Posts

Posted on

President Ramaphosa hails South32 investment as Hillside Aluminium marks 30 years

Source: Government of South Africa

President Ramaphosa hails South32 investment as Hillside Aluminium marks 30 years

President Cyril Ramaphosa has hailed Hillside Aluminium’s contribution to South Africa’s economy, skills development and job creation, while reaffirming government’s commitment to creating an enabling environment for investment and industrial growth.

Speaking at the 30th anniversary celebration of the South32 Hillside Aluminium smelter in KwaZulu-Natal on Thursday, the President said the operation had made a significant contribution to the country’s industrial capabilities since it began operations in 1996.

“When President Nelson Mandela opened the smelter in April 1996, he said: ‘The ultimate yardstick by which we must measure our efforts is the extent to which they promote sustained economic growth and development, create jobs and eliminate poverty.’

“Today, we can say that Hillside Aluminium has delivered,” President Ramaphosa said.

The President said the smelter currently supports 3 650 direct and indirect jobs and contributes to an estimated 29 000 jobs across the economy. 

“Hillside Aluminium is not only a smelter; it is a producer of skills. It is known for its highly skilled artisans, rigorous engineering, tight process control and an uncompromising safety culture,” he said.

President Ramaphosa said the apprenticeships, bursaries and learnerships provided by the company have strengthened South Africa’s national skills pipeline and prepared young people for industries of the future.

The President also praised the company’s community investment initiatives, including support for health services at Ngwelezana Hospital through a dedicated paediatric burns unit, water projects in the King Cetshwayo District and school refurbishment projects.

“All of these projects make a real and lasting difference in the lives of thousands of people in this area,” he said.

President Ramaphosa further welcomed South32’s pledge at this year’s South Africa Investment Conference to invest R3.9 billion towards upgrading rail infrastructure in KwaZulu-Natal and the Northern Cape.

He acknowledged the difficult operating environment faced by smelters in recent years due to rising costs and market pressures, while commending Eskom for engaging with industry on long-term electricity solutions.

“We welcome the discussions between Eskom and South32 about a long-term electricity solution for Hillside Aluminium when the current contract ends in 2031.

“We are encouraged by the commitment by South32 and Eskom to develop an energy solution that supports the smelter’s competitiveness and brings renewable energy into the national grid,” the President said.

President Ramaphosa said reliable infrastructure in energy and logistics remains critical to improving the competitiveness of South African industries.

“Transnet has turned the corner and has moved from decline to recovery, and from planning to implementation.

“Investment, reform and delivery are now firmly underway in rail and port infrastructure,” he said. 

The President said government’s structural reform agenda continues to gain momentum, with progress being made in restoring rail volumes, implementing reforms and attracting private sector investment.

“South Africa is transitioning to the early stages of a multi-operator rail system, with 11 private train operating companies having been granted access to freight rail lines,” he said.

The President reiterated that inclusive growth and job creation remain government’s foremost priority. 

“Sustained domestic investment, including the investment by South32, is essential to advance this priority,” he said.

Congratulating South32 on the milestone, the President described the company’s longevity as “a story of South Africans choosing excellence, shift after shift and year after year”.

“You are demonstrating what can be achieved when long-term investment, operational excellence and partnership between industry, labour, communities and the state come together,” President Ramaphosa said. – SAnews.gov.za

DikelediM

4

Posted on

Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Mayor leads relief efforts

Source: Government of South Africa

Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Mayor leads relief efforts

Nelson Mandela Bay Executive Mayor Babalwa Lobishe has been conducting site visits across flood-affected communities to ensure the smooth progress of relief interventions as heavy rains continue to disrupt large parts of the metro.

By Thursday afternoon, more than 1 000 residents had been evacuated from flooded areas, with the majority coming from low-lying informal settlements.

“The preliminary assessment indicates damage to critical infrastructure, including roads and electricity networks. We have also seen residents forced to leave their homes, significantly disrupting their normal lives,” Lobishe said.

The municipality, in collaboration with non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and churches, is providing displaced residents with essential support.

“Working with stakeholders, such as NGOs and churches, we will ensure that affected residents are provided with basic necessities while being accommodated in community halls,” Lobishe said.

Accompanied by municipal technicians, Lobishe also conducted an oversight visit to the Cuyler Bridge and the Swartkops River in Kariega to assess the structural condition of the bridges and monitoring rising water levels to ensure the safety and security of nearby communities.

Officials also evaluated potential risks that could necessitate further evacuations, particularly overnight, and discussed measures to mitigate further damage.

Lobishe said disaster management teams remain on high alert, operating around the clock to assist affected residents.

“As the rain continues and more areas remain flooded, we plead with residents to cooperate with disaster management officials on the ground so that we can limit injuries and avoid fatalities,” the mayor said.

