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LEKOIL Named Silver Partner at African Energy Week (AEW) 2025, Highlighting Growth and Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Leadership

Source: APO


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Africa-focused exploration and production company LEKOIL will participate as a Silver Partner at African Energy Week: Invest in African Energies 2025, underscoring its commitment to scaling oil production, advancing ESG principles and aligning with Nigeria’s energy transition and reform agenda. 

LEKOIL is pursuing a medium-term goal of reaching 250,000 barrels of oil per day (bpd), driven by a portfolio of marginal and offshore assets. Growth will be achieved through rapid project execution, technical innovation and strategic partnerships designed to maximize efficiency and production. 

Earlier this year, the company entered a strategic partnership with the Kwa Ibom State government to catalyze investment across the oil and gas value chain, while also promoting agricultural, infrastructure and community-based initiatives. This collaboration reflects LEKOIL’s long-term vision to integrate energy production with socioeconomic empowerment, creating jobs and driving development in host communities. 

ESG remains central to LEKOIL’s strategy. The company actively promotes environmental stewardship, social investment and governance best practices across Africa’s energy sector. By minimizing environmental footprints, empowering local communities, and ensuring operational transparency, LEKOIL is strengthening investor confidence and supporting sustainable growth. 

Operationally, the company has established a track record of efficiency. The Otakikpo field in Rivers State – acquired in 2014 – was brought into production within 18 months, setting a benchmark for indigenous operators. Today, it remains a cornerstone of LEKOIL’s production base. Meanwhile, OPL 310 offshore Lagos – one of Nigeria’s largest recent offshore discoveries, with estimated recoverable resources exceeding 700 million barrels of oil equivalent – offers significant long-term growth potential. 

These activities align with Nigeria’s broader energy sector reforms, including new executive orders and fiscal measures aimed at boosting competitiveness, attracting investment and enhancing transparency. LEKOIL’s production ambitions and governance commitments position it as a key partner in achieving national energy targets and advancing regional economic growth. 

“LEKOIL’s operational record, ESG focus and alignment with Nigeria’s reform agenda showcase how indigenous oil companies can deliver both commercial growth and socioeconomic impact. By combining technical expertise with strong local partnerships, the company is creating a blueprint for sustainable upstream development in Africa,” stated Tomás Gerbasio, VP of Commercial and Strategic Engagement, African Energy Chamber. 

LEKOIL executives Edward During, Chief Financial Officer, and Sam Olotu, Chief Technical Officer, will speak at AEW 2025: Invest in African Energies, offering insights into the company’s ongoing projects, growth trajectory and ESG-driven approach. 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

About African Energy Week (AEW):
AEW: Invest in African Energies is the platform of choice for project operators, financiers, technology providers and government, and has emerged as the official place to sign deals in African energy. Visit www.AECWeek.com for more information about this exciting event. 

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Ramokgopa advocates for just transition that will leave no community behind

Source: Government of South Africa

Electricity and Energy Minister, Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, has outlined an ambitious plan to restructure the nation’s energy landscape, emphasising a balanced approach to decarbonisation that prioritises economic stability and community welfare.

Ramokgopa was speaking at the official launch of the Just Energy Transition (JET) Skills Desk and National JET Skills Advisory Forum.

Held at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Johannesburg on Friday, the Minister told delegates that government aims to dramatically shift its energy mix, targeting 60% renewable energy by 2042, transitioning from the current 78% fossil fuel dependency.

“And then, as we do that, we need to ensure that we domesticate the benefits.” 

The Minister said a key strategy involves repurposing existing power infrastructure, particularly in Mpumalanga, to create new green energy opportunities.

“Our view is that this is a diversified mix with a dynamic relationship.”

According to the Minister, the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) will add 11 gigawatts (GW) of photovoltaic and 9 GW of wind power by 2030, with an additional 74 GW planned between 2030-2042. 

