MIL Africa Engine

Source: APO – Report:

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Angola is converting upstream momentum into long-term capacity through a 2025 academic–industry partnership (http://apo-opa.co/4aah6oa) with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), centered on the Higher Polytechnic Institute of Technologies and Sciences (ISPTEC) and national oil company Sonangol. Launched with the support and vision of the Ministry of Mineral Resources, Petroleum and Gas, the collaboration marks the start of a sustained, evolving relationship aimed at strengthening Angola’s technical workforce and academic institutions rather than a fixed-term training program.

Rather than a one-off exchange, the partnership establishes a framework for ongoing research, academic collaboration and skills transfer designed to enhance ISPTEC’s reputation and technical depth over time. The initiative reflects a broader shift in Angola’s development strategy: treating skills, research and institutional capacity as critical infrastructure for the oil and gas sector.

Unlocking Global STEM Collaboration

At the academic level, the partnership is anchored under MIT África, with a clear strategic vision to position ISPTEC as one of Africa’s leading technical universities. This ambition is being pursued through close coordination between MIT, ISPTEC, Sonangol and the Angolan government, aligning academic excellence with national industrial priorities. Two initial MIT África programs form the foundation of this engagement: Global Teaching Labs and Global Classroom. These initiatives are designed to facilitate structured knowledge exchange, curriculum development, joint research and academic mentoring, embedding global standards within Angola’s domestic education system while strengthening ISPTEC’s institutional capacity.

Complementing the academic pillar is MIT’s Industrial Liaison Program, which connects industry directly into the collaboration, with Sonangol serving as the anchor partner. A Sonangol spokesperson told Energy Capital & Power that the company is the second in Africa to have this type of engagement – reinforcing its role as a conduit between global research, applied innovation and Angola’s energy sector.

Critically, the model reverses the traditional flow of academic exchange. Rather than sending Angolan students abroad, the partnership brings international expertise into Angola while positioning local institutions as equal contributors. Angola’s oil and gas sector offers a uniquely rich learning environment, spanning mature deepwater production, frontier exploration and integrated gas developments. This breadth allows collaboration across the full value chain, from reservoir management and drilling optimization to gas monetization, infrastructure planning and emissions reduction.

The Next Generation Will Drive Angolan Oil & Gas Production

The timing of the MIT–ISPTEC–Sonangol partnership (http://apo-opa.co/4a2NyIO) is strategic. With a $70 billion upstream investment pipeline underway and efforts to sustain production above one million barrels per day (bpd), Angola is deploying innovative mechanisms to bolster operational efficiency while reducing emissions. This is increasingly evident through recent projects.

Oil developments are integrating low-carbon solutions within their designs. Azule Energy’s Agogo FPSO – which started production in 2025 – incorporates full electric topside and marine systems as well as an offshore combined cycle power generation system. TotalEnergies’ Kaminho project – the first large deepwater development in the Kwanza Basin – features a converted Very Large Crude Carrier to a FPSO, designed to minimize emissions by reinjecting gas into the reservoirs. A shift to non-associated gas development is also underway. In late-2025, Angola’s New Gas Consortium started operations at the Gas Treatment Plant in Soyo, marking the start of the country’s first non-associated gas project.

These developments underscore why Angola is emerging as a compelling destination for applied research, training and industry-linked academic collaboration. Within this context, the MIT África partnership is expected to expand beyond classroom-based programs. In the near term, collaboration is expected to support the development of Sonangol’s new Research and Development Center in Sumbe, envisioned as a hub serving Angola’s oil and gas industry through applied research, innovation and technical problem-solving.

