Category: English

Source: APO

OPEC officials highlighted Africa’s growing role in global energy demand and refining during a workshop at African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energies in Cape Town on Monday, stressing that investment and realistic energy pathways will be essential for the continent’s development.

Presenting findings from the organization’s 2025 World Oil Outlook, Dr. Abderrezak Benyoucef, Head of the Energy Study Department at OPEC, noted that global primary energy demand is set to increase by 23% by 2050, with non-OECD countries accounting for nearly three-quarters of that growth. Africa alone is projected to add 4.2 million barrels per day (bpd) in incremental oil demand, while contributing around 3 million bpd to long-term global refining capacity.

“There are no signs of global oil demand peaking anytime soon in our outlook, and we need more investments and realistic future energy pathways,” he stated. “Africa will need more energy for economic development – not just electricity, but also to expand clean cooking access and improve health and education outcomes. LPG is one of the solutions.”

According to OPEC, oil will retain the largest share of the global energy mix through 2050, while natural gas overtakes coal as the second-largest source. Developing countries are expected to account for 75% of incremental electricity demand, underscoring the need for targeted investment in Africa’s power and downstream sectors.

Dr. Benyoucef stressed that $18.2 trillion in cumulative investments will be needed globally over the period, including $14.9 trillion for upstream oil and gas projects. “We need all energy sources, but we also need emissions reductions,” he said, calling for the scale-up of technologies like carbon capture, utilization and storage.

Dr. Sulaiman Saad, Senior Oil Demand Analyst at OPEC, outlined the macroeconomic context underpinning the outlook. “The global economy is becoming more resilient – China, the U.S. and India are pushing this momentum of growth,” he said. He warned, however, of challenges including rising sovereign debt, supply chain fragmentation and uneven industrial recovery.

On the downstream front, OPEC sees refining growth shifting toward developing economies. “The largest share of refining additions are to take place in the developing regions,” said Mohammed Attaba, Senior Downstream Oil Industry Analyst at OPEC. “The migration of refining capacities will continue from developed to developing countries – we have been observing this trend for several years now.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

Source: APO

Experts from pan-African legal and advisory firm CLG highlighted Africa’s expanding opportunities for cross-border investment during a workshop at African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energies 2025 on Monday, noting that local expertise and strategic planning are essential for navigating the continent’s regulatory and financial challenges.

“When you go to non-African financiers, they often have a general view that all African countries have a higher risk of doing business, which raises financing costs,” said Adeleke Alao, Director at CLG Nigeria. “But this is not the case. Even within each country, depending on the area, different considerations need to be put in place.”

Daoudou Mohammad, Tax and Legal Director at CLG’s Pointe-Noire office, noted that understanding the nuances within regional blocs is key to unlocking opportunities: “Treating CEMAC as a single country can lead to the underestimation of risk within each country.”

Mohammad highlighted CEMAC’s foreign exchange regulations, saying, “Despite some reforms from the central bank in recent years, foreign exchange remains very restrictive in the Republic of Congo and CEMAC in general… In this situation, we can propose exceptions for critical industries like mining and oil and gas.”

Mauritius was highlighted as a key platform for investing in Africa. “Investors benefit from a network of Investment Promotion and Protection Agreements,” said Prina Jeeha-Teeluck, Managing Partner of CLG Mauritius. She noted that roughly 450 of the 900 investment funds domiciled in Mauritius focus on African private equity, and pointed to Mauritius’ evolution into a middle-income country as evidence of its stable, pro-investment environment.

The session underscored that Africa’s cross-border deals are not without hurdles, but with strategic planning, experienced advisors and targeted investment approaches, the continent offers a dynamic and growing market for investors.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

Source: APO

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Louis Watum Kabamba, Minister of Mines of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has been confirmed as a speaker for the upcoming African Mining Week (AMW) conference – Africa’s premier gathering for mining stakeholders, taking place on October 1–3, 2025, in Cape Town.  

Minister Kabamba will participate in the Ministerial Forum alongside his counterparts from Zimbabwe, Nigeria and South Sudan, where discussions will focus on policies advancing mineral beneficiation and value addition across the continent. 

AMW 2025 is a strategic platform where Minister Kabamba will promote the DRC’s estimated $20 trillion in untapped mining opportunities to global investors. The event provides an ideal platform to outline regulatory reforms aimed at creating a more favorable investment climate while showcasing the DRC’s vital role in global commodities markets. Accounting for more than 70% of the world’s cobalt supply – a critical mineral for clean energy technologies – the DRC is crucial to global supply chain resilience and industrial growth. 

