Category: MIL-OSI

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Seychelles President Dr Patrick Herminie Pays Courtesy Call on President Dharambeer Gokhool

Source: APO


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The President of the Republic of Seychelles, Dr Patrick Herminie, accompanied by the First Lady, Mrs Véronique Herminie, paid a courtesy call on His Excellency Mr Dharambeer Gokhool, GCSK, President of the Republic of Mauritius, and the First Lady of the Republic of Mauritius, Mrs Brinda Gokhool, at State House this afternoon.

He was accompanied by a high-level delegation including Honourable Dhananjay Ramful, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade.

President Gokhool warmly welcomed President Herminie and conveyed his congratulations following his victory in the presidential run-off election of October 2025.

He also commended the values highlighted in President Herminie’s victory speech, notably the commitment to revitalising public services, strengthening national unity, promoting good governance and building a legacy for future generations.

Both Heads of State reflected on the common pathways of their personal and professional journeys, shaped by humble beginnings and guided by a shared commitment to service, integrity and good governance.

The President of the Republic of Mauritius also welcomed the participation of the Seychelles Defence Forces in the Mauritian National Day celebrations, including the National Défilé, noting that this gesture further reinforces the longstanding friendship and cooperation between the two island nations.

The meeting provided an opportunity to review the longstanding bilateral relations between Mauritius and Seychelles, formally established in 1988. Discussions also focused on strengthening cooperation through existing and forthcoming Memoranda of Understanding in key sectors including investment, education, culture, tourism, trade and maritime security.

President Gokhool laid strong emphasis on areas of particular importance for enhanced collaboration, including maritime safety and security, the blue economy, fisheries development and sustainable tourism. The two leaders also emphasised the importance of climate action and resilience for Small Island Developing States.

The issue of the Chagossian community residing in Seychelles was also talked about. President Dharambeer Gokhool, together with Honourable Minister Ramful, reaffirmed Mauritius’ continued commitment and support in this regard.

After the meeting, President Herminie also signed the visitors’ book at State House.

On the sidelines of the meeting, the First Ladies, Mrs Brinda Gokhool and Mrs Véronique Herminie, also held a warm and productive exchange on social and cultural issues of mutual interest.

His Excellency Dr Patrick Herminie is in Mauritius as Chief Guest for the celebrations marking the 58th Anniversary of the Independence of Mauritius and the 34th Anniversary of the Republic. The courtesy call took place a spirit of friendship and mutual respect, reflecting the strong and enduring partnership between Mauritius and Seychelles

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of State House Seychelles.

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Power cuts are the new normal in Kenya – what went wrong and how to fix it

Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Peter Twesigye, Research Lead: Power Market Reforms and Regulation, University of Cape Town

Millions of Kenyan households and businesses have been subjected to interruptions of electricity supply since late 2024 owing to production shortfalls. President William Ruto acknowledged this, explaining that “daily load-shedding” had become necessary and that power would be switched off in some areas between 5pm and 10pm to stabilise the national grid.

Until now, Kenya’s electricity supply has been mostly adequate to meet supply. However, there were multiple nationwide blackouts between 2020 and 2024. These disruptions were due to technical failures rather than unmet demand.

The uncomfortable truth is that Kenya’s demand surge is testing the limits of what grid engineers call “firm and operationally available capacity”. This is what can be counted on when the evening peak demand rises sharply, stretching the system’s ability to maintain frequency and voltage within limits.

By the end of January 2026, the published system peak was 2,439.06 MW compared to firm capacity of 2,495 MW. There was a narrow reserve margin of only 2.3%. This peak was recorded on 4 December 2025, and was framed by Kenya Power itself as a historic high.

Kenya has a reserve of nearly 800 MW on paper, but only about 56 MW of breathing room on firm capacity. This is a razor-thin margin for a system that must ride over:

  • transmission constraints such as transformer overloads due to unexpected demand spikes and equipment failure

  • inadequate generation forces for dispatchable baseload, from post-sunset loss of solar output of 514 MW and at times wind of 436 MW with low capacity factors

  • limited flexibility to support timely ramping (how fast the rest of the system must move up or down when a generation unit trips).

My research focus is power market reforms, regulation and utility performance – including Kenya’s. My assessment is that Kenya’s power sector is not short of renewable energy resources to exploit. It is short of capital and a well-planned procurement pipeline of investments in new power plants and grid resilience.

Policy makers have to do more to keep up with an economy whose peak demand now resets with unsettling frequency, affecting businesses and home users.

Kenya’s optimum outcome is not simply higher installed megawatt capacity. It is the combined effect of:

  • sufficient energy capacity

  • the system’s capacity to meet fluctuating demand, changes in generation output and unexpected outages

  • ability to operate, refurbish and maintain the grid network to meet set technical regulatory standards.

How did supply fall behind demand?

Three structural drivers explain the current crisis.

