Category: Africa

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The Most Expensive Communication Failures Are the Ones You Never See (By Laila Bastati)

Source: APO – Report:

By Laila Bastati, Chief Commercial Officer, APO Group (https://APO-opa.com/).

I have yet to meet a CEO who missed a revenue target and blamed a 3% decrease in share of voice.

And yet communication is almost always somewhere in the room when revenue disappoints. Just never on the list.

Because the most expensive communication failures don’t appear in communications dashboards.

They appear later. In a regulatory process that takes twice as long as expected. In a partner who goes quiet after an announcement. In a market that understood the decision perfectly and still didn’t move. In a deal that stalled for reasons nobody could articulate cleanly.

You know the room I mean. Sales blames the market. Finance blames the timing. Operations blames the execution. Everyone has a theory. Nobody calls the communications director.

I’ve watched this happen across more markets than I can count. And the pattern is consistent enough that I’m going to say something that will make some of my peers uncomfortable.

Most of the time, communication shaped the outcome. Not the press releases. Not the coverage. The stuff that never got commissioned because nobody knew how to measure it. The regulatory relationship that wasn’t built before it was needed. The stakeholder ground that was never prepared before the announcement landed. The trust that was never established before the market was asked to move.

Kenya’s Finance Bill didn’t fail because people didn’t know about it. Everyone knew. It failed because explanation never travelled as far as interpretation. Nigeria’s fuel subsidy removal wasn’t a visibility problem. It was a confidence problem. People understood what was happening. They didn’t trust that the consequences had been thought through on their behalf. And large infrastructure stories, including the Dangote Refinery, do not stall because of lack of attention. They stall when competing interpretations fill the space that should have been occupied by trust.

Awareness is rarely the scarce resource. Confidence is.

Walmart learned this in South Africa. Clean acquisition. No competition concerns. Years in court anyway, fighting unions and government ministries and community groups who felt the company had arrived without earning its place. The friction wasn’t about the deal. It was about everything that hadn’t been done before the deal was announced. The communications metrics, had anyone been tracking them, would have looked fine. The business felt the cost for years.

This is what we see at APO Group, working across all 54 African markets simultaneously. The companies that move fastest are never the ones generating the most coverage. They’re the ones where communication was already doing its real work before anyone in the commercial team needed it to. Trust already built. Regulators already informed. Executives already visible in the right places. Narrative already set. The groundwork already there.

That work is rarely reactive. It’s a different brief. Earlier. Broader. Closer to where decisions actually get made: preparing spokespeople to be credible under scrutiny, ensuring leadership voices are present in the media environments that will shape opinion, and building regulator and stakeholder relationships long before they are required in moments of pressure.

Because here’s what nobody says out loud when the post-mortem starts. Revenue misses get examined in forensic detail. Pricing. Product. Timing. Execution.

Communication is not missing from the analysis.

It is miscategorised as everything else.

– on behalf of APO Group Insights.

Media Contact:
marie@apo-opa.com  

About APO Group:
Founded in 2007 by Nicolas Pompigne-Mognard, APO Group is the communications consultancy built for performance – combining strategic advisory, on-the-ground execution, and guaranteed visibility across all 54 African markets. Its owned newswire, Africa Newsroom, secures placement on 250+ Africa-focused news sites, connecting organisations directly with 450,000+ journalists, analysts, investors, and policymakers worldwide.

Recognised internationally for communications excellence including SABRE, Davos Communications, and World Business Outlook distinctions, APO Group partners with global and African organisations for whom the continent is a strategic priority. Clients include the African Development Bank Group, Africa CDC, Afreximbank, NFL, Nestlé, Emirates, Canon, Western Union, GITEX Global, and Cassava Technologies.

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Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) calls for urgent US$18 million to close the funding gap on critical research ready to commence

Source: APO – Report:

Africa CDC (http://www.AfricaCDC.org) commends the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, clinical investigators, and development partners for the launch of clinical trials evaluating candidate therapeutics for Bundibugyo Ebola virus disease in Bunia this week. This marks an important milestone in the response, demonstrating the country’s commitment to generating the evidence needed to improve clinical care while contributing to the development of medical countermeasures for this rare Ebola virus. However, a funding gap remains for the full implementation of the trials. Africa CDC has therefore called on governments, multilateral development banks, philanthropic organizations, the private sector, and global partners to provide US$16million within days to close a funding gap that threatens clinical trials against the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, for which there is no licensed vaccine or therapy.  

The ongoing Bundibugyo outbreak is unlike recent Ebola epidemics. The absence of any licensed vaccine or therapeutic for this strain makes it aa scientifically and operationally challenging outbreak Every day without sufficient financing allows the virus to spread further, increases the humanitarian burden, and raises the risk of regional and international transmission. 

Working with WHO, Africa CDC, ANRS, Oxford University, IAVI, CEPI, Gilead Sciences and other partners, Africa has assembled one of the fastest scientific mobilizations ever mounted against a newly emerging Ebola strain. The portfolio includes the first post-exposure prophylaxis trial, using obeldesivir to prevent infection among exposed contacts; adaptive randomized treatment trials evaluating remdesivir, MBP134, to reduce mortality among infected patients; cross-protection vaccine studies; and accelerated development and manufacturing of next-generation Bundibugyo-specific vaccines. 

Financing for the vaccine trials is largely in place. The gap is in therapeutics.  Of the US$26 million needed to run the therapeutics trials, US$10 million has been secured leaving a shortfall of US$18 million. This comprises US$16 million to continue and complete the post-exposure prophylaxis study among exposed contacts and $2-3 million to ensure sufficient contract tracing to enable the trial.

