Category: MIL-OSI

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African Petroleum Producers Organization (APPO) Secretary General Joins Angola Oil & Gas (AOG) 2026 as African Energy Bank Eyes June 2026 Debut

Source: APO – Report:

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Farid Ghezali, Secretary General of the African Petroleum Producers Organization (APPO) will speak at the upcoming Angola Oil & Gas (AOG) Conference and Exhibition – taking place September 9–10 in Luanda with a pre-conference day on September 8. Ghezali’s participation comes at a pivotal time for Africa’s oil producers, with the anticipated June 2026 launch of the African Energy Bank (AEB) set to create new pathways for projects financing. AOG 2026 will provide a timely platform to discuss how this new institution can support projects in Angola and across the continent.

The upcoming debut of the AEB marks a turning point for Africa’s oil and gas financing landscape, creating a new, Africa-led funding institution designed to mobilize capital for strategic projects across the continent. With an initial funding target of $10 billion, the bank’s first phase will focus primarily on financing projects in Angola, Nigeria and Libya – three of Africa’s most significant oil and gas producers. By 2030, the institution is expected to raise up to $15 billion for oil and gas projects, offering a viable domestic financing solution for many countries.

For Angola, the emergence of the AEB could not come at a more critical time. With goals to sustain production above one million barrels per day (bpd), advance upstream exploration campaigns and expand downstream infrastructure, the country is pursuing innovative sources of finance to drive projects forward. While the country’s upstream market is witnessing a $70 billion investment drive, the downstream sector continues to face key challenges around finance. The Lobito Refinery – on track for a 2027 start – is currently seeking $4.8 billion to close its financing gap. With a capacity of 200,000 bpd, the facility will be Angola’s largest upon completion.

Established with an initial capitalization of $5 billion, the AEB is spearheaded by APPO and Afrexibank and is designed to finance upstream, midstream and downstream projects, prioritizing gas-to-power, refining, regional pipelines and integrated infrastructure. Headquartered in Nigeria, the bank’s “Mutual Assured Development” framework emphasizes commercial viability, sovereign benefit and local content compliance, while partnering with over 700 African financial institutions to distribute risk and crowd in private capital.

Beyond project financing, the AEB will support the listing of various African national oil companies (NOC) with a view to strengthen NOC financial capacity and support operational growth. Angola’s NOC Sonangol is preparing for a potential Initial Public Offering (IPO) in 2027, with 30% of its shares available. The IPO aims to unlock access to a wider capital pool, supporting the NOCs ongoing transition into a competitive upstream player. Platforms such as the AEB could serve as a critical launchpad for Sonangol, highlighting the value of the bank in Africa’s evolving hydrocarbon landscape.

AOG 2026 provides a strategic platform for discussions around the impact of the AEB in Africa’s oil and gas market, bringing together policymakers, project developers, financiers and operators at a time when access to capital has become one of the most important factors determining whether projects move forward. As Africa prepares to launch its first continent-wide energy financing institution, the AEB is set to become one of the most important developments in Africa’s oil and gas sector in recent years – and Ghelazi’s participation at AOG 2026 will place this conversation at the center of the event’s agenda.

– on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.

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Ghanaian Biomedical Specialist Receives International Award

Source: APO – Report:

This World Health Day, Mercy Ships (https://MercyShips.org) proudly celebrates biomedical specialist Deborah Geneugelijk Nutsugah. Named “Humanitarian of the Year” at the 2026 Tech Choice Awards, her outstanding contribution to advancing safe surgical care in low-resource countries has been recognized on an international scale.

“This recognition is not just about me, it reflects the dedication of an entire team working behind the scenes to make surgery possible,” said Deborah. “Biomedical professionals are often invisible, but even the smallest technical issue can have serious consequences if equipment isn’t properly maintained.”

Serving on board one of the world’s largest non-governmental hospital ships, Deborah plays a critical role in ensuring that life-changing medical equipment is safe, functional and adapted to challenging environments.

“Unlike traditional hospitals, Mercy Ships operates at sea, where even the most precise medical equipment must function in a constantly moving environment. The ship is not as stable as land; it moves continuously from side to side,” Deborah explains.

Known for her ingenuity and problem-solving skills, Deborah has consistently found innovative ways to adapt and maintain complex medical equipment, ensuring uninterrupted care for patients in need. In some cases, the biomedical team must move equipment ashore for calibration or coordinate with the ship’s crew to stabilize the vessel itself.

“During delicate procedures, such as eye surgeries, even slight movement can become critical. At times, we work with the ship officers to adjust ballast systems and improve stability,” she says.

These challenges underscore a broader reality highlighted on World Health Day; access to safe healthcare depends not only on surgeons and nurses, but also on highly skilled technical professionals working behind the scenes.

