Category: MIL-OSI

Source: APO

The African Petroleum Producers’ Organization (APPO) and Afreximbank shared updates on the establishment of the $5 billion Africa Energy Bank on Monday at AEW: Invest in African Energies, aimed at addressing Africa’s persistent energy financing challenges.

Speaking during a workshop titled Africa Energy Bank Take-Off – Bridging the Financing Gap for Africa’s Energy Sector, Dr. Omar Farouk Ibrahim, Secretary General of APPO, said the bank has made rapid strides in raising funds.

“We have succeeded in raising a large chunk of the funds we needed to get this bank started. In the last two to three years, we have achieved what no other development bank has in terms of the timeline,” Ibrahim said. He highlighted the continent’s energy access challenges: “More than 600 million Africans lack electricity… yet we export 75% of our oil production and 45% of gas. If we want energy for our people, then we have to fund the projects.”

Ibrahim emphasized that Africa must lead its own energy financing. “We have a duty to ensure the African continent is not left behind in terms of energy access; in doing so, we cannot continue to look to others to help us. If we get outside support, it should be to supplement what we have done.”

Haytham El Maayergi, Executive Vice President of Afreximbank, noted the continent’s current financing challenges. “Africa is being penalized – we pay more per kilowatt before subsidies than anywhere in the world, because the costs of financing energy projects are higher. When we borrow, we pay more because our credit ratings are not as high… It’s a toll on Africa.”

According to the workshop presentation, Africa currently receives only 4% of global climate investment, while $1.6–$1.9 trillion will be required by 2030 to transition away from fossil fuels. The annual energy finance gap is estimated at $31–50 billion, and fossil fuels still account for 35 – 82% of government revenues in some countries, making closing these gaps critical to achieving energy access and supporting development.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

Source: APO

Young innovators from Angola, Mozambique, Namibia and Nigeria have presented their STEM-driven solutions at the ExxonMobil Foundation STEM Africa Regional Finals in Cape Town. The competition, implemented by non-governmental organization JA Africa, marks the culmination of a year-long program of quizzes and innovation camps.  

The projects were presented during the ExxonMobil Foundation STEM Africa 2025 pre-conference workshop at African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energies 2025, hosted by energy major ExxonMobil. The presentation was presided over by Alvin Abraham, President, ExxonMobil Foundation; Katrina Fischer, Managing Director, ExxonMobil Angola; and Arne Gibbs, General Manager, ExxonMobil Mozambique.  

“Today, we’re continuing to support young individuals in developing innovative, STEM-based solutions to some of the most significant challenges we face today,” Abraham stated. 

The Angola team presented an innovative solar-powered system designed to reduce coastal and marine pollution. Using a photovoltaic system, lift, containment net and recycling unit, the project removes solid waste from water bodies, mitigates waterborne diseases, supports tourism and converts plastic waste into revenue, promoting environmental protection and local economic development.  

Meanwhile, the Namibia team showcased a sustainable, user-friendly system that converts fish waste into bio-feed for plants using a 3D-printed frame The project promotes sustainable farming, turns organic waste into valuable nutrients and supports efforts to combat hunger. 

The Nigeria team presented UltraClean, a solar-powered water purification system for classrooms and homes. The solution uses sand filtration, charcoal purification and biochar creation to provide safe water, convert waste into fertilizer and support sustainable development. 

Finally, the Mozambique team showcased a sanitation and energy solution that converts human waste into biogas, which is then transformed into electricity. The system combines a carousel and biodigester to support clean water access, sanitation for children and increased agricultural capacity through irrigation and energy production. 

The winners of the regional finals will be announced during the AEW: Invest in African Energies African Energy Awards & Gala Dinner on September 30.  

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

Source: APO

South Africa – which currently holds the G20 Presidency – is advocating for a G20 action agenda focused on prioritizing affordable and inclusive energy systems. During the Global Energy Leaders Forum, held at the African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energies 2025 pre-conference this week, the nation presented its 10-year infrastructure plan, highlighting the need for a multi-resource approach to advance energy security across the continent. 

The 10-year infrastructure plan outlines several key objectives, including continental integration, energy security, optimizing resources and costs, subsidiarity and political support, as well as private sector participation. The plan further identifies 19 projects currently in advanced stages that require $19 billion to complete; five projects with completed feasibility studies that require additional investment; and 28 projects which either have no preparation support or are still at early stages of development. This highlights a unique opportunity for global investors while showcasing the level of opportunity available in Africa.

Hosted in partnership with the African Energy Chamber, International Energy Forum (IEF) and S&P Global Commodity Insights, the forum offered a platform for G20 nations to explore actionable pathways for global collaboration and investment in Africa’s energy sector. The forum further focused on ways that Africa and its G20 partners can achieve the dual goal of driving inclusive energy transition while simultaneously alleviating energy poverty.

With African energy demand projected to increase four-fold by 2040, there is a critical need to boost investments throughout the entire energy value chain across the continent. Eradicating energy poverty should not only be a continental goal, but a global one. As such, the forum identified several key priorities: investing in cross-border infrastructure, harnessing every available energy resource across Africa, and improving access to financing. South Africa’s G20 Presidency presents a strategic opportunity to advance this African agenda.

Global partners are increasingly emerging as strong allies for Africa. The UAE, for example, is advocating for the Global Energy Efficiency Alliance (GEEA) – a platform designed to transform global energy pledges into actionable projects and investments. Rather than replacing existing alliances, GEEA seeks to complement them by focusing on turning energy commitments into action. It is government-backed, implementation driven and inclusive, created by government for government. So far, at least 40 countries have expressed serious interest in joining GEEA.

China is also strengthening its collaboration with African nations, building on its strong presence across the continent’s infrastructure sector as it now explores opportunities in green energy. During the forum, it was highlighted that the China-Africa Development Fund aims to invest up to $5 billion across Africa’s green industrial sector, focusing not only on large-scale and grid-connected projects, but also small-scale and off-grid opportunities. While this investment marks a critical step towards improving energy access, the forum underscored the need to further improve access to financing across the energy value chain, with innovative capital raising and stronger global ties emerging as key solutions.

With investment opportunities spanning the entire energy value chain, AEW: Invest in African Energies 2025 and the Global Energy Leaders Forum served as critical platforms for redefining Africa’s energy trajectory. By outlining both investment opportunities and challenges, the forum reinforced Africa’s position as a global energy frontier and emphasized the importance of international collaboration to achieve sustainable growth.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.