Human Capital as Critical Infrastructure

At its core, the MIT–ISPTEC–Sonangol collaboration represents a bridge between academia, industry and the state. This is reinforced by Angola Oil & Gas (AOG), the country’s premier industry platform connecting government, industry and academia. Taking place on September 9–10, 2026, AOG fosters engagement between academic institutions, operators, technology providers and policymakers, ensuring workforce development remains aligned with project execution and investment priorities. This commitment was evident at AOG 2025, where the Ministry of Mineral Resources, Petroleum and Gas awarded scholarships to four female petroleum engineering students, underscoring its focus on inclusion and long-term skills development. Together, these initiatives position human capital as enabling infrastructure for Angola’s energy future. The event will feature a day of technical workshops on September 8, 2026.

– on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.

Source: APO

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Over the past decade, Angola has undergone a quiet but decisive transformation. Once viewed primarily through the lens of production decline, the country has repositioned itself as one of Africa’s most stable and attractive destinations for foreign direct investment (FDI). Policy overhaul, the establishment of a dedicated upstream regulator and a commitment to flexibility has made the country a preferred destination for upstream investment – particularly for international oil companies (IOCs) seeking predictability in an ever-changing global climate. As a result, Angola expects an upstream investment pipeline of $70 billion (http://apo-opa.co/49KDXYi) in the next five years, signaling the country’s standing as a home for global oil and gas players.

Policy Certainty as an Investment Catalyst

Angola’s ability to attract billions of dollars in upstream FDI is largely attributed to its strategic approach to policy restructuring. Following the establishment of the National Oil, Gas & Biofuels Agency (ANPG) in 2019 and the subsequent launch of a multi-year licensing strategy, the country was able to attract sustained investment in undeveloped blocks. Between 2019 and 2025, 64 blocks were offered, of which 37 were awarded and 27 are currently under approval or negotiation. Further supporting investment, the government introduced a Permanent Offer Regime in 2021 and marginal field opportunities in 2024, allowing the ANPG to by-pass traditional bidding rounds. This made assets permanently available to investors, allowing operators to expand their portfolios while supporting new entrants in the market.  

The country is also leveraging policy to incentivize investment across mature assets under an overarching target of sustaining production above one million barrels per day. With the launch of the Incremental Production Decree in 2024 – featuring a specialized legal and tax framework (http://apo-opa.co/49OSFh6) for mature assets – Angola introduced significant fiscal incentives, including reduced Petroleum Production Tax and Petroleum Income Tax rates. ExxonMobil was the first to deliver a discovery through this decree, with the Likembe-01 well drilled in Block 15 in 2024. Additional policies such as the Gas Master Plan – offering a framework for investing across the gas value chain – are expected to further support spending, consolidating Angola’s position as a leading FDI destination in Africa.

IOCs Double Down on Angolan Investment

Angola’s FDI attractiveness is reinforced by IOC activity across the market. Leading operators continue to consolidate their portfolios, pursuing new acreage while reinvesting in mature blocks. At Angola Oil & Gas (AOG) 2025, energy majors announced billions of dollars (http://apo-opa.co/4q5Nzlh) for Angolan projects, underscoring a commitment to the country’s upstream development. Through its joint venture Azule Energy, Eni plans to invest $5 billion in the market over the next several years, building on $5 billion invested to date. TotalEnergies plans to invest $3 billion through its Dalia Life Extension project, while ExxonMobil could invest as much as $15 billion in Angola – contingent on exploration results. Shell’s return to Angola in 2025 further reinforced the country’s renewed appeal to global investors, with the company set to invest $1 billion on new oil blocks in the country.

On the project front, TotalEnergies is developing the $6 billion Kaminho deepwater development, targeting a 2028 start. Azule Energy is scaling operations at the Agogo Integrated West Hub Development and New Gas Consortium project, following the start of operations at both in 2025. Meanwhile, Chevron is expanding oil production, with the South N’dola field delivering first oil in December 2025. These advancements signal strong investor confidence in Angola’s capacity to support large-scale, long-term hydrocarbon projects.