This award comes alongside another major milestone in Deborah’s journey as she steps into a new role as Biomedical Service Coordinator. During Mercy Ships’ upcoming field service, Deborah and her twin sister will be serving their home country Ghana.

“Returning to Ghana in this capacity is incredible meaningful,” she shared. “To be able to contribute to strengthening healthcare in the country where we grew up is both a privilege and a responsibility.” As Deborah prepares her return, she will not be able to receive the award in person. Instead, the award will make its own journey to meet her in The Netherlands were she currently lives.

The Humanitarian of the Year Award will be formally presented during the MD Expo Baltimore on 8 April, bringing together industry leaders to celebrate innovation and positive impacts on healthcare technology. This will mark the second time that a Mercy Ships volunteer has won the award; biomedical equipment technician Emmanuel Essah received this same honor in 2024.

Mercy Ships is working in close partnership with Ghana’s Ministry of Health to deliver surgical care, training, and long-term capacity building for local healthcare professionals like Deborah in the upcoming field service.

– on behalf of Mercy Ships.

About Mercy Ships:
Mercy Ships operates hospital ships that deliver free surgeries and other healthcare services to those with little access to safe medical care. An international faith-based organization, Mercy Ships has focused entirely on partnering with African nations for the past three decades. Working with in-country partners, Mercy Ships also provides training to local healthcare professionals and supports the construction of in-country medical infrastructure to leave a lasting impact.

Each year, 2,500+ volunteer professionals from more than 70 countries serve on board the world’s two largest non-governmental hospital ships, the Africa Mercy® and the Global Mercy™. Professionals such as surgeons, dentists, nurses, health trainers, cooks, and engineers dedicate their time and skills to accelerate access to safe surgical and anesthetic care. Mercy Ships was founded in 1978 and has offices in 16 countries as well as an Africa Service Center in Dakar, Senegal.

For more information, visit https://MercyShips.org and follow @MercyShips on social media.

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Grey Connects the Africa-Canada Money Corridor With Instant Transfers via Interac

Source: APO – Report:

Sending money to Canada has been harder than it should be. Wire queues, unpredictable fees, days of uncertainty, whether you’re supporting family in Ontario, paying a Canadian contractor, or settling a business invoice. Starting today, Grey (https://Grey.co) users can send Canadian Dollars directly to any Canadian bank account, arriving in minutes via Interac for $3.00, or the next business day via bank transfer for $2.50. No percentage fee. No wire delays.

Canada is home to one of the world’s most diverse diaspora populations, with communities from Nigeria, India, the Philippines, and other emerging markets deeply connected to their homes. The corridor has been dominated by legacy services that charge $15-30 on a typical $500 transfer and settle in days. Grey’s flat fee and Interac delivery address both problems at once.

The Interac integration matters more than the price. Interac is the payment rail built into the daily financial life of virtually every Canadian bank account holder, the same network used for everyday domestic payments. When Grey settles through Interac, the transfer doesn’t enter a wire queue. It moves the way domestic payments do: fast, confirmed, and predictable. Recipients don’t need a new app or account. The money arrives at the bank, where they already have an account.

“Canada kept coming up. From Lagos to Mumbai to Manila, our users had someone in Canada they needed to pay, but no good way to do so. Expensive wires, slow settlement, no certainty. We fixed that,” said Idorenyin Obong, CEO and co-founder of Grey.

The service supports all Canadian banks for both personal and business accounts and joins Grey’s local-currency transfer network across 170+ destinations. Users can send from USD, EUR, GBP, or NGN balances, with individual transaction limits of $10,000 CAD and business limits of up to $100,000 CAD via bank transfer. Grey holds a Money Service Business license from FINTRAC in Canada and FinCEN in the USA.

Download the Grey app on iOS or Android, or visit https://Grey.co to send your first transfer to Canada.

– on behalf of Grey.

For all press-related inquiries, please contact:
Oyinda via
oyinda@grey.co

About Grey:
Grey is at the forefront of providing secure and convenient global banking solutions to meet the needs of customers and businesses. Grey holds a Money Service Business license from FINTRAC in Canada, and FinCEN in the USA, and our primary focus is on emerging markets. Our range of services enables individuals and businesses to easily own and manage multi-currency accounts. This includes currency exchange, sending and receiving payments to and from over 170 countries, as well as access to virtual cards.

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Seizure of 2,000 ants at Nairobi airport highlights the hidden scale of insect trafficking

Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Elliot Doornbos, Senior Lecturer of Criminology, Nottingham Trent University

Last year Kenya Wildlife Service warned of a growing demand for garden ants in Europe and Asia, where some people view them as exotic pets. An attempt to smuggle over 2,000 garden ants out of the country’s main international airport made the news in 2026. Echoing this, in 2025, four men were sentenced for attempting to smuggle more than 5,000 ants out of the country.

