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Eskom reaches one year of no load shedding

Source: Government of South Africa

Eskom reaches one year of no load shedding

Eskom has officially surpassed 365 days without implementing load shedding.

The power utility last achieved the milestone nearly eight years ago in September 2018.

“This moment has been three years in the making since the inception of the generation recovery plan. Eskom’s employees have again delivered using their deep technical and institutional capability built over decades of public investment that remains a critical part of our national capacity, which will now increasingly focus on delivering cleaner sources of energy.

“The Eskom board and I are proud of the leadership demonstrated by the Eskom executive team led by Dan Marokane and the perseverance and focus of Eskom employees following the state capture years,” Eskom Board chairperson, Mteto Nyati, said.

The electricity supplier’s Group Chief Executive, Dan Marokane, noted that the achievement is a reflection of cooperation from all stakeholders.

“The delivery of this milestone again demonstrates that Eskom’s true progress is rooted in the expertise of its 40 000 people, our Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and other partners.

“Government intervention through the Energy Action Plan has also been an important factor towards the progress we have made. Eskom has the scale and human capital experience to partner with investors to help deliver South Africa’s R2.23 trillion Integrated Resource Plan for investment in the energy sector,” Marokane said.

Eskom’s Group Executive for Generation, Bheki Nxumalo added that morale at the power utility is “at an all-time high as we reach this milestone” with steadfast determination to “deliver to South Africa what we do best”.

“The belief in ourselves and our pride has returned. Today represents the hardest‑won progress in Eskom’s recent history and establishes a stable platform for continued performance improvement, achieved through consistent execution of maintenance and improvement of the reliability of each unit across the system.

“We are ready to participate in a competitive power generation marketplace,” Nxumalo said.

Concerted efforts

The power utility’s sustained improvement has seen a rise in the Energy Availability Factor, a drop in breakdowns at power stations, accompanied by less reliance on Open Cycle Gas Turbines, which guzzle diesel.

This is a result of the implementation of the government’s Energy Action Plan, coupled with the power utility’s own Generation Recovery Plan.

Since the start of the generation recovery plan in March 2023:

  • Energy Availability Factor (EAF) improved from 54.56% to 65.16%, an increase of 10.6%.
  • Unplanned outages declined from 32.34% to 22.88%, reflecting a comparable reduction of 9.46%. This signals fewer breakdowns and a more reliable plant.
  • Reliance on diesel‑powered emergency generation declined significantly, with expenditure falling from approximately R33.3 billion to R6.4 billion (pending the finalisation of the audit process), a reduction of R26.9 billion (around 81%).

“These gains are underpinned by a strengthened maintenance programme and the disciplined implementation of the Generation Operational Recovery Plan.

“Building on earlier maintenance levels, Eskom intensified planned maintenance to restore long-term fleet reliability, while improving outage planning, reducing unit trips, and strengthening operational discipline across people, plant and processes,” Eskom said.

The energy provider vowed to sustain the gains it has made “while supporting the long-term transition of the power system”.

“In line with national energy policy, Eskom is applying a rigorous, evidence-based approach to the timing and readiness of new generation capacity. This will inform decisions on the phased shutdown, repowering, and repurposing of older coal-fired stations in a manner that safeguards security of supply while advancing emissions reduction and just transition objectives.

“A decision is expected in the second quarter of FY2027. This approach ensures that recent operational gains are preserved and that sufficient baseload capacity is maintained to support economic growth and investment,” the power utility said.

Furthermore, Eskom noted that it is using the same “disciplined approach” to deal with affordability and to end load reduction.

“[Over] half a million households across the country [are] already benefiting from Eskom’s targeted load reduction programme.

“This means that many communities that previously experienced periods of load reduction are now receiving a continuous electricity supply.

“Notably, both the Northern Cape and Western Cape have fully eradicated load reduction, demonstrating the real impact of these efforts on people’s daily lives,” Eskom said. – SAnews.gov.za

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South Africa advances sustainable urbanisation, despite mounting infrastructure pressures

Source: Government of South Africa

South Africa advances sustainable urbanisation, despite mounting infrastructure pressures

South Africa is making measurable progress in advancing sustainable urbanisation, despite the dual challenge of expanding infrastructure to meet growing population demands, while maintaining ageing systems under financial strain.

Human Settlements Minister Thembi Simelane made the remarks at the 13th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13) under the Ministerial Meeting on the New Urban Agenda, that is underway in Baku in the Republic of Azerbaijan.

Held under the theme: “Housing the world: Safe and resilient cities and communities”, the meeting, taking place from 17 – 22 May 2026, places housing at the centre of discussions on inclusion, economic opportunity and climate resilience.

It brought together national governments, local leaders and international partners at a critical moment for cities.

Delivering the Country Statement on Sunday, 17 May 2026, Simelane said South Africa’s urban development trajectory reflects both significant gains and persistent structural challenges rooted in the country’s spatial legacy.

The country’s Integrated Urban Development Framework (IUDF), adopted in 2016 ahead of the global United Nations New Urban Agenda, serves as the government’s primary macro-policy for managing urbanisation. The policy also includes provisions for spatial transformation aimed at addressing the historical injustices caused by the racial segregation in the country.

At the time the New Urban Agenda was adopted, South Africa was over 60% urbanised. Recent data indicates that this figure has grown to 68.82%, and it is projected to reach 71.3% by 2030. Urbanisation is undeniably an irreversible trend,” Simelane said.

