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Mahamane Lamine Zeine, Prime Minister of the Republic of Niger, has joined the African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energies 2025 conference as a speaker. During the event – which takes place September 29 to October 3 in Cape Town – Zeine is expected to share insight into the country’s oil and gas projects, detailing initiatives being implemented to increase production and crude exports.

As the largest event of its kind in Africa, AEW: Invest in African Energies represents a strategic platform for African countries to not only promote their respective energy opportunities but foster cross-border collaboration and regional ties. Niger has been leveraging regional relations in recent months to advance oil exports, with infrastructure projects such as the Niger-Benin pipeline. The 100,000 barrel-per-day pipeline started operations in 2024, with oil successfully reaching the town of Sémè Kraké in Benin. The pipeline spans 1,950km and connects Niger’s Agadem oilfields to the Atlantic Ocean. During AEW: Invest in African Energies 2025, Zeine is expected to highlight the impact of the pipeline and how the project will support future oil and gas developments by providing a direct route to export markets.

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.

With the start of operations of the Niger-Benin pipeline, Niger is well-positioned to increase crude production. The country is currently promoting new investments in exploration blocks, with several milestones achieved in several months. Algeria’s national oil company (NOC) Sonatrach – in partnership with Niger’s NOC Sonidep – announced plans to revive exploration activities in the country. The companies signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in 2024, committing to exploring opportunities for cooperation. The agreement paves the way for the companies to form partnerships in exploration, production, refining, petrochemicals and petroleum product distribution. Sonatrach is currently engaged in the country’s Kafra block in northern Niger. The block has featured two exploration wells – KFR-1 and KFRN-1 -, with the discovery of 168 million barrels and 100 million barrels of proven and probably oil reserves, respectively.

Sonatrach is also looking at constructing a refinery and petrochemical complex in Dosso, situated in southwestern Niger. The refinery will have an initial capacity of 30,000 bpd, with potential expansion to 100,000 bpd. Following its completion, the refinery is expected to offer low-cost fuel products for the domestic market. Meanwhile, under the terms of a signed agreement, Sonatrach will provide specialized training program for Nigerien engineers and technicians at Algerian refineries, supporting skills development in Niger.  

Niger currently produces approximately 20,000 bpd of crude from the Agadem Rift Basin. In 2024, China National Petroleum Corporation signed a deal worth $400 million for the sale of crude from the Agadem oilfield. This signals new opportunities for crude exports and comes as players in the country make strides towards increasing production. Notably, oil and gas company Savannah Energy is a key player in Niger’s hydrocarbon sector. The company plans to increase production to 5,000 bpd through the development of recently-discovered oil blocks. Savannah’s hydrocarbon license interests cover approximately 13,655 km² – representing 50% of the country’s main petroleum basin, the Agadem Rift Basin. The company has identified 35 million barrels of gross 2C resources across its R3 East discoveries, with an additional 90 million barrels of gross unrisked prospective resources identified from five prospects and leads within tie-in distance to the planned R3 East facilities. With five wells drilled and five discoveries to date, Savannah Energy has witnessed significant success in Niger.

“Niger has significant potential to become a major crude exporter, with projects such as the Niger-Benin pipeline poised to play an instrumental part in getting Nigerien crude to global markets. To unlock the true potential of this project, Niger requires significant investment across the upstream sector. Insights shared at AEW: Invest in African Energies 2025 will support future deal-signing and exploration,” states NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman, African Energy Chamber.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

The African Development Bank (www.AfDB.org) and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) have signed an agreement strengthening their collaboration on sustainable economic development, designed to boost infrastructure development and economic opportunities across the African continent.

The Memorandum of Understanding, which builds on an earlier one in 2018, was signed by African Development Bank president, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, and AIIB President and Chair of the Board of Directors Jin Liqun on Saturday 28 June. The signing took place on the sidelines of a meeting of Heads of Multilateral Development Banks held in Paris, France, the same day.