The IRP aims to address energy sovereignty, economic impact, and environmental harm, projecting a significant increase in renewable energy sources by 2042. 

Meanwhile, the Minister said the Energy Action Plan (EAP) has improved electricity availability from 48% to over 70%. 

Importantly, the Minister said the transition prioritises “just transition” principles, ensuring communities are not economically decimated.

“As we transition, you must not leave anyone behind. We must design interventions to ensure the net employment benefit is positive.”

In addition, the plan includes massive transmission infrastructure investments, estimated at R440 billion and focuses on creating skills aligned with emerging green economy needs.

“That is because we want to transition. Otherwise, if you didn’t want to, we were not going to spend that money… and could be redirecting it to other sectors of the economy. I’m just saying it’s not free, but we know that the benefit outweighs the upfront cost and then the repurposing options of these power stations.”

In addition, he said the focus is on repurposing power stations and developing local skills to support the transition, ensuring a balanced approach that includes all energy sources and benefits communities.

The Minister said government’s message was clear, which is action over perfection. 

“Our biggest problem is seeking a perfect solution… Act, and in the course of doing that, we’ll make mistakes and get it right.”
Meanwhile, Higher Education and Training Minister Buti Manamela, who delivered a keynote address on behalf of Deputy President Paul Mashatile, highlighted that the energy transition is “not just about megawatts” but is fundamentally about people, communities, and equity.

“It must be about ensuring that women, youth and vulnerable groups are not left behind,” Manamela said. 

READ | South Africa launches critical skills initiatives for Just Energy Transition

Today’s launch saw the unveiling of the JET Skills Desk and the National Jet Skills Advisory Forum, two pillars of South Africa’s JET Skills Portfolio. 

Manamela announced that the JET Skills Desk, located within his department, will coordinate the reskilling and upskilling of workers, while focusing on preparing them for opportunities in renewable energy, green hydrogen and sustainable industries.

“It will drive reskilling and upskilling of adult workers. It will anticipate skills needs through labour market intelligence. It will strengthen curricular and educator readiness and align training with industry.” – SAnews.gov.za

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China Chengxin International Credit Rating Co., Ltd (CCXI), Chinese leading rating agency affirms Afreximbank’s AAA/Stable rating

Source: APO

China Chengxin International Credit Rating Co., Ltd (CCXI) has affirmed African Export-Import Bank’s (Afreximbank) (www.Afreximbank.com) AAA issuer credit rating with a stable outlook.

Download report: https://apo-opa.co/47lLSKY

The high rating reflects CCXI’s assessment of Afreximbank’s strengths including high strategic positioning, sound risk management system, flexibility in business development, very strong profitability, prudent liquidity management and very high coverage ratio of current assets on short-term debts.

The rating agency further said that it believed that Afreximbank’s ratings would remain stable over the next 12 to18 months, even after consideration of downside credit risks to the macroeconomic and operating environments affecting the Bank.

Reacting to the rating announcement, Mr. Denys Denya, Afreximbank’s Senior Executive Vice President, noted that the rating affirms the Bank’s systemic relevance to Africa and its prudent risk management. He noted it will enhance funding diversification opportunities, particularly in China’s Panda bond market, supporting Afreximbank’s development mandate and trade facilitation between Africa and China.

He reiterated Afreximbank’s commitment to supporting trade finance in Africa and the Caribbean, even during challenging times. He noted the Bank’s commitment to its member states and all clients was unwavering and this resilient track record had significantly contributed to its formidable rating. He said the Chinese rating affirmed the Bank’s preferred creditor status among its 53 member states in Africa and 13 in the Caribbean.

Mr. Denya said: “CCXI’s rating is a remarkable achievement amid a challenging operating environment, and it is a demonstration of Afreximbank’s systemic relevance to Africa and the Caribbean, our key focus regions.” Mr. Denya added that the rating exemplified the Bank’s resilience and would enable it to leverage the breadth and depth of the Panda market as it diversifies its funding sources globally.