Despite this growth, the Minister acknowledged that South African cities continue to face entrenched inequality, with many residents still living far from economic opportunities due to historic patterns of racial segregation.

Urbanisation has also intensified pressures on municipalities, contributing to challenges in basic services delivery, infrastructure backlogs, and overburdened municipal governance systems, which remain defining characteristics of South African cities.

Simelane noted that cities are increasingly required to balance expanding infrastructure networks with the maintenance and upgrading of existing assets, often under tight fiscal constraints and institutional limitations.

However, she said government has made steady progress, guided by the Constitution, the National Development Plan, and frameworks such as the District Development Model. These are aligned with continental and global commitments, including the African Union Agenda 2063 and regional development strategies.

The Minister also highlighted the broader global context impacting urban development, including the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, geopolitical tensions, and rising inequality and unemployment.

“These circumstances have significantly increased demand for essential services, including housing, health, education, water, and sanitation, while placing considerable pressure on public resources and the state’s capacity to provide timely interventions to address these urban challenges,” the Minister said.

In response, she said government is reviewing key policy frameworks, including the IUDF implementation plan and the White Paper on Human Settlements, while also undertaking reforms to local government policy to strengthen service delivery and institutional capacity.

“A major priority is addressing informal settlements, particularly those located in high-risk or disaster-prone areas. Cabinet has mandated the department of Human Settlements to develop a strategy to address the construction of informal structures in dangerous, disaster-prone locations, including medium- to long- term solutions for Temporary Residential Units (TRUs). This includes accelerating the transformation of informal settlements and slums,” Simelane said.

Simelane said collaboration remains central to achieving sustainable urban transformation.

South Africa has hosted two National Urban Forum sessions in 2024 and 2025, bringing together stakeholders to accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 11 on sustainable cities.

These engagements have emphasised strengthening governance, improving access to development finance for municipalities, building technical skills, advancing climate resilience, and fostering partnerships with the private sector and communities.

The Minister also pointed to the growing importance of intermediate cities in South Africa’s urban system. These municipalities play a critical role in linking metropolitan areas with rural economies but often lack the institutional and financial capacity of larger cities.

She stressed that urbanisation must be actively governed through evidence-based planning, stronger coordination across all spheres of government, and meaningful community participation. – SAnews.gov.za

 

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Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Holds Phone Conversation with UAE Foreign Minister

Source: Government of Qatar

Doha, May 17, 2026

HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani held a telephone conversation on Sunday with HH Minister of Foreign Affairs of the sisterly United Arab Emirates (UAE) Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

Their conversation discussed ways to advance bilateral cooperation between the two countries, as well as developments in the region, especially those related to the ceasefire between the United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran.

They likewise addressed de-escalation efforts, which ultimately help boost security and stability in the region.
During the call, HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs reiterated that the State of Qatar condemns the attack on the UAE with three UAVs, one of which targeted the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant in Al Dhafra region.

He stressed that the State of Qatar stands in full solidarity with the UAE in all measures it takes to safeguard its sovereignty, security, and the safety of its facilities.

In addition, His Excellency underscored the importance of all parties engaging positively with the ongoing mediation efforts, which ultimately pave the way for addressing the root causes of the crisis through peaceful means and dialogue, culminating in reaching an enduring accord that prevents re-escalation.

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Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs Receives Phone Call from Portuguese Foreign Minister

Source: Government of Qatar

Doha, May 17, 2026

HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani received a phone call from HE Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Portugal, Paulo Rangel.

The two sides reviewed bilateral relations and ways to support and strengthen them. They also discussed developments in the region, particularly those related to the ceasefire between US and Iran, and the efforts aimed at de-escalation to enhance security and stability in the region.

During the call, HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs stressed the need for all parties to engage with the ongoing mediation efforts, which would pave the way for addressing the root causes of the crisis through peaceful means and dialogue, leading to a sustainable agreement that prevents renewed escalation.

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Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs Holds Telephone Call with Pakistani Prime Minister

Source: Government of Qatar

Doha, May 17, 2026

HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani, held a telephone call with HE Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Mohammad Shahbaz Sharif.

Both sides reviewed bilateral relations and ways to support and strengthen them. They also discussed the latest developments in the region, as well as Pakistan’s mediation efforts aimed at de-escalating tensions in order to enhance security and stability in the region.

During the call, HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs expressed the State of Qatar’s appreciation for the efforts of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and all parties involved in the mediation and good offices that contributed to reaching a ceasefire between the United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran.

His Excellency affirmed the State of Qatar’s full support for the Pakistani mediation efforts aimed at ending the crisis through peaceful means, stressing the need for all parties to engage with these efforts in order to create the appropriate conditions for progress in the negotiations, leading to a comprehensive agreement that achieves sustainable peace in the region.

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Drop in temperature forecasted for SA

Source: Government of South Africa

Drop in temperature forecasted for SA

The South African Weather Service (SAWS) says a cut-off, low-pressure system is expected to influence the central and western interior of South Africa from Tuesday into Wednesday. 

“As the system develops over the interior, it is expected to result in a noticeable drop in daytime temperatures, accompanied by isolated to scattered showers and thundershowers across several provinces,” the weather service said.

Residents are advised to prepare for cooler conditions, cloudy skies, windy periods, and rain.

