Category: Africa

Source: APO

The Government of Zimbabwe commissioned a tranche of small-scale agricultural equipment to support climate-smart agriculture, sustainable land management and rural livelihoods in the country’s dryland areas, under the Drylands Sustainable Landscapes Impact Programme (DSL-IP) funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF-7) and supported by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

The commissioning ceremony, held at the Community Technology Development Organisation (CTDO) in Harare, was officiated by the Minister of Environment, Climate and Wildlife, Hon. Evelyn Ndhlovu, with senior officials from the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, FAO, project implementing partners and members of the development sector.

Speaking at the event, Hon. Ndhlovu said the provision of mechanised equipment marks a critical milestone in the Government’s efforts to transform agriculture in Zimbabwe’s most climate-vulnerable dryland regions, while safeguarding ecosystems and natural resources.

“Today’s commissioning represents a strategic shift from environmentally destructive coping practices towards productive, climate-smart and land-positive livelihoods. Mechanisation is not merely about increasing output. It is a powerful enabler of sustainable land management, reducing labour drudgery for women and youth while improving productivity and resilience,” said Hon. Dr. Ndhlovu.

Part of a global drylands programme

The DSL-IP project is implemented by the Ministry of Environment, Climate and Wildlife, through the Environmental Management Agency (EMA), with FAO as the GEF-accredited entity, in partnership with CTDO, World Vision, the Forestry Commission and the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority.

The Zimbabwe child project forms part of a global FAO-led Drylands Sustainable Landscapes Impact Programme being implemented in eleven countries in Southern Africa, West Africa and Asia, supporting countries to meet their Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) targets under the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD).

“The equipment commissioned today builds on earlier distributions in 2025 that have significantly reduced labour requirements, improved timeliness of farm operations and encouraged wider adoption of sustainable practices, even beyond project-supported Farmer Field Schools,” noted Rene Czudek, FAO Forestry Officer Rene Czudek and Lead Technical Officer for the DSL-IP.

Scaling up farmer-centred mechanisation

A total of 1 050 additional pieces of small-scale agricultural equipment were commissioned, bringing the cumulative total to 1 960 units procured under the project. The equipment includes two-wheel tractors, double-furrow ploughs, planters, trailers, multi-crop threshers, earth augers and post-harvest processing machinery, and is supporting 600 Farmer Field Schools across the Save and Runde catchments.

The labour-saving technologies are benefiting 15 000 direct beneficiaries, of whom at least 52 percent are women, by improving land preparation, planting precision and post-harvest handling, while reducing pressure on forests, rangelands and riverbanks.

According to the Permanent Secretary for Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Obert Jiri, in a speech read on his behalf, smallholder mechanisation is a key driver of agricultural modernisation and rural transformation.

“Research has shown that mechanisation enhances productivity through timeliness and precision of operations. By increasing output on existing arable land, it limits the expansion of agriculture into forests and fragile ecosystems, directly contributing to Zimbabwe’s land degradation neutrality commitments,” said Obert Jiri.

Delivering national and global commitments

The DSLIP contributes directly to National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2) priorities on food security, climate resilience and rural development, while aligning with the Government’s Pfumvudza/Intwasa climate-smart agriculture programme and broader national mechanisation initiatives.

Across the Save and Runde landscapes, the project is expected to restore 2 150 hectares of degraded land, bring 172 540 hectares under improved sustainable land and forest management practices, mitigate 1.26 million tonnes of CO₂-equivalent greenhouse gas emissions, and strengthen resilience across 44 wards in eight districts.

As the project approaches completion, stakeholders emphasised the importance of strong governance, maintenance systems and equitable access to ensure that the equipment continues to deliver benefits beyond the life of the project.

“Every piece of equipment commissioned today must translate into improved productivity, restored landscapes and dignified livelihoods for our rural citizens,” said Andrew Mushita, CTDO Director, in his remarks.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO): Regional Office for Africa.