The CCXI rating is expected to galvanise greater support for Afreximbank’s funding plans in the Chinese market and enhance the Bank’s market presence and credit position.

In April this year, Afreximbank successfully issued its landmark inaugural Panda bond in the China Interbank Bond Market, raising RMB 2.2 billion (US $ 303 million). The issuance was a significant success, being oversubscribed and attracting high-quality investors, which underscored strong market confidence in the Bank’s credit profile. This pioneering transaction not only provides Afreximbank with a new source of diversified funding in Chinese Renminbi but also establishes a crucial benchmark for other African borrowers and marks a key step in deepening financial cooperation between Africa and China.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Afreximbank.

Media Contact:
Vincent Musumba
Communications and Events Manager (Media Relations)
Email: press@afreximbank.com

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About Afreximbank:
African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) is a Pan-African multilateral financial institution mandated to finance and promote intra- and extra-African trade. For over 30 years, the Bank has been deploying innovative structures to deliver financing solutions that support the transformation of the structure of Africa’s trade, accelerating industrialisation and intra-regional trade, thereby boosting economic expansion in Africa. A stalwart supporter of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), Afreximbank has launched a Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) that was adopted by the African Union (AU) as the payment and settlement platform to underpin the implementation of the AfCFTA. Working with the AfCFTA Secretariat and the AU, the Bank has set up a US$10 billion Adjustment Fund to support countries effectively participating in the AfCFTA. At the end of December 2024, Afreximbank’s total assets and contingencies stood at over US$40.1 billion, and its shareholder funds amounted to US$7.2 billion. Afreximbank has investment grade ratings assigned by GCR (international scale) (A), Moody’s (Baa2), China Chengxin International Credit Rating Co., Ltd (CCXI) (AAA), Japan Credit Rating Agency (JCR) (A-) and Fitch (BBB-). Afreximbank has evolved into a group entity comprising the Bank, its equity impact fund subsidiary called the Fund for Export Development Africa (FEDA), and its insurance management subsidiary, AfrexInsure (together, “the Group”). The Bank is headquartered in Cairo, Egypt.

For more information, visit: www.Afreximbank.com

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Let us all support the Class of 2025  

Source: Government of South Africa

With the end of August marking the start of the matric class of 2025’s preliminary examinations, we all have a responsibility to give them the extra support they need, as they take the next step towards becoming responsible adults of tomorrow.

Exams come with heightened levels of fear and anxiety around mathematical formulas and the like, and all parents, guardians, siblings and society at large, should chip in to ease these fears.

Learners sitting for the prelims across the country, will likely share similar fears as these exams are a step closer to the all-important October/November final exams that mark the end of the Class of 2025’s high school career.

These prelims are a litmus test of what is to come when our Matrics sit for their finals, and it should be seen as just as important.  

Caregivers can extend an encouraging word or two to their beloved matrics who will be sitting for various papers. A pep talk, for example, on how the exams are going, can be helpful to relieve some of the pressure and a care pack of their favourite treats will also likely put a smile on their dial. Reducing their daily chores will also demonstrate thoughtfulness, as they burn the midnight oil in earnest.

To help learners prepare for the exams, schools often have revision, and extra lessons are often held over weekends to assist learners with their studies. The Department of Basic Education also has the Mind the Gap study Guides for learners. The study guides are aimed at improving the academic performance of Grade 12 candidates and are available for various subjects including Accounting, Life Sciences and Economics.

Additionally, the department also has Practical Assessment Tasks guidelines for those registered for subjects like Agriculture: Agricultural Management Practices and Agricultural Technology; and Life Orientation among others.
Learners can also use previous exam papers to revise and prepare for the final National Senior Certificate (NSC) exams that begin in October.

The papers as well as the guidelines and study guides are accessible on the department’s website (https://www.education.gov.za).

While exams provide plenty a dish of nervousness, learners should walk into the various exam halls with confidence that they have prepared sufficiently when they put pen to paper.