The agreement outlines continued collaboration from both parties in six priority areas, aligned with the Bank Group’s Ten-Year Strategy 2024–2033 as well as AIIB’s Corporate Strategy and its Strategy on Financing Operations in Non-Regional Members. The areas are:

(i) Green infrastructure

(ii) Industrialization

(iii) Private capital mobilization including Public – Private Partnerships

(iv) Cross-border-connectivity

(v) Digitalization; and

(vi) Policy-based financing

The MOU will promote among other things, co-financing, co-guaranteeing and other forms of joint participation in financial assistance for development projects primarily in sustainable infrastructure. The African Development Bank and AIIB’s existing cooperation in this area, includes providing guarantees to support the issuance of Egypt’s first Sustainable Panda Bond in 2023, valued at RMB 3.5 billion.

This historic issuance—backed by guarantees from both AfDB and AIIB—marked the first African sovereign bond placed in the Chinese interbank bond market. The guarantees provided by the two triple-A-rated multilateral banks were instrumental in de-risking the transaction, enabling Egypt to secure competitive terms and attract investor confidence.

“This partnership continues to be an effective pathway to provide economic development for our member countries, especially in infrastructure. By reaffirming today, we are boosting energy access by accelerating Mission 300 which is targeting to connect 300 million people to electricity by 2030,” Dr Adesina said.

Mr. Jin Liqun remarked: “The renewal of our partnership with the African Development Bank reflects AIIB’s commitment to supporting sustainable development beyond Asia. Through this collaboration, we can leverage our combined expertise to deliver transformative projects that will benefit millions across the continent and create prosperity through quality infrastructure investment.”

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

Editor’s note:
This press release is re-issued to correct an error in the number of members AIIB has worldwide. An earlier version issued today 30 June, incorrectly stated that it has 84 members, instead of 110.

Contact:
Amba Mpoke-Bigg
Communication and External Relations Department
Email: media@afdb.org

About the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB):
The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank is a multilateral development bank dedicated to financing “infrastructure for tomorrow,” with sustainability at its core. AIIB began operations in 2016, now has 110 approved members worldwide, is capitalized at USD100 billion and is AAA-rated by major international credit rating agencies. AIIB collaborates with partners to mobilize capital and invest in infrastructure and other productive sectors that foster sustainable economic development and enhance regional connectivity.

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). On the ground in 41 African countries with an external office in Japan, the Bank contributes to the economic development and the social progress of its 54 regional member states. For more information: www.AfDB.org

Energy major Chevron has joined the Angola Oil & Gas (AOG) conference and exhibition – taking place September 3-4 in Luanda – as a Champion Sponsor. With a commitment to increasing Angolan gas development and supporting LNG production, Chevron plays an instrumental part in diversifying the country’s economy. Chevron’s sponsorship reflects the company’s long-term vision for the country as it strives to unlock deepwater oil opportunities while strengthening LNG exports.

Chevron has been at the forefront of Angola’s natural gas development, with projects such as the Sanha Lean Gas Connection project and the company’s non-operated interest in the Angola LNG plant (ALNG) – the country’s sole LNG facility. The Sanha Lean Gas Connection project achieved first gas production in December 2024, serving as a key step towards increasing feedstock for the ALNG plant. Spearheaded by Chevron’s Angolan subsidiary Cabinda Gulf Oil Company (CABGOC), the project supplies natural gas from Block 0 to Soyo power plants and ALNG, with an initial capacity of 80 million standard cubic feet per day (mmscf/d). A second phase will add a further 220 mmscf/d through the commissioning of the Booster Compression module. The project seeks to increase ALNG feedstock by a total 300 mmscf/d, bringing the total amount to 600 mmscf/d.

Beyond the Sanha Lean Gas Connection project, Chevron is working towards first production at Angola’s first non-associated gas project. Developed by the New Gas Consortium – comprising Azule Energy as operator, CABGOC, Sonangol E&P and TotalEnergies -, the project is on track to begin operations by late-2025 or early-2026. The project features the development of the Quiluma and Maboqueiro (Q&M) shallow water gas fields, set to increase ALNG feedstock while creating diversified gas opportunities for the country. As of February 2025, the consortium completed the Q&M platforms. The Quiluma deck was loaded out and sailed away from the Ambriz Petromar Yard. The project is expected to lay the foundation for non-associated gas development in Angola, attracting new investments while boosting LNG export capacity.

