordinated efforts to address gas supply disruptions, particularly as we approach the festive season, which is traditionally sensitive for grid operations,” the statement said.
NISO further assured the public of its commitment to proactive grid management and the application of appropriate operational standards to ensure a secure, stable, and reliable electricity supply nationwide.
The incident has reignited debate over whether Nigeria will soon see an end to pipeline vandalism and the destruction of transmission infrastructure.
The country has continued to struggle with providing reliable and efficient electricity supply due to several factors, including pipeline vandalism and the destruction of transmission towers by saboteurs.
Zambia: Energy Minister Charges REA Board To Drive Rural Electrification And Strategic Growth
Zambia’s Minister for Energy, Makozo Chikote, has tasked the newly inducted Rural Electrification Authority (REA) Board, chaired by Mr. Charles Matomola Mboma, to demonstrate decisive yet strategic leadership by accelerating energy access, strengthening governance, and positioning rural electrification as a key driver of economic growth.
He delivered the charge during the Board’s induction ceremony in Lusaka today.
Mr. Chikote congratulated members on their appointment and thanked them for accepting to serve the nation.
He emphasised that the Board’s mandate lies at the heart of Zambia’s national development agenda and must translate into tangible outcomes that deliver reliable, affordable, and sustainable electricity to rural communities throughout their tenure.
The Minister observed that the Board assumes office at a defining moment for the energy sector, as the Government implements far-reaching reforms aimed at repositioning the private sector as the engine of economic growth.
In this context, he stressed that rural electrification should no longer be viewed solely as a social intervention, but as a catalyst for productive enterprise, value addition, job creation, and inclusive development.
He urged the Board, under the leadership of Mr. Mboma, to provide strategic direction that actively supports private sector participation, innovative financing models, and partnerships to accelerate energy access in rural and peri-urban areas.
Mr. Chikote advised Board members to familiarise themselves with the REA Act, describing it as their principal guide in engagements with management.
He further emphasised that the Authority, like other public institutions, has ambitious targets, and that Board members will be required to sign performance contracts against which their performance will be assessed over their tenure.
The Minister identified the strengthening of procurement and project delivery systems as a critical priority for the Board’s term of office.
He stated that expeditious procurement processes, timely implementation, cost reflectivity, and uncompromising quality standards are imperative.
He warned that delays and cost overruns undermine public confidence and constrain the country’s ability to scale up rural electrification, urging the Board to exercise firm oversight to ensure projects are delivered efficiently, transparently, and in a manner that maximises value for money.
He further informed the Board that REA has several pending activities requiring approval, including the launch of the Rural Electrification Master Plan and the Rural Electrification Fund operating guidelines.
Mr. Chikote also directed the Board to begin preparations for the development of a new strategic plan, noting that the current plan will expire in 2026 and that continuity across Board tenures is essential.
The newly appointed REA Board brings together expertise and representation from key professional bodies and public institutions, including the Economic Association of Zambia, the Engineering Institute of Zambia, local government, the Attorney General’s Office, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), the Ministry of Energy, as well as sector experts—a composition expected to enhance balanced decision-making and strengthen institutional oversight.
Trump Orders ‘Blockade’ Of Sanctioned Oil Tankers Leaving, Entering Venezuela
U.S. President Donald Trump ordered on Tuesday a “blockade” of all sanctioned oil tankers entering and leaving Venezuela, in Washington’s latest move to increase pressure on Nicolas Maduro’s government, targeting its main source of income.
It is unclear how Trump will impose the move against the sanctioned vessels, and whether he will turn to the Coast Guard to interdict vessels like he did last week.
The administration has moved thousands of troops and nearly a dozen warships – including an aircraft carrier – to the region.
“For the theft of our Assets, and many other reasons, including Terrorism, Drug Smuggling, and Human Trafficking, the Venezuelan Regime has been designated a foreign terrorist organization,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
“Therefore, today, I am ordering a total and complete blockade of all sanctioned oil tankers going into, and out of, Venezuela.”
In a statement, Venezuela’s government said it rejected Trump’s “grotesque threat.”