Dams reach full capacity

Amid the widespread flooding, the municipality confirmed a significant turnaround in water security, with all major dams supplying Nelson Mandela Bay now at full capacity.

This includes Impofu Dam, the metro’s largest water source, with a capacity of approximately 107 000 megalitres, reached full capacity for the first time since 2016.

According to Lobishe, dam levels surged dramatically from 39% to 100% within just two days, following substantial rainfall in catchment areas, estimated at close to 100 000 megalitres.

The following dams are currently full:

•    Impofu Dam – 107 000 megalitres.
•    Kouga Dam – 128 000 megalitres.
•    Churchill Dam – 35 300 megalitres.
•    Groendal Dam – 13 700 megalitres.
•    Loerie Dam – 18 800 megalitres.

Lobishe described the development as a major relief for both residents and the business community of Nelson Mandela Bay.

“[While this brings much-needed relief], this also poses a challenge for us as the city to ensure that we work on our infrastructure to preserve this water and stretch it as much as possible for us to survive the dry winter season,” Lobishe said.

She emphasised that improved water security not only enhances living conditions of residents but also boosts economic growth and investment attraction.

According to the Senior Director for Water and Sanitation, Barry Martin, the drought, despite occasional slight improvements, has been the longest in Nelson Mandela Bay’s history. – SAnews.gov.za

GabiK

2

Posted on

SAWS partners with Santan to enhance disaster risk management

Source: Government of South Africa

SAWS partners with Santan to enhance disaster risk management

The South African Weather Service (SAWS) and Santam have announced a partnership to strengthen the country’s early warning and forecasting capabilities and ensure communities are better prepared to deal with severe weather-related occurrences and disasters.

A joint statement issued on Thursday said Santam has sponsored the SAWS with the installation of nine automatic weather stations (AWSs) across the country.

This partnership is motivated by data that shows South Africa is experiencing increasingly frequent and severe weather events, with heightened floods, storms and fires, which cause loss of life and billions of rands in damage.

Early warning systems play a key role in warning people of impending hazards and are therefore not a luxury but cost-effective tools to enhance preparedness, save lives and reduce economic losses. 

Despite this, there are still major observational gaps across parts of South Africa.

According to the Santam Group CEO, Tavaziva Madzinga, the strategic partnership with the SAWS will play a critical role in enhancing disaster risk management in the country.

“By strengthening its observation and forecasting capabilities, we are helping to ensure that early warnings are accessible, credible and localised, so that South Africans can act before weather hazards escalate into disasters.

“This collaboration allows us to do more and reach further. By strengthening early warning systems, we are saving lives and helping South Africans avoid preventable loss by building greater resilience to extreme weather,” he said.

Madzinga added that from an insurance perspective, early warnings help reduce losses across households, businesses and the broader economy.

The 2022 floods in KwaZulu-Natal are estimated to have cost over R50 billion in damages.

The SAWS’ Acting CEO, Dr Jonas Mphepya, hailed the collaboration as a prime example of public-private partnership.

 He said the new AWSs were a welcome addition to the SAWS’ observation network.

“Currently, our network boasts 273 AWSs, 211 Automatic Rainfall Stations, 26 Lightning Detection Network Sensors, 25 Climate Stations and 12 Meteorological RADAR systems, among other things. 

“In a time of frequent and intensifying severe weather events, the importance of reinforcing our observational infrastructure, which the bedrock of our weather and climate services, cannot be overemphasised,” Mphepya said.

 The installations include four AWS units in Limpopo and Mpumalanga piloted during 2021 and 2022, as well as five additional stations that have recently been commissioned in KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape, Western Cape and Gauteng. 

These stations are operational and integrated into the SAWS weather observation system network, providing critical weather data.

“The locations of the new stations were identified through a needs-driven process led by the SAWS, focusing on areas with known observational gaps and heightened exposure to disruptive rainfall, flooding and severe weather events. 

“The eastern seaboard, stretching from the Eastern Cape through KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, and into north-eastern parts of Limpopo have experienced repeated episodes of extreme and disruptive rainfall in recent years, while additional gaps were identified in parts of the Western Cape and Gauteng,” the joint statement said.

Beyond infrastructure, the partnership also places strong emphasis on awareness and education. Santam works with municipalities, schools and community organisations to improve understanding of weather warnings and how people should respond to them. 

This includes targeted education campaigns, school-based initiatives and community radio programmes in local languages in high-risk areas.  –SAnews.gov.za

 

nosihle

0

Posted on

Tau welcomes progress made at Richards Bay Industrial Development Zone

Source: Government of South Africa

Tau welcomes progress made at Richards Bay Industrial Development Zone

Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau has expressed confidence and satisfaction in progress being made at the Richards Bay Industrial Development Zone (RBIDZ) in KwaZulu-Natal.

The Minister paid a visit to the facility on Thursday where he was joined by the Deputy Minister of the Department of Science and Technology, Nomalungelo Gina, the provincial MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs, Reverend Musa Zondi and the provincial MEC for Transport and Human Settlement, Siboniso Duma. 