“We have the science. We now need the funding to use it. Clinical trials must start this week, and every day of delay costs lives we could save,” said Dr Jean Kaseya, Director General of Africa CDC. 

This is an investment in proving that Africa and the global community can rapidly develop, test, and deploy lifesaving countermeasures against emerging pathogens while building preparedness for future pandemics. 

The window to act before the outbreak grows larger is open today. The time to invest is now.

– on behalf of Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).

Media Contact:
Saran Koly
Director of Communications and Spokesperson, Africa CDC
+251 98 434 6488
kolys@africacdc.org

Follow Africa CDC on:
LinkedIn: https://apo-opa.co/4fca99y
X: https://apo-opa.co/3Tb0d7F
Facebook: https://apo-opa.co/4eLJj8l
YouTube: https://apo-opa.co/4voJk7f

About Africa CDC: 
The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention is the public health agency of the African Union. As an autonomous institution, Africa CDC supports AU Member States to strengthen health systems, improve disease surveillance, and enhance emergency preparedness and response. For more information, visit: http://www.AfricaCDC.org 

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Government reaffirms commitment to managing migration

Source: Government of South Africa

Government reaffirms commitment to managing migration

Government has assured citizens that it is actively managing migration through lawful, coordinated and constitutional measures, as planned demonstrations against illegal migration take place across the country.

“Our objective remains clear: a South Africa where immigration laws are respected and enforced, where borders are secure, where communities are safe, where businesses compete fairly, and where human dignity and constitutional values are upheld,” a statement issued by the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Migration (IMC) said on Tuesday.

Government said it will continue to intensify efforts to combat criminality, corruption, human trafficking, labour exploitation and all forms of illegality associated with irregular migration, while ensuring that enforcement actions are carried out within the framework of the Constitution and the law. 

“We call on all South Africans to remain calm, reject misinformation and xenophobia, and continue working with government and law enforcement agencies to build safe, stable and cohesive communities.

“Together, we can manage migration in a manner that protects our national interest, promotes the rule of law and advances the values upon which our democracy is founded,” the IMC said.

Government further acknowledged genuine concerns about migration, border management, service delivery, public safety and economic opportunities.

“These concerns deserve to be heard and addressed through lawful and democratic processes. Government particularly welcomes the fact that most participants rejected violence, vigilantism, intimidation, looting and damage to property. Such actions have no place in a constitutional democracy and undermine the very goals that communities seek to achieve,” the IMC said.

Government also reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to implementing the President’s Comprehensive Approach for Migration Management.

The five-point plan focuses on strengthening the enforcement of immigration and labour laws, securing borders, improving migration management systems, closing legislative and policy gaps, and working with countries across the continent to address migration challenges in a coordinated manner.

Meanwhile, government expressed its sincere appreciation to all South Africans who are exercising their constitutional right to protest peacefully and responsibly.

“We commend citizens, community leaders, organisers, civil society formations, religious leaders and law enforcement agencies for their commitment to peace, restraint and respect for the rule of law throughout the country,” the IMC said.  

Government said the peaceful conduct displayed today reflects the strength of democracy and demonstrates that South Africans can voice their concerns firmly and lawfully while respecting the rights and dignity of others. –SAnews.gov.za

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O que a Namíbia pode aprender com o modelo de reforma petrolífera de Angola

Source: Africa Press Organisation – Portuguese –

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A Namíbia emergiu como um dos mercados de petróleo e gás de fronteira mais promissores do mundo, com descobertas de vários milhares de milhões de barris que posicionam o país para a primeira produção até 2030. No entanto, passar da descoberta para a produção comercial requer mais do que apenas potencial de recursos. Requer um quadro de investimento que proporcione segurança fiscal, reduza o risco de execução e permita a mobilização de capital a longo prazo em grande escala.

Angola oferece um dos exemplos mais claros de África de como uma reforma direcionada do setor a montante pode remodelar todo um setor. Estas lições são exploradas no livro «Crude Oil: Power, Turnaround and Transformation in Angola», de NJ Ayuk, Presidente Executivo da Câmara Africana de Energia (AEC), agora disponível a nível global. O livro destaca como as reformas políticas e fiscais reposicionaram Angola, transformando-a de um produtor em declínio num dos destinos de investimento no setor a montante mais competitivos de África.

A reforma que redefiniu o setor a montante de Angola

Após anos de declínio na produção, Angola lançou um programa de reformas abrangente destinado a revitalizar tanto os ativos maduros como os de fronteira. Em 2018, a produção tinha caído cerca de 20 % após um longo período sem novas rondas de licenciamento, enquanto as importações representavam cerca de 80 % da procura de produtos petrolíferos refinados.

Hoje, essa trajetória mudou. Angola atraiu aproximadamente 70 mil milhões de dólares em investimento planeado no setor a montante, apoiado por uma atividade de exploração renovada e por uma onda de desenvolvimentos de projetos offshore. Os marcos-chave incluem o desenvolvimento do Greater PAJ, no valor de 5,1 mil milhões de dólares, que atingiu a decisão final de investimento (FID) em 2026, a par dos projetos Begonia e CLOV Fase 3, ambos os quais entraram em produção em 2025. A FPSO Agogo já está em funcionamento, enquanto o desenvolvimento de Kaminho tem como objetivo a primeira produção de petróleo por volta de 2028.

