Category: Africa

Source: APO

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The Government of Ghana, under the leadership of President John Dramani Mahama, has decisively resolved the crippling energy sector debt that posed one of the gravest risks to Ghana’s financial stability.

When President Mahama assumed office in January 2025, the energy sector had been pushed to the brink by years of persistent non-payment for gas supplied to the power sector from the Offshore Cape Three Points (OCTP) field. As a result, the World Bank Partial Risk Guarantee of US$500 million had been completely depleted under the previous administration.

The Partial Risk Guarantee (PRG), established in 2015 under the previous NDC Government, was a critical safeguard that enabled nearly US$8 billion in private sector investment into Ghana’s energy sector through the Sankofa Gas Project.

It was designed to guarantee payments to the project partners, ENI and Vitol, in the event of payment shortfalls. Its exhaustion represented a serious governance failure that undermined Ghana’s international credibility.

In a clear demonstration of fiscal discipline and responsible leadership, Government has, as at 31 December 2025, fully repaid US$597.15 million, inclusive of interest, drawn on the World Bank Guarantee. This achievement has restored the facility in full and reaffirmed Ghana’s standing as a credible and reliable partner on the global stage.

Between January and December 2025, Government, through carefully coordinated policy actions, also settled all outstanding gas invoices owed to ENI and Vitol for electricity generation. These payments totalled approximately US$480 million, ensuring that Ghana is fully current on its obligations to the Sankofa partners.

Through prudent financial management, adequate budgetary provisions have been secured to sustain timely payments going forward.

Government has also held constructive engagements with Tullow Oil and the Jubilee Field partners, agreeing on a comprehensive roadmap to guarantee full payment for all gas off-taken.

This approach is aimed at supporting reliable nationwide electricity generation while accelerating industrial growth.

Engagements with Ghana’s upstream partners have already resulted in increased gas production, guided by a clear national vision to rapidly scale up domestic gas supply to meet the country’s growing energy demand and reduce reliance on expensive liquid fuels.

As part of its broader energy sector reset, the Mahama Administration has successfully renegotiated all Independent Power Producer agreements to secure improved value for money for the Ghanaian people.

In 2025 alone, Government paid approximately US$393 million in legacy IPP debts, further anchoring the gains made in restoring stability to the sector.

Altogether, the Ministry of Finance has paid approximately US$1.470 billion in the 2025 fiscal year to rescue and restore Ghana’s energy sector.

Beyond clearing inherited arrears, and through disciplined implementation of the Cash Waterfall Mechanism by the Ministry of Energy, Government has remained current on largely all IPP invoices for 2025 and is firmly committed to further improving payment performance across all IPP obligations going forward.

The Government of Ghana assures the general public, industry stakeholders, and international partners that the era of uncontrolled energy sector debt accumulation is over.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Finance – Republic of Ghana.

Source: APO

The Meltwater Entrepreneurial School of Technology (MEST Africa) (https://MeltWater.Org); the continent’s launchpad for tech entrepreneurs has released ‘the MEST Africa AgriTech Report’, highlighting the technologies, startups  and trends redefining agriculture in West Africa.

Produced as part of the 2024 edition of the MEST Africa Challenge (MAC), in partnership with the Norwegian Embassy in Accra, the report reveals how local innovators are harnessing mobile technology, artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), and solar-powered systems to tackle post-harvest losses, market inefficiencies, and financing gaps that constrain African farmers.

“Agriculture has always been the backbone of West Africa’s economy, but today we’re seeing the emergence of a new chapter; one driven by innovation, local ingenuity, and technology,” said Ashwin Ravichandran, Portfolio Advisor and MAC Lead, MEST Africa. “This report captures that transformation and calls for greater collaboration between entrepreneurs, investors, and policymakers to ensure the promise of AgriTech benefits every farmer.”