The Minister’s participation comes at a pivotal time, as international mining majors expand their presence in the DRC through new projects and partnerships. A September 2025 mining cooperation agreement signed between Kazakhstan and the DRC has attracted fresh investment from Eurasian Resources Group to advance the Kalukundi copper-cobalt mine. In June 2025, UAE-based International Resources Holding acquired a 56% stake in Alphamin Resources – operator of the Bisie tin mine, one of the world’s largest producers – in a $367 million deal. U.S. startup Kobold Metals has also secured rights to explore the Manono lithium deposit, one of the world’s largest untapped lithium reserves. Meanwhile, Ivanhoe Mines is investing $1.67 billion to expand production at the Kamoa-Kakula and Kipushi projects, with copper output set to rise from 240,000 tons in 2025 to 250,000 tons in 2026. 

Against this backdrop of strong investor sentiment, rising capital commitments and an accelerating project pipeline, AMW 2025 provides a timely opportunity for Minister Kabamba to update international stakeholders on the DRC’s mining sector, highlight priority projects and foster new partnerships that will shape the future of African mining. 

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

About African Mining Week:
African Mining Week serves as a premier platform for exploring the full spectrum of mining opportunities across Africa. The event is held alongside the African Energy Week: Invest in African Energies 2025 conference from October 1-3 in Cape Town. Sponsors, exhibitors and delegates can learn more by contacting sales@energycapitalpower.com.

Source: APO

Cameroon and the African Development Bank Group (www.AfDB.org) have signed loan agreements worth €136 million to finance a programme aimed at building skills, creating jobs and modernising infrastructure in the country’s conflict-affected far north region.

The agreements for the Building Capacities and Skills for Employability and Entrepreneurship in the Extrême Nord Region” (CAP2E) were signed in Yaoundé by Cameroon’s Minister of Economy, Planning and Regional Development Alamine Ousmane Mey, and the Bank’s Director General for Central Africa, Léandre Bassolé.

The financing package includes €130.2 million from the Bank’s non-concessional window and €5.8 million from its concessional lending arm, the African Development Fund (https://apo-opa.co/46GcPXC). The five-year programme will support technical and vocational training for 6,000 young people, create at least 5,000 jobs, 40% of them for women, and provide backing for over 500 small and medium-sized businesses.

It will also fund the construction or rehabilitation of 22 training centres and 29 social facilities, expand access to health and education services, and support renewable energy solutions to strengthen climate resilience.

“The aim is to invest in human capital, strengthen the skills of local people and create job opportunities in promising sectors such as agriculture and renewables,” Minister Mey said at the signing ceremony. “The programme will help to promote shared prosperity, reduce inequalities and consolidate social stability, with particular attention to young people and women.”

Bassolé described the initiative as “a genuine catalyst for transformation” that would strengthen infrastructure, promote private sector entrepreneurship and support the solar energy sector. “Through this initiative, the Bank reaffirms its commitment to promoting the sustainable empowerment of young people and women by means of targeted, high-impact interventions.”

The programme aligns with Cameroon’s national development strategy, and the Bank’s 2023-2028 country strategy, and ties into the government’s Special Programme for the Reconstruction and Development of the Far North.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB).

Media contact:
Frédérique Pascale Essama Messanga
Communication and External Relations Department
African Development Bank
media@afdb.org

About the African Development Bank Group:
The African Development Bank Group is Africa’s leading development finance institution. It comprises three distinct entities: the African Development Bank (AfDB), the African Development Fund (ADF) and the Nigeria Trust Fund (NTF). Represented in 41 African countries, with a field office in Japan, the Bank contributes to the economic development and social progress of its 54 regional member states. For further information: www.AfDB.org

Source: APO

The Board of Directors of the African Development Bank Group (www.AfDB.org) has approved a €73.27 million loan to Equatorial Guinea for the first phase of the country’s Human Capital Development Project in Support of Economic and Social Inclusion (PARCH 1). 

The five-year project (2025-2030) aims to improve vocational training and expand access to employment for young people, particularly women, in order to foster private sector-led growth. Under the initiative, two modern provincial polytechnic institutes will be established in Bioko Sur and Welé-Nzas. These institutes will provide flexible market-oriented training in key sectors such as agriculture, fisheries, public works, tourism and digital technology, developed in close collaboration with the private sector. 

“The successful implementation of PARCH 1 is expected to create 4,500 jobs for young people and women, support the launch of 500 businesses—most led by young people and women—and provide training and job placement opportunities for 1,935 beneficiaries,” said Léandre Bassolé, Director General of the Bank for Central Africa. 