Meanwhile, SAWS issued a yellow level 2 warning for damaging coastal winds, which are expected to make navigation at sea difficult, from Monday evening into Tuesday, between Table Bay and Cape Agulhas. 

The weather outlook for Tuesday and Wednesday shows cloudy and cold conditions are expected in the west, with scattered showers and thundershowers possible. 

Otherwise, partly cloudy and cool with isolated showers and thundershowers. –SAnews.gov.za

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Government extends deadline for comments on draft Capital Flow Management Regulations

Source: Government of South Africa

Government extends deadline for comments on draft Capital Flow Management Regulations

National Treasury and the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) have extended the deadline for public comments on the draft Capital Flow Management Regulations, 2026, to the end of June. 

In a joint statement, the two institutions said the extension followed requests from stakeholders for more time to review the draft regulations and provide input.

The statement noted that public concerns and media attention have largely focused on the treatment, possession and trade of crypto assets, particularly possible restrictions on cross-border transactions.

Government said the draft regulations are intended to strengthen the authorities’ ability to detect, deter and disrupt illicit financial flows.

Authorities also assured the public that the proposed framework will complement existing regulatory measures already implemented by the Financial Intelligence Centre and the Financial Sector Conduct Authority.

“The draft regulations do not intend to criminalise the possession of crypto assets or apply the regulations retrospectively,” the statement said.

Government added that a proposed cross-border crypto asset framework, in the form of a draft manual, will soon be released for public comment to support the draft regulations.

The draft manual is expected to clarify which crypto asset activities would be regarded as cross-border transactions and therefore fall under capital flow management measures.

It will also outline the obligations and responsibilities of authorised crypto asset service providers.

According to the statement, the proposed framework is intended to allow lawful cross-border crypto asset transactions within clear guidelines, while protecting the integrity of the financial system.

“The Constitution protects various rights, including property rights, while also recognising that suspected illicit activities warrant the attention of authorities,” the statement said.

Government also dismissed concerns that holders of crypto assets, gold or foreign currency, could be forced to sell these assets to the State or authorised foreign exchange dealers.

“Any requirement to dispose of these assets would arise only under limited circumstances, such as where an offence has been committed,” the statement said.

It added that exchange control exemptions and relaxations introduced over the years already allow South Africans to legally externalise capital for foreign investment diversification and to hold foreign assets in various forms.

The draft regulations, published on 17 April 2026, are available on the National Treasury website.

The original deadline for public comments was 18 May 2026, but this has now been extended to 30 June 2026. The extension notice will be gazetted in due course.

Written comments must be submitted to the National Treasury at Commentdraftlegislation@treasury.gov.za by close of business on Tuesday, 30 June 2026.

After the deadline, the National Treasury and the SARB will review submissions and make any necessary revisions. – SAnews.gov.za

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Aliko Dangote : Personnalité africaine de l’année 2026 dans le domaine de l’énergie

Source: Africa Press Organisation – French

Chaque année, le prix « Personnalité africaine de l’année dans le domaine de l’énergie », décerné par l’African Energy Industry, rend hommage aux personnes qui ont eu une influence positive sur le secteur énergétique africain en facilitant la mise en œuvre de projets visant à renforcer la sécurité énergétique, le développement de l’Afrique, l’augmentation de la production énergétique, les marchés libres, la réduction du rôle de l’État, la résilience économique, la prospérité des familles, le potentiel local et l’amélioration des infrastructures énergétiques africaines. Parmi les lauréats précédents figurent Frank Fannon, ancien secrétaire d’État adjoint américain aux ressources énergétiques ; Mohammad Sanusi Barkindo, ancien secrétaire général de l’OPEP ; Hage Geingob, ancien président de la Namibie ; Meg O’Neill, PDG de Woodside Energy ; Benedict Oramah, président et président du conseil d’administration de la Banque africaine d’import-export ; et João Lourenço, président de l’Angola.

La Chambre africaine de l’énergie a le plaisir de décerner le prix 2026 à Aliko Dangote.

Il s’agit d’un honneur mérité pour cet homme d’affaires et industriel nigérian qui a investi des milliards en Afrique afin de renforcer la sécurité énergétique, de construire des infrastructures, de créer des emplois, de réduire la dépendance vis-à-vis des importations, de soutenir le développement régional et de promouvoir des solutions africaines à la pauvreté énergétique.

Une carrière consacrée à la croissance africaine

Après des études de commerce à l’université Al-Azhar du Caire, Dangote s’est lancé dans une grande variété de secteurs, avec des entreprises dans le ciment, le sucre, le sel, la farine et les engrais. À partir d’une petite entreprise commerciale, il a bâti l’un des plus grands conglomérats d’Afrique : le groupe Dangote, une puissance industrielle multinationale qui développe l’expertise technique africaine, renforce les chaînes d’approvisionnement nationales et stimule la capacité industrielle — tout cela se traduisant par de plus grandes opportunités de diversification économique.

Dangote a depuis longtemps identifié l’un des plus grands défis économiques de l’Afrique : la nécessité pour les pays africains d’exporter des matières premières et d’importer des produits finis. Il s’est donné pour mission à long terme de contribuer à résoudre ce dilemme en développant des capacités de production, des systèmes logistiques, des infrastructures énergétiques, des installations de transformation des matières premières et des réseaux de transport qui permettront de déplacer davantage de production et de création de valeur au sein même de l’Afrique.

