Category: English

Source: APO – Report:

The United States Green Building Council and Green Business Certification Inc has certified the African Export-Import Bank’s (Afreximbank) (https://Afreximbank.com/) Abuja African Trade Centre (AATC) the prestigious LEED Platinum certification, the highest global standard in sustainable building design and construction.

This milestone establishes the Abuja AATC as the first building in Nigeria, the second in West Africa and the nineteenth across Africa to attain this level of recognition. It is also among the first large-scale trade and business centres on the continent to achieve Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum, highlighting Afreximbank’s commitment to embedding sustainability, innovation, and climate-smart practices into Africa’s trade infrastructure.

The Abuja AATC comprises two interconnected nine-storey towers designed to create a comprehensive ecosystem for trade, business, and innovation. One tower houses world-class commercial grade A office spaces, a trade and exhibition centre, a conference centre, a technology and SME incubator, a digital trade gateway, and a trade information services hub. The adjoining tower features a 148-room business hotel with seminar and meeting rooms, wellness facilities, a restaurant, and other ancillary amenities. The facility also accommodates offices for local and international financial institutions and policy organizations, providing a full facilitation system for trade and business development across the continent.

Originally designed to achieve LEED Gold Certification, the Abuja AATC exceeded expectations due to the dedication, expertise, and intentionality of the project team, which included architects, designers, engineers, consultants, contractors, and Afreximbank’s Environmental Sustainability and Governance (ESG) and project management teams. Through meticulous planning, high-level sustainable construction methodologies, and seamless coordination among stakeholders, the project achieved LEED Platinum Certification on 26 November 2025, a recognition that reflects exceptional performance in sustainability, energy and water efficiency, and environmental stewardship. LEED Platinum represents the highest standard for green buildings globally, signifying that the Abuja AATC meets stringent criteria across multiple categories, including energy use, water management, indoor environmental quality, materials selection, and sustainable site development. With 81 points earned, the Abuja AATC exceeds the threshold required for Platinum certification, demonstrating that it is among the most environmentally responsible, resource-efficient, and high-performing buildings in Africa.

The building integrates advanced sustainability features that reduce operational energy consumption by 40 to 50 percent compared to conventional buildings. High-performance glazing, energy-efficient heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, light emitting diode (LED) lighting, and intelligent building management controls ensure energy efficiency, while water-saving design elements reduce potable water use by at least 30 percent, promoting resource conservation in a high-demand urban environment. Waste management and recycling protocols support circular economy objectives, and sustainable transport facilities, including electric vehicle charging stations and bicycle infrastructure, which encourage low-carbon mobility. These features contribute to indoor environmental quality and directly align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), including SDG Seven (7) on clean energy, SDG Nine (9) on industry, innovation, and infrastructure, and SDG 13 on climate action. Globally, green buildings of this standard can lower operating costs by 8 to 9 percent annually, strengthening long-term financial sustainability.

Director and Global Head, Real Estate and Administration at Afreximbank, Dr Robert Lumbuye Tomusange said: “The Afreximbank Abuja AATC’s attainment of LEED Platinum certification underscores Afreximbank’s unwavering commitment to sustainability, innovation, and climate-smart development. This milestone demonstrates that trade infrastructure can be both commercially competitive and environmentally outstanding, setting a new benchmark for Africa’s green building landscape.”

The Abuja AATC now stands as a living demonstration of Afreximbank’s vision to integrate commercial competitiveness, innovation, and sustainability into Africa’s trade infrastructure. Its LEED Platinum certification advances Afreximbank’s ESG objectives by reducing the environmental footprint, enhancing social value through healthier and more inclusive workspaces, and reinforcing strong governance through adherence to globally recognized sustainability standards. The building serves as a replicable model for responsible, low-carbon trade infrastructure across Africa, proving that commercial viability and environmental responsibility can coexist, and paving the way for future climate-smart trade and business centres across the continent.