O dinamismo da exploração também está a acelerar, com a TotalEnergies, a ExxonMobil e a Shell a garantirem novas áreas em Benguela e Namibe, a par da atividade onshore contínua de empresas independentes como a Afentra, a Corcel e a Etu Energias. Em conjunto, estes desenvolvimentos refletem uma maior confiança dos investidores no ambiente regulatório e fiscal de Angola.

Da Reforma à Certeza de Investimento

A reviravolta de Angola não foi impulsionada apenas pela geologia, mas por uma mudança deliberada na qualidade e previsibilidade do seu quadro de investimento. Desde 2018, o país introduziu reformas estruturais, incluindo a Lei do Gás Natural, a Lei de Monetização do Gás, o quadro da Oferta Permanente e a legislação relativa aos Campos Marginais, as quais simplificaram os procedimentos de licenciamento, melhoraram a competitividade fiscal e reforçaram a visibilidade a longo prazo para os investidores.

Fundamentalmente, estas reformas estabeleceram as condições essenciais que sustentam as decisões de alocação de capital no setor a montante. Os investidores obtiveram maior certeza fiscal através de regimes fiscais e de royalties mais previsíveis, enquanto as cláusulas de estabilização proporcionaram proteção contratual contra alterações fiscais ou regulatórias unilaterais ao longo da vida útil dos projetos. Ao mesmo tempo, os processos de aprovação e licenciamento foram simplificados para reduzir os atrasos entre a descoberta, a decisão de investimento final (FID) e a produção, melhorando a velocidade de execução em toda a cadeia de valor a montante. Estas reformas foram reforçadas por uma maior continuidade institucional no âmbito do sistema regulatório, ajudando a preservar os conhecimentos técnicos e a garantir uma tomada de decisões mais consistente ao longo dos ciclos políticos.

A Lei do Gás Natural de 2018 estabeleceu um quadro específico para o investimento no gás, desbloqueando oportunidades de monetização nas reservas estimadas de Angola, que ascendem a 11 triliões de pés cúbicos. O mecanismo de Oferta Permanente, introduzido em 2021, melhorou ainda mais a eficiência do mercado, permitindo o licenciamento contínuo fora dos concursos formais, reduzindo os prazos de negociação e melhorando o fluxo de novas oportunidades para os investidores. Angola introduziu também a Iniciativa de Produção Incremental para prolongar a vida útil dos campos maduros e desbloquear reservas ociosas, um quadro que se espera que recupere cerca de 500 milhões de barris adicionais e prolongue os ciclos de vida dos campos em até duas décadas, melhorando significativamente a rentabilidade dos projetos e reduzindo o risco de investimento.

Um Plano para a Próxima Fase da Namíbia

A Namíbia enfrenta um desafio semelhante, mas distinto. Embora as suas descobertas a tenham posicionado como uma importante bacia de fronteira, a sustentabilidade do investimento para além do primeiro petróleo dependerá da implementação de um quadro regulatório viável, ancorado na certeza fiscal, em mecanismos de estabilização e em sistemas de licenciamento rápidos e transparentes que permitam a rápida execução dos projetos. A experiência de Angola demonstra que, para além dos incentivos fiscais por si só, a rapidez de execução e a previsibilidade regulatória são igualmente decisivas para determinar se as descobertas serão convertidas em ativos produtores.

Igualmente importante é a continuidade institucional no seio dos órgãos reguladores, garantindo que os conhecimentos técnicos e a capacidade administrativa sejam mantidos ao longo dos ciclos políticos. Esta continuidade ajuda a reduzir a incerteza para os investidores e apoia processos de aprovação de projetos mais eficientes, sendo ambos aspetos críticos em ambientes de upstream intensivos em capital.

Angola também reforçou a participação nacional através da sua Lei do Conteúdo Local, introduzida em 2020. Isto tem apoiado o surgimento de empresas nacionais, como a Etu Energias e a CABSHIP, que desempenham agora um papel cada vez mais importante ao longo de toda a cadeia de valor. Só a Etu Energias realizou quase mil milhões de dólares em operações de fusões e aquisições entre 2022 e 2025 e tem como meta atingir 80 000 barris por dia até 2030, sublinhando a importância dos operadores locais na sustentação do crescimento da produção e na redução do risco operacional.

A Certeza Política Atrai Capital

À medida que a Namíbia se aproxima da primeira produção de petróleo, a experiência de Angola sublinha um princípio central: a geologia atrai a atenção, mas os quadros políticos previsíveis e aplicáveis atraem o capital. Uma regulamentação estável, um processo de licenciamento transparente, regimes fiscais competitivos, cláusulas de estabilização, sistemas de autorização eficientes e continuidade institucional determinam, em conjunto, se o potencial a montante se traduz em produção a longo prazo.

«O quadro regulamentar resiliente e favorável aos investidores de Angola tem atraído investimento sustentado na exploração, na reabilitação de campos existentes e em novos projetos offshore», afirma Ayuk. «Para a Namíbia, a oportunidade reside em tirar partido das suas descobertas de classe mundial, incorporando a certeza fiscal, as cláusulas de estabilização e a capacidade institucional que dão aos investidores a confiança necessária para comprometerem capital a longo prazo.»

Com a intensificação da concorrência global pelo investimento a montante, Angola oferece um roteiro prático para os produtores de fronteira. Ao combinar o potencial de recursos com quadros políticos previsíveis, exequíveis e administrados de forma eficiente, a Namíbia pode acelerar a sua transição do sucesso na exploração para uma produção sustentada, uma participação local mais profunda e um crescimento económico a longo prazo.