First, no new interconnected power plants have been commissioned during the past four years. Kenya’s new capacity pipeline was constrained by a moratorium on new plants imposed in 2021. The moratorium was only lifted in December 2025 by the National Assembly, reopening the door to new procurement via competitive auctions.

Second, peak demand growth accelerated over the same time period. In February 2025, for instance, peak demand grew by the largest margin in five years. This growth was driven mainly by industrial and commercial users, a growing fleet of electric vehicles, new data centres, and an aggressive domestic power connectivity programme.

The utility surpassed 10 million customers with over 401,848 new connections in the year to 30 June 2025. This resurgence translates into a growth in sales to 11,403 GWh in just one financial year, 2024/25. The result was that a planning problem became an operational one. The mass connectivity programme stepped up over the past eight years is a triumph as the country rushes to achieve universal electrification goals. But it is also the core demand-side force compressing reserve margins.

The third factor that’s affected the power network is that industrial and commercial consumers are increasingly financing their own supply. Instead of waiting for grid reliability to improve, firms have been building their own dedicated power plants. By June 2025, so-called captive (self-consumption) capacity reached 603.8 MW (about 15.72% of total installed capacity), dominated by captive solar PV and bioenergy.

While these are cheaper and more reliable sources, they are not failure-free and also serve to mask the growing national deficit.

Furthermore, this trend complicates system planning because Kenya Power’s revenue base and load profile become less predictable, leading to system imbalances and frequent outages.

What’s behind the instability of Kenya’s electricity grid?

Kenya’s energy mix is renewables-led. Renewable energy stands at 80% of the energy mix and has been steadily rising over the last 10 years.

The largest technology shares are: geothermal 943 MW (25.92%), hydro 872.5 MW (23.9%), solar 514.1 MW (14.1%), wind 436 MW (11.9%), and bioenergy 163.8 MW. The country also imports electricity from Ethiopia and Uganda, accounting for 10.6% of the total.

This picture shows why system flexibility and network reliability are key. When solar and wind power aren’t available, the system must turn to geothermal, hydro and thermal while maintaining reserves.

With firm capacity only modestly above the latest peak, even a single contingency can force controlled load-shedding to preserve system integrity.

Kenya’s grid instability is not one problem, however. Network reliability is undermined by system leakages from unbilled or stolen energy. In 2025, average annual losses amounted to 23.36% – far above the regulator’s allowable benchmark of 17.5%. Reliability is improving, but still a far cry from best practice.

Another major factor is inadequate transmission infrastructure, primarily its high-voltage transmission lines. This means that Kenya also needs to massively invest in expanding its transmission system. Indeed, the power transmission monopoly – Ketraco – warns in its 2025-2044 master plan that keeping up with demand growth requires a multi-billion-dollar buildout. It points to an estimated financing gap of roughly US$4.38 billion across planned transmission investments.

What’s needed

Four options stand out for consideration.

The first is rebuilding the pipeline of new power plants. The quickest reliability gains will come from adding new low-carbon capacity from geothermal rehabilitation and new gas units. Policymakers must also ensure adequate extra generation capacity to provide power within seconds or minutes to cover a likely generation failure or demand spike.

Second, the system needs modern flexibility tools, such as battery storage, gas and imports. This is because storage and grid-stability investments can improve system flexibility and reduce the need for load-shedding when supply from renewables dips during peak demand.

Third, private capital participation is unavoidable if the grid is to stay ahead of demand. The most concrete step so far is the transmission monopoly’s US$311 million (KES 40.4 billion) public-private partnership signed in December 2025 with Africa50 and Power Grid Corporation of India.

Finally, stability depends on addressing system losses. This can be achieved by scaling up smart metering, restructuring distribution lines, and reducing vandalism and illegal connections. This can translate into added capacity.

– Power cuts are the new normal in Kenya – what went wrong and how to fix it
– https://theconversation.com/power-cuts-are-the-new-normal-in-kenya-what-went-wrong-and-how-to-fix-it-276611

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Crocodiles can have extra growth cycles in a year – why this matters for estimating the age of dinosaurs

Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Anusuya Chinsamy-Turan, Professor, Biological Sciences Department, University of Cape Town

In biology and palaeontology (the study of extinct organisms) there are a few ways to estimate the age of an animal’s skeleton. One is the extent of fusion of sutures in the skeleton – how much the plates of bone have joined together as the animal matured. Another is the texture of the bone surfaces. Then there are growth marks recorded in the microscopic structure of bone.

Many modern animals grow in periodic spurts (fast at times, slowly at other times). It’s generally thought that they grow fast in the good seasons when the environment is better for them in terms of food, temperature and water. They are thought to grow more slowly during unfavourable seasons, when the growth marks form in their bones, rather like the rings formed in trees. By counting the number of growth marks inside the bone tissues, scientists estimate the age of the animal. This method is called skeletochronology.

Over the years there have been a few studies that have determined when the different growth cycles formed, and have proposed the utility of skeletochronology for age determination.