– 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

Source: APO

Green hydrogen developer CWP Global has announced it is fast-tracking the finalization of its host government agreement (HGA) with Mauritania over the company’s landmark AMAN green hydrogen project.

The announcement was made by Mike Scholey, CEO, CWP Global at the MSGBC Oil, Gas & Power 2025 conference and exhibition in Dakar.

“We’re deep in negotiating host government agreements to develop this project,” stated Mike Scholey, CEO, CWP Global.

The $40 billion AMAN project aims to deploy 30 GW of renewables and produce up to 1.7 million tons of green hydrogen annually. A macroeconomic assessment projects the development could boost national GDP by 40-50% by 2030.

During the event, Dr. Stefan Kaufmann, Former Innovation Commissioner for Green Hydrogen at the German Federal Government emphasized the importance of green hydrogen development for the West African region, highlighting the resource’s potential to drive socioeconomic development and electricity access.

“If Africa chooses wisely and acts decisively, green hydrogen can become a catalyst for shared prosperity on this continent,” Dr. Kaufmann stated.

Meanwhile, Taghya Abeidarrahmane, Director of Low Carbon Hydrogen for the Ministry of Petroleum and Energy of Mauritania underscored the country’s integrated energy vision, describing green hydrogen development as a key ambition for the government.

“We see the synergy between green hydrogen and industry as a game changer in value creation, collaboration and working towards common goals in the MSGBC region,” stated Abeidarrahmane.

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

Source: APO

The Gambia’s national oil company (NOC), Gambia National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC), has urged regional NOCs in West Africa to partner on accelerating exploration across the country’s onshore acreage.

The call was made by Cany Jobe, Director of Exploration and Production at GNPC, during the Leveraging Frontier Discoveries for Growth in West Africa panel at MSGBC Oil, Gas & Power 2025 in Dakar on December 9.

“We are looking for partners to help us de-risk the onshore and bolster regional collaboration with NOCs, including Petrosen,” Jobe said, adding, “Onshore is where we are lagging, and we do not have much data there.”

Petrosen – Senegal’s NOC – noted that less than 10% of the MSGBC Basin has been explored and highlighted efforts to expand activities into deeper waters, where additional 3D seismic data is required.

“We see a lot of similarity in our basin with other world-class basins throughout the world, which gives us a lot of confidence,” said Abu Mbengue, Director of Exploration and Promotion, Petrosen E&P.

Mauritania’s NOC, Société Mauritanienne des Hydrocarbures (SMH), underscored the country’s track record of 11 oil and gas discoveries from more than 80 wells onshore and offshore. The NOC emphasized the scale of recent data acquisition, with over 100,000 km² of 3D seismic data now available.

“If you see the offshore of Mauritania, all petroleum systems are working well,” said Hammadi EL Hadji, Exploration Director, SMH. “The MSGBC basin is one of the greatest basins in the world and we have immense potential regarding oil and gas.”

Energy data and intelligence firm TGS – which holds one of the world’s largest multi-client libraries of geophysical and geological data – announced that it is preparing new vessels for deployment in West Africa. The company is also introducing low-frequency data sources to enhance data richness and resolution.

“Seismic is our business and we are very much built in the multi-client model,” said Robert Holden, Vice President – Africa, Mediterranean and Middle East, TGS, adding, “We also have enhancements in satellites, storage and cloud technologies.”

Elsewhere in the MSGBC region, Guinea-Bissau is experiencing renewed offshore exploration activity, driven by entries from major international companies including Apus Energy. The company holds the shallow-water Sinapa and Esperança licenses, where a well was drilled in 2024 and a potential follow-up well is under consideration for 2027.

“We have embarked on a journey to deliver a well offshore Guinea-Bissau,” said Michael Mosesyan, Drilling Manager at Apus Energy. “While we have not hit the same volumes as the Sangomar oil field, we did encounter some oil plays in the Sinapa and Esperança licenses.”