The defendants in the 2025 case pleaded guilty to the illegal possession and trafficking of live wildlife species, an offence under the Wildlife Conservation and Management Act (2013). They got a choice of paying a fine of US$7,700 or serving 12 months in prison.

Globally, although wildlife trafficking is mostly associated with larger animals such as elephants, rhino and tigers, a broad array of species are traded. The illicit trade in invertebrates is one part of this, including insects, other arthropods such as spiders and scorpions, and myriapods, for example centipedes.

The scale of the illegal trade is difficult to calculate due to limited wildlife crime statistics globally, enforcement challenges and the often hidden nature of wildlife trafficking as a whole. Some estimates have placed the legal market for insect consumption specifically at around US$17.9 billion by 2033. This offers some indication of the popularity of insects.

For me as an academic in wildlife crime, the Kenyan seizures help to demonstrate not only the existing demand for these species but also the similarities these markets share with broader wildlife trafficking networks, including their enforcement challenge.

The global scope of the challenge

There is limited data on the global problem. But existing seizure records highlight dynamics within insect-trafficking markets. These encompass a wide range of species, trends and motivations.

While insects are traded legally for reasons such as research, pet markets or human consumption, these patterns are often mirrored in illicit trade. One prominent driver is the exotic pet market.

The seized Kenyan ants were reportedly intended for sale as pets. Similar motivations have been noted with other trafficked insects, such as the demand for rhino beetles in Japan and praying mantises in Italy.

More broadly, the exotic pet trade has consistently been recognised as a key driver of wildlife trafficking. Reptiles and birds are key targets. There are parallels between insect trafficking and wildlife trafficking more generally.

Alongside the demand in species, the smuggling techniques used in insect trafficking reflect methods seen in other wildlife trafficking markets.

One case involved a trafficker attempting to smuggle centipedes, bullet ants and tarantulas out of Peru in plastic bags strapped around his body. In another instance praying mantis eggs were disguised as children’s toys and rhino beetles as snacks. These methods echo wider cases of wildlife being concealed using novel and diverse approaches.

Alongside this, several cases involve insects being trafficked in large quantities. This technique has been used with small fauna such as birds and reptiles, where smugglers transport high numbers with the expectation that some will die but profits can still be made from the survivors.

Enforcement authorities face the complication that a legal market exists for certain species. This can potentially allow traffickers to launder protected species alongside legal ones, a technique that parallels other wildlife trafficking markets. This further complicates enforcement with relevant authorities needing to have awareness of species specific policies and training around species identification.

Protection for insects

Globally the protection of insect species varies. Whereas most jurisdictions have legislation which protects wildlife, the trade and level of protection is often shaped by their conservation status – the risk of extinction for the species. This is similarly observed in how the trade in wildlife is regulated. Levels of criminalisation for wildlife trafficking often vary based on the species, attitudes towards them and country legalisation.

Research has pointed to one challenge in relation to insects being the potential lack of clarity regarding international regulations governing their trade. There are also uncertainties about the legal requirements for transporting and selling insects.

Informing national policies, the international trade in fauna and flora is regulated by Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), which has 185 signatory countries. CITES classifies international trade under three categories:

  • Appendix I all but bans the trade outside exceptional circumstances

  • Appendix II means regulated trade can take place

  • Appendix III relates to species not currently recognised as being threatened by trade but for which some countries have regulations in place.

However, research shows that enforcing wildlife protections presents an array of challenges. Studies indicate that CITES and related enforcement efforts are not fully effective. Furthermore, wildlife crime is not always seen as an enforcement priority or given the resources it needs. This may hinder efforts to protect insects from trafficking.

Overall, these high profile cases and continued media discussion can help to recognise insects as victims of wildlife trafficking. This has the potential to build public support for underrepresented wildlife crime issues and encourage the development of further measures to reduce species harm.

– Seizure of 2,000 ants at Nairobi airport highlights the hidden scale of insect trafficking
– https://theconversation.com/seizure-of-2-000-ants-at-nairobi-airport-highlights-the-hidden-scale-of-insect-trafficking-279571

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Planting trees to remove carbon can harm the environment – or protect it: study highlights trade-offs

Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Ruben Prütz, Postdoctoral Researcher, Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research

Global efforts to limit climate change require deep cuts to carbon emissions. However, global emissions are still growing. Currently, we emit roughly 42 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide from fossil fuel use and land use changes every year.