The application of skeletochronology has been particularly important in working out the age of extinct reptiles like dinosaurs. It’s also been used as the basis for constructing graphs showing how the animal grew over time and comparing the rate of growth of different dinosaurs. This is very useful when trying to assess how extinct animals (like dinosaurs) grew up, and in some cases reached gigantic proportions.

Our work in our palaeobiology laboratory at the University of Cape Town has shown that juvenile (wild and captive) caimans, American reptiles related to crocodiles and alligators, under one year of age showed growth marks in their bones. This was unexpected because the animals were too young to show annual periods of quick and slow growth.

This study by our team suggested there was a need for a more cautious approach to estimating the age of skeletons. This caution was reinforced by similar findings in our later work on Nile crocodiles.

Working with bones. Anusuya Chinsamy-Turan

More growth marks than expected

Our work on the Nile crocodiles began as an investigation into their growth dynamics. On three occasions we administered antibiotics to two-year-old crocodiles at the Le Bonheur Reptiles and Adventures farm, about 60km from Cape Town in South Africa. These antibiotics became incorporated into the bones of the growing crocodiles.

Later, when the crocodiles died, we skeletonised the carcasses and prepared thin sections of their bones which we examined under the microscope. The antibiotic markers allowed us to deduce how much bone growth had occurred in specific time periods.

Much to our surprise, we found that aside from a slowdown in growth during the unfavourable (winter) season, extra growth marks formed during the favourable (summer) season when fast growth was expected. These extra growth marks tell us that the crocodile responded to some environmental factors (perhaps temperature, rainfall, or competition) by slowing down their growth and forming a growth ring.

We found that the two-year-old crocodiles had as many as five or six growth cycles in their bones. We would have expected only one per year. This meant that if we applied skeletochronology, we would have overestimated the age of the crocodiles. Until now, most of the time when skeletochronology was applied, the concern has been about under-estimating the age of the animal (because growth marks are sometimes removed during normal growth processes).

Questions about method of establishing bone age

Our study of these living relatives of dinosaurs raises questions regarding the accuracy of using skeletochronology for estimating the age of dinosaurs. We know the four crocodiles were raised on a crocodile farm, which perhaps does not ideally reflect their a natural environment. But we are also aware that on the farm, they would have had optimal conditions for growth – and yet, under these ideal circumstances, they formed extra marks.

Two-year-old crocodiles had as many as five or six growth cycles in their bones. We would have expected only one per year. Maria Eugenia Pereyra

Currently investigations into dinosaur skeletochronology are plagued by several issues such as the presence of multiple closely spaced growth marks that are difficult to separate out, as well as some growth marks that cannot be followed around the whole circumference of the cross section of the bone. Added to this, we suggest that since living relatives of dinosaurs (birds and crocodiles) can form extra growth marks, some of the growth marks in dinosaur bones could well be “extra” and therefore unrelated to their age.

More research is clearly needed to investigate this matter. An obvious first step is to undertake a similar study of crocodiles and alligators in the wild – a feat easier said than done.

– Crocodiles can have extra growth cycles in a year – why this matters for estimating the age of dinosaurs
– https://theconversation.com/crocodiles-can-have-extra-growth-cycles-in-a-year-why-this-matters-for-estimating-the-age-of-dinosaurs-276077

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President El-Sisi Meets Prime Minister, Minister of Petroleum

Source: APO


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Today, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi met with Prime Minister Dr. Moustafa Madbouly and Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Engineer Karim Badawi.

The Spokesman for the Presidency, Ambassador Mohamed El-Shennawy, said the meeting reviewed efforts made by Egyptian companies to increase production through hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling. The Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Karim Badawi, said the petroleum sector is accelerating the implementation of these technologies, which will enable access to oil and gas resources that are difficult to exploit using traditional methods and will support a significant increase in crude oil and gas production. President El-Sisi emphasized the necessity of making available and localizing modern technologies that contribute to increased productivity, similar to successful global and regional experiences. The President also stressed the importance of establishing appropriate mechanisms to ensure optimal economic implementation, in cooperation with major drilling and technology service companies and production partners. The meeting also addressed the work program for an aerial survey of mineral resources, aimed at increasing investments in the mining sector.

Recent movements in petroleum product and gas prices, as a result of the escalation of events in the region, were also reviewed. The President followed up on measures taken to ensure the availability of various petroleum products for the production sectors, power plants, and other uses.

The Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources confirmed during the meeting that the petroleum sector is committed to continuing to reduce the overdue dues to foreign partners until they are fully settled, in parallel with ensuring the regular payment of the monthly bill and preventing any future delays. He pointed out that the ministry is adopting an approach based on continuous consultation with investors to understand their needs and suggestions, and to find the best systems that achieve the maximum mutual benefit for all parties.