Source: APO

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The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), in collaboration with the Forestry Commission and the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works, concluded a week‑long series of capacity‑building workshops aimed at empowering traditional leaders in spearheading sustainable management and restoration of Miombo woodlands in Mudzi and Rushinga districts in Zimbabwe.

The workshops, held from 9 – 13 February 2026, equipped more than 200 traditional leaders and Community Resource Monitors with technical, legal, and governance skills to strengthen local natural resource management systems. This capacity‑building initiative forms part of the USD 5 million Zimbabwe–Mozambique Transboundary Integrated Sustainable Management of Miombo Woodlands Project, funded by the Italian Government through the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS).

“Traditional leaders including Chiefs, Headmen, and Village Heads are the cultural and administrative custodians of Zimbabwe’s rural livelihoods and landscapes. As such, they hold an essential role in shaping community behaviour, enforcing local laws, and driving environmental stewardship. Their involvement is therefore strategic to the success of the national Miombo restoration agenda in Southern Africa,” said Patrice Talla, FAO Subregional Coordinator for Southern Africa and Representative to Zimbabwe.  

The training sessions brought forward several important insights that will shape the ongoing restoration of Miombo woodlands. Participants underscored the critical role of indigenous knowledge systems, such as customary land‑use practices, seasonal indicators, and cultural norms, in guiding effective Miombo woodland conservation. Conservation methods rooted in this local wisdom were widely acknowledged as more sustainable and more readily embraced by communities.

The workshops also reinforced the legal authority of traditional leaders under the Traditional Leaders Act, encouraging them to fully exercise their mandate as local law enforcers responsible for ensuring compliance with both community rules and national forestry legislation. A recurring message throughout the sessions was that “a wise leader rides on local expertise,” emphasizing the importance of informed and culturally grounded decision‑making.

“Through these workshops, we were able to clarify the scientific principles behind Miombo woodlands management while also outlining the legal provisions that guide responsible natural resources use in Zimbabwe. Our mandate as the Forestry Commission is not only to provide technical expertise, but also to ensure that communities and traditional leaders fully understand the regulatory frameworks that protect our forests,” said Lucious Mujuru, Provincial Forestry Extension Manager at the Forestry Commission of Zimbabwe.

Traditional leaders further highlighted the need for participatory law‑making, stressing that communities must be involved in developing and enforcing natural resource regulations to build legitimacy and trust. The workshops also sought to strengthen collaboration among multiple institutions, including Rural District Councils, the Forestry Commission, Environmental Management Agency, the Zimbabwe Republic Police, and community monitors.

A firm stance was taken against corruption in land allocation, with leaders committing to uphold transparency and enforce punitive measures when necessary. Village Heads were ceremonially positioned as frontline custodians of natural resources, symbolically “given the bow and arrow” to reinforce their role as the eyes and ears of Chiefs.

“We are particularly grateful for the opportunity provided by Italy and FAO to bring our traditional leaders together and sensitise them on their vital roles in the protection and sustainable management of Miombo woodlands,” said Ropafadzo Mukonde from the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works.

“The Italian Cooperation places communities at the heart of sustainable natural resource management. We were therefore pleased to support this FAO-led training under the Miombo woodlands project, enabling traditional leaders and communities to strengthen their capacity to protect these ecosystems. Often described as the ecological ‘lungs’ of Southern Africa, the Miombo can only be preserved through the active engagement and leadership of local communities,” said Paolo Enrico Sertoli, Head of AICS Maputo Office (also covering Zimbabwe).

Throughout the capacity building sessions, stakeholders emphasized that protecting Miombo woodlands is a matter of national importance, vital for climate resilience, water security, biodiversity preservation, and rural livelihoods. The discourse also explored the economic benefits of well‑managed woodlands, noting that ecosystems rich in non‑timber forest products such as baobab and marula, along with improved soil health and carbon storage potential, generate significant long‑term value for local communities.

The sessions unanimously resolved to establish effective Resource Management Committees in each ward. These committees will be responsible for overseeing/monitoring natural resource use and reporting on compliance, developing locally appropriate rules and regulations in consultation with traditional and local leadership, and supporting enforcement efforts.