The RBIDZ has received funding from the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic) Special Economic Zone (SEZ) programme. It has R252.39 billion investment in the pipeline with 23 investors and one strategic partner.

Tau visited Nyanza Light metals, which is housed in the industrial development zone. The company is constructing a R15 billion titanium dioxide pigment manufacturing plant. The plant will be the only one of its kind in Africa and will employ 3 000 people during construction and up to 850 permanent jobs during the operations.

“The project has attracted financing from the dtic’s SEZ programme, which establishes designated, geographically focused areas to attract foreign and domestic investment, aiming to accelerate industrial growth, exports, and job creation. 

“Other several development finance institutions, including the Industrial Development Corporation, the African Development Bank, and other partners such as the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) and African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) have funded the project and have committed to supporting this project as co-mandated lead arrangers.

“We are particularly thrilled about this initiative because it presents a model that can be replicated in similar projects, “said the Minister.

He added that the initiative shows how private sector funding can be mobilised alongside support from development finance institutions at the national and continental level as well as international partners. 

“Significantly, the project also mobilises technology transfer from China, which is indicative of our ability to build our industrial base in the country and in terms of our ability to ensure that we beneficiate material locally and we ensure that industrialisation happens at source,” said the Minister.

Meanwhile, the Chief Executive Officer of the RBIDZ, Thabane Zulu said the facility is at a point where it is ready for implementation.

“We are at a point where we are ready to implement. Amongst others, the contract was signed for piling, which would be to prepare the infrastructure for the development to take place. So, for the next few months, you will see massive infrastructure investment, and the building of the actual plant that would be able to produce on this site,” said Zulu. 

The Nyanza Light metals project received direct support of R118 million from the dtic. – SAnews.gov.za

 

Edwin

0

Posted on

Avec un objectif de 250 000 barils par jour d’ici 2030, First Exploration & Petroleum Development Company (First E&P) rejoint l’African Energy Week 2026 en tant que sponsor Diamant

Source: Africa Press Organisation – French

La société indépendante nigériane First Exploration & Petroleum Development Company (First E&P) s’est associée à l’African Energy Week (AEW) 2026 en tant que sponsor Diamond, renforçant ainsi sa position parmi les principaux opérateurs locaux du continent, à l’heure où le Nigeria s’efforce de rétablir sa production pétrolière et de développer le gaz comme moteur de la croissance industrielle.

Cette annonce intervient alors que First E&P met en œuvre une stratégie de croissance ambitieuse axée sur l’augmentation des réserves, l’accroissement de la capacité de production et le renforcement de sa présence régionale. Cette trajectoire s’inscrit parfaitement dans le cadre du programme énergétique global du Nigeria, qui vise à stabiliser la production à 1,8 million de barils par jour en 2026 et à atteindre deux millions de barils par jour à moyen terme, tout en positionnant le gaz comme un pilier central de la croissance économique.

La société vise une production pouvant atteindre 250 000 barils par jour d’ici 2030 grâce à l’optimisation de ses actifs existants, notamment les champs d’Anyala et de Madu, ainsi qu’à de nouvelles découvertes et à des acquisitions stratégiques. Son portefeuille – qui comprend les licences PML 53, PML 54 et de multiples licences de prospection – a déjà permis une production de près de 60 000 barils par jour, soutenue par une expérience avérée en matière de mise en œuvre rapide des projets.

L’exploration reste un levier de croissance essentiel. En 2025, la société a triplé ses réserves grâce à des investissements dans des actifs vierges et marginaux, notamment le gisement de Songhai, où environ 2 tcf de gaz ont été découverts.

Parallèlement, First E&P intègre les technologies numériques dans ses opérations. En février 2026, la société a signé un protocole d’accord avec Digital Energy pour déployer des solutions basées sur l’IA via la plateforme NexaHSE, dans le but d’améliorer l’efficacité opérationnelle, la visibilité des actifs et la sécurité à travers l’ensemble de son portefeuille.

Au-delà du Nigeria, First E&P étend sa présence régionale. Son entrée dans le bloc Mnazi Bay North en Tanzanie, via un partenariat avec la Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation, marque une avancée stratégique vers les bassins riches en gaz d’Afrique de l’Est, tout en soutenant les initiatives régionales d’accès à l’énergie et de cuisson propre.

La société renforce également sa position sur l’ensemble de la chaîne de valeur du gaz. Des projets sont en cours pour mettre en place une activité gazière en amont et en aval visant une capacité de traitement et d’approvisionnement de plus de 500 millions de pieds cubes standard par jour d’ici fin 2026. Les volumes initiaux devraient provenir de ses actifs PML 53 et PML 54, soutenant ainsi la stratégie nigériane de conversion du gaz en électricité et créant de nouvelles voies d’approvisionnement nationales et régionales.