President El-Sisi emphasized the importance of maintaining the regular payment of dues to international oil companies to encourage increased exploration and production. The President also stressed the need to establish a mechanism to develop research, exploration, and development activities to meet local needs and reduce imports.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Presidency of the Arab Republic of Egypt.

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African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) steel sisters break barriers for peace in Mogadishu

Source: APO


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In Somalia’s capital Mogadishu, three Ugandan female peacekeepers serving under the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) are redefining the face of frontline service.

Private Gunner Epila Juliet, Tank Driver Private Onying Ruth, and their commander, Corporal Nabukenya Barbra, are part of the mission’s motorised armoured unit. The three are demonstrating courage, competence, and professionalism in roles traditionally dominated by men. Their presence in Somalia underscores a broader shift in peacekeeping operations, where women are taking on combat and leadership roles and excelling in them.

Aboard her armoured vehicle in Mogadishu, Private Juliet carefully maintains her 12.7mm heavy machine gun, speaking with confidence about the weapon she operates.

“This is a 12.7mm calibre heavy machine gun with a maximum range of 6,000 metres,” she explains. “Its effective range is 2,000 metres on the ground and 1,800 metres in the air. When elevated, it can also function as an anti-aircraft weapon.”

Her precision reflects both technical mastery and a deep sense of responsibility.

Protection of Civilians

For Juliet, her weapon represents more than firepower; it symbolises duty.

“This is my everything, my weapon, and I take pride in it,” she says. “Every morning, I clean it and prepare for the operations assigned by my commanders. In Somalia, we are here to protect civilians under the AUSSOM peacekeeping mission.”

Juliet serves in AUSSOM Sector One, covering Mogadishu and the Lower Shabelle region. This is her first peacekeeping deployment after five years in the military. She describes the mission as both a professional milestone and a personal calling.

As the world marks International Women’s Day on 8 March, recognising the critical role of women in peace and security, the contributions of soldiers like Juliet resonate strongly.

Leadership and Precision in the Tank Unit

A short distance from central Mogadishu, near the white sands of Jazeera Beach, Private Onying and Corporal Barbra stand beside their tank – the only women in their unit. Within the steel hull of this heavily armoured vehicle lies one of the most demanding roles in modern peace support operations: mobility, protection, and decisive response under pressure.

Private Onying, tall and resolute, serves as the tank driver. Her responsibility extends far beyond steering. She must manoeuvre the multi-tonne vehicle across complex terrain, maintain mechanical readiness, and respond instantly to commands during high-risk operations.

“As a tank driver, my role is to move the tank to the terrain designated by the commander and position it strategically, ready to engage if necessary,” she explains. “Every movement must be precise.”

Commanding the unit is Corporal Nabukenya Barbra, whose leadership anchors the team. Tasked with directing operations, assessing threats, and ensuring coordination with other units, she embodies discipline and decisiveness.

“I feel honoured to serve as part of the African Union peacekeepers restoring peace and stability in Somalia,” she says. “What motivates me most is serving others. Contributing something meaningful gives me deep satisfaction.”

Leading an armoured unit in a male-dominated field demands resilience, confidence, and strategic acumen, qualities Corporal Nabukenya embraces fully.

“Serving as a commander in this field has been both challenging and rewarding. I enjoy demanding roles like this. My position demonstrates that women are equally capable of leading in complex operational environments,” she says.

Together, these soldiers represent more than operational strength. They symbolise progress within peacekeeping forces and serve as visible role models for young women aspiring to military and leadership careers.

On the frontlines of Mogadishu, AUSSOM’s steel sisters are not only safeguarding communities; they are reshaping perceptions, strengthening mission effectiveness, and proving that courage, leadership, and professionalism know no gender.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM).

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A Câmara Africana de Energia pede boicote à Africa Energies Summit devido a preocupações relacionadas com o conteúdo local e a representação

Source: Africa Press Organisation – Portuguese –

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A Câmara Africana de Energia (AEC) (https://EnergyChamber.org/), do setor energético africano, apela ao boicote em escala industrial da próxima Africa Energies Summit. Organizado pela Frontier Energy Network em Londres, de 12 a 14 de maio, este evento é apresentado como «a primeira conferência mundial sobre o setor petrolífero upstream em África». No entanto, a empresa dirigida por Daniel Davidson não conta com nenhum profissional africano negro entre os seus diretores. Este contraste marcante realça que a imagem de marca centrada em África da cimeira não corresponde a uma representação significativa dos africanos negros dentro da própria organização, que não passa de uma ferramenta destinada a gerar lucros.

Durante demasiado tempo, profissionais africanos e organizações como a AEC têm lutado para desenvolver, defender e promover a indústria do petróleo e do gás no continente. Estão na linha da frente para defender melhores condições fiscais, um ambiente político favorável, oportunidades de concessão de licenças e uma transição energética justa que reflita as necessidades de desenvolvimento de África. No entanto, empresas como a Frontier Energy Network demonstram até que ponto o talento africano continua a não ser integrado de forma significativa no setor que tanto se esforçaram por apoiar.