Drawing on data and case studies from five key markets; Ghana, Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal, and Benin, the report spotlights more than 40 AgriTech startups driving measurable impact, including Ghana’s SAYeTECH, winner of the MEST Africa Challenge 2024, which manufactures locally appropriate mechanization tools, and Nigeria’s ColdHubs, whose solar-powered cold rooms have saved over 40,000 tons of produce from spoilage.

While ecosystem enablers such as MEST Africa, Kosmos Innovation Center (KIC), and CcHUB continue to nurture talent and provide seed capital, the report highlights that AgriTech still attracts only about 4% of Africa’s venture funding; revealing untapped opportunities for investors to back AgriTech solutions driving food security and inclusive growth.

“Our goal with this report is not only to spotlight innovation but to drive collaboration,” Ravichandran added. “By investing in data, infrastructure, and people, Africa’s AgriTech ecosystem can scale sustainably; ensuring technology works for the farmer first.”

Since 2008, MEST Africa has trained and supported over 2,000 entrepreneurs and invested in 90+ startups. The MEST Africa Challenge (MAC) is its flagship pan-African pitch competition designed to identify, support, and scale high-potential technology ventures.

Download the full report: https://apo-opa.co/49gBZyF

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Meltwater Entrepreneurial School of Technology (MEST Africa).

Media Contact (MEST Africa):
Ophesmur Naa Adjeley Adjei
Marketing and Communications Manager
marketing@meltwater.org

About MEST Africa:
Established in 2008 as the non‑profit arm of Meltwater, the Meltwater Foundation drives job creation and economic growth in Africa through software entrepreneurship. Headquartered in Accra, Ghana, the Foundation’s Entrepreneurial Support Organisation, MEST Africa, delivers a full-time, in-person intensive tech‑entrepreneurship training to emerging talent from more than 22 African countries and provides early‑stage investment to promising ventures. To extend this impact, the Foundation launched MESTx, a suite of collaborative programs designed and delivered with like‑minded partners to expand digital‑skills training and startup acceleration across the continent. Since its inception, the Meltwater Foundation has trained 2,000+ entrepreneurs and invested in 90+ startups across the continent; fueling innovation, creating jobs, and shaping Africa’s next generation of tech entrepreneurs. Learn more about MEST Africa: https://MeltWater.Org

Source: APO

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Senior energy market analysts and advisory leaders have confirmed their participation as speakers at the Libya Energy & Economic Summit (LEES) 2026, as Libya accelerates upstream investment, advances its first licensing round (https://apo-opa.co/3YzojbP) in nearly two decades and targets crude oil production of 1.6 million barrels per day (bpd) (https://apo-opa.co/3YvMTue) by the end of 2026.

Haythem Rashed, Managing Director, Quidux Consulting Limited; Jennifer Jumbe, Director-Energy & Natural Resources, S&P Global Commodity Insights; and Cristina Tomé Martinez, Technical Research Associate Director-Upstream Energy, S&P Global Commodity Insights, will contribute expert market perspectives at the event.

Scheduled for January 24-26, 2026, in Tripoli, the fourth edition of LEES is held under the theme “Infrastructure & Investment Driving Energy Growth” and is officially endorsed by the Office of the Prime Minister, the Ministry of Oil and Gas and the National Oil Corporation (NOC). The summit takes place as Libya records its highest oil output in over a decade and moves to attract international capital to upgrade aging infrastructure and unlock new exploration potential across its major basins.

Libya’s hydrocarbon sector remains the backbone of the national economy, accounting for approximately 90% of government revenues, 95% of exports and more than 60% of GDP. The NOC’s near-term objective to raise production from around 1.36 million bpd to 1.6 million bpd by end-2026 forms part of a longer-term ambition to reach 2 million bpd within three to five years. Achieving these targets will require sustained foreign investment, estimated at $3-4 billion for infrastructure modernization, alongside political and security stability.