« L’avenir énergétique de l’Afrique sera de plus en plus façonné par des opérateurs indépendants locaux compétents, capables de mener à bien des projets de manière efficace et de créer de la valeur tout au long de la chaîne de valeur », a déclaré NJ Ayuk, président exécutif de la Chambre africaine de l’énergie. « La stratégie de croissance axée sur l’exploration de First E&P et sa capacité avérée à mener à bien des projets rapidement en font un acteur clé pour faire progresser la sécurité énergétique et le développement industriel au Nigeria et au-delà. »

La participation de First E&P en tant que sponsor Diamond à l’AEW 2026 intervient à un moment charnière tant pour l’entreprise que pour le secteur énergétique au sens large. Alors que les opérateurs locaux jouent un rôle croissant dans la stimulation de la production et la mise en valeur de nouvelles ressources, cet événement offre une plateforme pour dialoguer avec les décideurs politiques, les investisseurs et les acteurs du secteur sur de nouveaux partenariats et opportunités de projets à travers l’Afrique.

Distribué par APO Group pour African Energy Chamber.

Media files

Posted on

Des hydrocarbures à l’hyperscale : le secteur pétrolier et gazier doit alimenter l’essor des centres de données en Afrique

Source: Africa Press Organisation – French

En avril dernier, le ministère angolais des Télécommunications, des Technologies de l’information et de la Communication sociale a lancé un centre de données national et une plateforme gouvernementale, marquant ainsi une étape importante dans sa stratégie de transformation numérique. Cette infrastructure est conçue pour renforcer la cybersécurité en localisant les données sensibles, réduire les coûts opérationnels des systèmes gouvernementaux et élargir l’accès aux services publics numériques, tout en renforçant la confiance des investisseurs et en positionnant le pays comme un pôle numérique émergent en Afrique australe.

Cette initiative met en évidence une évolution continentale plus large, dans laquelle le secteur pétrolier et gazier africain soutient de plus en plus l’expansion des centres de données en fournissant une alimentation électrique fiable, des investissements en capital et des infrastructures industrielles. Cette convergence entre les systèmes énergétiques et numériques sera un thème central de l’African Energy Week (AEW) 2026, qui se tiendra du 12 au 16 octobre au Cap, où un volet dédié à l’IA et aux centres de données examinera comment les ressources énergétiques peuvent débloquer une croissance numérique évolutive.

Le déploiement angolais s’appuie sur une série d’investissements à grande échelle dans les infrastructures visant à renforcer la connectivité et l’inclusion numérique. Depuis le lancement du satellite ANGOSAT-2 en octobre 2022, le pays a étendu son réseau national de fibre optique à environ 22 000 km et amélioré sa bande passante internationale grâce à des connexions à des systèmes sous-marins, notamment 2Africa, WACS, SACS et SAT-3/WASC. La couverture haut débit dépasse désormais 85 % de la population, avec environ 17,7 millions d’abonnés et un taux de pénétration de la téléphonie mobile avoisinant les 75 %, ce qui reflète une progression constante de l’adoption du numérique.

Au niveau industriel, le secteur des hydrocarbures joue un rôle de plus en plus central dans l’ancrage des infrastructures numériques. La société publique angolaise Sonangol a inauguré le 27 février à Luanda un centre de données d’entreprise de 920 m², consolidant des systèmes auparavant fragmentés en une plateforme unifiée et hautement sécurisée. Cette installation permet l’utilisation d’applications basées sur l’IA, telles que la simulation de réservoirs, la maintenance prédictive et la surveillance des émissions, permettant ainsi aux opérateurs d’optimiser l’efficacité de la production tout en s’alignant sur les normes mondiales en matière de développement pétrolier et gazier à faible émission de carbone.

Les entreprises énergétiques internationales accélèrent cette transition en intégrant des outils numériques avancés dans leurs opérations offshore et onshore. Le géant de l’énergie ExxonMobil a déployé des drones autonomes dans le bloc 15, réduisant ainsi les temps d’inspection de près de 60 % tout en améliorant la sécurité et la continuité de la production. Parallèlement, la multinationale énergétique TotalEnergies exploite des technologies de traitement sismique et de détection aérienne du méthane basées sur l’IA dans les blocs 17 et 32, augmentant ainsi la vitesse de traitement des données d’environ 30 % et améliorant la surveillance environnementale.

Au-delà des opérations en amont, les capitaux privés développent le réseau de centres de données en Afrique pour répondre à la demande croissante des entreprises et du cloud. L’opérateur et développeur de centres de données Raxio Group a mis en service la première installation de niveau III en Angola grâce à un investissement de 30 millions de dollars, visant à conserver le trafic de données au niveau local et à soutenir les clients hyperscale et les entreprises. Au Nigeria, MainOne a inauguré le centre de données Lekki II en mai 2025, renforçant ainsi la position de Lagos en tant que pôle d’infrastructure numérique de premier plan en Afrique de l’Ouest. Parallèlement, en Afrique du Sud, TotalEnergies et l’opérateur de centres de données Teraco sont à l’origine d’accords de transport d’électricité en construisant une centrale solaire de 120 MW dans la province de l’État libre pour alimenter des installations à Johannesburg.

