Category: AFRICA

Wind, Solar and Hydro Power: Our Renewable Energy Initiatives in Africa at a Glance

By Dr Johnstone Chikwanda, Zambian Energy Expert Africa’s energy landscape is evolving rapidly with rising populations and expanding economies driving the demand for reliable, sustainable and affordable energy. The World Bank estimates that about 640 million people have no access to clean energy in Sub-Sahara Africa (SSA), With the ravaging impact of climate change, policy renovations to onboard alternative forms of sustainable and affordable clean energy are underway. Wind, solar, geothermal and hydroelectric power offer sustainable alternatives, but transitioning requires balancing long-term goals with infrastructure and economic perspectives. Despite abundant…

Gabon’s Minister of Oil & Gas Joins AOG 2025 Amid Shift to Deepwater Exploration

Sosthene Nguema Nguema, Minister of Oil & Gas of Gabon, has joined this year’s Angola Oil & Gas (AOG) conference – taking place September 3-4 in Luanda – as a keynote speaker. Minister Nguema’s participation comes as the country implements a strategic shift towards deepwater exploration and production, seeking to unlock additional resources across the country’s offshore acreage. As one of Africa’s biggest deepwater producers, Angola offers significant experience in the field, highlighting a strategic opportunity for bilateral collaboration. With a goal to increase production to 220,000 barrels per day (bpd), Gabon…

OIC, LAS, and AU launch a joint emergency humanitarian appeal regarding the catastrophic humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip

Amb. Samir Bakr, the Assistant Secretary-General for Palestine and Al-Quds Affairs, led a delegation from the General Secretariat of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in a consultative meeting with UNRWA and representatives from the League of Arab States (LAS) and the African Union (AU). This meeting addressed the dire humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip. It took place at the LAS headquarters in Cairo on July 2, 2025. The meeting resulted in a joint emergency humanitarian appeal. Joint Emergency Humanitarian Appeal of the Three Regional Organizations: The League of…

South Africa Navigates U.S. Attack on Iran

By: Nosmot Gbadamosi,Foreign Policy’s Africa Brief South Africa has issued a notably guarded response to the U.S. bombing of Iranian nuclear sites, urging “dialogue” and a “peaceful resolution” to the conflict. Pretoria’s muted statement—in contrast with its outright condemnation of Israel’s strikes on Iran earlier this month—underscores the diplomatic challenges that it faces as it navigates an increasingly unpredictable administration in Washington. This balancing act may only become more complicated if an Israel-Iran cease-fire fails to hold. In recent years, Pretoria has deepened its ties with Tehran. South Africa has allowed Iranian warships to dock in…

KenGen Cancels and Reopens Tender for $247.5 Olkaria VII Geothermal Plant Consultancy Work

First Published on Jun 23, 2025 by M Kubwa,Construction Review Kenya’s state-owned electricity generator KenGen has been ordered to cancel a tender worth millions of shillings for the Olkaria VII Geothermal Plant Consultancy Work. This tender was awarded to an Italian company for consultancy services of the upcoming $247.5 million Olkaria VII Geothermal Plant. Reason for the Cancellation of Olkaria VII Geothermal Plant Consultancy Work Tender The Public Procurement and Regulatory Authority tribunal ruled out the the power producer company had unfairly awarded the tender to ELC Electroconsult SPA. ELC Electroconsult SPA…

Tackling Africa’s Illicit Financial Flows to Manage Resource-backed Loans Inbox

African Development Bank Embarks on Strengthening  Capacity The African Development Bank Group (www.AfDB.org) has successfully concluded a high-level workshop and policy dialogue aimed at enhancing the Central Africa Republic’s capacity to combat illicit financial flows (IFFs) and improve the governance of resource-backed loans,says an official statement issued in Abidjan,Monday. Held in Bangui from 10-13 June 2025 under the theme “Harnessing Africa’s Wealth: Curbing Illicit Financial Flows for Resilient Growth and Development,” the four-day event brought together 80 officials from key government ministries, including Finance, Economy, Planning, Environment, Mines and Geology –…

From Discovery to Delivery: Building a Legal Framework for Namibia’s Midstream Infrastructure (by Rachel Mushabati)

Author: Senior Associate Attorney & Country Head – CLG Namibia (www.CLGGlobal.com) Namibia’s recent offshore oil discoveries mark a pivotal moment in the country’s energy sector. With major players such as Shell, TotalEnergies, QatarEnergy, and Galp uncovering significant reserves, Namibia is poised to become a key oil producer. However, while exploration and production activities have gained momentum, the midstream sector; involving transportation, storage, and refining of petroleum, remains underdeveloped. A strong legal framework for midstream infrastructure is essential to ensure that Namibia maximizes economic benefits, attracts investment, and builds a sustainable…

Hilton to Triple its Presence in Africa to More Than 160 Hotels

 Coinciding with Future Hospitality Summit Africa 2025, Hilton (NYSE: HLT) has announced plans to almost triple its presence in Africa to more than 160 hotels trading in the coming years,says an official statement issued in Cape Town,Teusday. Across its portfolio of market-leading brands, Hilton expects to open more than 100 hotels on the continent, supporting Africa’s burgeoning hospitality sector and creating approximately 18,000 jobs for local people.   Carlos Khneisser, chief development officer, Middle East & Africa, Hilton, said, “We are thrilled to announce several new hotel agreements which significantly expand…

Africa Finance Corporation (AFC), United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and partners enter new alliance leveraging Islamic and Arab finance for economic transformation

VIENNA, Austria, June 17, 2025/ — Today, Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) (www.AfricaFC.org), UNIDO, the Accounting and Auditing Organization for Islamic Financial Institutions (AAOIFI) and the Union of Arab Banks (UAB), formalized new strategic partnerships under the Islamic and Arab Finance for Economic Transformation in Africa, the Arab Region and Beyond (IFETAA) Programme. Access to finance remains one of the most significant barriers to SME growth and economic transformation, particularly in Africa, the Middle East and South Asia. Only one in five African firms has access to credit, and those that…

African Development Bank project restores electricity in Zimbabwean communities following devastating Cyclone Idai

ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast, June 17, 2025/ — In March 2019, Cyclone Idai tore through Zimbabwe’s eastern districts with unprecedented fury, leaving behind a trail of devastation. Among the hardest hit regions were Chimanimani and Chipinge, where the lifelines of modern life—electricity, roads, and water systems—were severed in a matter of hours. The 155-kilometer powerline stretching from Middle Sabi to Charter, once the backbone of energy supply for Manicaland Province, lay in ruins, plunging over 300,000 people into darkness. For more than two agonizing months, industries ground to a halt, hospitals…