To achieve the targets of the Paris Agreement, which included a long-term commitment to limit global warming to 1.5°C, it will also be necessary to do more than cut emissions. What is also needed is large-scale removal of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Any delay in emission reductions increases our reliance on future carbon removal. Yet, carbon removal does not come without trade-offs.

Some strategies to remove carbon are very land intensive. Examples include planting trees, or growing crops that can be used as alternative sources for energy production. This would have to be done at massive scale – across millions of square kilometres of land. In turn, this could have serious biodiversity implications if not carefully managed.

In a recent study, our team of climate scientists set out to better understand the dynamics between future climate action and the protection of biodiversity. Our aim was to identify potential conflicts – but also synergies – between carbon removal and biodiversity conservation goals.

We analysed widely used decarbonisation scenarios. Scientists use these to figure out how our energy, economy and land use patterns should change to achieve ambitious climate targets. We wanted to gain deeper insights into how much – and where – land is allocated for carbon removal strategies in such scenarios, and how that might affect biodiversity conservation.

We combined scenario-based global maps of future land use for carbon removal (like planting trees or energy crops) with biodiversity maps and assessed the extent to which these overlap.

We found that, in many places of overlap, carbon removal strategies may conflict with biodiversity conservation. For example, in pristine ecosystems such as savannas and grasslands, which do not normally have much forest cover, planting trees and energy crops can harm habitats.

But our study also showed how careful choices about locating land-intensive carbon removal strategies may avoid negative impacts. There could even be benefits for biodiversity.

Our findings could inform plans for how to achieve ambitious climate action as well as biodiversity conservation.

Important biodiversity areas

The world has been losing biodiversity at a rate of 2%-6% per decade over the last 30-50 years. Intense resource extraction, climate change, environmental pollution and invasive species are some of the drivers. Biodiversity is critical for pollinating food crops and regulating water and nutrient cycles.

To address this crisis, the 2022 landmark biodiversity conservation agreement, the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, set out a target to

bring the loss of areas of high biodiversity importance … close to zero by 2030.

But the framework does not clearly define areas of high biodiversity importance. In our study, we set a focus on so-called climate refugia, which are critical areas for biodiversity. These climate refugia areas were defined by a team of biodiversity experts as part of the Wallace Initiative. Specifically, climate refugia are areas where climate change occurs relatively slowly. In these locations, animal, plant and fungal species are protected from harm – at least to some degree.

We also looked at biodiversity hotspots. These are areas that have very high levels of different and rare species. Both climate refugia and biodiversity hotspots require special policy attention to avoid human disturbances and to curb global biodiversity loss.

Carbon removal in biodiversity areas

Our analysis took in various scenarios, ranging from current policy plans to highly ambitious ways to limit long-term global warming to 1.5°C. It showed that land-intensive carbon removal strategies would take place in up to 13% of global climate refugia areas. The overlap between carbon removal and biodiversity areas is not a problem in every case, but we identified several areas where it would likely be harmful for ecosystems.

Read more: Zimbabwe’s forest and energy projects reveal the downside of carbon credits

One example is western Africa. Here, several of the scenarios show overlap between important biodiversity areas and future production of energy crops – crops grown to produce energy and capture carbon, such as miscanthus or switchgrass.

The Global Biodiversity Framework aims to prevent harmful changes in land use (for example, changes from a biodiverse natural area to a single-crop area). But this restriction could make it more difficult to allocate enough land for carbon removal to meet ambitious climate targets.

Our study shows that if this target is strictly enforced, more than 50% of the land set aside for carbon removal in the assessed scenarios would become unavailable. Other land would have to be used instead, potentially abandoned cropland. Or less land-intensive strategies to remove carbon would be needed.

Towards biodiversity-sensitive planning

Careful planning and site selection for carbon removal are key. Our study shows several biodiversity areas in which carbon removal strategies may bring ecosystem benefits.

Read more: Mozambique forest stores huge amounts of carbon: laser technique puts new value on miombo woodlands

For example, forest restoration (to remove carbon) in degraded areas could create green corridors, reconnecting fragmented habitats. That would be good for biodiversity. Carbon removal strategies may also reduce the warming-related loss of biodiversity areas. That would help preserve important habitats.

Read more: DRC’s plan for the world’s largest tropical forest reserve would be good for the planet: can it succeed?

But carbon removal interventions must be carefully tailored to the local context.

Ultimately, rapid and deep emission reductions are our best chance to limit global warming, reduce the need for carbon removal and lower the related risks to biodiversity.