O conteúdo local não pode continuar a ser um tema de debate reservado a conferências e documentos políticos. Não pode ser usado como ferramenta promocional antes de uma conferência em Londres. Deve refletir-se no recrutamento, no desenvolvimento de liderança, nas oportunidades para fornecedores e no acesso a toda a cadeia de valor energética. Um modelo de negócio centrado em África que não deixa espaço para profissionais africanos corre o risco de perder toda a credibilidade no mercado que pretende servir.

«Não aceitaremos ser «excluídos» da indústria do petróleo e do gás. Queremos uma indústria acolhedora e aberta, inclusiva e solidária. Pessoas como Daniel Davidson adotam a abordagem contrária ao recusarem-se a contratar africanos negros. Vão ainda mais longe ao proibir a entrada a determinadas pessoas», afirma NJ Ayuk, presidente executivo da AEC.

A Frontier Energy Network tem muitos modelos a seguir em África. Em todo o continente, há empresas que demonstraram que a inclusão dos africanos e o sucesso operacional não são objetivos contraditórios. A empresa independente de petróleo e gás Africa Fortesa Corporation, dirigida por Rogers Beall, é um excelente exemplo de empresa que deu prioridade ao emprego de africanos, colocando os profissionais africanos na linha da frente das suas atividades. Como operadora do campo de gás terrestre de Gadiaga, no Senegal, a empresa satisfaz há duas décadas a procura energética nacional. Mas o que realmente a distingue no setor é o seu compromisso com a contratação de profissionais africanos.

«Pessoas como Rogers Beall inspiram-nos todos os dias. Quando se vai ao Senegal e se vê o que ele conseguiu com a Fortesa, fica-se maravilhado. Ele conseguiu isso com uma maioria de funcionários africanos. Mesmo em circunstâncias difíceis como as da COVID, a empresa apoiou os seus funcionários. Também nos apaixonam as empresas que apoiaram Moçambique em momentos difíceis e continuaram a impulsionar os projetos de GNL do país. Somos apaixonados por pessoas que investem no talento local, criam políticas que apoiam o desenvolvimento de capacidades e garantem que os profissionais africanos não apenas participem nos debates sobre energia em África, mas também os liderem», acrescentou Ayuk.

Estes exemplos refletem o tipo de indústria de que África precisa: aberta, competente, favorável ao investimento e baseada na prosperidade partilhada. Isto é ainda mais importante agora que cada vez mais profissionais negros estão a entrar no mercado de trabalho. Os estudantes africanos trabalham arduamente para obter os seus diplomas. Quando se formam com boas referências, devem ser julgados pelo seu talento, formação e capacidade de contribuição, e não devem ser privados de oportunidades devido à cor da sua pele.

O que está em jogo vai além da contratação. Numa altura em que o setor do petróleo e do gás é alvo de intensa vigilância por parte de ativistas contrários às energias fósseis, qualquer perceção de que a indústria exclui os africanos ou não investe nas comunidades locais apenas reforça os argumentos dos seus detratores. Se o setor quer defender o seu papel no futuro económico de África, deve garantir que as suas próprias práticas refletem a equidade e a igualdade de oportunidades.

«Quando a Frontier, Daniel Davidson e a Africa Energies Summit se dedicam a estas práticas discriminatórias, sabem o que isso significa? Alimenta o mesmo discurso de Greta Thunberg e de todos aqueles opositores às energias fósseis que afirmam que a indústria não se preocupa com os negros nem com as comunidades africanas. Daniel Davidson e a Frontier justificam esse discurso», acrescenta Ayuk.

A mensagem é clara: o futuro do petróleo e do gás em África deve ser construído não só em África, mas também com os africanos no centro. É hora de boicotar a Africa Energies Summit.

Distribuído pelo Grupo APO para African Energy Chamber.

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La Chambre africaine de l’énergie appelle au boycott d‘ Africa Energies Summit en raison de préoccupations liées au contenu local et à la représentation

Source: Africa Press Organisation – French


La Chambre africaine de l’énergie (AEC) (https://EnergyChamber.org/), porte-parole du secteur énergétique africain, appelle à un boycott à l’échelle de l’industrie du prochain Afrique Energies Summit. Organisé par Frontier Energy Network à Londres du 12 au 14 mai, cet événement se présente comme « la première conférence mondiale sur l’amont pétrolier en Afrique ». Pourtant, la société dirigée par Daniel Davidson ne compte aucun professionnel africain noir parmi ses dirigeants. Ce contraste frappant souligne le fait que l’image de marque axée sur l’Afrique du sommet ne correspond pas à une représentation significative des Africains noirs au sein de l’organisation elle-même, qui n’est qu’un outil destiné à générer des profits.