Sous la direction de ce chef d’entreprise visionnaire, le groupe Dangote est l’un des conglomérats industriels les plus ambitieux jamais créés en Afrique. Ce qui rend cette organisation unique, ce n’est pas seulement sa taille, mais sa stratégie : au lieu de se concentrer sur le commerce ou l’extraction de ressources, Dangote a investi massivement dans les infrastructures physiques nécessaires à l’industrialisation à travers l’Afrique.

Mais c’est lorsqu’il s’est tourné vers les hydrocarbures que l’histoire d’Aliko Dangote prend vraiment vie.

Briser le cycle de dépendance vis-à-vis des importations

Ces dernières années, il a attiré l’attention du monde entier grâce à la raffinerie Dangote de Lekki, près de Lagos, au Nigeria. Il s’agit de l’une des plus grandes raffineries de pétrole au monde (et de la plus grande raffinerie à train unique au monde), avec une capacité de raffinage prévue d’environ 650 000 barils par jour. Elle comprend un complexe pétrochimique et des installations de production d’engrais. La raffinerie produit de l’essence, du diesel, du kérosène et d’autres produits pétroliers raffinés à une échelle capable de transformer les marchés régionaux et internationaux des carburants.

Il ne s’agit pas simplement d’une raffinerie. C’est un élément qui change la donne sur le plan macroéconomique pour le Nigeria et un projet transformateur pour la sécurité énergétique africaine.

Pendant des années, la dépendance du Nigeria vis-à-vis des produits raffinés importés a entraîné des pénuries de carburant, un fardeau de subventions, des pressions sur les devises étrangères et des opportunités de corruption liées aux systèmes d’importation et aux réseaux d’arbitrage. La raffinerie Dangote a fondamentalement modifié cette trajectoire en permettant un raffinage national à une échelle sans précédent tout en contribuant à renforcer la souveraineté énergétique du Nigeria. À une époque de volatilité énergétique mondiale, la raffinerie est l’une des principales raisons pour lesquelles les économies africaines restent résilientes face aux chocs externes sur les prix des carburants.

La raffinerie représente également quelque chose d’encore plus important pour l’Afrique : la preuve que le continent est capable de construire et d’exploiter des infrastructures industrielles d’envergure mondiale.

À l’heure où l’instabilité géopolitique impliquant l’Iran et l’incertitude croissante autour du détroit d’Ormuz continuent de menacer les voies maritimes mondiales et les chaînes d’approvisionnement en carburant, la raffinerie Dangote s’est imposée comme une force stabilisatrice stratégique tant pour les marchés énergétiques nigérians qu’internationaux. Alors que les perturbations de l’approvisionnement s’intensifient, la raffinerie contribue activement à combler les déficits d’approvisionnement en carburant au-delà de ses frontières.

Aujourd’hui, les produits raffinés de Dangote approvisionnent des marchés à travers tout le continent, notamment au Ghana, au Cameroun et en Côte d’Ivoire. La raffinerie fournit déjà des produits pétroliers au Royaume-Uni, en Europe et aux États-Unis, et en juin 2026, elle devrait expédier sa première cargaison importante d’essence vers l’Asie.

De nombreux détracteurs doutaient que la raffinerie puisse un jour être achevée.

Dangote a dû faire face au scepticisme des observateurs internationaux, à des difficultés de financement, à des goulets d’étranglement infrastructurels, à la complexité technique, à l’incertitude politique et à la volatilité des devises. Malgré ces obstacles, et bien d’autres encore, la détermination inébranlable et le leadership visionnaire de Dangote ont permis de mener le projet à bien.

Aujourd’hui, la raffinerie est un symbole de l’ambition et de la confiance industrielles africaines.

Son impact sur l’économie nigériane a été profond. Selon S&P Global Ratings, la capacité de raffinage du Nigeria augmente considérablement grâce à la raffinerie Dangote. En réduisant les besoins du pays en importations de carburants raffinés, la raffinerie a joué un rôle clé dans l’augmentation des réserves brutes de change nigérianes, qui sont passées de 33 milliards de dollars en 2023 à 50 milliards de dollars début mars 2026.

Et Dangote ne s’arrête pas là. Début 2026, des projets d’études de faisabilité ont révélé l’intention d’étendre la capacité de raffinage actuelle à 1,4 million de barils par jour. Cette initiative pourrait positionner le Nigeria parmi les plus grands pôles de raffinage mondiaux d’ici la fin de la décennie, lui permettant potentiellement de rivaliser avec les centres de raffinage en Inde et en Asie d’ici 2027 ou 2028.

Parallèlement, le groupe Dangote étend ses infrastructures de stockage de carburant et de logistique au-delà des frontières du Nigeria, avec des projets de nouveaux réservoirs de stockage en Namibie et le développement potentiel d’une deuxième raffinerie en Afrique de l’Est. Ces efforts renforceront sans aucun doute l’industrialisation régionale, la fiabilité de l’approvisionnement et l’intégration énergétique à travers le continent.

Partager la richesse

On ne saurait trop insister sur l’influence positive de Dangote sur l’industrie et le développement économique africains. Mais il est plus qu’un simple homme d’affaires ou industriel. Il se consacre également à aider son pays et à améliorer le sort de ses compatriotes nigérians. Parmi ses initiatives philanthropiques, il dirige la Fondation Aliko Dangote (ADF), qui soutient des initiatives dans les domaines de la santé, de l’éducation, des secours en cas de catastrophe, de la réduction de la pauvreté et de la nutrition à travers l’Afrique.