Distribuído pelo Grupo APO para African Energy Chamber.

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What Namibia Can Learn from Angola’s Oil Reform Playbook

Source: APO – Report:

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Namibia has emerged as one of the world’s most promising frontier oil and gas markets, with multi-billion-barrel discoveries positioning the country for first production by 2030. Yet moving from discovery to commercial production requires more than resource potential. It requires an investment framework that provides fiscal certainty, reduces execution risk and enables long-term capital deployment at scale.

Angola offers one of Africa’s clearest examples of how targeted upstream reform can reshape an entire sector. These lessons are explored in Crude Oil: Power, Turnaround and Transformation in Angola by NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber (AEC), now available globally. The book highlights how policy and fiscal reforms repositioned Angola from a declining producer to one of Africa’s most competitive upstream investment destinations.

Reform That Reset Angola’s Upstream Sector

Following years of production decline, Angola launched a wide-ranging reform program aimed at revitalizing both mature and frontier assets. In 2018, production had fallen by around 20% after an extended period without new licensing rounds, while imports accounted for roughly 80% of refined petroleum demand.

Today, that trajectory has shifted. Angola has attracted approximately $70 billion in planned upstream investment, supported by renewed exploration activity and a wave of offshore project developments. Key milestones include the $5.1 billion Greater PAJ development, which reached FID in 2026, alongside the Begonia and CLOV Phase 3 projects, both of which entered production in 2025. The Agogo FPSO is now onstream, while the Kaminho development is targeting first oil around 2028.

Exploration momentum is also accelerating, with TotalEnergies, ExxonMobil and Shell securing new acreage in Benguela and Namibe, alongside continued onshore activity from independents such as Afentra, Corcel and Etu Energias. Together, these developments reflect improved investor confidence in Angola’s regulatory and fiscal environment.

From Reform to Investment Certainty

Angola’s turnaround was not driven by geology alone, but by a deliberate shift in the quality and predictability of its investment framework. Since 2018, the country has introduced structural reforms including the Natural Gas Law, Gas Monetization Law, Permanent Offer framework and Marginal Fields legislation, all of which streamlined licensing procedures, improved fiscal competitiveness and strengthened long-term visibility for investors.

Crucially, these reforms embedded the core conditions that underpin upstream capital allocation decisions. Investors gained greater fiscal certainty through more predictable tax and royalty regimes, while stabilization clauses provided contractual protection against unilateral fiscal or regulatory changes over the life of projects. At the same time, approval and permitting processes were streamlined to reduce delays between discovery, FID and production, improving execution speed across the upstream value chain. These reforms were reinforced by stronger institutional continuity within the regulatory system, helping preserve technical expertise and ensure more consistent decision-making across policy cycles.

The 2018 Natural Gas Law established a dedicated framework for gas investment, unlocking monetization opportunities across Angola’s estimated 11 trillion cubic feet of reserves. The Permanent Offer mechanism, introduced in 2021, further improved market efficiency by enabling continuous licensing outside formal bidding rounds, reducing negotiation timelines and improving the flow of new opportunities to investors. Angola also introduced the Incremental Production Initiative to extend the life of mature fields and unlock stranded reserves, a framework expected to recover around 500 million additional barrels and extend field life cycles by up to two decades, significantly improving project economics and lowering investment risk.

A Blueprint for Namibia’s Next Phase

Namibia faces a similar but distinct challenge. While its discoveries have positioned it as a major frontier basin, sustaining investment beyond first oil will depend on embedding a bankable regulatory framework anchored in fiscal certainty, stabilization mechanisms and fast, transparent permitting systems that enable rapid project execution. Angola’s experience demonstrates that beyond fiscal incentives alone, execution speed and regulatory predictability are equally decisive in determining whether discoveries are converted into producing assets.

Equally important is institutional continuity within regulatory bodies, ensuring that technical expertise and administrative capacity are retained across policy cycles. This continuity helps reduce uncertainty for investors and supports more efficient project approval processes, both of which are critical in capital-intensive upstream environments.

Angola has also strengthened domestic participation through its Local Content Law, introduced in 2020. This has supported the emergence of indigenous companies such as Etu Energias and CABSHIP, which now play an increasingly important role across the value chain. Etu Energias alone has executed nearly $1 billion in M&A activity between 2022 and 2025 and is targeting 80,000 barrels per day by 2030, underscoring the importance of local operators in sustaining production growth and reducing operational risk.

Policy Certainty Drives Capital

As Namibia approaches first oil, Angola’s experience underscores a central principle: geology attracts attention, but predictable and enforceable policy frameworks attract capital. Stable regulation, transparent licensing, competitive fiscal regimes, stabilization clauses, efficient permitting systems and institutional continuity collectively determine whether upstream potential is converted into long-term production.

“Angola’s resilient and investor-friendly regulatory framework has attracted sustained investment across exploration, brownfield redevelopment and new offshore projects,” states Ayuk. “For Namibia, the opportunity is to build on its world-class discoveries by embedding the fiscal certainty, stabilization clauses and institutional capacity that give investors confidence to commit long-term capital.”

With global competition for upstream investment intensifying, Angola offers a practical roadmap for frontier producers. By combining resource potential with predictable, enforceable and efficiently administered policy frameworks, Namibia can accelerate its transition from exploration success to sustained production, deeper local participation and long-term economic growth.