Depuis trop longtemps, les professionnels africains et les organisations telles que l’AEC se battent pour développer, défendre et faire progresser l’industrie pétrolière et gazière du continent. Ils sont en première ligne pour plaider en faveur de meilleures conditions fiscales, d’un environnement politique favorable, d’opportunités d’octroi de licences et d’une transition énergétique juste qui reflète les besoins de développement de l’Afrique. Pourtant, des entreprises telles que Frontier Energy Network montrent à quel point les talents africains ne sont toujours pas intégrés de manière significative dans le secteur même qu’ils ont travaillé si dur à soutenir.

Le contenu local ne peut rester un sujet de discussion réservé aux conférences et aux documents politiques. Il ne peut être utilisé comme un outil promotionnel avant une conférence à Londres. Il doit se refléter dans le recrutement, le développement du leadership, les opportunités pour les fournisseurs et l’accès à l’ensemble de la chaîne de valeur énergétique. Un modèle commercial axé sur l’Afrique qui ne laisse aucune place aux professionnels africains risque de perdre toute crédibilité sur le marché qu’il prétend servir.

« Nous n’accepterons pas d’être « exclus » de l’industrie pétrolière et gazière. Nous voulons une industrie accueillante et ouverte, inclusive et solidaire. Des personnes comme Daniel Davidson adoptent l’approche inverse en refusant d’embaucher des Africains noirs. Ils vont même plus loin en interdisant à certaines personnes d’entrer dans la salle », déclare NJ Ayuk, président exécutif de l’AEC.

Frontier Energy Network a de nombreux modèles à suivre en Afrique. À travers le continent, des entreprises ont démontré que l’inclusion des Africains et la réussite opérationnelle ne sont pas des objectifs concurrents. La société pétrolière et gazière indépendante Africa Fortesa Corporation, dirigée par Rogers Beall, est un excellent exemple d’entreprise qui a donné la priorité à l’emploi des Africains, en plaçant les professionnels africains au premier plan de ses activités. En tant qu’exploitant du champ gazier terrestre de Gadiaga au Sénégal, l’entreprise répond à la demande énergétique nationale depuis deux décennies. Mais c’est l’engagement de l’entreprise à embaucher des professionnels africains qui l’a vraiment distinguée dans le secteur.

« Nous sommes inspirés chaque jour par des personnes telles que Rogers Beall. Lorsque vous vous rendez au Sénégal et que vous voyez ce qu’il a accompli avec Fortesa, vous êtes émerveillé. Il a réalisé cela avec une majorité d’employés africains. Même dans des circonstances difficiles telles que la COVID, l’entreprise a soutenu ses employés. Nous sommes également passionnés par les entreprises qui ont soutenu le Mozambique pendant les moments difficiles et ont continué à faire avancer les projets GNL du pays. Nous sommes passionnés par les personnes qui investissent dans les talents locaux, créent des politiques qui soutiennent le renforcement des capacités et veillent à ce que les professionnels africains ne se contentent pas de participer aux discussions sur l’énergie en Afrique, mais les dirigent », a ajouté M. Ayuk.

Ces exemples reflètent le type d’industrie dont l’Afrique a besoin : ouverte, compétente, favorable aux investissements et ancrée dans la prospérité partagée. Cela est d’autant plus important que de plus en plus de professionnels noirs entrent sur le marché du travail. Les étudiants africains travaillent dur pour obtenir leurs diplômes. Lorsqu’ils obtiennent leur diplôme avec de solides références, ils devraient être jugés sur leur talent, leur formation et leur capacité à contribuer, et non se voir refuser des opportunités en raison de la couleur de leur peau.

Les enjeux vont au-delà du recrutement. À l’heure où le secteur pétrolier et gazier fait l’objet d’une surveillance intense de la part des militants anti-énergies fossiles, toute perception selon laquelle l’industrie exclut les Africains ou ne parvient pas à investir dans les communautés locales ne fait que renforcer les arguments de ses détracteurs. Si le secteur veut défendre son rôle dans l’avenir économique de l’Afrique, il doit veiller à ce que ses propres pratiques reflètent l’équité et l’égalité des chances.

« Lorsque Frontier, Daniel Davidson et Africa Energies Summit se livrent à ces comportements discriminatoires, savez-vous ce que cela signifie ? Cela alimente le même discours que celui de Greta Thunberg et de tous ces opposants aux énergies fossiles qui affirment que l’industrie ne se soucie pas des Noirs ou des communautés africaines. Daniel Davidson et Frontier justifient ce discours », ajoute Ayuk.

Le message est clair : l’avenir du pétrole et du gaz en Afrique doit être construit non seulement en Afrique, mais aussi avec les Africains au centre. Il est temps de boycotter l’Africa Energies Summit.

Distribué par APO Group pour African Energy Chamber.