“We need to anchor our efforts at the grassroots level to foster a strong sense of ownership and ensure effective and sustainable natural resource management,” said Maxwell Phiri, Miombo National Project Coordinator at FAO.

Going forward, the project envisages strengthening of the existing Resource Management Committees, as well as facilitating their establishment in wards where they are not yet in place. These committees will be capacitated with practical skills to enhance effective natural resource governance and sustainable land management. Capacity-building support will include training in forest resource inventory and monitoring, value addition to Non-Timber Forest Products, fire prevention and management, seedling production, tree planting, and sustainable management of natural forests.

Embedding Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) in ecosystems restoration

A dedicated session on PSEA was included in all the capacity‑building workshops, recognising the crucial role traditional leaders play in safeguarding their communities. Integrating PSEA into these workshops was essential because traditional leaders are often the first point of contact for community grievances and therefore must be equipped with the knowledge to uphold accountability, protect vulnerable groups, and promote ethical conduct in development initiatives.

“For traditional leaders whose influence shapes social norms, the trainings provided a critical platform to strengthen accountability systems at grassroots level. By equipping Chiefs, Headmen, and Village Heads with this knowledge, FAO helped reinforce community trust and safeguard the integrity of the Miombo restoration initiative,” said Leticia Njowola, FAO PSEA Country Focal Point.

Voices of the Traditional Leaders 

“This project is going to benefit my community in protecting Miombo woodlands and in turn, the Miombo woodlands improving our livelihoods, a mutual and symbiotic relationship between humans and the ecosystem. With these trainings, I am going to intensify my leadership in supporting the resource monitoring committees established in my wards. I rely on the coordination of my village heads to ensure the objectives of the Miombo restoration are met,” Chief Mukota, Mudzi district. 

“As a woman leading my community, this training has empowered me to confidently confront the challenges we face in protecting our Miombo woodlands. For many of us, this thematic area has long been seen as the domain of men, but today I feel equipped to break new ground and show that women, too, have a critical role to play in restoring our environment,” Chioniso Chichovhe, Village Headwoman, Ward 17, Mudzi District.

“As a cultural custodian, I carry a responsibility to my community and to the wider Miombo landscape shared by Zimbabwe and Mozambique. This training has strengthened my commitment to honour our shared history by leading restoration efforts and passing this knowledge throughout my district with the support of my village heads,” said Chief Makuni of Rushinga District.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO): Regional Office for Africa.

Source: APO

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Energy major Eni continues to deliver on its exploration drive in Africa, announcing two major hydrocarbon discoveries in February 2026. In Ivory Coast, the company successfully drilled the Murene South-1X well in Block CI-501, confirming the Calao South discovery within the prolific Calao channel complex. Through its Angolan joint venture Azule Energy, the company also announced the Algaita-01 well in Block 15/06 – situated in the prolific Lower Congo Basin. Together, these milestones reflect a deliberate dual-track strategy for the company: opening new hydrocarbon frontiers while strengthening production capacity across Africa’s established markets. 

As the voice of the African energy sector, the African Energy Chamber (AEC) commends Eni for its sustained commitment to African exploration. Large-scale discoveries in Ivory Coast and Angola are not only commercial wins – they are strategic victories for the continent. For emerging producers such as Ivory Coast, discoveries of this scale fast-track energy independence and domestic gas-to-power expansion. For mature producers such as Angola, they underpin production stability and fiscal resilience at a time when global capital is increasingly selective. As the company advances appraisal, testing and development planning, these discoveries have the potential to catalyze a new wave of upstream momentum across Africa’s hydrocarbon market.

Ivory Coast: Unlocking New Frontiers

Representing the first exploration well in Block CI-501, Eni’s recent Calao South discovery has estimated volumes of 5 trillion cubic feet of gas and 450 million barrels of condensate. Drilled in water depths of approximately 5,000 meters, the Murene South-1X well encountered high-quality Cenomanian sands with excellent petrophysical properties. The well will undergo a full drill stem test to assess production capacity, but the scale of resources already signals a potential game-changer for the Ivorian gas market.