Ces développements s’inscrivent dans le cadre de plans d’expansion industrielle plus larges qui relient la production d’énergie à la croissance numérique. Le conglomérat d’Aliko Dangote vise un chiffre d’affaires annuel de 100 milliards de dollars d’ici 2030, soutenu par au moins 40 milliards de dollars d’investissements dans des secteurs tels que le gaz, l’électricité et les centres de données. À mesure que la demande en capacité de calcul augmente, les projets de conversion du gaz en électricité et les systèmes énergétiques intégrés devraient fournir l’électricité stable nécessaire pour soutenir une infrastructure numérique à grande échelle.

À mesure que l’économie numérique africaine se développe, l’intersection entre les hydrocarbures, la production d’électricité et les infrastructures de données devient de plus en plus stratégique, en particulier sur les marchés où la stabilité du réseau reste un frein. À travers le volet « IA et centres de données », l’AEW 2026 devrait positionner ce lien entre énergie et numérique comme la pierre angulaire des investissements futurs. Ce volet axé sur l’IA et les centres de données devrait en outre mettre en évidence la manière dont les ressources pétrolières et gazières peuvent soutenir le déploiement de l’IA, renforcer la souveraineté des données et accélérer la transition du continent vers un modèle économique plus connecté et axé sur la technologie.

Distribué par APO Group pour African Energy Chamber.

Media files

Posted on

Le programme de réforme du secteur amont du Nigeria capte 40 % des décisions d’investissement final (FID) en Afrique après une décennie de marginalisation

Source: Africa Press Organisation – French


Le Nigeria est passé de 4 % des décisions d’investissement final (FID) en amont en Afrique à 40 % en deux ans, selon le rapport « Réformes du secteur énergétique du Nigeria 2023-2026 : bilan triennal », publié par le Bureau du conseiller spécial du président pour l’énergie et dirigé par le conseiller spécial Olu Verheijen. Le portefeuille de projets de 50 milliards de dollars actuellement en développement au-delà de 2026 témoigne d’un engagement financier soutenu à une échelle jamais vue dans le secteur amont nigérian depuis au moins une décennie.

Entre 2014 et 2023, le Nigeria figurait parmi les pays les moins performants du continent en matière de décisions d’investissement en amont (FID), bien qu’il détienne 37,5 milliards de barils de réserves prouvées de pétrole, soit le deuxième plus grand gisement d’Afrique. L’Algérie a capté 44 % des FID africaines en amont au cours de cette période, l’Angola en a détenu 26 %, tandis que le Nigeria se classait derrière le Mozambique, le Ghana, le Sénégal et la Namibie. Au troisième trimestre 2022, la production de brut est brièvement tombée sous la barre du million de barils par jour, sous l’effet combiné d’années de sous-investissement, de vandalisme des oléoducs et d’ambiguïtés réglementaires. Cependant, les réformes mises en place par le président nigérian Bola Tinubu ont radicalement inversé cette tendance. Grâce à des mesures délibérées et coordonnées, le gouvernement a redéfini la trajectoire. 

Aborder les conditions fiscales, le champ d’application réglementaire et la rapidité de passation des contrats

L’administration du président Bola Tinubu a agi simultanément sur les conditions fiscales et l’architecture réglementaire. Les directives politiques de 2023 ont clarifié la délimitation des compétences entre la Commission nigériane de régulation du secteur pétrolier en amont (NUPRC) et l’Autorité nigériane de régulation du secteur pétrolier en milieu et en aval (NMDPRA), résolvant ainsi une ambiguïté qui compliquait l’autorisation des projets. La directive présidentielle n° 40 a introduit des incitations fiscales ciblées, et un avis distinct sur les incitations fiscales pour la production en eaux profondes, publié en 2024, a été conçu pour inciter les compagnies pétrolières internationales (CPI) à revenir vers des projets en eaux profondes à forte intensité capitalistique et à cycle long. L’arrêté de modification de la TVA de 2024 et l’arrêté sur l’efficacité des coûts en amont de 2025 ont remédié aux structures de coûts qui rendaient les projets marginaux non rentables. Les délais de passation des marchés de la NNPCL ont été réduits de 36 mois à un maximum de six mois.