– on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

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Guinea’s Mining Advisor to Highlight Simandou-Led Growth Strategy at African Mining Week (AMW) 2026

Source: APO – Report:

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Daouda Diakité, Principal Advisor to Guinea’s Minister of Mines and Geology, Bouna Sylla, has been confirmed as a speaker at the upcoming African Mining Week (AMW) – Africa’s Most Influential Mining Conference – scheduled for October 14-16 in Cape Town. His participation reinforces AMW’s role as the leading platform connecting African governments with international capital to unlock the continent’s next generation of mining investments.

Guinea is currently accelerating the rollout of its Simandou 2040 strategy, a long-term development plan designed to leverage mining revenues to finance large-scale infrastructure, industrialization and economic diversification.

At AMW 2026, Diakité is expected to provide insights into the policy reforms and investment frameworks shaping the country’s next phase of mining-led growth. In early 2026, Guinea adopted its Planning Law and Program Law, establishing the legislative foundation to mobilize private capital across 122 priority infrastructure and industrial projects under the Simandou 2040 program. The government is also preparing a series of additional regulatory reforms aimed at strengthening the mining investment climate, alongside the establishment of a sovereign wealth fund to channel future mining revenues into long-term national development.

In parallel, Guinea is advancing the Simandou Iron Ore Project, widely regarded as the world’s largest untapped deposit of high-grade iron ore. Construction reached approximately 74% completion in Q1 2026, with rail infrastructure completed and port development nearing commissioning ahead of first production expected in 2027.

The country is also reinforcing its position as the world’s leading bauxite supplier, with exports rising by 25% to 182.8 million tons in 2025. A series of alumina refinery developments are underway to support downstream processing and value addition, including major projects backed by international partners such as Chalco, State Power Investment Corporation, Chinalco, Alteo and Alcoa.

Against this backdrop, Diakité’s participation at AMW 2026 will provide investors and industry stakeholders with a timely update on Guinea’s evolving mining landscape and the expanding opportunities emerging across its value chain. The engagement is also expected to reinforce Guinea’s positioning as a long-term investment destination, as the country moves to convert resource wealth into large-scale industrial and infrastructure development.

– on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.

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Ce que la Namibie peut apprendre du modèle de réforme pétrolière de l’Angola

Source: Africa Press Organisation – French


La Namibie s’est imposée comme l’un des marchés pétroliers et gaziers de frontières les plus prometteurs au monde, avec des découvertes de plusieurs milliards de barils qui devraient permettre au pays de commencer sa production d’ici 2030. Cependant, passer de la découverte à la production commerciale nécessite bien plus qu’un simple potentiel en ressources. Cela exige un cadre d’investissement qui offre une sécurité fiscale, réduise les risques d’exécution et permette un déploiement de capitaux à long terme et à grande échelle.

L’Angola offre l’un des exemples les plus parlants d’Afrique illustrant comment une réforme ciblée du secteur amont peut remodeler tout un secteur. Ces enseignements sont explorés dans l’ouvrage *Crude Oil: Power, Turnaround and Transformation in Angola* de NJ Ayuk, président exécutif de l’African Energy Chamber (AEC), désormais disponible dans le monde entier. Ce livre met en lumière la manière dont les réformes politiques et fiscales ont permis à l’Angola de passer du statut de producteur en déclin à celui de l’une des destinations d’investissement les plus compétitives d’Afrique dans le secteur amont.

Une réforme qui a relancé le secteur en amont angolais

Après des années de baisse de la production, l’Angola a lancé un vaste programme de réformes visant à redynamiser tant les actifs matures que les actifs de frontier. En 2018, la production avait chuté d’environ 20 % après une longue période sans nouveaux cycles d’octroi de licences, tandis que les importations représentaient environ 80 % de la demande en produits pétroliers raffinés.

Aujourd’hui, cette tendance s’est inversée. L’Angola a attiré environ 70 milliards de dollars d’investissements prévus en amont, soutenus par une reprise des activités d’exploration et une vague de développements de projets offshore. Parmi les étapes clés figurent le projet de développement Greater PAJ, d’un montant de 5,1 milliards de dollars, dont la décision finale d’investissement (FID) a été prise en 2026, ainsi que les projets Begonia et CLOV Phase 3, qui sont tous deux entrés en production en 2025. Le FPSO Agogo est désormais opérationnel, tandis que le projet Kaminho prévoit une première production de pétrole vers 2028.

La dynamique d’exploration s’accélère également, TotalEnergies, ExxonMobil et Shell ayant obtenu de nouveaux blocs à Benguela et Namibe, parallèlement à la poursuite des activités onshore menées par des opérateurs indépendants tels qu’Afentra, Corcel et Etu Energias. Ensemble, ces développements reflètent une confiance accrue des investisseurs dans l’environnement réglementaire et fiscal de l’Angola.

De la réforme à la sécurité d’investissement

Le redressement de l’Angola n’a pas été uniquement motivé par la géologie, mais par une évolution délibérée de la qualité et de la prévisibilité de son cadre d’investissement. Depuis 2018, le pays a mis en place des réformes structurelles, notamment la loi sur le gaz naturel, la loi sur la monétisation du gaz, le cadre de l’offre permanente et la législation sur les champs marginaux, qui ont toutes rationalisé les procédures d’octroi de licences, amélioré la compétitivité fiscale et renforcé la visibilité à long terme pour les investisseurs.