This is despite the hardships they may have had in getting to grips with the subject matter or learners who were at the mercy of mother nature’s adverse weather that battered parts of the country, including the Eastern Cape, not so long ago.

While government has been assisting flood-ravaged communities, we take our hats off to leaners and their teachers who have kept track of their academics in the midst of challenging times.

Our support in helping them to reach their academic goals will help our country in producing the leaders and captains of industry of tomorrow. Education is an important item in any society’s toolbox.

Addressing the current challenges the country faces, including poverty, inequality and the materialising effects of climate change, requires innovation and foresight that will also help anticipate the challenges of tomorrow.
The learners of today and tomorrow are a crucial part of that toolbox if South Africa is to overcome challenges and move towards a better life for all.

And yes, many wonder whether the learners who are about to complete their schooling and become graduates in many a field will be able to find work given the high unemployment rate.

And while unemployment is a very real challenge, learning cannot come to a halt if the country has ambitions of being progressive. The future world requires education, and the country needs young, innovative people, who will acquire coding and other skills that the future demands. Employment and entrepreneurship will have to be a part of the future South Africa. 

In June, Deputy President Paul Mashatile announced that the country has ratified the Protocol for Women and Youth in Trade, under the African Continental Free Trade Area, as a way of fostering inclusive growth. Speaking at the High-Level G20 Intergenerational Roundtable, hosted by the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA), the Deputy President said the milestone is not just a symbolic gesture, but a move that operationalises the inclusion of woman-led and youth-led enterprises in regional and global value chains. 

This it does by the removal of  structural trade barriers, prioritising access to information, finances, and markets, as well as requiring state parties to create enabling legal and policy environments for inclusive economic participation.

Government has also put in place measures such as the Youth Employment Service (YES) initiative which has to date provided over 190 000 young people with year-long work experience opportunities as a means of addressing unemployment.
As society, we need to support the dreams of not only the Grade 12 learners who will step into the exam rooms to face their prelims, but all learners across the country.  They need to know that we believe in them and are hopeful of a bright future for them.

In the same vein, we need responsible learners who will not take up cheating in any of their exams or bully other learners to do their exam preparation for them. If a learner does not do well in this round of exams, they must not give up hope – but realise they can up the ante in the final exam.

The country does not need leaked papers either, but a mutual respect between learners, teachers and those working across the various exam halls.

The country stands fully behind the matric class of 2025. –SAnews.gov.za 

*Neo Semono is a Features Writer/Editor at SAnews.gov.za 

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Angola: Calumbo reinforces national polio vaccination effort

Source: APO


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Surrounded by the wide Kwanza River, the municipality of Calumbo is known for the resilience and hard-working spirit of its people. Between August 15 and 17, the municipality joined the rest of the country in the First Round of the National Polio Vaccination Campaign, a large-scale operation that mobilized 1,000 health workers to administer 1.5 million doses of vaccine to 100,000 children. 

Between August 15 and 17, the municipality joined the rest of the country in the First Round of the National Polio Vaccination Campaign, a large-scale operation that mobilized more than 50,000 health professionals and volunteers to protect around 7 million children under the age of five in all 326 municipalities of Angola. 

In Calumbo, dozens of teams visited homes, markets, churches, and taxi stands to ensure that no child was left without receiving the two drops of the oral polio vaccine. Among the faces of this mobilization is Francisco Manuel, 26, a physical education and sports student who started as a community mobilizer and is now a vaccination team supervisor. 

“What motivates me to be a supervisor is being able to teach my colleagues how to work and also talk to the population to protect the lives of our children,” he says. 

For Francisco, each training session is a weapon against misinformation. “Thanks to the training we have received, we have been able to change mindsets. Today, the community understands that vaccines save lives and that no child should go without being vaccinated.” 

Francisco has become a role model for young people and families in the municipality. In addition to the fight against polio, he is involved in volunteer work at the Municipal Hospital of Icolo and Bengo. 