– Planting trees to remove carbon can harm the environment – or protect it: study highlights trade-offs
– https://theconversation.com/planting-trees-to-remove-carbon-can-harm-the-environment-or-protect-it-study-highlights-trade-offs-276335

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Grey ouvre le corridor Afrique–Canada avec des transferts instantanés via Interac

Source: Africa Press Organisation – French

Envoyer de l’argent vers le Canada reste, pour beaucoup, une expérience coûteuse et incertaine. Délais imprévisibles, frais opaques, dépendance aux virements internationaux — qu’il s’agisse de soutenir des proches, de payer un prestataire ou de régler une facture.

Grey simplifie ce parcours.

Dès aujourd’hui, les utilisateurs peuvent envoyer des dollars canadiens directement vers n’importe quel compte bancaire canadien :

— en quelques minutes via Interac pour 3 $
— ou le jour ouvré suivant par virement bancaire à partir de 2,50 $

Sans frais en pourcentage. Sans délais liés aux circuits traditionnels.

Le Canada, l’un des principaux pôles de diaspora au monde, concentre des flux financiers importants en provenance de marchés émergents comme le Nigeria, l’Inde ou les Philippines. Jusqu’ici, ces transferts reposent majoritairement sur des acteurs historiques, avec des frais pouvant atteindre 15 à 30 $ pour un envoi de 500 $, et des délais de plusieurs jours.

Avec une tarification simple et une intégration directe à Interac, Grey apporte une alternative plus rapide, plus lisible et mieux adaptée aux usages réels.

Au-delà du coût, c’est l’infrastructure qui change la donne.

Interac est au cœur des paiements domestiques au Canada. En s’appuyant sur ce réseau, les transferts Grey ne passent plus par les files d’attente des virements internationaux. Ils sont traités comme des paiements locaux : rapides, confirmés, prévisibles.
Côté bénéficiaire, rien à changer — les fonds arrivent directement sur son compte existant.

« Le Canada revenait systématiquement dans les besoins de nos utilisateurs. De Lagos à Mumbai en passant par Manille, beaucoup avaient des paiements à effectuer sans solution fiable. Entre coûts élevés, délais longs et manque de visibilité, l’expérience n’était pas à la hauteur. Nous avons voulu la corriger », explique Idorenyin Obong, CEO et cofondateur de Grey.

Le service est compatible avec l’ensemble des banques canadiennes, pour les particuliers comme pour les entreprises, et s’intègre au réseau de transferts locaux de Grey couvrant plus de 170 destinations. Les envois peuvent être effectués depuis des soldes en USD, EUR, GBP ou NGN, avec des plafonds allant jusqu’à 10 000 CAD pour les particuliers et 100 000 CAD pour les entreprises (virement bancaire).

Grey est agréée en tant que Money Service Business auprès de FINTRAC au Canada et de FinCEN aux États-Unis.

L’application est disponible sur iOS et Android. Plus d’informations sur (https://Grey.co)

Distribué par APO Group pour Grey.

À propos de Grey : 
Grey développe des infrastructures financières permettant aux particuliers et aux entreprises d’opérer à l’international avec plus de simplicité et de contrôle.

Agréée par FINTRAC au Canada et FinCEN aux États-Unis, l’entreprise se concentre sur les marchés émergents et propose des comptes multi-devises, des services de change, ainsi que des solutions d’envoi et de réception de paiements dans plus de 170 pays.

Grey offre également un accès à des cartes virtuelles pour faciliter les paiements à l’échelle mondiale.

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La renaissance pétrolière du Nigeria au centre de l’attention alors que le ministre du Pétrole, M. Lokpobiri, participe au Forum de l’énergie de Paris

Source: Africa Press Organisation – French


La nouvelle offensive du Nigeria visant à se repositionner comme une destination de premier plan pour les investissements mondiaux dans le secteur pétrolier et gazier sera au cœur du Forum « Invest in African Energy » (IAE) qui se tiendra à Paris le mois prochain, où Heineken Lokpobiri, ministre d’État chargé des Ressources pétrolières (Pétrole), doit prendre la parole.

Sa participation intervient alors que le secteur pétrolier nigérian connaît un regain de dynamisme, avec un flux constant d’investissements, de réformes et de projets qui redessinent les perspectives du pays et ouvrent de nouvelles perspectives pour les capitaux internationaux. Rien qu’en 2025, le pays a obtenu 28 nouveaux plans de développement de gisements d’une valeur de 18,2 milliards de dollars, débloquant ainsi environ 1,4 milliard de barils de réserves de pétrole brut.

Cette reprise s’appuie sur des réformes structurelles, notamment la mise en œuvre de la loi sur l’industrie pétrolière, qui a instauré un régime fiscal plus transparent et plus prévisible. Associées à des mesures de sécurité renforcées et à une efficacité opérationnelle accrue, ces réformes se traduisent par des gains de production tangibles. La production de brut du Nigeria a rebondi pour atteindre 1,6 à 1,7 million de barils par jour (bpj), soutenue par une activité de forage accrue et des initiatives ciblées telles que le programme « Project One Million Barrels ».