Surtout, ces réformes ont ancré les conditions fondamentales qui sous-tendent les décisions d’allocation de capitaux en amont. Les investisseurs ont bénéficié d’une plus grande sécurité fiscale grâce à des régimes d’imposition et de redevances plus prévisibles, tandis que des clauses de stabilisation ont assuré une protection contractuelle contre les changements fiscaux ou réglementaires unilatéraux pendant toute la durée de vie des projets. Parallèlement, les processus d’approbation et d’octroi de permis ont été rationalisés afin de réduire les délais entre la découverte, la décision finale d’investissement (FID) et la production, améliorant ainsi la rapidité d’exécution tout au long de la chaîne de valeur en amont. Ces réformes ont été renforcées par une plus grande continuité institutionnelle au sein du système réglementaire, ce qui a contribué à préserver l’expertise technique et à garantir une prise de décision plus cohérente d’un cycle politique à l’autre.

La loi sur le gaz naturel de 2018 a établi un cadre dédié à l’investissement dans le gaz, ouvrant ainsi des opportunités de monétisation sur l’ensemble des réserves de l’Angola, estimées à 11 billions de pieds cubes. Le mécanisme d’«offre permanente», introduit en 2021, a encore amélioré l’efficacité du marché en permettant l’octroi continu de licences en dehors des cycles d’appel d’offres formels, ce qui a réduit les délais de négociation et amélioré le flux de nouvelles opportunités pour les investisseurs. L’Angola a également lancé l’«Initiative de production incrémentale» afin de prolonger la durée de vie des gisements matures et d’exploiter les réserves bloquées, un cadre qui devrait permettre de récupérer environ 500 millions de barils supplémentaires et de prolonger le cycle de vie des gisements jusqu’à deux décennies, améliorant ainsi considérablement la rentabilité des projets et réduisant le risque d’investissement.

Une feuille de route pour la prochaine phase de la Namibie

La Namibie est confrontée à un défi similaire mais distinct. Si ses découvertes l’ont positionnée comme un bassin pionnier majeur, le maintien des investissements au-delà de la première production de pétrole dépendra de la mise en place d’un cadre réglementaire viable, fondé sur la sécurité fiscale, des mécanismes de stabilisation et des systèmes d’octroi de permis rapides et transparents permettant une exécution rapide des projets. L’expérience de l’Angola démontre qu’au-delà des seules incitations fiscales, la rapidité d’exécution et la prévisibilité réglementaire sont tout aussi décisives pour déterminer si les découvertes se transforment en actifs producteurs.

La continuité institutionnelle au sein des organismes de régulation est tout aussi importante, car elle garantit le maintien de l’expertise technique et des capacités administratives d’un cycle politique à l’autre. Cette continuité contribue à réduire l’incertitude pour les investisseurs et favorise des processus d’approbation des projets plus efficaces, deux éléments essentiels dans les environnements en amont à forte intensité capitalistique.

L’Angola a également renforcé la participation nationale grâce à sa loi sur le contenu local, adoptée en 2020. Cette mesure a favorisé l’émergence d’entreprises locales telles qu’Etu Energias et CABSHIP, qui jouent désormais un rôle de plus en plus important tout au long de la chaîne de valeur. À elle seule, Etu Energias a réalisé près d’un milliard de dollars d’opérations de fusions-acquisitions entre 2022 et 2025 et vise une production de 80 000 barils par jour d’ici 2030, soulignant ainsi l’importance des opérateurs locaux pour soutenir la croissance de la production et réduire le risque opérationnel.

La sécurité réglementaire attire les capitaux

Alors que la Namibie s’apprête à produire son premier pétrole, l’expérience de l’Angola met en évidence un principe fondamental : la géologie attire l’attention, mais ce sont les cadres réglementaires prévisibles et applicables qui attirent les capitaux. Une réglementation stable, un système d’octroi de licences transparent, des régimes fiscaux compétitifs, des clauses de stabilisation, des systèmes d’autorisation efficaces et la continuité institutionnelle déterminent collectivement si le potentiel en amont se traduira par une production à long terme.

« Le cadre réglementaire résilient et favorable aux investisseurs de l’Angola a attiré des investissements soutenus dans l’exploration, la remise en valeur de sites existants et les nouveaux projets offshore », déclare M. Ayuk. « Pour la Namibie, l’opportunité consiste à tirer parti de ses découvertes de classe mondiale en mettant en place la sécurité fiscale, les clauses de stabilisation et les capacités institutionnelles qui donnent aux investisseurs la confiance nécessaire pour engager des capitaux à long terme. »

Alors que la concurrence mondiale pour les investissements en amont s’intensifie, l’Angola offre une feuille de route concrète aux producteurs des régions frontalières. En combinant son potentiel en ressources avec des cadres politiques prévisibles, applicables et gérés efficacement, la Namibie peut accélérer sa transition du succès de l’exploration vers une production durable, une participation locale plus forte et une croissance économique à long terme.

Distribué par APO Group pour African Energy Chamber.

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Working together for cleaner air in South Africa 

Source: Government of South Africa

Working together for cleaner air in South Africa 

By Bernice Swarts
The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) is concluding National Environment Month with a renewed commitment to strengthening collaboration among all three spheres of government, government entities, the private sector, research institutions, academia and civil society to tackle pollution and improve South Africa’s air quality.

This commitment is one of the key outcomes of the National Priority Air Quality Summit, recently held in Rustenburg, North West. Led by the DFFE, the summit brought together air quality officials and stakeholders from across the country to strengthen intergovernmental coordination and cooperation on air quality management in South Africa’s Priority Areas. 