Quatre cessions ont transféré le contrôle des activités onshore à des opérateurs locaux

Parallèlement, l’administration a mis en place des directives de sécurité ciblées et accéléré les autorisations ministérielles pour quatre transferts d’actifs d’IOC. Renaissance a acquis le portefeuille onshore de Shell. Seplat Energy a finalisé l’acquisition des participations en amont d’ExxonMobil au Nigeria. Oando a pris le relais d’Agip, et Chappal a acquis les actifs locaux d’Equinor. Ces quatre transactions ont totalisé environ 4 milliards de dollars. Le transfert de blocs terrestres et en eaux peu profondes à des opérateurs locaux a directement contribué à la reprise de la production. La production a augmenté d’environ 400 000 barils par jour entre 2023 et 2025 pour atteindre 1,6 million de barils par jour, soit le niveau de production terrestre le plus élevé depuis 20 ans.

Les projets signés totalisent 10 milliards de dollars, avec un pipeline de 50 milliards de dollars à venir

Les réformes ont suscité une réponse concrète de la part de Shell et de TotalEnergies en matière de décision finale d’investissement (FID). Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCo) a approuvé le développement en eaux profondes de Bonga North, d’un montant de 5 milliards de dollars, en décembre 2024 et s’est engagée à investir 2 milliards de dollars supplémentaires dans le projet HI Non-Associated Gas (NAG). TotalEnergies et la NNPCL ont pris une décision finale d’investissement (FID) conjointe concernant le projet de développement du gisement de gaz d’Ubeta, d’une valeur de 550 millions de dollars, en juin 2024.

À eux trois, ces engagements représentent plus de 10 milliards de dollars d’investissements signés après une décennie d’activité de validation quasi nulle. Le pipeline de projets au-delà de 2026 s’étend sur 50 milliards de dollars supplémentaires répartis sur 11 projets, dont Bonga South West, Owowo, Usan et Erha. Le Nigeria a approuvé 28 plans de développement de gisements d’une valeur de 18,2 milliards de dollars pour la seule année 2025, ciblant des réserves estimées à 1,4 milliard de barils.

« Lorsqu’un gouvernement rétablit à la fois la compétitivité fiscale et la prévisibilité réglementaire, les capitaux réagissent », a déclaré NJ Ayuk, président exécutif de la Chambre africaine de l’énergie. « Le Nigeria a fait les deux, et les chiffres relatifs aux décisions d’investissement définitives en sont la preuve concrète. »

Le scénario contrefactuel illustre l’ampleur des enjeux

La présentation inclut une projection sans réforme qui replace les gains dans leur contexte. Sans intervention, la production totale de brut et de condensats était en passe de passer de 1,371 million de barils équivalent pétrole par jour en 2022 à 579 000 d’ici 2030. Dans le cadre de la trajectoire de réforme, la production a atteint 1,77 million de barils équivalent pétrole par jour en 2026, l’objectif déclaré du gouvernement étant de 3 millions de barils par jour. L’utilisation du gaz destiné à l’exportation a augmenté de 39 % au cours de la même période, tandis que l’utilisation domestique a progressé de 7 %.

La pérennité de ces gains sera mise à l’épreuve par deux facteurs : la capacité de l’architecture institutionnelle mise en place sous l’administration Tinubu à tenir sur le long terme, et la capacité des engagements en eaux profondes signés en 2024 et 2025 à être mis en œuvre dans les délais prévus. Le portefeuille de projets est suffisamment important pour qu’une réalisation partielle représente tout de même un changement générationnel dans le profil de production en amont du Nigeria.

Distribué par APO Group pour African Energy Chamber.

Posted on

Targeting 250,000 bpd by 2030, First Exploration & Petroleum Development Company (First E&P) Joins African Energy Week (AEW) 2026 as Diamond Sponsor

Source: APO

Nigerian independent First Exploration & Petroleum Development Company (First E&P) has joined African Energy Week (AEW) 2026 as a Diamond Sponsor, reinforcing its position as one of the continent’s leading indigenous operators at a time when Nigeria is working to restore oil output and scale gas as a driver of industrial growth.

The announcement comes as First E&P advances an ambitious growth strategy focused on expanding reserves, increasing production capacity and strengthening its regional footprint. This trajectory aligns closely with Nigeria’s broader energy agenda, which aims to stabilize production at 1.8 million bpd in 2026 and reach two million bpd over the medium term, while positioning gas as a central pillar of economic growth.

The company is targeting production of up to 250,000 bpd by 2030 through the optimization of existing assets, including the Anyala and Madu fields, alongside new exploration success and strategic acquisitions. Its portfolio – spanning PML 53, PML 54 and multiple prospecting licenses – has already supported output of nearly 60,000 bpd, underpinned by a track record of fast-track project delivery.

Exploration remains a key growth lever. In 2025, the company tripled its reserves through investments in both greenfield and marginal assets, including the Songhai field, where an estimated 2 tcf of gas was discovered.

At the same time, First E&P is integrating digital technologies into its operations. In February 2026, the company signed a memorandum of understanding with Digital Energy to deploy AI-driven solutions through the NexaHSE platform, aimed at improving operational efficiency, asset visibility and safety across its portfolio.