At his side is Rosa Joaquim, the municipality’s Child Health Supervisor and coordinator of the Calumbo Vila area, where the goal was to vaccinate 9,002 children. A nurse with over 20 years of experience in pediatrics, Rosa is intimately familiar with the challenges and achievements of this mission. 

“The areas that previously rejected the vaccine now accept it. We changed our strategy: we recruited local people, respected leaders in the neighborhoods, who helped mobilize families. We also carried out a pre-campaign to raise awareness, which greatly facilitated acceptance,” she explains. 

Rosa’s experience and Francisco’s passion show how the fight against polio is carried out by ordinary people, motivated by love for their community, working for a polio-free future. But this mobilization is not just local: it is part of a national and global effort to eradicate polio once and for all. 

From house to house, neighborhood to neighborhood, vaccinators across the country are giving hope to millions of families. Only with everyone’s collaboration will it be possible to ensure that no child in Angola is left behind.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Health Organization (WHO) – Angola.

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President Hakainde Hichilema, African Union (AU) Cholera Champion, Joins Partners to Unveil Africa’s New Continental Cholera Plan

Source: APO


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The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) launched a six-month 1.0 continental preparedness and response plan against cholera under the leadership of H.E. President Hakainde Hichilema, the African Union Cholera Champion, in Lusaka, Zambia, on 26 August.

President Hichilema has led the rallying call for African political leaders as key actors and champions of change. In June 2025, he rallied African Heads of State to commit to accelerating investment, cross-border coordination, and vaccine access to eliminate cholera by 2030. That commitment has now led to the new plan.

The plan is built around seven priorities: strengthened coordination, enhanced surveillance, expanded laboratory capacity, effective case management, WASH interventions, vaccination, and community engagement. It will be driven by the Continental Cholera IMST, integrated with the Mpox IMST, and co-led by Africa CDC and WHO to deliver rapid, coordinated responses while leveraging technical expertise and logistics support.

In parallel, Africa CDC and WHO will support the AU Cholera Champion in establishing the African Continental Task Force on Cholera Control. This body will bring together Member States and key partners to align with the 2030 Global Cholera Elimination targets, create National Presidential Task Forces, and mobilize resources, including vaccines, to accelerate elimination across Africa.

Africa CDC notes that cholera is a major public health challenge on the continent, accounting for 82% of global cases and nearly 94% of cholera-related deaths. Between September 2025 and February 2026, Africa is projected to face more than 200,000 cholera cases and 6,020 deaths — a 42% surge in cases and a 98% rise in deaths compared to 2024, if current interventions remain unchanged.

The new plan requires $231.7 million for supplies and response, plus $100 million to scale African Oral Cholera Vaccine production.

“Today’s launch of the Continental Cholera Outbreak Response Plan marks a major milestone, a turning point in how political leaders engage alongside technical experts to address Africa’s public health challenges,” said H.E. Dr Jean Kaseya, Director General of Africa CDC, at the launch.

“Their leadership, matched with Africa CDC’s technical guidance and the solidarity of our partners, will move us closer to a continent free of epidemics, free of cholera, and resilient against future threats,” he added.

In a joint foreword to the plan, Dr Kaseya and Professor Mohamed Yakub Janabi, Regional Director, WHO-Afro, emphasized: “We have learned that only through solidarity, shared responsibility, and regional collaboration can we effectively respond to complex health emergencies like cholera.”

“To efficiently respond to this outbreak, leveraging the successful model of the Continental Incident Management Support Team (IMST) is critical. The IMST has proven effective in coordinating multi-country responses to mpox with its ‘4-One’ principle — one team, one plan, one budget, and one monitoring framework — which ensures strategic coherence, operational efficiency, and accountability across Member States and partners,” they noted.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).