Providing critical data, research and market intelligence on Libya’s oil and gas sector, S&P Global Commodity Insights closely tracks the country’s production recovery and its ambition to reach up to 2 million bpd by 2027. S&P analysis highlights that while Libyan output reached a 12-year high (https://apo-opa.co/49sO0zJ) in mid-2025, the sector remains sensitive to political volatility, underscoring the importance of resilient infrastructure and long-term investment frameworks. Meanwhile, Quidux – formed in 2020 – is a boutique advisory firm specializing in the Libyan energy market. The firm provides analytical and strategic advisory services to public and private institutions.

Recent upstream momentum in Libya includes the resumption of exploration and drilling by international majors such as Eni and bp in the Ghadames Basin, Repsol in the Murzuq Basin, and renewed commitments by TotalEnergies, OMV and others. Gas development is also gaining strategic importance, with major projects aimed at strengthening domestic supply and exports to Europe, including via the GreenStream pipeline to Italy.

“The participation of analysts and advisory experts from S&P Global Commodity Insights and Quidux Consulting reflects the growing demand for high-quality data, insight and strategic guidance as Libya reopens its upstream sector,” states James Chester, CEO, Energy Capital & Power.

LEES 2026 will convene government stakeholders, national and international oil companies, investors and service providers to examine Libya’s production outlook, licensing strategy and infrastructure pipelines. The summit offers a platform for dialogue, partnerships and deal-making in one of Africa’s most significant hydrocarbon markets.

Join industry leaders at the Libya Energy & Economic Summit 2026 in Tripoli and explore investment opportunities in one of North Africa’s most dynamic energy markets. LEES 2026 offers a premier platform for partnerships, innovation and sector growth. Visit www.LibyaSummit.com to secure your participation. To sponsor or participate as a delegate, please contact sales@energycapitalpower.com.

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

Source: APO

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Regional electricity integration could be a game-changer for Africa, helping countries address persistent electricity challenges and attract investment in energy infrastructure, according to the African Energy Chamber’s (https://EnergyChamber.org) State of African Energy 2026 Outlook. By developing larger, interconnected markets, nations can create alternative offtake solutions, reduce project risks and enable economies of scale. Five regional power pools have been established across the continent – Southern Africa, Eastern Africa, Western Africa, Central Africa and North Africa – to facilitate cross-border electricity trade, share resources and coordinate energy policies.

The Outlook notes that the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP) stands out as the most advanced. Its robust institutional framework, high degree of grid interconnection and transparent electricity market have enabled efficient trading and optimized resource use. SAPP serves as a model for regional integration, allowing member countries to benefit from reliable power exchanges and a diversified generation mix. Yet, even here, challenges remain: trading remains limited relative to total demand, liquidity is low and transmission constraints persist, highlighting the need for continued investment and market development.

West Africa’s power integration also shows promise. The Outlook highlights WAPP’s progress in expanding cross-border connections and increasing electricity trade, while noting that growth is constrained by incomplete grid links, regulatory fragmentation and financial issues such as payment arrears. Similarly, the Eastern Africa Power Pool is advancing through large-scale interconnection projects, but its development is slowed by political and regulatory fragmentation, infrastructure gaps and occasional security tensions. The Central African Power Pool remains the least developed, with minimal cross-border trade and limited infrastructure.

​​North Africa presents a contrasting picture: the region has some of Africa’s most advanced infrastructure, yet electricity trade is limited because countries primarily pursue bilateral agreements or focus on Europe-bound exports rather than intra-African integration. The Outlook emphasizes that across all regions, the African Union’s African Single Electricity Market aims to harmonize standards, regulatory frameworks and planning to create the world’s largest electricity market by 2040. Achieving this vision faces significant hurdles, including vast distances, technical incompatibilities, infrastructure needs, political fragmentation and differing national interests.