Crucially, Calao South complements the fast-tracked Baleine Field development – led by Eni as operator. Currently producing over 62,000 barrels of oil and more than 75 million cubic feet of gas per day from Phases 1 and 2, Baleine is set to ramp up significantly under Phase 3, targeting 150,000 barrels of oil and 200 million cubic feet of gas per day. This phased development model demonstrates how exploration success can be rapidly converted into production, supporting domestic power generation and industrial demand while boosting export capacity.

Angola: Scaling-Up Production

Eni’s exploration drive extends beyond Africa’s frontier margins. In established markets such as Angola, the company continues to deliver successful exploration results, with its recent Algaita-01 well further validating the resource potential of Block 15/06 – one of Angola’s biggest producing assets. Drilled in 667 meters of water by the Saipem 12000 drillship, the well encountered oil-bearing sandstones across multiple Upper Miocene intervals, supported by comprehensive data acquisition and fluid sampling. Initial resource estimates measure 500 million barrels of oil, underscoring the growth potential of Angola’s mid-life assets.

What makes Algaita-01 particularly significant is its proximity to the Olombendo FPSO. The presence of existing infrastructure materially enhances development prospects, lowering capital intensity and accelerating time-to-market. This near-field exploration model exemplifies how incremental discoveries around established hubs can sustain production above one million barrels per day in Angola, even as legacy fields mature.

A Continental Exploration Drive

Eni’s Ivory Coast and Angola discoveries come as the company advances a bold exploration strategy across the broader African market. In North Africa, the company plans to invest up to €24 billion across Algeria, Libya and Egypt over the next four years, signaling a major boost for the regional market. Just this month, the company secured the offshore exploration License O1 following Libya’s 2025 open licensing round. Exploration coincides with an ambitious LNG drive in Africa, with projects such as Congo LNG – Phase 2 of which commenced in December 2025 – and Coral North – launched in October 2025 – underpinning its gas strategy.

“Eni’s recent discoveries in Ivory Coast and Angola send a powerful signal to the global market that Africa remains open, prospective and competitive. Oil and gas are not relics of the past for our continent – they are the foundation of industrialization, power generation and economic sovereignty. Companies that continue to explore, invest and partner with African nations are driving real development and long-term energy security,” states NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman, AEC.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

Source: APO

The year 2026 is shaping up to be a defining year for African energy. Amid shifting geopolitics, intensifying trade disputes and the global push to diversify supply chains, international partners are increasingly turning toward Africa as a strategic energy anchor. At the same time, continent-wide regulatory reform, new oil and gas discoveries and strengthened global alliances have significantly enhanced Africa’s competitiveness, positioning it as one of the most attractive destinations for foreign energy capital in today’s climate.

At this pivotal moment, the African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energies Conference & Exhibition emerges as the continent’s most consequential energy platform – for international investors seeking new entry points, for African governments engaging global partners and for indigenous companies expanding their regional and global footprint. Taking place October 12-16, 2026 in Cape Town, AEW’s newly launched Draft 2026 program reflects the urgency, scale and opportunity defining Africa’s current energy trajectory.

“Africa’s energy sector is rising with confidence on the global stage. From upstream expansion to downstream industrialization and power generation, the continent is no longer waiting on the sidelines – it is shaping global energy markets. AEW: Invest in African Energies provides the platform where African voices, African projects and African solutions take center stage,” states NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman, African Energy Chamber.

Global Realignment Meets African Resources

With over 125 billion barrels of crude reserves, 620 trillion cubic feet of natural gas and abundant solar, wind and hydropower potential, Africa has long-been an attractive destination for international energy companies. Yet despite this resource base, the continent’s energy finance gap remains between $31 billion and $50 billion – constraining project execution, delaying infrastructure rollout and limiting the pace at which Africa can translate resource wealth into industrial growth and universal energy access. But this trajectory is already shifting. Global efforts to diversify supply chains, strengthened fiscal and legal terms across Africa and a rise in strong and capable domestic partners has transformed the continent from merely attractive to increasingly competitive.