The summit also provided an important platform for sharing experiences, best practices and innovative solutions to challenges experienced in the implementation of Priority Area Air Quality Management Plans.

When opening the summit, I challenged delegates to work together to find practical solutions to our country’s air pollution challenges. I am encouraged by a range of interventions explored to improve air quality and reduce pollution in our communities.

One of the interventions discussed was the role of greening initiatives in improving environmental quality. The DFFE is already implementing an ambitious programme to plant ten million trees on Heritage Day, 24 September 2026, under President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Presidential One Billion Trees Programme.

Through this initiative, government aims to plant one billion trees over the coming years to improve air quality, combat climate change and create greener communities.

We are excited to be driving this important programme and building on the success of our campaign to plant one million trees in a single day on Heritage Day last year.

The National Priority Air Quality Summit took place during Environment Month, a period when we reflect on our shared responsibility to protect the environment and improve the quality of life of all South Africans. It also coincides with Youth Month, reminding us that the decisions we make today will directly affect the health, wellbeing and opportunities of future generations.

Section 24 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa guarantees everyone the right to an environment that is not harmful to their health or wellbeing. This constitutional right places a responsibility on all of us – government, industry, civil society, academia and citizens – to work together to reduce air pollution, improve the quality of the air we breathe. 

The theme of this year’s Summit, “Collective Accountability for Clean Air: Clean Air is Not a Privilege, but a Fundamental Right “– captures the spirit of our Constitution. It recognizes air quality as a basic human right, ensuring that there is accountability across government, industries, and civil society in prioritising our wellbeing as a collective. 

Poor air quality affects the most vulnerable members of our society disproportionately. Children, the elderly, and individuals with existing respiratory and cardiovascular illnesses often bear the greatest burden of pollution. Clean air therefore remains fundamental to achieving sustainable development, improving public health, reducing inequality and building resilient communities.

The 2026 Priority Area Summit focused on several key themes, including:
•    Building technical capacity among government institutions and stakeholders within the new priority area regulatory framework;
•    Assessing lessons learnt from the implementation of the Highveld Priority Area Air Quality Management Plan;
•    Using those lessons to better prepare for the Vaal Triangle Airshed Priority Area and Waterberg-Bojanala priority areas.

The summit also focused on the implementation of the recently enacted National Dust Control Regulations, which seek to shift dust management from a reactive to a proactive approach. These discussions are critical as they aim to strengthen implementation capacity, improve accountability and accelerate measurable improvements in air quality management.

While the Summit acknowledged that notable progress has been achieved through enhanced monitoring networks, improved planning and increased stakeholder engagement, many communities continue to experience unacceptable levels of air pollution. We recognise the concerns expressed by communities regarding emissions from industrial activities, domestic fuel burning, transportation, waste burning and other pollution sources. 

We also acknowledge concerns raised by civil society organisations regarding the pace of implementation, transparency, compliance and accountability. Government takes these concerns seriously, and the Summit provided an opportunity to move beyond identifying challenges towards developing practical and implementable solutions.

My message remains clear: government cannot solve air pollution challenges alone. Industry, civil society, academia and communities all have important roles to play.

I also acknowledge and appreciate the support government has received through its partnership with the Clean Air Fund. This philanthropic organisation has partnered with the department since 2024 and has supported our Priority Area Summits since then.

The Clean Air Fund deployed 200 low-cost air quality sensors across Gauteng, North West and the Free State during 2025 and is working with the department to install additional sensors across the country. The organisation is also supporting municipalities and the department through public outreach and community awareness programmes, as well as strengthening the development of air quality management plans.

In addition, the Clean Air Fund has supported research institutions such as the South African Medical Research Council in conducting studies that help government better understand the health impacts of air pollution on communities. This evidence strengthens the case for urgent action to address pollution in Priority Areas.

These partnerships are unlocking valuable opportunities and enabling government to accelerate programmes that were previously constrained by limited resources. We encourage more stakeholders to identify opportunities for collaboration and partner with government through public-private partnerships to strengthen our collective efforts to improve air quality.

In conclusion, I want to emphasise that our communities have a right to know what they are breathing.
We recognise the growing importance of citizen science and community-based environmental monitoring. Around the world, communities are becoming active participants in environmental observation and data collection. Through the South African Air Quality Information System (SAAQIS), government continues to improve public access to air quality information and strengthen environmental transparency.

We have also enhanced systems that allow members of the public to report air pollution incidents and complaints online, enabling quicker responses and improved accountability.

However, communities must not only be informed – they must also be empowered to participate meaningfully in decisions that affect their health and environment. To this end, the department will host community air quality dialogues across South Africa, especially at all Priority Areas. We will expand public awareness and education initiatives on air quality and pollution. We will increase the number of Air Quality Dialogues across the country and ensure that information is communicated in all official languages so that communities are fully informed and able to participate.

The Summit further resolved to develop a clear and practical plan to strengthen community participation in efforts to reduce pollution and improve air quality. I therefore call on all South Africans to join government, industry and civil society in tackling air pollution and building healthier, cleaner and more sustainable communities for current and future generations.

*Swarts is the Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment

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Consumer relief as petrol, diesel and paraffin prices decrease

Source: Government of South Africa

Consumer relief as petrol, diesel and paraffin prices decrease

Overburdened consumers will be in for some relief from tomorrow after the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources (DMPR) announced a decrease in fuel prices, excluding LP Gas.