Surtout, le secteur connaît également une transformation en matière de propriété des actifs et de participation. Les cessions d’actifs par les compagnies pétrolières internationales – parallèlement à une participation accrue des entreprises locales – ont déjà contribué à une augmentation de 200 000 pjj de la production nationale, signe à la fois de localisation et de résilience au sein du segment amont.

Au-delà de l’activité amont, le Nigeria renforce ses infrastructures intermédiaires et en aval afin de capter davantage de valeur au niveau national et régional. La mise en service et la montée en puissance de la raffinerie Dangote – qui fonctionne désormais à pleine capacité, soit environ 650 000 barils par jour – marquent un changement de paradigme, permettant au pays de répondre à la demande intérieure en carburant tout en exportant des produits raffinés à travers l’Afrique et au-delà. Cela s’accompagne de développements et d’efforts de réhabilitation continus des pipelines, notamment des actifs stratégiques tels que le pipeline Trans-Niger, qui joue un rôle crucial dans le transport du brut vers les terminaux d’exportation.

Parallèlement, la monétisation du gaz apparaît comme un nouveau vecteur de croissance. Des projets tels que le gazoduc Ajaokuta–Kaduna–Kano visent à relier des régions clés et à développer l’utilisation du gaz sur le marché intérieur, s’inscrivant ainsi dans les objectifs plus larges de transition énergétique tout en favorisant le développement industriel.

Pour les acteurs européens confrontés à l’évolution des priorités en matière de sécurité énergétique, le Nigeria offre une combinaison unique d’échelle, de proximité et de potentiel de diversification. Les vastes réserves du pays, l’amélioration du climat d’investissement et l’expansion de son infrastructure le positionnent comme un partenaire stratégique tant dans le domaine des hydrocarbures traditionnels que dans celui des voies de transition énergétique.

La présence de M. Lokpobiri au forum de Paris offre une occasion opportune de dialoguer directement avec les décideurs politiques qui façonnent l’avenir énergétique du Nigeria. Sa participation devrait mettre en lumière les cycles d’octroi de licences en cours, les actifs prêts à l’investissement et les opportunités de partenariat à travers la chaîne de valeur en amont, en milieu de chaîne et en aval.

Alors que les capitaux mondiaux se tournent de plus en plus vers l’Afrique pour leur croissance, la réémergence du Nigeria en tant que marché énergétique compétitif et axé sur les réformes fait du forum « Invest in African Energy » un lieu incontournable pour la conclusion d’accords, le dialogue et l’alignement stratégique à long terme.

IAE 2026 est un forum exclusif conçu pour mettre en relation les marchés énergétiques africains avec les investisseurs internationaux, servant de plateforme clé pour la conclusion d’accords dans la perspective de l’African Energy Week. Prévu les 22 et 23 avril 2026 à Paris, cet événement offrira aux participants deux jours d’échanges approfondis avec des experts du secteur, des développeurs de projets, des investisseurs et des décideurs politiques. Pour plus d’informations, rendez-vous sur www.Invest-Africa-Energy.com . Pour devenir sponsor ou vous inscrire en tant que délégué, veuillez contacter sales@energycapitalpower.com

Distribué par APO Group pour Energy Capital & Power.

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O renascimento do setor petrolífero da Nigéria está no centro das atenções, enquanto o ministro do Petróleo, Lokpobiri, participa no Fórum da Energia de Paris

Source: Africa Press Organisation – Portuguese –

Baixar .tipo

A nova ofensiva da Nigéria para se reposicionar como um destino de destaque para os investimentos globais no setor do petróleo e do gás estará no centro do Fórum «Invest in African Energy» (IAE), que se realizará em Paris no próximo mês, onde Heineken Lokpobiri, Ministro de Estado responsável pelos Recursos Petrolíferos (Petróleo), deverá discursar.

A sua participação surge num momento em que o setor petrolífero nigeriano está a registar um renascimento, com um fluxo constante de investimentos, reformas e projetos que redefinem as perspetivas do país e abrem novas oportunidades para o capital internacional. Só em 2025, o país obteve 28 novos planos de desenvolvimento de jazidas no valor de 18,2 mil milhões de dólares, desbloqueando assim cerca de 1,4 mil milhões de barris de reservas de petróleo bruto.