Recent moves reflect this. In the oil sector, licensing rounds in Libya, Angola, Nigeria, Algeria have opened new acreage for major players while strategic divestment has created space for local and regional players to expand. In the gas sector, the launch of large-scale LNG facilities – including Congo LNG Phase 2, Greater Tortue Ahmeyim and the resumption of Mozambique LNG – underscores the potential for billion-dollar projects. Renewable energy is also taking shape. Over 13 GW of utility-scale solar and wind is under development while green hydrogen production could reach 50 million tons per annum by 2035. As capital competition intensifies and global markets seek secure, diversified energy supply, AEW 2026 arrives at a decisive moment – providing the platform where this resource strength, reform momentum and investor appetite converge into actionable partnerships and project financing.

Strategic Positioning, Five-Stage Program

Reflecting Africa’s mandate of attracting global capital while strengthening domestic energy systems, AEW 2026 is structured around a five-stage program designed to address the full energy value chain. The AEW Town Hall will convene senior policymakers, regulators and private-sector leaders in a high-level roundtable format aimed at aligning fiscal regimes, scaling indigenous operators and accelerating the shift from resource extraction to industrialization. Country spotlights will showcase active licensing rounds, regulatory reforms and investment pipelines across key markets.

With over $20 billion required for refining infrastructure and billions more needed for storage, petrochemicals and gas-to-power integration, the Energy Finance & Downstream Summit will examine the dual bottlenecks of capital access and underdeveloped value chains. The Upstream E&P Forum will spotlight new gas frontiers through 2035, marginal field development, transboundary collaboration and high-impact drilling campaigns.

The Powering Africa Forum addresses the continent’s electrification challenge directly, examining grid expansion, renewable integration, utility reform and the rise of energy-intensive industries such as data centers. With electricity demand projected to rise sharply through 2030, this track positions power infrastructure as both a social necessity and a major investment opportunity. Finally, the Energy Additions Forum underscores Africa’s pragmatic approach to energy security – responsibly developing hydrocarbons alongside renewables. Together, these stages position AEW not simply as a conference, but as a structured marketplace for policy alignment, capital allocation and project acceleration.

Technical Dialogue, Commercial Outcomes

As capital becomes increasingly selective and investors prioritize technical certainty alongside fiscal stability, detailed subsurface intelligence and operational efficiency are no longer secondary considerations – they are core investment criteria. AEW 2026’s technical platforms – The Drill Room and The Innovation Hub – are therefore positioned not as side discussions, but as critical forums for evaluating risk, cost structures and commercial viability across Africa’s emerging and established basins.

The Drill Room will focus on translating geological potential into economically recoverable resources, while the Innovation Hub will address the growing role of technology in strengthening Africa’s energy competitiveness. By grounding technical dialogue in commercial outcomes, AEW 2026 frames geology, engineering and digital innovation as essential pillars of investment confidence – reinforcing the link between subsurface potential and capital deployment.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

Source: APO

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The Islamic Development Bank Institute (IsDBI) (https://IsDBInstitute.org) is pleased to announce special complimentary access to all its e-books available on the online bookstore from 18 February to 3 April 2026, in celebration of Ramadan and Eid al‑Fitr.

During this period, IsDBI’s full collection of Islamic economics and finance publications will be available for free for reading through the IsDBI eBook Reader. Once downloaded to the user’s personal library on the Reader, the ebooks will remain permanently accessible even after the promotional period.

IsDBI’s extensive catalogue includes more than four decades of cutting‑edge research and insights designed to support professionals, policymakers, academics, and students.

In his comments on this occasion, Dr. Sami Al-Suwailem, Acting Director General of IsDBI, said, “We are delighted to invite professionals, researchers, and the public to take advantage of this opportunity to explore and benefit from a vast collection of knowledge and actionable insights. This initiative reflects IsDBI’s commitment to promoting knowledge sharing and intellectual dialogue.”