Oil prices rose more than 1% in Asian trade on Wednesday.
Brent crude futures LCOc1 were up 70 cents, or 1.2%, at $59.62 a barrel at 0245 GMT, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude CLc1 rose 73 cents, or 1.3%, to $56.00 a barrel.
U.S. crude futures climbed over 1% to $55.96 a barrel in Asian trading after Trump’s announcement.
Oil prices settled at $55.27 a barrel on Tuesday, the lowest close since February 2021.
Oil market participants said prices were rising in anticipation of a potential reduction in Venezuelan exports, although they were still waiting to see how Trump’s blockade would be enforced and whether it would extend to include non-sanctioned vessels.
American presidents have broad discretion to deploy U.S. forces abroad, but Trump’s asserted blockade marks a new test of presidential authority, said international law scholar Elena Chachko of UC Berkeley Law School.
Blockades have traditionally been treated as permissible “instruments of war,” but only under strict conditions, Chachko said.
“There are serious questions on both the domestic law front and international law front,” she added.
U.S. Representative Joaquin Castro, a Texas Democrat, called the blockade “unquestionably an act of war.”
“A war that the Congress never authorized and the American people do not want,” Castro added on X.
There has been an effective embargo in place after the U.S. seized a sanctioned oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela last week, with loaded vessels carrying millions of barrels of oil staying in Venezuelan waters rather than risk seizure.
Since the seizure, Venezuelan crude exports have fallen sharply, a situation worsened by a cyberattack that knocked down state-run PDVSA’s administrative systems this week.
While many vessels picking up oil in Venezuela are under sanctions, others transporting the country’s oil and crude from Iran and Russia have not been sanctioned, and some companies, particularly the U.S.’ Chevron (CVX.N), transport Venezuelan oil in their own authorized ships.
Nigeria: Aliko Dangote Petitions Anti-Graft Agency To Probe Petroleum Midstream And Downstream Regulator Over Alleged Corruption
The founder of Africa’s largest petroleum refinery, Aliko Dangote, has escalated a high-profile dispute within Nigeria’s petroleum sector by submitting a formal petition to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), seeking an investigation into the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Mr Farouk Ahmed, over alleged corruption.
The petition accuses the regulator of corruption, financial impropriety, and abuse of office.
The petition, filed on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, through Dangote’s lawyer, Mr. Ogwu James Onoja (SAN), was formally received by the ICPC Chairman, Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu (SAN).
It called for the immediate arrest, investigation, and prosecution of Mr. Ahmed.
Dangote alleged that the NMDPRA boss has been living far beyond his legitimate earnings as a public servant, citing alleged expenditures exceeding $5 million paid upfront for the six-year education of his four children at elite secondary schools in Switzerland.
According to the petition, the children and their respective schools were named to enable verification by the ICPC. Dangote contends that Mr. Ahmed’s cumulative public sector earnings could not reasonably support such spending, accusing him of embezzlement and diversion of public funds through his position at the NMDPRA for personal benefit.
The petition further claims that the alleged actions have fuelled public discontent, sparked protests, and undermined confidence in the downstream petroleum sector.
Dangote has indicated his willingness to appear in person before the ICPC to present evidence in support of his claims of corrupt enrichment, abuse of office, and impunity. He argued that swift action by the anti-graft agency would promote accountability and protect the integrity of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
The petition follows Dangote’s public allegations made during a press briefing at the Dangote Refinery in Lagos on December 14, where he claimed that Mr. Ahmed spent between $5 million and $7 million on his children’s secondary education abroad—an amount he described as inconsistent with the earnings of a public officer.
Similar allegations surfaced earlier in 2025, triggering protests and calls for investigations by civil society groups, including the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP).
As of the time of filing this report, neither the ICPC nor the NMDPRA had issued an official response to the petition. Mr. Ahmed has previously dismissed related allegations as baseless and described them as smear campaigns.
The dispute has also attracted parliamentary attention, with the House of Representatives summoning both parties to address wider regulatory tensions within Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.