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Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) supports Cabo Verde and Guinea-Bissau in domestication and implementation of community fiscal directives

Source: APO


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The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), through its Directorate of Customs Union and Taxation, conducted consultative missions to Cabo Verde and Guinea-Bissau from 16 to 23 August 2025 to follow up on the domestication and implementation of regional fiscal directives.

Led by Mr. Salifou Tiemtore, Director of Customs Union and Taxation, and Mr. Darlingston Y. Talery, Principal Programme Officer for Domestic Taxes, the ECOWAS delegation held high-level consultations with the Ministers of Finance of Cabo Verde and Guinea-Bissau, Honourable Dr. Olavo Avelino Garcia Correia and Honourable Ilídio Vieira Té, as well as senior officials from the Directorate-General of Contributions and Taxes.

The missions focused on assessing the progress made by the two countries in aligning their national fiscal frameworks with eight ECOWAS Community Directives and two Supplementary Acts, including measures on Value Added Tax (VAT), Excise Duties, Transfer Pricing, Beneficial Ownership, and Double Taxation. The discussions also addressed the establishment of institutional mechanisms to monitor fiscal transition processes.

In Guinea-Bissau, the delegation commended the implementation of a VAT regime in January 2025, which has already contributed to increased revenue collection. The team also welcomed the establishment of a dedicated unit preparing the country’s first Tax Expenditure Report for 2024 and 2025, as a step towards greater transparency and regional compliance.

In Cabo Verde, the mission noted the strong political commitment to fiscal integration and applauded the ongoing reforms at the Ministry of Finance, which align with ECOWAS regional objectives.

Despite progress, the delegation identified persisting challenges affecting full implementation of the fiscal instruments, notably limited human and technical capacity, financial constraints, political instability in Guinea-Bissau, and the need for enhanced institutional coordination.

At the conclusion of the mission, the ECOWAS Commission and the two Member States agreed to reinforce efforts through an Aide Mémoire that outlines steps for the domestication and implementation of regional tax instruments. ECOWAS reaffirmed its commitment to provide continued technical and financial assistance to support Member States in strengthening national fiscal systems in accordance with regional standards.

The delegation expressed appreciation to the Honourable Ministers and their technical teams for their collaboration, and reiterated ECOWAS’ determination to promote transparent, harmonized, and efficient tax systems that advance regional integration and sustainable revenue mobilization.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

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Minister Ntshavheni pays tribute to late journalist

Source: Government of South Africa

Minister Ntshavheni pays tribute to late journalist

Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni on Thursday described the late Eyewitness News (EWN’s) politics associate Editor, Tshidi Madia, as someone with a strong personality and a remarkable work ethic.

She said the country has been left with a void, following the passing away of the acclaimed journalist on Wednesday.
Madia died at the age of 42 following a short illness.

During her visit to the Madia family in Leondale in Gauteng, Ntshavheni said Madia reported truthfully, critically and constructively, with a focus on nation building.

The Minister conveyed her condolences to the family, adding that Madia was a patriot.

“She would go miles to fight for the country. I’m sure all of us will remember when she fought for the voice of South Africa at the White House in the Oval Office, but she didn’t stop there. She went to Fox [News] and she had an interview there and she was not intimidated by that platform,” Ntshavheni said.

She added that the political journalist was a daughter of South Africa.

“Her support was not bias to government and to the country. She made sure that her message was about the country. She was not intimidated by the office, not intimidated by an issue, she confronted it head-on.

“She was an ordinary girl who came from Limpopo and made a huge impact in her field of work. She also made sure that the story of South Africa is told, whether good or bad, in a manner that is constructive for the country. 

“It is a great loss for the country. We have asked God to receive her beautiful soul. We are going to miss her dearly. I know that next week when we do the post-Cab [post-Cabinet media briefing], questions from Tshidi Madia will be missing. It will be the first void we are going to feel,” the Minister explained.

Tributes have been pouring in for the late Eyewitness News Associate Political Editor with the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) saying Madia would be remembered for her professionalism, courage and commitment to telling South Africa’s story.