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African Oil and Gas Industry to Boycott Africa Energies Summit Over Local Content, Representation Concerns

Source: APO


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The African Energy Chamber (AEC) (https://EnergyChamber.org/) – the voice of the African energy sector – is calling for an industry-wide boycott of the upcoming Africa Energies Summit. Hosted by Frontier Energy Network in London from May 12-14, the event has dubbed itself as ‘Africa’s Premier Global Upstream Conference’. Yet, the company – led by Daniel Davidson – does not feature any Black African professionals in its leadership. This stark contrast underscores how the summit’s Africa-focused branding is not being matched by meaningful Black African representation within the organization itself – it is merely a tool to make profits.

For too long, African professionals and organizations such as the AEC have fought to build, defend and advance the continent’s oil and gas industry. They have stood at the frontlines of advocacy for better fiscal terms, enabling policy environments, licensing opportunities and a just energy transition that reflects Africa’s development needs. Yet companies such as Frontier Energy Network showcase how African talent is still not being meaningfully included in the very sector it has worked so hard to sustain.

Local content cannot remain a talking point reserved for conference stages and policy papers. It cannot be used as a promotional tool ahead of a London conference. It must be reflected in hiring, leadership development, supplier opportunities and access across the energy value chain. An Africa-first business model that does not create space for African professionals is one that risks losing credibility in the market it claims to serve.

“We will not accept being ‘Blacked-out’ the oil and gas industry. We want an industry that is welcoming and open, that is inclusive and supportive. People like Daniel Davidson take the opposite approach by refusing to hire black Africans. They take it one step further by even banning people from entering the room,” states NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman, AEC.

Frontier Energy Network has many models to follow in Africa. Across the continent, companies have demonstrated that African inclusion and operational success are not competing objectives. Independent oil and gas company Africa Fortesa Corporation – led by Rogers Beall – is a strong example of a company that has prioritized African employment, placing African professionals at the forefront of their operations. As the operator of the Gadiaga onshore gas field in Senegal, the company has served domestic energy demand decades for two decades. But it’s the company’s commitment to hiring African professionals that has truly set it apart in the industry.

“We are inspired everyday by people such as Rogers Beall. When you go to Senegal and see what he has done with Fortesa, you will be amazed. He has achieved this with majority African employees. Even in difficult circumstances such as COVID, the company stood with their employees. We are also passionate about companies that stood with Mozambique during difficult times and kept pushing the country’s LNG projects. We are passionate about people that invest in local talent, create policies that support capacity building and ensure African professionals are not just part of, but leading Africa’s energy discussions,” added Ayuk.

These examples reflect the kind of industry Africa needs: open, capable, investment-friendly and rooted in shared prosperity. This is increasingly important as more Black professionals enter the workforce. African students work hard to earn their qualifications. When they graduate with strong credentials, they should be judged on their talent, training and ability to contribute – not denied opportunity because of the color of their skin.

The stakes go beyond recruitment. At a time when the oil and gas sector faces intense scrutiny from anti-fossil fuel campaigners, any perception that the industry excludes Africans or fails to invest in local communities only strengthens the arguments of its critics. If the sector wants to defend its role in Africa’s economic future, it must ensure that its own practices reflect fairness and opportunity.

“When Frontier, Daniel Davidson and Africa Energies Summit engages in these discriminatory behaviors, do you know what that says? It feeds into the same narrative as the Greta Thunberg’s and all those anti-fossil fuel people that go out and say the industry doesn’t care about black people or African communities. Daniel Davidson and Frontier justify that narrative,” adds Ayuk.

The message is clear: Africa’s oil and gas future must be built not only in Africa, but with Africans at its center. It’s time to boycott Africa Energies Summit.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

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KZN Finance MEC tables R168.2bn provincial budget

Source: Government of South Africa

KZN Finance MEC tables R168.2bn provincial budget

KwaZulu-Natal Finance MEC Francois Rodgers has tabled a R168.2 billion provincial budget for the 2026/27 financial year, emphasising fiscal discipline, improved governance, and the protection of frontline services.

Presenting the budget at the Provincial Legislature in Pietermaritzburg on Tuesday, Rodgers said the budget aims to stabilise the province’s finances, while rebuilding public and investor confidence.

“This is a budget of stabilisation, credibility and rebuilding confidence in KwaZulu-Natal,” Rodgers said.

Fiscal stability and recovery

Rodgers said the budget is anchored by the successful implementation of the Provincial Financial Recovery Plan, which focuses on stabilising the provincial fiscus through structured creditor repayments and sound cash-flow management.

The plan also aims to restore fiscal discipline, strengthen transparency and consequence management, protect essential frontline services, and rebuild confidence among citizens, investors and suppliers.

More than 80% of the provincial budget, about R135 billion, has been allocated to social services, reinforcing government’s focus on people-centred development.

Additional R600 million for Education

The education sector will receive an additional funding of R647.3 million in 2026/27, increasing over the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF), to address compensation pressures.

Funding has also been allocated for the progressive equalisation of Grade R teacher salaries, while R70.1 million will support the Presidential Employment Stimulus Teacher Assistants Programme.