From Conference Floor to Project Delivery

As Angola consolidates its position as a stable, investment-ready market, the AOG Conference & Exhibition – returning to Luanda from September 9-10, 2026 – has emerged as the industry’s primary platform for translating policy into projects. The conference has consistently served as the official meeting place for IOCs and government, facilitating deal-making, portfolio expansion and strategic alignment. As Angola sharpens its focus on IOC-led investment in 2026, AOG will remain central to driving capital deployment, project execution and long-term value creation across the country’s hydrocarbon sector. The event will feature a day of technical workshops on September 8, 2026.

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

Source: APO – Report:

African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) (www.Afreximbank.com), working with other mandated lead arrangers, has successfully closed a US$1.75 billion syndicated receivables purchase facility for Sonangol, Angola’s national oil company.

The strategic financing will support Sonangol’s projected operating and capital expenditure requirements, while advancing Afreximbank’s mandate to promote African-led financing models that support growth, industrialisation, economic self-reliance, and sovereignty.

Afreximbank played a catalytic, balance-sheet-led role in the financing, structuring, and syndication of the facility, which is designed to provide sustainable funding to the Angolan oil and gas sector while ensuring strong repayment assurance for lenders. In line with the Bank’s strategy of supporting African business champions in strategic sectors, Afreximbank helped design an innovative, de-risked structure that mitigates oil price volatility and allows for flexible security arrangements.

The US$1.75-billion facility is expected to enable Sonangol to meet its operating and capital needs by strengthening export-linked trade structures, supporting Afreximbank’s objective of increasing Africa’s share of global trade and reinforcing the export of strategic commodities.

Commenting on the transaction, Mr. Haytham Elmaayergi, Executive Vice President, Global Trade Bank, Afreximbank, said: “This US$1.75 billion syndicated receivables facility underscores Afreximbank’s commitment to supporting African energy champions and safeguarding export capacity that is critical to our member states’ macroeconomic sovereignty and trade resilience. By deploying innovative structures that provide comfort to lenders while easing traditional security requirements, we are able to crowd source much needed capital into strategic sectors.”

He added: “The transaction will help Sonangol meet its operating and capital needs, sustain export flows, increase energy availability, and support Angola’s broader industrialisation and economic transformation, while directly contributing to increased African participation in global trade.”

The facility is expected to support Angola’s economic development by enabling the extraction and commercialisation of natural resources, strengthening export proceeds, and reinforcing industrialisation and value creation across the economy.

– on behalf of Afreximbank.

Media Contact:
Vincent Musumba
Communications and Events Manager (Media Relations)
Email: press@afreximbank.com

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About Afreximbank:
African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) is a Pan-African multilateral financial institution mandated to finance and promote intra- and extra-African trade. For over 30 years, the Bank has been deploying innovative structures to deliver financing solutions that support the transformation of the structure of Africa’s trade, accelerating industrialisation and intra-regional trade, thereby boosting economic expansion in Africa. A stalwart supporter of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), Afreximbank has launched a Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) that was adopted by the African Union (AU) as the payment and settlement platform to underpin the implementation of the AfCFTA. Working with the AfCFTA Secretariat and the AU, the Bank has set up a US$10 billion Adjustment Fund to support countries effectively participating in the AfCFTA. At the end of December 2024, Afreximbank’s total assets and contingencies stood at over US$40.1 billion, and its shareholder funds amounted to US$7.2 billion. Afreximbank has investment grade ratings assigned by GCR (international scale) (A), Moody’s (Baa2), China Chengxin International Credit Rating Co., Ltd (CCXI) (AAA) and Japan Credit Rating Agency (JCR) (A-). Afreximbank has evolved into a group entity comprising the Bank, its equity impact fund subsidiary called the Fund for Export Development Africa (FEDA), and its insurance management subsidiary, AfrexInsure (together, “the Group”). The Bank is headquartered in Cairo, Egypt.