Building on the Sangomar oilfield in Senegal and the Greater Tortue Ahmeyim (GTA) LNG development along the Senegal-Mauritania maritime border, the MSGBC Basin has seen substantial growth in offshore investment. As operator of the GTA project, bp confirmed it is working with both governments to deliver Phase 2, with start-up targeted for 2027.

“In terms of future phases, bp, its partners and the governments of Senegal and Mauritania are working together to unlock the next phase in the best possible way,” said Mariama Ndao, Deputy Country Manager-Senegal, bp. “We are laser-focused in our mission to deliver the next chapter of the GTA project.”

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

Source: APO

This year’s MSGBC Oil, Gas & Power 2025 conference and exhibition concluded its opening day with a gala dinner and awards ceremony on December 9, celebrating a transformative year for the region’s energy sector. With Senegal and Mauritania entering a new chapter as oil and gas producers and the broader MSGBC basin accelerating investment across hydrocarbons, renewables and green hydrogen, the evening honored outstanding leaders, companies and institutions whose contributions are shaping West Africa’s evolving energy landscape.

“MSGBC, we are here,” stated Birame Soulèye Diop, Minister of Energy, Petroleum and Mines, Senegal, adding, “What we discuss this evening may shape the future of Senegal. We are writing a page of history.”

Senegalese oil and gas engineering services company Gorée Offshore-Senegal has received the Local Content Excellence Award for its exceptional contributions towards national capacity building. As a homegrown engineering services company, Gorée Offshore-Senegal has become a trusted partner to major operators, recently securing contracts with MODEC, Woodside Energy and Subsea 7 on the Sangomar oilfield project and Greater Tortue Ahmeyim LNG development. With Senegal aiming to boost production at Sangomar, expand domestic processing and maximize local benefits under a revised petroleum code, Gorée Offshore-Senegal stands out for creating high-skilled jobs, advancing knowledge transfer and supporting national self-sufficiency.

Guinea-Conakry’s Ministry of Energy was honored with the Renewable Energy Pioneer Award. The country is emerging as a regional clean energy leader through major hydropower developments such as Souapiti (450 MW) and Amaria (300 MW), expanded solar infrastructure including the 84 MW CleanPower Generation project, and ambitious electrification and modernization programs targeting universal access by 2030.

For steering one of the world’s most ambitious green hydrogen strategies, the Green Hydrogen Recognition Award was presented to Taghiya Abeiderrahmane, Director of Low Carbon Hydrogen at Mauritania’s Ministry of Energy and Petroleum. Backed by a pioneering national hydrogen code and a clear government roadmap, Mauritania is partnering with major developers on multi-gigawatt projects such as AMAN (30 GW), Nour (10 GW) and Megaton Moon (60 GW) – initiatives set to reshape regional energy systems and position the country as a global hub for green hydrogen, ammonia and low-carbon industry.

The Female Pioneer in the Industry Award was presented to Cany Jobe, Director of Exploration and Production at the Gambia National Petroleum Corporation, recognizing her exceptional leadership, technical expertise and long-standing contribution to Africa’s upstream sector. Jobe has emerged as one of West Africa’s most influential geoscience and exploration leaders, championing frontier basin development, driving collaboration initiatives and advancing opportunities for women across the energy value chain.

As the region advances toward a new era of energy growth, integration and sustainability, the 2025 MSGBC Oil, Gas & Power award recipients stand as exemplars of the leadership driving that momentum. Their achievements highlight the MSGBC basin’s rising global profile and reinforce the conference’s role as a catalyst for innovation, collaboration and long-term development.

“At MSGBC, what it really comes to in the end, it comes to people,” stated NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber. “It comes to people. We want to thank Petrosen for hosting this evening. They have a big vision; they have big goals, and they have the audacity to want to accomplish them. This kind of ambition is what has become significant to MSGBC.”

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