Even within the relatively mature SAPP, the Outlook identifies additional work needed to unlock market potential. Market liquidity remains a major constraint: in 2023, only 7.7 TWh was traded over the SAPP, compared with total demand of 344 TWh – roughly 2%. Around 80% of this trade comes from bilateral contracts, with just 13% conducted through the day-ahead market (DAM). In contrast, mature European markets trade more than 24% of physical consumption through DAMs, illustrating how limited trading scale in SAPP restricts its ability to stabilize the network. Transmission congestion also constrains trade: although blocked trades in the DAM fell from over 40% before 2018 to 1.3%, the Outlook notes this improvement reflects reduced activity rather than enhanced infrastructure. Addressing funding gaps and improving wheeling tariffs are critical to enabling the power pool to function at full potential.

The Outlook also highlights financing as a central issue across Africa, where public debt and fiscal constraints limit governments’ ability to fund large infrastructure projects. Innovative approaches such as public-private partnerships have emerged as vital tools for bridging these gaps. The Outlook identifies four main models for private-sector participation in transmission projects: Build-Own-Operate; Build-Own-Operate-Transfer; Build-Transfer-Operate; and Engineering, Procurement, Construction and Finance. Examples cited include the Kigali Power Transmission Project in Rwanda and the CLSG interconnector linking Ivory Coast, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea, funded by multilateral institutions and regional governments.

“By leveraging private investment alongside government support, these frameworks can mobilize capital, technology and expertise to construct and operate critical transmission infrastructure,” says NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman, African Energy Chamber, adding that regional electricity integration offers clear potential to lower costs, improve reliability and attract investment, “laying the foundation for a more secure, efficient and renewable-powered Africa.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

Source: APO

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United Nations Assistant Secretary General and UN Women’s Deputy Executive Director Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda will undertake a high-level mission to Zimbabwe from 12–16 January 2026, joined by the East and Southern AfricaDeputy Regional Director Adama Moussa . The visit comes at a pivotal moment for gender equality efforts, as global reforms and shifting donor priorities reshape the development landscape.

This strategic engagement aims to reaffirm UN Women’s commitment to Zimbabwe, strengthen partnerships, and mobilize collective action to safeguard and advance progress on gender equality and women’s empowerment. The visit will spotlight Zimbabwe’s policy advances and explore pathways for sustaining impactful programs amid funding transitions.

Key Objectives

• Normative Advocacy: Promote integration of global gender frameworks (CEDAW, Beijing Platform, SDG 5) into national policies.

• UN System Coordination: Reinforce gender mainstreaming and accountability across UN agencies.

• Programmatic Alignment: Support alignment of UN Women’s Strategic Note with national priorities and identify joint programming opportunities.

• Partnership Building: Deepen collaboration with government, civil society, and donors to sustain gender equality efforts.

Expected Outcomes

• Renewed government commitments to accelerate gender equality implementation.

• Strengthened UN coordination on gender mainstreaming.

• Clear priorities for scaling UN Women’s interventions.

• Enhanced donor engagement and resource mobilization.

• Reinforced partnerships with women’s rights organizations.

Joint Press Conference

The Deputy Executive Director will host a joint press briefing with the UN Resident Coordinator in Zimbabwe to share key insights from the mission and highlight collaborative efforts to advance gender equality.

Date: [ Friday 16 January  Time: [ 11:45 pm] Venue: [ Block 11 Arundel Office Park UN Complex] Media RSVP: [ 0773282485 ]

Notes for Editors 

Zimbabwe has made notable strides in gender policy reform, including the adoption of the National Gender Policy (2025), the GBV Strategy (2023–2030), and the Marriages Act (2022). However, challenges persist in women’s political representation, economic empowerment, and GBV response systems. UN Women’s country program—now operating with a projected budget of USD 2.8 million for 2026 focuses on ending violence against women, promoting women’s leadership, economic empowerment, and advancing women’s peace and security.

This visit underscores UN Women’s commitment to supporting Zimbabwe’s Vision 2030 and accelerating progress on the Sustainable Development Goals through inclusive, gender-transformative programming.

Media Contact: For inquiries, please contact: Innocent Katsande, Communications Officer. [ Click to reveal ]

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of UN Women – Africa.