Créée avec pour mission de réduire la pauvreté et d’améliorer la qualité de vie grâce à une philanthropie stratégique et à des initiatives de développement durable, l’ADF est l’une des plus grandes fondations caritatives privées d’Afrique. Dangote lui-même s’est engagé publiquement à consacrer une grande partie de sa fortune à la philanthropie, notamment en signant le Giving Pledge qui encourage les milliardaires à faire don de la majeure partie de leur fortune.

L’ADF s’est fait connaître à l’échelle internationale pour son soutien à la campagne nigériane d’éradication de la polio. Elle s’est associée à la Fondation Bill & Melinda Gates, à l’UNICEF, à l’Organisation mondiale de la santé et à diverses agences gouvernementales nigérianes dans le cadre de ce travail. Ce n’est pas un hasard si le Nigeria a été déclaré exempt de polio sauvage en 2020, après des années de campagnes de vaccination.

La fondation soutient également des initiatives nutritionnelles ciblant les enfants, les femmes enceintes et les communautés vulnérables. Les programmes agricoles visant à renforcer la réduction de la pauvreté et l’emploi ont notamment porté sur le soutien aux agriculteurs, l’accès aux engrais, la formation agricole et les efforts de développement rural.

L’ADF fait régulièrement don de sommes importantes et de matériel de secours aux communautés touchées à travers le Nigeria afin d’apporter une aide d’urgence lors de crises telles que les inondations, les pénuries alimentaires, les déplacements de population et les épidémies. Par exemple, la fondation a aidé à coordonner les interventions du secteur privé par le biais de la Coalition contre la COVID-19 (CACOVID), en apportant un financement d’urgence pour les fournitures médicales, les centres d’isolement et l’aide alimentaire.

Sous la direction de Dangote, la fondation promeut également des programmes visant à créer des moyens de subsistance durables, notamment le soutien aux petites entreprises, des initiatives agricoles, des projets d’autonomisation des femmes et le développement de l’entrepreneuriat. Ces programmes visent à aider les communautés à passer d’une dépendance à l’aide humanitaire à une participation économique à long terme. En collaborant avec des universités et des établissements d’enseignement pour renforcer les capacités de recherche et d’apprentissage, Dangote améliore l’accès à l’éducation et la préparation de la main-d’œuvre, en particulier pour les jeunes Nigérians, grâce à des bourses, des infrastructures scolaires, des programmes universitaires et des formations professionnelles.

L’ADF travaille souvent avec les gouvernements africains, les ONG internationales, les agences des Nations unies, les organisations communautaires et les institutions philanthropiques mondiales. Son modèle de partenariat est crucial car de nombreux défis de développement en Afrique nécessitent une coordination entre les secteurs public et privé. Son influence s’étend au-delà de la charité pour toucher la santé publique, la politique économique et la stratégie de développement dans toute la région.

Aliko Dangote est un visionnaire qui a investi son temps, ses ressources et sa conviction inébranlable dans le potentiel de l’Afrique pour développer des industries, renforcer la sécurité énergétique et créer des opportunités économiques durables à travers le continent. La Chambre africaine de l’énergie se réjouit de voir l’impact de ses efforts continuer à se déployer dans les années à venir.

Distribué par APO Group pour African Energy Chamber.

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Aliko Dangote: Personalidade Africana do Ano no Setor Energético 2026

Source: Africa Press Organisation – Portuguese –

Todos os anos, o prémio «Personalidade Africana do Ano no Setor Energético», atribuído pela African Energy Industry, homenageia indivíduos que influenciaram positivamente o setor energético africano, promovendo projetos que reforçam a segurança energética, o desenvolvimento africano, o aumento da oferta de energia, os mercados livres, o Estado minimalista, a resiliência económica, a prosperidade das famílias, o conteúdo local e a melhoria das infraestruturas energéticas africanas. Entre os vencedores anteriores contam-se Frank Fannon, antigo Secretário de Estado Adjunto dos Estados Unidos para os Recursos Energéticos; Mohammad Sanusi Barkindo, antigo Secretário-Geral da OPEP; Hage Geingob, antigo Presidente da Namíbia; Meg O’Neill, CEO da Woodside Energy; Benedict Oramah, Presidente e Presidente do Conselho de Administração do Banco Africano de Exportação e Importação; e João Lourenço, Presidente de Angola.

A Câmara Africana de Energia tem o prazer de entregar o prémio de 2026 a Aliko Dangote.

Esta é uma honra merecida para o empresário e industrial nigeriano que investiu milhares de milhões em África para reforçar a segurança energética, construir infraestruturas, criar empregos, reduzir a dependência das importações, apoiar o desenvolvimento regional e promover soluções lideradas por africanos para a pobreza energética.

Uma carreira dedicada ao crescimento africano

Após os seus estudos de gestão na Universidade Al-Azhar, no Cairo, Dangote aventurou-se numa ampla variedade de indústrias, com empresas nos setores do cimento, açúcar, sal, farinha e fertilizantes. A partir de um pequeno negócio de comércio, construiu um dos maiores conglomerados de África: o Grupo Dangote, uma potência industrial multinacional que desenvolve competências técnicas africanas, melhora as cadeias de abastecimento nacionais e impulsiona a capacidade industrial — tudo isto resultando em maiores oportunidades para a diversificação económica.