“During the unfounded allegations made against South Africa about white genocide, she rose above sensationalism to provide clarity and truth to a global audience, ensuring that the world understood the reality of our nation beyond distortion and misinformation,” the GCIS said.

READ | Tributes pour in for political journalist Tshidi Madia

Deputy Preisdent Paul Mashatile has also conveyed his condolences, saying Madia was a consummate professional.

READ | Deputy President honours renowned, late journalist Tshidi Madia
–SAnews.gov.za 

Edwin

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South Africa launches critical skills initiatives for Just Energy Transition

Source: Government of South Africa

South Africa launches critical skills initiatives for Just Energy Transition

In a landmark event during Women’s Month, South Africa officially launched the Just Energy Transition (JET) Skills Desk and National JET Skills Advisory Forum, signalling a strategic commitment to inclusive economic transformation. 

The keynote address – delivered by Higher Education and Training Minister Buti Manamela, on behalf of Deputy President Paul Mashatile – highlighted that the energy transition is “not just about megawatts” but is fundamentally about people, communities, and equity.

“It must be about ensuring that women, youth and vulnerable groups are not left behind,” Manamela told the attendees at the Gallagher Convention Centre, in Johannesburg, on Friday. 

Today’s launch saw the unveiling of the JET Skills Desk and the National Jet Skills Advisory Forum, two pillars of South Africa’s JET Skills Portfolio. 

The Minister believes that these structures are not symbolic but are operational instruments designed to close the green skills gap that hinders energy transition, slows competitiveness and risks excluding those most affected by the decline of coal and other traditional industries. 

“Through this way, we recognise that skills are the bridge between transition and inclusion to economic restructuring and social justice. 

“As Minister of Higher Education, we are actively aware that the post-school education and training system sits at the centre of this transformation. Universities, TVET [Technical and Vocational Education and Training] colleges, community education centres and industry partners must prepare South Africans, especially workers in vulnerable sectors, for new opportunities in renewable energy, green hydrogen, electric vehicles and sustainable industries.” 

Manamela stated that the JET Skills Desk, located within his department, will coordinate the reskilling and upskilling of workers, while focusing on preparing them for opportunities in renewable energy, green hydrogen and sustainable industries.

“It will drive reskilling and upskilling of adult workers. It will anticipate skills needs through labour market intelligence. It will strengthen curricular and educator readiness, and align training with industry.” 

The aim is to also create skills development zones in provinces like Mpumalanga, Eastern Cape and Northern Cape. 

“Skills are the bridge between transition and inclusion, between economic restructuring and social justice,” Manamela said, underlining the initiative’s broader national significance. 

WATCH | 

 

The Minister acknowledged that government currently has no dedicated budget line for the transition, emphasising the need for blended funding with public investment leading the way. 

“That is why the mobilisation of blended funding is so important. Public investment must lead, private investment must follow, and philanthropic and development partners must catalyse community-based economies,” he said. 

In the meantime, he said a multi-donor initiative supported by the European Union, Germany and Switzerland, will help catalyse these efforts, demonstrating international confidence in South Africa’s skills agenda. 

“We cannot remain in the face of endless research and reports; the time has come to move to implementation and delivery. Therefore, we must focus on building infrastructure, for instance, colleges and universities strengthen entrepreneurship in affected communities. 

“That’s why we have a Minister of Small Business Development here, amongst others, supporting career guidance and train the trainer programmes, creating clear pathways for youth and women in the glacial economy.” 

The Minister strongly believes that the initiative aims to empower vulnerable groups, particularly women and youth, ensuring they are not left behind in the green economy transformation. 

“This is not only a skills agenda, but also a nation-building agenda, as we conclude and move forward to the G20 Summit later this year under South Africa’s Presidency. 

“Let us remember the Just Energy Transition must be measured not only by how much power we install, but how many lives we improve and how many communities we empower.” 