PARCH 1 is structured around three components: improving vocational training to align with high-growth value chains; promoting youth and women’s employment by improving the entrepreneurial ecosystem and advancing economic, social and territorial inclusion; and strengthening project management and partnerships. 

Equatorial Guinea is currently grappling with a youth unemployment rate of 23.5 percent, with a particularly high rate among women (26.7 percent). These figures reflect a fundamental mismatch between educational training and labour market demands. An estimated 16.5 percent of youth are unemployed, untrained or have dropped out of school, often turning to the informal sector and contributing to social tensions.

The country’s technical and vocational education and training system has struggled with institutional budgetary constraints, receiving less than 2 percent of national resources, alongside inadequacies in curriculum development and skills recognition.  

The African Development Bank’s support for the project will help reduce unemployment and underemployment, improving economic inclusion and driving social stability, particularly in Bioko Sur and Welé-Nzas. 

As of 30 August 2025, the African Development Bank Group’s active portfolio in Equatorial Guinea comprised six projects valued at €85 million, with investments focused on agriculture and fisheries (65 percent), governance (34 percent), ICT (0.69 percent), and energy (0.55 percent). 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB).

Media contact: 
Solange Kamuanga-Tossou 
Communications and External Relations Department 
African Development Bank 
media@afdb.org

About the African Development Bank Group: 
The African Development Bank Group is Africa’s premier development finance institution. It comprises three distinct entities: the African Development Bank (AfDB), the African Development Fund (ADF) and the Nigeria Trust Fund (NTF). Represented in 41 African countries, with an external office in Japan, the Bank contributes to the economic development and social progress of its 54 regional member states. For more information: www.AfDB.org 

Source: APO

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Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) (www.AfricaFC.org), the leading infrastructure solutions provider in Africa, has successfully closed its largest-ever debt facility, a landmark US$1.5 billion syndicated loan. This transaction, a milestone in the Corporation’s history, attracted a diverse consortium of new and returning lenders spanning the Middle East, Africa, Asia and Europe.

Originally launched at US$1.3 billion, the three-year facility, proceeds of which will be used for general corporate purposes, attracted strong demand, bringing in new lenders including Bank of Communications, Burgan Bank, Export Development Bank of Egypt, and Hua Nan Bank. This underscores robust investor appetite for Africa’s infrastructure growth opportunities through strategic partnerships with highly reputable institutions like AFC.

This facility enhances AFC’s financial capacity and further broadens its network of strategic partners, reinforcing the Corporation’s mission to catalyse infrastructure-driven economic growth and industrial development across Africa. By leveraging its solid credit profile, AFC secured more favourable pricing compared to its US$1.16 billion Syndicated Term Loan Facility which closed last year.

Demonstrating AFC’s deep connections with the international capital markets, the syndication was led by an exceptional group of global arrangers including Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank PJSC, Commerzbank AG and Standard Chartered Bank as Global Coordinators and Initial Mandated Lead Arrangers and Bookrunners. Bank of China Limited (London Branch), First Abu Dhabi Bank PJSC, Mashreqbank PSC, MUFG Bank, Ltd., FirstRand Bank Limited, acting through its Rand Merchant Bank division (London Branch), State Bank of India (DIFC Branch), The Standard Bank of South Africa Limited, Société Générale, and Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (London Branch) all served as Initial Mandated Lead Arrangers and Bookrunners. Additionally, Standard Chartered Bank acted as documentation agent whilst First Abu Dhabi Bank PJSC acted as facility agent.

“This landmark transaction reinforces AFC’s standing as a trusted institution in the global capital markets and demonstrates our ability to mobilise capital at scale for Africa,” said Banji Fehintola, Executive Board Member and Head of Financial Services of AFC. “It strengthens our role in bridging Africa’s infrastructure needs with global capital and accelerates our mission to drive rapid industrialisation and unlock the continent’s full economic potential.”

This year, AFC has further diversified its funding base, securing long-term financing from development finance institutions, bilateral lenders, and commercial banks. The Corporation recently secured an AED 937.50 million Sustainability-Linked Term Loan Facility, deepening its financial ties with the UAE.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Africa Finance Corporation (AFC).

Media Enquiries:
Yewande Thorpe
Communications
Africa Finance Corporation
Mobile: +234 1 279 9654
Email: yewande.thorpe@africafc.org 

About AFC:
AFC was established in 2007 to be the catalyst for pragmatic infrastructure and industrial investments across Africa. AFC’s approach combines specialist industry expertise with a focus on financial and technical advisory, project structuring, project development, and risk capital to address Africa’s infrastructure development needs and drive sustainable economic growth.