Over R1 billion allocated for Health

The health sector will receive approximately R1.4 billion per year in additional funding over the MTEF to address staffing costs and accrual pressures.

An additional R90.9 million has been allocated as an incentive for health facility revitalisation infrastructure.

Funding has also been increased for the upgrading of informal settlements, alongside additional allocations to correct compensation baseline adjustments.

R15m allocated for infrastructure, economic recovery

Rodgers said infrastructure investment remains central to economic recovery and service delivery.

Allocations include R505.3 million for education infrastructure; R427.7 million for Early Childhood Development infrastructure; R641.3 million for provincial road rehabilitation linked to disaster recovery; and expanded funding for the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) to support job creation.

Economic outlook

Rodgers said KwaZulu-Natal’s economy is projected to grow by 1.5% in 2026 and 1.6% in 2027, supported by infrastructure investment, increased private sector participation and improved energy stability.

He added that government is also responding to the outbreak of Foot-and-Mouth Disease through interventions that include a large-scale vaccination campaign aimed at protecting the agricultural sector.

Commitment to accountability

Rodgers noted that all budget documents were tabled electronically this year, reducing printing costs by 44%, as part of government’s cost-containment and sustainability measures.

He emphasised that the province’s financial recovery process is a discipline and a journey already yielding positive results.

“KwaZulu-Natal will emerge stronger, more credible and more investable. This budget lays the foundation for sustainable service delivery and inclusive economic growth,” Rodgers said. – SAnews.gov.za

GabiK

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Forum de coopération internationale de Genève : la vice-présidente principale, Marie-Laure Akin-Olugbade, explique l’approche de la Banque africaine de développement dans les contextes difficiles de crise humanitaire

Source: Africa Press Organisation – French


La cinquième édition du Forum de coopération internationale de Genève (Forum IC), organisée par la Direction du développement et de la coopération (DDC) du Département fédéral des affaires étrangères suisse, s’est tenue les 26 et 27 février 2026, au Centre international de conférences de Genève, en Suisse. La vice-présidente principale du Groupe de la Banque africaine de développement (https://AfDB.org/), Marie-Laure Akin-Olugbade, a pris part au panel de haut niveau aux côtés d’acteurs du secteur privé et d’experts sur la question. Le panel intitulé, « Impliquer le secteur privé dans l’action humanitaire », a été modéré par l’ambassadeur Pietro Lazzeri, chef de la Division coopération et développement économiques au secrétariat d’État à l’Économie (SECO) et gouverneur de la Banque pour la Suisse.

Posant les termes du débat, ce dernier a interrogé : « Dans un contexte global de baisse des ressources, comment faire en sorte que le secteur privé participe davantage aux solutions humanitaires, de manière appropriée et responsable ? »

Les participants ont souligné que cet engagement doit reposer sur une responsabilité partagée : respecter les principes humanitaires et renforcer l’action des États, sans s’y substituer. La vice-présidente principale a ajouté que « derrière chaque crise, il y a des marchés qui s’effondrent et des emplois perdus ». En Afrique, où près de 80 % de la population travaille dans le secteur privé, les entreprises sont au cœur des crises, qu’il s’agisse de la prévention, de la stabilisation ou de la reprise des activités. Les panélistes ont également plaidé pour davantage de financements, à condition qu’ils soient responsables et ne viennent pas alimenter les conflits.

C’est dans cette logique que Mme Akin-Olugbade a présenté l’approche du Groupe de la Banque : non pas se substituer aux acteurs humanitaires, mais les compléter, en intervenant au bon moment et avec les bons instruments. Par exemple, à Madagascar, via la Facilité d’appui à la transition, plus de 300 très petites et moyennes entreprises (TPME) ont accédé à des financements bancaires jusqu’alors inaccessibles. Au Soudan, le partenariat avec le Groupe DAL a permis de stabiliser les chaînes de valeur agricoles malgré la persistance du conflit ; et dans la région du Sahel, la collaboration avec le Comité international de la Croix-Rouge (CICR) illustre comment la Banque combine ses instruments financiers avec l’expertise humanitaire sur le terrain.

Ces interventions, pensées en complémentarité avec l’ensemble des acteurs, visent à relancer l’économie locale, à restaurer les services essentiels et à réduire le risque de rechute dans la crise. C’est dans cette synergie entre acteurs humanitaires, secteur privé et banques multilatérales de développement que réside, selon la vice-présidente principale, la clé d’une réponse véritablement pérenne.

 En conclusion, les participants ont unanimement reconnu que le secteur privé ne saurait se réduire au rôle de simple donateur : son expertise et sa capacité d’innovation en font un partenaire à part entière de l’action humanitaire, à condition que cette collaboration soit structurée, responsable et ancrée dans les réalités du terrain.

Distribué par APO Group pour African Development Bank Group (AfDB).