Esta recuperação assenta em reformas estruturais, nomeadamente a implementação da lei sobre a indústria petrolífera, que instituiu um regime fiscal mais transparente e previsível. Associadas a medidas de segurança reforçadas e a uma maior eficiência operacional, estas reformas traduzem-se em ganhos de produção tangíveis. A produção de petróleo bruto da Nigéria recuperou, atingindo 1,6 a 1,7 milhões de barris por dia (bpd), sustentada por uma atividade de perfuração intensificada e por iniciativas específicas, como o programa «Project One Million Barrels».

Acima de tudo, o setor está também a passar por uma transformação no que diz respeito à propriedade dos ativos e à participação. As alienações de ativos por parte das companhias petrolíferas internacionais – a par de uma maior participação das empresas locais – já contribuíram para um aumento de 200 000 bpd na produção nacional, sinal tanto de localização como de resiliência no segmento a montante.

Para além da atividade a montante, a Nigéria está a reforçar as suas infraestruturas intermédias e a jusante, a fim de captar mais valor a nível nacional e regional. A entrada em funcionamento e o aumento da capacidade da refinaria Dangote – que opera agora a plena capacidade, ou seja, cerca de 650 000 barris por dia – marcam uma mudança de paradigma, permitindo ao país satisfazer a procura interna de combustível, ao mesmo tempo que exporta produtos refinados por toda a África e para além dela. Isto é acompanhado por desenvolvimentos e esforços contínuos de reabilitação dos oleodutos, nomeadamente de ativos estratégicos como o oleoduto Trans-Níger, que desempenha um papel crucial no transporte de crude para os terminais de exportação.

Paralelamente, a monetização do gás surge como um novo vetor de crescimento. Projetos como o gasoduto Ajaokuta–Kaduna–Kano visam ligar regiões-chave e desenvolver a utilização do gás no mercado interno, inscrevendo-se assim nos objetivos mais amplos da transição energética, ao mesmo tempo que promovem o desenvolvimento industrial.

Para os intervenientes europeus confrontados com a evolução das prioridades em matéria de segurança energética, a Nigéria oferece uma combinação única de escala, proximidade e potencial de diversificação. As vastas reservas do país, a melhoria do clima de investimento e a expansão da sua infraestrutura posicionam-no como um parceiro estratégico tanto no domínio dos hidrocarbonetos tradicionais como no das vias de transição energética.

A presença do Sr. Lokpobiri no fórum de Paris oferece uma oportunidade oportuna para dialogar diretamente com os decisores políticos que moldam o futuro energético da Nigéria. A sua participação deverá destacar os ciclos de concessão de licenças em curso, os ativos prontos para investimento e as oportunidades de parceria ao longo da cadeia de valor a montante, a meio e a jusante.

À medida que os capitais globais se voltam cada vez mais para África em busca de crescimento, o ressurgimento da Nigéria como um mercado energético competitivo e orientado para as reformas torna o fórum «Invest in African Energy» um local incontornável para a celebração de acordos, o diá. e o alinhamento estratégico a longo prazo.

O IAE 2026 é um fórum exclusivo concebido para estabelecer ligações entre os mercados energéticos africanos e os investidores internacionais, servindo de plataforma fundamental para a celebração de acordos na perspetiva da African Energy Week. Agendado para 22 e 23 de abril de 2026, em Paris, este evento proporcionará aos participantes dois dias de debates aprofundados com especialistas do setor, promotores de projetos, investidores e decisores políticos. Para mais informações, visite www.Invest-Africa-Energy.com. Para se tornar patrocinador ou inscrever-se como delegado, contacte sales@energycapitalpower.com 

Distribuído pelo Grupo APO para Energy Capital & Power.

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Nigeria’s Oil Revival in Focus as Petroleum Minister Lokpobiri Joins Paris Energy Forum

Source: APO


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Nigeria’s renewed push to reestablish itself as a leading global oil and gas investment destination will take center stage at the Invest in African Energy (IAE) Forum in Paris next month, where Heineken Lokpobiri, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), is set to speak.

His participation comes as Nigeria’s oil sector gains fresh traction, with a steady pipeline of investments, reforms and project activity reshaping the country’s outlook and opening new avenues for international capital. In 2025 alone, the country secured 28 new field development plans valued at $18.2 billion, unlocking an estimated 1.4 billion barrels of crude oil reserves.

This resurgence is underpinned by structural reforms, most notably the implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act, which has introduced a more transparent and predictable fiscal regime. Combined with improved security measures and operational efficiencies, these reforms are translating into tangible production gains. Nigeria’s crude output has rebounded to 1.6-1.7 million barrels per day (bpd) supported by increased drilling activity and targeted initiatives such as the “Project One Million Barrels” program.

Crucially, the sector is also undergoing a transformation in asset ownership and participation. Divestments by international oil companies – alongside increased participation from indigenous firms – have already contributed an additional 200,000 bpd to national output, signaling both localization and resilience within the upstream segment.