Beyond Nigeria, First E&P is expanding its regional presence. Its entry into Tanzania’s Mnazi Bay North Block, through a partnership with the Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation, signals a strategic move into East Africa’s gas-rich basins while supporting regional energy access and clean cooking initiatives.

The company is also strengthening its position across the gas value chain. Plans are underway to establish a midstream and downstream gas business targeting more than 500 MMscf/d of processing and supply capacity by the end of 2026. Initial volumes are expected to be sourced from its PML 53 and PML 54 assets, supporting Nigeria’s gas-to-power strategy and creating new domestic and regional supply pathways.

“Africa’s energy future will increasingly be shaped by capable indigenous independents that can execute projects efficiently and unlock value across the value chain,” said NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber. “First E&P’s exploration-led growth strategy and proven ability to deliver projects at speed position it as a key player in advancing energy security and industrial development in Nigeria and beyond.”

First E&P’s participation as a Diamond Sponsor at AEW 2026 comes at a pivotal moment for both the company and the broader energy sector. As indigenous operators take on a greater role in driving production and unlocking new resources, the event provides a platform to engage with policymakers, investors and industry stakeholders on new partnerships and project opportunities across Africa.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

Media files

.

Posted on

From Artificial Intelligence (AI) to project profiles: ESI Africa has the stories to balance opinions

Source: APO

Private and public professionals deserve a clear view of where Africa’s power, water and infrastructure sectors are heading next, and the latest issue of ESI Africa (www.ESI-Africa.com) is where to start. It’s not a magazine to skim past, but to read thoroughly and return to.

At the heart of the magazine is a Cover Story on how AI powers the brain of infrastructure, unpacking the reality of this unfolding virtual intelligence. The piece addresses how Africa can balance digital acceleration with physical constraints and the risks emerging alongside the opportunities.

ESI Africa’s editor-in-chief, Nicolette Pombo-van Zyl, explains the risks: “On a daily basis, a typical 100MW hyperscale data centre needed to power AI can consume 6,500 homes’ water needs. And note that 55% of new data centres exceed 200MW. This makes the threat very real for everyone.”

It’s a sharp, thought-provoking anchor for the entire magazine.

From there, the articles widen the magazine’s lens across the continent in the Across the Map chapter. Readers will find deep dives into Ethiopia’s evolving energy mix, the continent’s ongoing struggle to meet SDG7 targets, Kenya’s renewable energy aspirations and the structural reforms reshaping electricity markets.

There’s also a grounded look at how commercial and industrial (C&I) players in South Africa are adapting to persistent power constraints—practical, real-world responses to a problem that continues to define the operating environment.

For those focused on unlocking capital, the Investment Mechanics section cuts through the noise. Infrastructure ambition is easy to talk about; financing it is far harder.

This issue of ESI Africa explores the three pillars needed to turn plans into bankable projects, the growing role of credit guarantees, and why local credit rating capacity could be a game-changer. Case studies, such as financing energy access in Uganda’s informal urban settlements, bring a necessary realism to the conversation.

Innovation is a constant theme, but the magazine treats it with a healthy dose of pragmatism. In Innovation in Action, the spotlight is on solutions that are already delivering impact.

From interoperability standards that protect grid investments to silicone coatings that reduce pollution-related outages, these are not abstract ideas—they are technologies and strategies being deployed now. Particularly compelling is the argument that governance, not just hardware, is the real intelligence behind “smart” grids.

Energy remains the backbone of the conversation, and Engines of Energy dives into the systems that will define the continent’s future mix. Whether it’s pumped storage hydropower stabilising grids, geothermal emerging from the niche to the mainstream, or the careful steps toward introducing nuclear, the section captures both the complexity and the inevitability of the transition.

“It’s a reminder that Africa’s energy story is not about a single solution, but a carefully balanced portfolio,” says Pombo-van Zyl.

Water, often underrepresented in infrastructure discussions, takes a well-deserved lead in The Water Agenda. The articles go beyond access and scarcity to explore user experience, financing resilience and the economics of reuse. There’s a definitive thread running through these pages that water is central to the energy sector.

And then there’s the practical side. This edition includes a comprehensive Show Guide to Enlit Africa 2026. From session overviews and exhibitor insights to navigation tips, it’s designed to help readers maximise their time and engagement at one of the sector’s most important gatherings.

Rounding it all off is the Elites Chapter, offering a glimpse into the people and projects shaping the industry’s direction. It’s both a reflection and a forward look—where leadership has been and where it’s heading.

What makes this issue stand out is its balance. It doesn’t lean too heavily into optimism or critique but rather presents a grounded, intelligent view of Africa’s narrative—full of opportunity, but constrained by real-world challenges.