READ | Mashatile to launch Just Energy Transition initiatives in Johannesburg

On behalf of the Deputy President, Manamela told the delegates that government has pledged its full commitment to ensuring that the JET Skills Portfolio fulfils its promise.

“I call on all our partners, public and private, local and international, to act with agency and imagination to ensure that the transition, that this transition is truly just, let us build a greener, fairer and more prosperous South Africa,” he concluded to a round of applause. – SAnews.gov.za

Gabisile

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Senegal’s Ministry of Energy Joins African Energy Week (AEW) 2025 as Diamond Partner Amid Rising Oil and Gas Success

Source: APO


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Having recently emerged as a major oil and gas producer in West Africa, Senegal’s Ministry of Energy, Petroleum and Mines will participate as a Diamond Partner at this year’s African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energies 2025 conference – taking place from September 29 to October 3 in Cape Town. The country’s Minister of Energy, Petroleum and Mines Birame Soulèye Diop is also speaking, underscoring the country’s commitment to collaboration, investment and project advancement.  

The Ministry’s participation comes as the country advances offshore hydrocarbon production, while promoting new investment opportunities on the back of offshore project success. The partnership reflects Senegal’s commitment to advancing investment-driven partnerships across oil, gas and renewables, while showcasing recent developments in the country’s legal and policy frameworks.  

AEW: Invest in African Energies is the platform of choice for project operators, financiers, technology providers and government, and has emerged as the official place to sign deals in African energy. Visit www.AECWeek.com for more information about this exciting event. 

Senegal has emerged as a pivotal oil and gas producer, following the launch of major offshore projects. In April 2025, energy major bp announced the successful loading of the first LNG cargo from the Greater Tortue Ahmeyim (GTA) Phase 1 project, marking a historic milestone for Senegal’s gas industry. Located offshore between Senegal and Mauritania, GTA is one of Africa’s most complex deepwater developments and is designed to produce approximately 2.3 million tons of LNG annually. The project positions Senegal as a competitive LNG exporter and unlocks opportunities for investment across gas infrastructure, transport and downstream utilization. These achievements follow the announcement of first gas from the GTA field in December 2024, which underscored Senegal’s rapid emergence as a key player in the global LNG market. 

Building on this momentum, the Yakaar-Teranga Gas Project – targeting a final investment decision in 2025 – will expand domestic gas-to-power capacity while providing additional volumes for LNG exports, forming the next pillar of Senegal’s gas monetization strategy. Energy major Kosmos Energy and Senegal’s national oil company Petrosen are currently seeking partners to support the project, highlighting a strategic opportunity for investors.  

Meanwhile, Senegal’s oil sector continues to deliver strong results. Since achieving first oil in 2024, the Sangomar offshore field has exceeded expectations, producing 16.9 million barrels of crude last year – well above its target of 11.7 million. Operated by global energy company Woodside Energy, the field has already begun supplying Senegal’s domestic refinery in Dakar, where 650,000 barrels have been processed into diesel, kerosene, gasoline and butane. This milestone strengthens the local value chain, reduces reliance on imports and creates new opportunities for investment in refining, infrastructure and downstream development.  

The Ministry’s participation at AEW: Invest in African Energies 2025 also comes as the country spearheads human capital development, striving to position local Senegalese entrepreneurs and companies at the forefront of oil and gas development. Recently, an oil and gas scholarship program was launched by gas company Vivo Energy and the government of Senegal, aimed at training the next generation of energy professionals and equipping local talent with the skills needed to drive the sector’s growth. 

“Senegal’s emergence as a leading African energy market, underpinned by strong policy direction and recent oil and gas milestones, offers investors strong opportunities across the entire value chain. With integrated strategies for crude, LNG and renewables, the country is positioning itself as one of the most attractive destinations for long-term energy investment in Africa,” states Tomás Gerbasio, VP of Commercial and Strategic Engagement, African Energy Chamber. 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.