Beyond upstream activity, Nigeria is strengthening its midstream and downstream infrastructure to capture more value domestically and regionally. The commissioning and ramp-up of the Dangote Refinery – now operating at full capacity of approximately 650,000 bpd – marks a paradigm shift, enabling the country to meet domestic fuel demand while exporting refined products across Africa and beyond. This is complemented by ongoing pipeline developments and rehabilitation efforts, including strategic assets such as the Trans-Niger Pipeline, which plays a critical role in transporting crude to export terminals.

At the same time, gas monetization is emerging as a parallel growth frontier. Projects such as the Ajaokuta–Kaduna–Kano Natural Gas Pipeline aim to connect key regions and unlock domestic gas utilization, aligning with broader energy transition goals while enhancing industrial development.

For European stakeholders navigating evolving energy security priorities, Nigeria offers a unique combination of scale, proximity and diversification potential. The country’s vast reserves, improving investment climate and expanding infrastructure base position it as a strategic partner in both traditional hydrocarbons and transitional energy pathways.

Lokpobiri’s presence at the Paris forum provides a timely platform to engage directly with policymakers shaping Nigeria’s energy future. His participation is expected to highlight ongoing licensing rounds, investment-ready assets and partnership opportunities across the upstream, midstream and downstream value chain.

As global capital increasingly looks toward Africa for growth, Nigeria’s reemergence as a competitive and reform-driven energy market makes the Invest in African Energy Forum a critical venue for dealmaking, dialogue and long-term strategic alignment.

IAE 2026 (https://apo-opa.co/3OpV21J) is an exclusive forum designed to connect African energy markets with global investors, serving as a key platform for deal-making in the lead-up to African Energy Week. Scheduled for April 22–23, 2026, in Paris, the event will provide delegates with two days of in-depth engagement with industry experts, project developers, investors and policymakers. For more information, visit www.Invest-Africa-Energy.com. To sponsor or register as a delegate, please contact sales@energycapitalpower.com

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

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Creecy outlines progress in easing Lebombo congestion

Source: Government of South Africa

Creecy outlines progress in easing Lebombo congestion

Minister of Transport Barbara Creecy says South Africa and Mozambique are entering a “solution phase” in efforts to resolve long-standing congestion challenges at the Lebombo Port of Entry.

Speaking during a visit to the border on Tuesday, Creecy said the trip formed part of ongoing work to tackle delays in freight movement between the two countries, which have placed sustained pressure on transport routes such as the N4.

“We are visiting the Ressano Garcia/Lebombo Port of Entry today as part of our ongoing efforts to find a lasting solution to the congestion challenges,” she said.

Creecy noted that both governments have been working closely to improve traffic flow across the border, following a joint visit in December 2025 where officials assessed infrastructure at key freight processing sites, including Kilometre 4 in Mozambique and Kilometre 7 on the South African side.

Since that visit, several interventions have been implemented. 

A joint “dry run” involving immigration officials from both countries demonstrated that co-location – processing traffic from a single point – significantly improves efficiency. This approach has since been maintained, with Mozambican officials now operating within the South African side of the port.

“These interventions have assisted in moving the traffic faster, thus reducing the pressure on the N4,” Creecy said, while acknowledging that a more permanent solution is still required.

Upgrades at the Kilometre 7 processing centre are central to the plan. 

The facility will serve as a hub where key agencies, including border management, customs and law enforcement, will operate together. Enhancements include camera installations to monitor vehicle movement and infrastructure improvements to streamline cargo processing.

Customs systems are also being installed and are expected to be completed within the next few months, ahead of the busy December period. 

Once fully operational, the facility will allow for prioritisation of pre-cleared cargo and provide dedicated space for inspections.

A detailed processing plan has already been agreed upon by stakeholders, outlining staged procedures at both Kilometre 7 and the main port of entry. 

These measures are expected to support the rollout of a “one-stop border” system aimed at speeding up freight movement.

“With the implementation of these measures and systems, a one-stop border concept will be activated,” Creecy said.

The Minister also highlighted plans to develop a “single window” platform, which would allow traders to interact with multiple government agencies through a single system, reducing duplication and delays.

However, she stressed that success depends on alignment between South Africa and Mozambique.

“These efforts will be in vain if our systems are not coordinated and aligned with those of our sister country,” she said, adding that similar progress is needed at Mozambique’s Kilometre 4 site.

Creecy said the improvements are part of a broader effort to enhance trade and passenger movement, noting that transporters remain the most affected by border inefficiencies.

“We are now at a solution phase to a problem that has engulfed our two nations for a while and choking movements to the detriment of our economies,” she said. – SAnews.gov.za

 

Edwin

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