Dangote há muito reconheceu um dos maiores desafios económicos de África: a necessidade dos países africanos de exportarem matérias-primas e importarem produtos acabados. Assumiu uma missão a longo prazo para ajudar a resolver este dilema, construindo capacidade de produção, sistemas logísticos, infraestruturas energéticas, processamento de matérias-primas e redes de transporte que irão transferir mais produção e criação de valor para dentro de África.

Sob a direção deste líder empresarial transformador, o Grupo Dangote é um dos conglomerados industriais mais ambiciosos já construídos em África. O que torna a organização única não é apenas a sua dimensão, mas a sua estratégia: em vez de se concentrar no comércio ou na extração de recursos, Dangote investiu fortemente na infraestrutura física necessária para a industrialização em toda a África.

Mas foi quando ele voltou a sua atenção para os hidrocarbonetos que a história de Aliko Dangote ganhou verdadeiramente vida.

Quebrar o ciclo de dependência das importações

Nos últimos anos, ganhou atenção global pela Refinaria Dangote em Lekki, perto de Lagos, na Nigéria. Esta é uma das maiores refinarias de petróleo do mundo (e a maior refinaria de linha única do mundo), com uma capacidade de refinação planeada de cerca de 650 000 barris por dia. Inclui um complexo petroquímico e instalações de fertilizantes. A refinaria produz gasolina, gasóleo, combustível de aviação e outros produtos petrolíferos refinados numa escala capaz de transformar os mercados regionais e internacionais de combustíveis.

Esta não é simplesmente uma refinaria. É um fator de mudança macroeconómica para a Nigéria e um projeto transformador para a segurança energética africana.

Durante anos, a dependência da Nigéria de produtos refinados importados criou escassez de combustível, encargos com subsídios, pressões cambiais e oportunidades de corrupção ligadas aos sistemas de importação e redes de arbitragem. A Refinaria Dangote alterou fundamentalmente essa trajetória, permitindo a refinação doméstica numa escala sem precedentes, ao mesmo tempo que ajudou a fortalecer a soberania energética da Nigéria. Numa altura de volatilidade energética global, a refinaria é uma das principais razões pelas quais as economias africanas permanecem resilientes face a choques externos de combustível.

A refinaria representa também algo ainda mais importante para África: a prova de que o continente é capaz de construir e operar infraestruturas industriais de escala mundial.

Numa altura em que a instabilidade geopolítica envolvendo o Irão e a crescente incerteza em torno do Estreito de Ormuz continuam a ameaçar as rotas marítimas globais e as cadeias de abastecimento de combustível, a Refinaria Dangote emergiu como uma força estabilizadora estratégica tanto para os mercados energéticos nigerianos como internacionais. À medida que as perturbações no abastecimento se intensificam, a refinaria ajuda ativamente a colmatar as lacunas no abastecimento de combustível para além das suas fronteiras.

Atualmente, os produtos refinados da Dangote abastecem mercados em todo o continente, incluindo o Gana, os Camarões e a Costa do Marfim. A refinaria já fornece produtos petrolíferos ao Reino Unido, à Europa e aos Estados Unidos e, em junho de 2026, espera-se que a refinaria carregue o seu primeiro grande carregamento de gasolina com destino à Ásia.

Muitos críticos duvidavam que a refinaria alguma vez fosse concluída.

A Dangote enfrentou o cepticismo de observadores internacionais, desafios de financiamento, estrangulamentos de infraestruturas, complexidade técnica, incerteza política e volatilidade cambial. Apesar destes e de muitos outros obstáculos, a determinação inabalável e a liderança visionária da Dangote persistiram para levar o projeto a bom termo.

Hoje, a refinaria ergue-se como um símbolo da ambição e confiança industriais africanas.

O seu impacto na economia da Nigéria tem sido profundo. De acordo com a S&P Global Ratings, a capacidade de refinação da Nigéria está a aumentar significativamente graças à Refinaria Dangote. Ao reduzir a necessidade do país de importar combustível refinado, a refinaria desempenhou um papel fundamental no aumento das reservas brutas de divisas da Nigéria de 33 mil milhões de dólares em 2023 para 50 mil milhões de dólares no início de março de 2026.

E a Dangote não fica por aí. No início de 2026, os planos para estudos de viabilidade indicaram o interesse em expandir a sua atual capacidade de refinação para 1,4 milhões de barris por dia. Esta medida poderá posicionar a Nigéria entre os centros de refinação mais importantes do mundo até ao final da década, rivalizando potencialmente com centros de refinação na Índia e na Ásia até 2027 ou 2028.

Ao mesmo tempo, o Grupo Dangote está a expandir a infraestrutura de armazenamento de combustível e logística para além das fronteiras da Nigéria, com planos para novos projetos de tanques de armazenamento na Namíbia e o potencial desenvolvimento de uma segunda refinaria na África Oriental. Estes esforços irão, sem dúvida, reforçar ainda mais a industrialização regional, a fiabilidade do abastecimento e a integração energética em todo o continente.

Partilha da Riqueza

A influência positiva de Dangote na indústria africana e no desenvolvimento económico não pode ser subestimada. Mas ele é mais do que um empresário ou industrial. Dedica-se também a ajudar o seu país e a melhorar a vida dos seus compatriotas nigerianos. Entre os seus esforços filantrópicos, lidera a Fundação Aliko Dangote (ADF), que apoia iniciativas de saúde, educação, ajuda em caso de catástrofes, redução da pobreza e programas de nutrição em toda a África.