For more information, visit: www.Afreximbank.com

Source: APO – Report:

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After decades defined by deepwater success, Angola’s upstream sector is rediscovering its onshore potential. Previously overshadowed by prolific offshore blocks, the country’s inland basins are re-emerging as a strategic frontier – not led by supermajors, but by independent oil and gas companies willing to take early-stage risk in pursuit of long-term value.

This shift is taking shape across basins such as Kwanza and Congo, where independents are advancing seismic campaigns, consolidating acreage and preparing for drilling activity that could unlock new reserves and extend the life of Angola’s hydrocarbons sector. Among the most active new entrants is Nigerian energy company Oando, which formally entered Angola’s upstream market in early 2025 through operatorship of Block KON 13 in the onshore Kwanza Basin. Holding a 45% stake, Oando has positioned the block as a long-term exploration opportunity, targeting underexplored plays with analogues to offshore success.

Corcel has also emerged as a key driver of onshore momentum. The London-listed company has consolidated its stake in Block KON 16 in Angola’s onshore Kwanza Basin to just over 70% through agreements with partners including Intank Global and Sintana Energy. The company is advancing technical studies and leveraging existing and new seismic data as it moves toward a drilling program in 2026. With its scale and increasing technical clarity, KON 16 is widely viewed as one of the most closely watched onshore exploration projects in Angola.

Further expanding the independent footprint, ReconAfrica signed an agreement with Angola’s upstream regulator ANPG in April 2025 to explore more than five million acres across underexplored inland areas. While still at an early stage, the company’s entry highlights the government’s willingness to open frontier acreage to companies with an appetite for basin-opening exploration. At the same time, Angolan players such as Etu Energias and Alfort Petroleum are advancing seismic interpretation and field evaluation efforts, with Alfort targeting the submission of a well proposal for Block KON 8 in the second quarter of 2026, reinforcing the breadth of interest in the onshore segment.

Angola’s ability to attract independent investment inland has also been the result of a deliberate shift in policy aimed at improving competitiveness, transparency and flexibility. Central to this effort has been the country’s multi-year licensing round, launched in 2019, which sought to award dozens of new concessions across both offshore and onshore areas. Through the regular award of new concessions, Angola has reduced uncertainty and allowed companies to plan exploration strategies over the medium term.

Equally important has been the introduction of a permanent offer regime, enabling companies to negotiate access to available blocks outside of formal bidding rounds. This mechanism has proven particularly attractive to independents, allowing them to pursue tailored opportunities without waiting for scheduled tenders. When combined with risk service contracts and marginal field frameworks, the regime offers multiple entry points suited to different capital structures and risk appetites.

“These policy tools are now converging with industry dialogue at the Angola Oil & Gas (AOG) conference, which has become a central platform for advancing the country’s onshore ambitions,” says NJ Ayuk Executive Chairman, African Energy Cahmber.

The 2026 edition of AOG was officially launched in Luanda this on Tuesday, marking the next chapter of an event now entering its seventh edition and positioned as a catalyst for up to $70 billion in investment across the upstream value chain. Scheduled to take place in September, the event brings together government leaders, operators, financiers and service companies to translate licensing success into executable projects.

“By spotlighting onshore basins alongside offshore developments, AOG provides a forum for independents to showcase progress, secure partnerships and align with Angola’s long-term energy strategy. As the country looks to sustain production and attract diversified capital, the return to onshore – led by agile, exploration-focused companies – is becoming an increasingly important part of the narrative. In this new chapter, Angola’s inland basins are no longer a legacy asset, but a frontier once again shaping the future of its oil and gas industry,” Ayuk states.

– on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

Source: APO – Report:

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The Portfolio Committee on Higher Education and Training has raised serious concerns about the University of Limpopo’s continued high spending on legal fees, most of which involve cases against students and staff members.

The committee questioned how excessive legal expenditure over a five-year period was not identified earlier through the university’s internal audit systems. Committee members expressed concern that this points to weaknesses in the institution’s internal financial controls. The committee also questioned the quality of briefings provided to the university’s legal representatives, particularly in cases where the university repeatedly lost in court, resulting in unnecessary legal costs.