The adjustment for prices from July are as follows:
Petrol 93 (ULP & LRP): R2.01 decrease.
Petrol 95 (ULP &LRP): R1.96 decrease.
Diesel (0.05% sulphur): R3.13 decrease.
Diesel (0.005% sulphur): R3.58 decrease.
Illuminating Paraffin (wholesale): R5.23 decrease.
Single Maximum National Retail Price for Illuminating Paraffin: R6.97 decrease.
Maximum Retail Price of LPGas: 16c/kg increase and nineteen cents per kilogram (19.00 c/kg) increase in the Western Cape.

This means that a litre of 95 petrol which currently costs R28.06 in Gauteng will now cost R26.10 as of Wednesday. In the coast the price will come down from R27.19 to R25.23 a litre.

“The average Brent Crude oil price decreased from 104.59 US Dollars [USD] to 86.53 USD during the period under review. This is due to the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between the US and Iran which has improved global supply outlook.

“The average international product prices followed the decreasing trend of crude oil during the period under review. These factors led to lower contributions to the Basic Fuel Prices of petrol, diesel and illuminating paraffin by 295.97 cents per litre, 498.47 [cents a litre] and 510.51 [cents a litre], respectively. The prices of Propane and Butane increased during the period under review,” the department said.

During the same period, the Rand strengthened against the dollar from R16.52 to R16.38 per USD.
“This led to lower contributions to the Basic Fuel Prices of petrol, diesel and Illuminating Paraffin by 11.27 cents a litre, 13.75 cents a litre and 13.37 cents a litre respectively,” the department stated.

The DMPR also announced that the short-term fuel levy relief by government has “been phased out”.

“The short-term relief measures have been completely phased out and the full fuel levies of 429.00 cents per litre on petrol and 416.00 cents per litre on diesel will be reinstated,” the DMPR said. – SAnews.gov.za

 

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Indigenous Operators to Power Nigeria’s Next Upstream Growth Phase at African Energy Week (AEW) 2026

Source: APO – Report:

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As Nigeria’s energy sector enters a new phase defined by indigenous leadership, local operators are increasingly taking control of mature assets, accelerating marginal field development, and deploying capital into infrastructure that supports long-term production growth. From offshore developments and gas monetization to asset acquisitions and field optimization, this transformation will take center stage at African Energy Week (AEW) 2026, where some of Nigeria’s most influential energy executives are confirmed participants.

At the forefront of this shift is Seplat Energy, Nigeria’s largest independent producer, which continues to expand its upstream and gas portfolio following its landmark acquisition of ExxonMobil’s Nigerian subsidiary. The company’s 2030 strategy targets 200,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day and more than 1 billion standard cubic feet per day of domestic gas production, supported by key developments including the ANOH gas processing plant, which achieved first gas in January 2026. Incoming CEO Effiong Okon, alongside CFO and Executive Director Eleanor Adaralegbe, will represent Seplat Energy at AEW 2026, sharing insights into the company’s next phase of production growth, gas expansion and capital allocation strategy.

Other indigenous operators are demonstrating that mature assets can continue to deliver significant value through targeted investment and operational efficiency. SunTrust Atlantic Energies has been producing from the Umusadege field in OML 56 since 2008, generating more than 54 million barrels of crude while sustaining output of around 10,000 bpd. Founder, CEO and President Dr. Ugo Okafor will join AEW 2026 to discuss financing strategies, indigenous asset development and the role of patient capital in Africa’s upstream sector.

Meanwhile, Lekoil Nigeria is illustrating how indigenous operators can transform marginal fields into integrated production and infrastructure hubs. Through its Otakikpo asset, the company has commissioned Nigeria’s first indigenous onshore crude export terminal in nearly five decades, while expanding gas-to-power infrastructure and advancing the commercialization of additional discoveries, including OPL 310. Executive Director and Chief Technical Officer Samuel Olotu will contribute to discussions on infrastructure development, asset optimization and the future of indigenous operations.

A new generation of indigenous producers is also accelerating Nigeria’s offshore production growth. Emadeb Exploration & Production achieved first oil at the Ibom Field in 2025, marking the first shallow-water offshore development in more than 15 years. With over $100 million already invested and further drilling campaigns planned, the company reflects growing confidence among Nigerian-owned upstream players. Managing Director Dr. Oluwasegun Ogunsanya will speak at AEW 2026, sharing perspectives on accelerating project execution and scaling offshore development.

Beyond production growth, financial innovation and structured investment are becoming increasingly important as indigenous operators assume larger roles in Nigeria’s hydrocarbon sector. Pan Ocean Oil Corporation and the Newcross Group exemplify this shift, expanding across producing assets, gas infrastructure and export logistics. Group CFO Dr. Oluseyi Oladapo will participate at AEW 2026, offering perspectives on project financing, asset acquisitions and the capital structures required to sustain Nigeria’s next phase of upstream development.

“The future of Nigeria’s energy sector will be shaped by the strength, innovation and investment capacity of its indigenous operators. These companies are not only sustaining production from mature fields but are building a more resilient African energy industry,” says NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber.

Taking place in Cape Town from October 12–16, AEW 2026 will convene Nigeria’s leading independent operators alongside investors, regulators and global energy stakeholders to explore the strategies driving upstream transformation and the broader rise of indigenous leadership across Africa’s oil and gas sector.

– on behalf of African Energy Chamber.