In the oil sector, Chevron has been expanding its presence in deepwater basins. In 2024, the company signed Risk Service Contracts (RSC) for ultra-deepwater Block 49 and Block 50, located in Angola’s Lower Congo Basin. The company was awarded the blocks in January 2024, with the RSCs paving the way for seismic studies across the two blocks. Chevron’s other assets in Angola include Block 0 and Block 14. The company’s AOG 2025 sponsorship reflects its commitment to strengthening oil and gas production in Angola, paving the way for future collaborations and deals.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

Free Live Webinar Hosted by ESI Africa
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As Africa positions itself to lead in the green hydrogen economy, one vital resource sits at the centre of this transformation: water.

Green hydrogen production via electrolysis requires large quantities of water — a pressing challenge on a continent where water scarcity already threatens communities, agriculture, and industry.

Join ESI Africa for a live webinar unpacking the complex connection between hydrogen development and water resource management across Africa. This session will explore the opportunities, trade-offs, and innovations shaping the continent’s sustainable hydrogen future.

What You’ll Learn:

• The water intensity of green hydrogen — and what it means for Africa
• Technologies enabling hydrogen production with minimal freshwater use
• Planning and policy tools to align hydrogen development with water sustainability
• Africa’s potential to lead a balanced, green hydrogen economy

Secure your seat now – space is limited (https://apo-opa.co/45OsWDH)

Why Attend?

This is a critical conversation for energy planners, water authorities, hydrogen developers, policymakers, and anyone working at the intersection of Africa’s energy and environmental future. Learn how Africa can scale hydrogen without compromising water security.

Date: 24 July 2025
Time: 14:00–15:00 (SAST)
Format: Free Virtual Webinar
Registration Link: https://apo-opa.co/45OsWDH

Readers can also read more about the webinar here: https://apo-opa.co/4nsa2J3

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Vuka Group.

During the Africa Energy Forum, Huawei, together with several African electric utilities, officially released the fgOTN (fine grain OTN) White Paper for Electric Power, offering critical insights and guidance for African utilities on building next-generation power communication networks.

The white paper is designed to support power companies in navigating the evolving digital landscape, which is increasingly defined by AI integration and emerging service demands.

Addressing Legacy Network Challenges

As the power sector continues its digital transformation, traditional communication technologies such as SDH (Synchronous Digital Hierarchy) are reaching the end of their lifecycle, with limited evolution and outdated infrastructure.

In response, the newly released white paper introduces fgOTN, a next-generation solution that provides a reference architecture and construction roadmap for power communication networks, leveraging fine-granularity Optical Transport Network (OTN) technology.

fgOTN: Built for Africa’s Power Sector

The fgOTN technology is a small-granularity hard pipe system derived from the OTN standard, offering secure, isolated data transmission through rigid hard pipe channels. This architecture boosts bandwidth efficiency and ensures reliable, high-performance communications, meeting both current and future demands of African power networks.

The white paper outlines how power communication networks should be:

• Fully automated
• Digitalised and intelligentised
• Able to support centralised, unattended operations
• Optimised for enterprise digital workflows and market-based transactions

These capabilities will significantly enhance the sector’s ability to observe, control, and manage grid systems in real time.

Industry Support and Technical Leadership

Luo Xin, Optical Product Director at Huawei Southern Africa Region, stated:

“fgOTN is a new ITU-T-defined technology that inherits the safety and stability of SDH and adds the scalability and intelligence of OTN. It’s tailor-made for the power industry. In April, CIGRE established the D2.65 working group to explore its application in the energy sector. With this white paper, we aim to empower African utilities to embrace fgOTN as a core enabler of smart grid communications.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Vuka Group.

Download the fgOTN White Paper for Electric Power:
https://apo-opa.co/4lsEwJ7

Contact our sales team to position your smart solution:
https://apo-opa.co/3Tk10jM

Visit the Huawei website for more information:
https://apo-opa.co/4lsEwJ7