Fundada com a missão de reduzir a pobreza e melhorar a qualidade de vida através de filantropia estratégica e iniciativas de desenvolvimento sustentável, a ADF é uma das maiores fundações de caridade privadas de África. O próprio Dangote comprometeu-se publicamente a dedicar uma grande parte da sua riqueza à filantropia, incluindo a assinatura do Giving Pledge, que incentiva os bilionários a doarem a maior parte das suas fortunas.

A ADF tornou-se internacionalmente conhecida pelo apoio à campanha da Nigéria para erradicar a poliomielite. Estabeleceu parcerias com a Fundação Bill & Melinda Gates, a UNICEF, a Organização Mundial de Saúde e várias agências governamentais nigerianas neste trabalho. Não é por acaso que a Nigéria foi declarada livre da poliomielite selvagem em 2020, após anos de campanhas de vacinação.

A fundação também apoia iniciativas de nutrição direcionadas a crianças, mulheres grávidas e comunidades vulneráveis. Os programas agrícolas para reforçar a redução da pobreza e o emprego incluíram apoio aos agricultores, acesso a fertilizantes, formação agrícola e esforços de desenvolvimento rural.

A ADF doa regularmente grandes quantias e materiais de socorro a comunidades afetadas em toda a Nigéria para prestar assistência de emergência durante crises como inundações, escassez de alimentos, deslocação de populações e surtos de doenças. Por exemplo, a fundação ajudou a coordenar as respostas do setor privado por meio da Coalizão Contra a COVID-19 (CACOVID), contribuindo com financiamento de emergência para suprimentos médicos, centros de isolamento e assistência alimentar.

A fundação, sob a liderança de Dangote, também promove programas destinados a criar meios de subsistência sustentáveis, incluindo apoio a pequenas empresas, iniciativas agrícolas, projetos de empoderamento de mulheres e desenvolvimento do empreendedorismo. Os programas se concentram em ajudar as comunidades a passar da dependência da ajuda à participação económica de longo prazo.

Ao colaborar com universidades e instituições de ensino para reforçar a capacidade de investigação e aprendizagem, Dangote está a melhorar o acesso à educação e a preparação da força de trabalho, especialmente para os jovens nigerianos, através de bolsas de estudo, infraestruturas escolares, programas universitários e formação profissional.

A ADF trabalha frequentemente com governos africanos, ONG internacionais, agências da ONU, organizações comunitárias e instituições filantrópicas globais. O seu modelo de parceria é crucial porque muitos desafios de desenvolvimento africanos exigem coordenação entre os setores público e privado. A sua influência estende-se para além da caridade, abrangendo a saúde pública, a política económica e a estratégia de desenvolvimento em toda a região.

Aliko Dangote é um visionário que investiu o seu tempo, recursos e convicção inabalável no potencial de África para construir indústrias, reforçar a segurança energética e criar oportunidades económicas duradouras em todo o continente. A Câmara Africana de Energia aguarda com expectativa que o impacto dos seus esforços continue a revelar-se nos próximos anos.

Distribuído pelo Grupo APO para African Energy Chamber.

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Aliko Dangote: African Energy Person of the Year 2026

Source: APO

Each year, the African Energy Industry’s “African Energy Person of the Year” award celebrates individuals who have positively influenced Africa’s energy sector by facilitating projects that strengthen energy security, African development, energy additions, free markets, limited government, economic resilience, the prosperity of families, local content and improve African energy infrastructure. Previous awardees include Frank Fannon, former United States Assistant Secretary of State for Energy Resources; Mohammad Sanusi Barkindo, former OPEC Secretary General; Hage Geingob, former President of Namibia; Meg O’Neill, CEO of Woodside Energy; Benedict Oramah, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of African Export-Import Bank; and João Lourenço, President of Angola.

The African Energy Chamber is pleased to present the 2026 award to Aliko Dangote.

This is a fitting honor for the Nigerian businessman and industrialist who has invested billions in Africa to strengthen energy security, build infrastructure, create jobs, reduce import dependence, support regional development, and promote African-led solutions to energy poverty.

A Career Devoted to African Growth

After his studies in business at Al-Azhar University in Cairo, Dangote ventured into a wide variety of industries, with enterprises in cement, sugar, salt, flour, and fertilizer. From a small trading business, he has built one of Africa’s largest conglomerates: Dangote Group, a multinational industrial powerhouse that develops African technical expertise, enhances domestic supply chains, and boosts industrial capacity — all resulting in greater opportunities for economic diversification.

Dangote has long recognized one of Africa’s biggest economic challenges: the need among African countries to export raw materials and import finished products. He adopted a long-term mission to help solve this dilemma by building manufacturing capacity, logistics systems, energy infrastructure, raw material processing, and transportation networks that will move more production and value creation inside Africa.

Under the direction of this transformative business leader, the Dangote Group is one of the most ambitious industrial conglomerates ever built in Africa. What makes the organization unique is not just its size, but its strategy: Instead of focusing on trading or resource extraction, Dangote has invested heavily in the physical infrastructure needed for industrialization across Africa.

But it’s when he turned his sights to hydrocarbons that Aliko Dangote’s story really comes alive.