Eighteen years on, AFC has developed a track record as the partner of choice in Africa for investing and delivering on instrumental, high-quality infrastructure assets that provide essential services in the core infrastructure sectors of power, natural resources, heavy industry, transport, and telecommunications. AFC has 46 member countries and has invested over US$15 billion in 36 African countries since its inception.

www.AfricaFC.org

Source: APO

By Ajong Mbapndah L, Managing Editor Pan African Visions (www.PanAfricanVisions.com)  

The global energy landscape is undergoing a significant transformation, driven by environmental demands, technological advances, geopolitical dynamics, and changing consumer patterns. In light of supply chain vulnerabilities, climate change, and growing energy inequality, the conventional model, which is centered on fossil fuels and centralised infrastructure, is no longer viable. These pressures have seen a global shift in priorities, reflected in the scale and direction of energy investment.

Overall investment will reach an all-time high of $3.3 trillion in 2025, with clean energy technologies drawing in $2.2 trillion (http://apo-opa.co/42DZCO3) – double that invested in oil, gas, and coal. This reflects a positive shift toward climate goals, investment in renewables, and a growing focus on energy security. At the same time, fossil fuels continue to supply around 80% of global primary energy, highlighting their ongoing role in meeting current demand and supporting economic stability during the transition. The simultaneous growth of renewables and continued reliance on hydrocarbons presents a unique opportunity: to shape a balanced energy future that accelerates decarbonisation while ensuring access, reliability, and affordability. For Africa, this is a significant imperative that can unlock progress across sectors. Despite being home to 20% of the world’s population, Africa receives only 3% of global energy investment. Over 600 million people remain without access to electricity, and over 1 billion cook with unsafe fuels (http://apo-opa.co/4o0iu1T). These figures reflect barriers to education, healthcare, and economic growth and development. At the same time, the region boasts some of the world’s most abundant renewable energy resources, ranging from the Sahel’s solar corridors to wind-abundant shores and emerging green hydrogen centres in Namibia, South Africa, Egypt, and Morocco. Natural gas is also proving to be a reliable and scalable transition fuel in Africa, helping bridge the gap between current energy needs and a cleaner future.

The global energy transition is progressing at different paces across the world. Europe is moving quickly, driven by geopolitical tensions and ambitious climate goals that have accelerated the transition to renewables. Asia, China, and India in particular, are investing significantly in solar power, hydrogen technologies, and electric transport and positioning themselves to become a dominant force in clean energy technology. This global momentum offers valuable lessons and partnerships for Africa as it charts its own path toward a more inclusive and sustainable energy future.

Developing nations, on the other hand, face a more complex scenario. Fossil fuels continue to dominate most energy needs. Through 2025, it is estimated that 52% of African investments in energy will be directed towards hydrocarbons (http://apo-opa.co/3KqkjGO), which are crucial for funding essential services such as infrastructure development, education systems, and healthcare delivery.

Africa’s future energy path must be pragmatic. Exiting too rapidly from fossil fuels would undermine progress and deepen poverty. Instead, the continent should transition toward a phased and balanced approach that derives value from existing resources while stepping up investment in renewables and clean technologies.  Instead, the continent needs a phased transition; one that leverages existing resources like natural gas, a powerful and preferred transition fuel, while scaling up investment in renewables and clean technologies. This aligns with the “just transition” principle, considering different starting points and capacities in regions.

The continent has a chance not only to improve access to energy but also to play a bigger role in the global energy market. The timing is right. Solar power is now one of the most affordable ways to produce electricity in many countries, thanks to a 90% drop in costs over the past decade. Battery technology is improving, making renewable energy more reliable. These developments show that Africa can be a key supplier, not just a user, of clean energy in the years ahead.

But funding remains a major challenge. Servicing debt will absorb 85% of the entire energy investment in Africa in 2025 (http://apo-opa.co/3Ksq4DR), limiting the ability to start new projects.

To overcome these obstacles, Africa needs concerted support through concessionary financing, risk-sharing mechanisms, and regulatory reform. Institutions of public and development finance must play a key role, especially to serve impoverished areas and new technologies.

Ultimately, energy transitions are not a matter of choosing between fossil fuels and renewables. It is about managing change in a responsible manner. Africa cannot be expected to forgo the resources driving its growth. Instead, it needs to be empowered to adopt a balanced path; one that brings secure energy now and sustainable prosperity tomorrow.

Furthermore, the global energy transition of the world will be successful only if it involves all. Africa’s energy future is central to the world realising its ability to develop a resilient, low-carbon energy system. The choices made today will not only shape the continent’s trajectory but also the collective global future.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Pan African Visions.