The portfolio committee Chairperson, Mr Tebogo Letsie, said these funds could have been directed towards supporting students and academic programmes, rather than draining much-needed institutional resources.

Furthermore, the committee expressed strong concern that the University Council has repeatedly failed to exercise proper oversight over the escalating legal fees incurred during its tenure. The committee noted that this lack of accountability has placed an undue financial burden on the institution and undermined good governance.

The committee is currently conducting oversight visits to assess post-school education and training institutions across Limpopo Province.

Mr Letsie described the situation as unacceptable and said it required urgent intervention. “While we are encouraged by the overall state of readiness and the positive developments in leadership at the University of Limpopo, the level of spending on litigation is deeply concerning. We cannot justify a situation where R60 million is spent on legal matters over a period of five years without internal controls raising red flags,” he said.

Following a walkabout of the university’s facilities, the committee noted with satisfaction that there were no visible major challenges relating to infrastructure or student accommodation. The committee said from a student accommodation perspective, the institution appeared ready for the 2026 academic year.

The Chairperson also welcomed the appointment of Dr Jeffrey Mabelebele as Vice-Chancellor, describing it as a positive and necessary step towards restoring leadership stability, strengthening governance and improving institutional performance.

Lastly, the committee called on the Department of Higher Education and Training to provide an update on the interventions being implemented to address the underlying causes of recurring litigation at the University of Limpopo.

ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION, MR TEBOGO LETSIE.

For media enquiries please contact the committee’s Media Officer:

Name: Jabulani Majozi (Mr)
Parliamentary Communication Services
Cell: 083 358 5224
E-mail: jamajozi@parliament.gov.za

– on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.

Source: APO

Jean Gurunlian, Chairperson of Webb Fontaine (https://WebbFontaine.com), and founder/architect of the ASYCUDA system, issued a stark warning on the future of Customs technology at the WCO Technology Conference 2026 in Abu Dhabi, stating that legacy Customs systems are no longer fit for purpose in a world shaped by large language models (LLMs).

“No Customs system that has not been built on LLM will survive,” Gurunlian said. “The first real outcome of LLMs is that they have made all existing Customs systems obsolete.”

Gurunlian, who designed ASYCUDA and oversaw its deployment in more than 100 countries, emphasized that the pace and nature of regulatory change have fundamentally shifted. Traditional Customs systems, often reliant on static rules, manual updates, and lengthy development cycles, can no longer cope with today’s trade and policy environment.

“Customs systems that cannot adapt to changing laws, regulations, or operational requirements within very short timeframes simply will not survive anymore,” he said. “If a system needs years to adjust, it is already too late.”

According to Gurunlian, the rise of LLMs has exposed the structural weakness of systems that depend on predefined logic rather than continuous learning and adaptation. He noted that many Customs platforms still require months, or even years, to incorporate legislative changes, tariff updates, or new non-tariff measures.

“Tariffs and non-tariff barriers have increasingly become political weapons,” Gurunlian said. “They can change overnight, sometimes without warning. With LLM-enabled systems, those changes can be interpreted, applied, and operationalized in seconds.”

For Gurunlian, adaptability is no longer a feature but a prerequisite. He underscored that Customs technology must now be designed around continuous improvement, contextual understanding, and rapid learning, capabilities that only AI-driven architectures can provide.

“The systems, including those that I created, are bound to become obsolete,” Gurunlian acknowledged. “If a system cannot be improved in production, it should not be deployed.”

He added that governments and Customs administrations face a critical decision point. Continuing to invest in static, rule-based systems risks locking institutions into technology that cannot respond to geopolitical shocks, regulatory volatility, or the increasing complexity of global trade.

“LLMs change the nature of systems themselves,” Gurunlian concluded. “This is not about adding AI on top of existing platforms. It is about rethinking Customs systems from the ground up.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Webb Fontaine.