Breaking the Import Dependence Cycle

In recent years, he gained global attention for the Dangote Refinery in Lekki near Lagos, Nigeria. This is one of the world’s biggest oil refineries (and the world’s largest single-train refinery), with a planned refining capacity of about 650,000 barrels per day. It includes a petrochemical complex and fertilizer facilities. The refinery produces gasoline, diesel, aviation fuel, and other refined petroleum products at a scale capable of transforming regional and international fuel markets.

This is not simply a refinery. It is a macroeconomic game-changer for Nigeria and a transformative project for African energy security.

For years, Nigeria’s dependence on imported refined products created fuel shortages, subsidy burdens, foreign exchange pressures, and opportunities for corruption tied to import systems and arbitrage networks. The Dangote Refinery has fundamentally altered that trajectory by enabling domestic refining at unprecedented scale while helping strengthen Nigeria’s energy sovereignty. At a time of global energy volatility, the refinery is a primary reason African economies remain resilient in the face of external fuel shocks.

The refinery also represents something even bigger for Africa: proof that the continent can build and operate world-scale industrial infrastructure.

At a time when geopolitical instability involving Iran and growing uncertainty around the Strait of Hormuz continue to threaten global shipping lanes and fuel supply chains, the Dangote Refinery has emerged as a strategic stabilizing force for both Nigerian and international energy markets. As supply disruptions intensify, the refinery actively helps fill fuel supply gaps beyond its borders. Today, refined products from Dangote are supplying markets across the continent, including Ghana, Cameroon, and Côte d’Ivoire. The refinery is already supplying fuel products to the United Kingdom, Europe, and the United States, and in June 2026, the refinery is expected to load its first major gasoline shipment to Asia.

Many critics doubted that the refinery would ever be completed.

Dangote faced skepticism from international observers, financing challenges, infrastructure bottlenecks, technical complexity, political uncertainty, and currency volatility. Despite these, and many other hurdles, Dangote’s steadfast determination and visionary leadership persisted to bring the project to fruition.

Today, the refinery stands as a symbol of African industrial ambition and confidence.

Its impact on Nigeria’s economy has been profound. According to S&P Global Ratings, Nigeria’s refining capacity is increasing significantly thanks to the Dangote Refinery. By reducing the nation’s need for refined fuel imports, the refinery played a key role in boosting the Nigerian gross foreign exchange reserves from $33 billion in 2023 to $50 billion by early March 2026.

And Dangote is not stopping there. In early 2026, plans for feasibility studies indicated the interest in expanding its current refining capacity to 1.4 million barrels per day. This move could position Nigeria among the world’s most significant refining hubs by the end of the decade, potentially rivaling refining centers in India and Asia by 2027 or 2028.

At the same time, the Dangote Group is expanding fuel storage and logistics infrastructure beyond Nigeria’s borders, with plans for new storage tank projects in Namibia and the potential development of a second refinery in East Africa. These efforts will undoubtedly further strengthening regional industrialization, supply reliability, and energy integration across the continent.

Sharing the Wealth

Dangote’s positive influence on African industry and economic development cannot be overstated. But he is more than a businessman or industrialist. He is also dedicated to helping his country and uplifting his fellow Nigerians. Among his philanthropic efforts, he leads the Aliko Dangote Foundation (ADF), which supports health initiatives, education, disaster relief, poverty reduction, and nutrition programs across Africa.

Established with the mission of reducing poverty and improving quality of life through strategic philanthropy and sustainable development initiatives, ADF is one of the largest private charitable foundations in Africa. Dangote himself has publicly committed a large portion of his wealth to philanthropy, including signing the Giving Pledge that encourages billionaires to donate most of their fortunes.

ADF became internationally known for supporting Nigeria’s campaign to eradicate polio. It partnered with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, UNICEF, the World Health Organization, and various Nigerian government agencies in this work. It’s no coincidence that Nigeria was declared free of wild polio in 2020, after years of vaccination campaigns.

The foundation also supports nutrition initiatives targeting children, pregnant women, and vulnerable communities. Agricultural programs to strengthen poverty reduction and employment have included farmer support, fertilizer access, agricultural training, and rural development efforts.

ADF regularly donates large sums and relief materials to affected communities across Nigeria to provide emergency assistance during crises such as flooding, food shortages, displacement, and disease outbreaks. For instance, the foundation helped coordinate private-sector responses through the Coalition Against COVID-19 (CACOVID), contributing emergency funding for medical supplies, isolation centers, and food assistance.

The foundation, under Dangote’s leadership, also promotes programs designed to create sustainable livelihoods, including small business support, agricultural initiatives, women’s empowerment projects, and entrepreneurship development. Programs focus on helping communities move from aid dependency toward long-term economic participation. By collaborating with universities and educational institutions to strengthen research and learning capacity, Dangote is improving educational access and workforce readiness, especially for young Nigerians, through scholarships, school infrastructure, university programs, and vocational training.

ADF often works with African governments, international NGOs, UN agencies, community organizations, and global philanthropic institutions. Its partnership model is crucial because many African development challenges require coordination between public and private sectors. Its influence extends beyond charity into public health, economic policy, and development strategy across the region.

Aliko Dangote is a visionary who has invested his time, resources, and unwavering belief in Africa’s potential to build industries, strengthen energy security, and create lasting economic opportunity across the continent. The African Energy Chamber looks forward to seeing the impact of his efforts continue to unfold in the years ahead.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

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