After the free‑access period ends on 3 April 2026, all ebooks that are paid publications on the online bookstore will revert to their original prices. Free titles will continue to remain free.

More information on the IsDBI eBook Reader is available here: https://isdbinstitute.org/ebook-reader-application/

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Islamic Development Bank Institute (IsDBI).

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About the IsDB Institute:
The Islamic Development Bank Institute (IsDBI) is the knowledge beacon of the Islamic Development Bank Group. Guided by the principles of Islamic economics and finance, the IsDB Institute leads the development of innovative knowledge-based solutions to support the sustainable economic advancement of IsDB Member Countries and various Muslim communities worldwide. The IsDB Institute enables economic development through pioneering research, human capital development, and knowledge creation, dissemination, and management. The Institute leads initiatives to enable Islamic finance ecosystems, ultimately helping Member Countries achieve their development objectives. More information about the IsDB Institute is available on https://IsDBInstitute.org/

Source: APO

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A delegation from Egypt’s Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources (MOPMN) met with the Energy Capital & Power (ECP) (www.EnergyCapitalPower.com) team to discuss the country’s anticipated participation in the upcoming African Mining Week (AMW), set to take place in Cape Town later this year.

Scheduled for October 14–16, 2026, at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, AMW will bring together African mining markets – including Egypt – with global investors to facilitate partnerships, deal-making and dialogue on the future of Africa’s mining sector.

The Egyptian delegation included Mr. Yasser Ramadan, Chairman, Egyptian Mineral Resources and Mining Industries Authority (MRMIA), Mr. Mohamad Ismael, MRMIA Board Member, Eng. Mahmoud Nagy, Undersecretary of Energy Efficiency, Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Eng. Abeer Elsherbiny, Undersecretary, Technical Office of the Ministry, Eng. Nehal Khalil, Head of Communication and Events – Technical Office, MOPMN and Geol. Yosra Othman – Technical Office – MOPMN.

Discussions focused on Egypt’s potential engagement at AMW 2026, while also highlighting the country’s successful participation at AMW 2025, its strong interest in AMW 2027 and the potential to host a future edition of the event.

The Egyptian delegation emphasized its interest in using AMW as a platform to showcase the country’s extensive and commercially attractive mining prospects, alongside priority themes including legislation optimization, investment incentives, government-investor collaboration and local value addition.

Egypt is rich in a diverse array of mineral resources, particularly in the Eastern Desert and Sinai Peninsula. Key resources include gold (estimated at over 9 million ounces), 660 million tons of iron oxides, substantial deposits of phosphates, copper, high purity silica sand and coal.

Egyptian officials also highlighted the country’s mining cadastre – a digital platform scheduled for launch in Q2 2026 – which is expected to streamline investor access to opportunities, reduce red tape and significantly shorten permitting timelines. In addition, Egypt outlined ongoing cooperation discussions with Ghana and Nigeria aimed at strengthening intra-African partnership, noting that AMW could play a catalytic role in advancing this continental collaboration agenda.

“Egypt is making significant progress in mineral processing and beneficiation. The country has a strong mining foundation, and AMW may presents an important opportunity to deepen cooperation with other African players,” said James Chester, CEO of ECP.

Rachelle Kasongo, Event Director of AMW, underscored the event’s role in supporting Egypt’s mineral beneficiation objectives, particularly following the country’s gold value chain financing agreement with the African Export-Import Bank signed in late 2025.

As Africa’s official platform for shaping and advancing mining sector trends, AMW can integrate key topics influencing Egypt’s mining industry, while connecting global investors with Egyptian regulators, mining companies and emerging project opportunities.

Held under the theme Mining the Future: Unearthing Africa’s Full Mineral Value, AMW 2026 will feature high-level panel discussions, exclusive networking sessions and project showcases examining the role of Egypt and Africa’s mining value chains in securing global commodity supply chains.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.