Those who work in power, water, infrastructure finance or policy—or if decisions depend on understanding where these sectors intersect—this is essential reading.

Download the latest issue of ESI Africa and get a clearer picture of the forces shaping the continent’s infrastructure future. 

ESI Africa is the proud Host Media Partner of Enlit Africa: 19 – 21 May at the CTICC in Cape Town, South Africa: www.Enlit-Africa.com   

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of VUKA Group.

About ESI Africa: 
ESI Africa – Africa’s trusted power, energy, water and utility multimedia platform – is positioned as an impartial industry mouthpiece, delivering the latest technical developments and analysis in both print and digital formats since 1996.

The brand’s various routes to market are expertly primed to build a bridge between readers and solution providers as ESI Africa sifts through the daily noise and delivers the tale of Africa’s energy, power, utility and water transformation to the African and global market. https://apo-opa.co/3QRpqTK

About VUKA Group:
VUKA Group connects people and organisations across Africa’s energy, mining, mobility, green economy, and retail sectors through events, content, and strategic networking. Venture partners to The Global Trust Project and leaders of NPO Go Green Africa. www.WeAreVUKA.com

Media files

.

Posted on

From Hydrocarbons to Hyperscale: Oil and Gas Must Power Africa’s Data Center Boom

Source: APO

In April this year, Angola’s Ministry of Telecommunications, Information Technologies and Social Communication launched a national data center and government platform, marking a significant step in its digital transformation strategy. The facility is designed to enhance cybersecurity by localizing sensitive data, reduce operational costs across government systems and expand access to digital public services, while strengthening investor confidence and positioning the country as an emerging digital hub in southern Africa.

The move highlights a broader continental shift in which Africa’s oil and gas sector is increasingly supporting data center expansion by providing reliable power, capital investment and industrial infrastructure. This convergence between energy and digital systems will be a central theme at African Energy Week (AEW) 2026, taking place from October 12–16 in Cape Town, where a dedicated AI and Data Center Track will examine how energy resources can unlock scalable digital growth.

Angola’s rollout builds on a series of large-scale infrastructure investments aimed at strengthening connectivity and digital inclusion. Since launching the ANGOSAT-2 satellite in October 2022, the country has expanded its national fiber-optic backbone to approximately 22,000 km and enhanced international bandwidth through connections to submarine systems including 2Africa, WACS, SACS and SAT-3/WASC. Broadband coverage now exceeds 85% of the population, with roughly 17.7 million subscribers and mobile penetration approaching 75%, reflecting steady gains in digital adoption.

At the industrial level, the hydrocarbons sector is playing an increasingly central role in anchoring digital infrastructure. Angola’s state-owned Sonangol inaugurated a 920m2 corporate data center in Luanda on February 27, consolidating previously fragmented systems into a unified, high-security platform. The facility enables AI-driven applications such as reservoir simulation, predictive maintenance and emissions monitoring, allowing operators to optimize production efficiency while aligning with global standards for lower-carbon oil and gas development.

International energy companies are accelerating this shift by embedding advanced digital tools across offshore and onshore operations. Energy major ExxonMobil has deployed autonomous drones in Block 15, reducing inspection times by up to 60% while improving safety and continuity of production. Meanwhile, multinational energy corporation TotalEnergies is leveraging AI-enabled seismic processing and airborne methane detection technologies across Blocks 17 and 32, increasing data processing speeds by roughly 30% and improving environmental oversight.

Beyond upstream operations, private capital is scaling Africa’s data center footprint to meet rising enterprise and cloud demand. Data center operator and developer Raxio Group has commissioned Angola’s first Tier III facility through a $30 million investment, aimed at retaining data traffic locally and supporting hyperscale and enterprise clients. In Nigeria, MainOne launched the Lekki II data center in May 2025, reinforcing Lagos’ position as a premier digital infrastructure hub in West Africa. Meanwhile, in South Africa, TotalEnergies and data center operator Teraco are pioneering wheeling agreements by building a 120 MW solar plant in the Free State province to power facilities in Johannesburg.

These developments are unfolding alongside broader industrial expansion plans that link energy production director to digital growth. Aliko Dangote’s conglomerate is targeting $100 billion in annual revenue by 2030, backed by at least $40 billion in investment across sectors including gas, power and data centers. As demand for compute capacity rises, gas-to-power projects and integrated energy systems are expected to provide the stable electricity required to sustain large-scale digital infrastructure.

As Africa’s digital economy expands, the intersection of hydrocarbons, power generation and data infrastructure are becoming increasingly strategic, particularly in markets where grid stability remains a constraint. Through the AI and Data Center track, AEW 2026 is expected to position this energy-digital nexus as a cornerstone of future investment. The AI- and data center-focused track is further expected to highlight how oil and gas resources can support AI deployment, strengthen data sovereignty and accelerate the continent’s transition toward a more connected, technology-driven economic model.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

Media files

.