MIL Africa Engine

Source: APO – Report:

Norway reaffirmed its long-standing commitment to Africa’s low-income countries with a NOK 3.1 billion pledge to the African Development Fund’s seventeenth replenishment (ADF-17). The announcement, made during the Global Citizen Now: Johannesburg event, held on 21 November, was later reiterated in a bilateral meeting between Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre and African Development Bank Group President Dr Sidi Ould Tah (http://AfDB.org).

The pledge includes a core ADF-17 contribution of NOK 2,377 million, representing a 5.79 percent increase from ADF-16. Norway also confirmed continued support to the Fund’s Climate Action Window with a commitment of NOK 150 million. Earlier in 2025, Norway contributed NOK 50 million to the Climate Action Window (https://apo-opa.co/3Y1GAhz) becoming its fifth investor.

Dr Sidi Ould Tah welcomed the announcement, saying: “Norway has been a highly valued partner of the African Development Fund. My discussion with the Prime Minister underscored our shared focus on youth opportunity, sustainable growth, and strong partnerships. Norway’s support to ADF-17 will help the Fund expand its impact at a decisive moment for Africa’s most vulnerable economies.”

Norway has participated in every replenishment of the African Development Fund since joining in 1973 and continues to prioritize core support that enhances predictability and responsiveness. According to the Norwegian Government’s official statement, this contribution reflects Norway’s commitment to improving access to food, electricity, water and sanitation, health services, education, and jobs for people living in the world’s most vulnerable contexts.

In the Norwegian government’s official statement (https://apo-opa.co/4pDTZIr), Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre said: “All countries share a responsibility to work to build a more peaceful and more equitable world. This funding will go towards improving the lives of some of the world’s poorest people. It will be used, among other things, to provide people with access to food, electricity, water and sanitation, health services, education and jobs.”

Norway further noted that the contribution forms part of the follow-up to its 2024 strategy for engagement with African countries (https://apo-opa.co/48cmAPk). Norway recognizes the African Development Fund’s integral role in initiatives such as Mission 300 (https://apo-opa.co/3MfEtEf), which aims to expand electricity access to 300 million people in Africa by 2030.

The African Development Fund is the concessional window of the African Development Bank Group and a key source of financing for 37 low-income African countries. Since 1972, it has supported essential investments in energy, transport, agriculture, regional integration, and governance through grants, highly concessional loans, and guarantees.

The seventeenth replenishment of the African Development Fund will be finalized at a pledging session in London from 15 to 16 December 2025, when development partners will confirm their contributions.

– on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB).

Media Contact:
Raquel Wilson
Communication and External Relations Department
media@afdb.org

About the African Development Bank Group:
The African Development Bank Group is Africa’s premier development finance institution. It comprises three distinct entities: the African Development Bank (AfDB), the African Development Fund (ADF) and the Nigeria Trust Fund (NTF). On the ground in 41 African countries with an external office in Japan, the Bank contributes to the economic development and the social progress of its 54 regional member states. For more information: www.AfDB.org

Source: APO

With just one week to go until the MSGBC Oil, Gas & Power 2025 conference and exhibition, West Africa’s premier energy and mining conference is preparing to welcome regional and international stakeholders to Dakar. Taking place from December 8-10, 2025 at the Centre International de Conférences Abdou Diouf (CICAD), the event will unite government leaders, global investors and industry executives under the theme Energy, Petroleum and Mining in Africa: Synergy for Inclusive Economic Development.

The 2025 edition comes at a pivotal time for the MSGBC basin, following first gas from the Greater Tortue Ahmeyim LNG development and first oil from Senegal’s Sangomar field – milestones that signal a new phase of production growth and economic opportunity across the region. Exploration across The Gambia, Guinea-Bissau and Guinea-Conakry is also accelerating, supported by new seismic data, competitive fiscal incentives and increasing regional cooperation.

Explore opportunities, foster partnerships and stay at the forefront of the MSGBC region’s oil, gas and power sector. Visit www.MSGBCOilGasAndPower.com to secure your participation at the MSGBC Oil, Gas & Power 2025 conference. To sponsor or participate as a delegate, please contact sales@energycapitalpower.com.

The program begins on December 8 with a full day of pre-conference engagements. The Society of Petroleum Engineers Senegal will host its annual technical workshop, offering a platform for knowledge sharing on practical industry topics including gas-field management, infrastructure-linked local content, production optimization and ESG integration. Complementing the workshop, the closed-door CEO Assembly will convene C-suite executives, ministers and financial institutions for confidential discussions on investment strategies, cross-border development and long-term energy security in the basin.

The main conference opens on December 9 with a high-level grand opening ceremony featuring senior representatives from the African Energy Chamber, bp, Woodside Energy, the African Petroleum Producers’ Organization, the Gas Exporting Countries Forum and Gabon’s Ministry of Universal Access to Water and Energy. The ceremony will culminate in a presidential address by Bassirou Diomaye Faye, President of Senegal, highlighting the country’s expanding leadership in regional energy development and its strategy for inclusive, diversified growth.

A central feature of the program will be the ministerial dialogue on MSGBC regional cooperation, bringing together energy ministers from Senegal, Mauritania, The Gambia, Guinea-Bissau and Guinea-Conakry. The session will explore approaches to policy harmonization, equitable energy access, sustainable resource management and investment attraction as the region scales up oil, gas and mining activity. Throughout the two-day conference, delegates will also gain insights through presentations and panels on cross-border gas initiatives, power market integration, critical minerals, downstream development, Ivory Coast’s evolving energy landscape and national project updates from throughout West Africa.

Industry leaders from bp, Kosmos Energy, Woodside Energy, TGS, Apus Energy, national energy companies and many more across the basin will share updates on exploration pipelines, drilling activity, infrastructure planning and emerging investment opportunities. Their participation reflects growing confidence in the MSGBC basin’s long-term potential and the importance of collaboration to advance new hydrocarbon, power and mining developments.

The conference will conclude with post-event activities on December 11, including a networking golf day and a cultural excursion to Gorée Island, facilitating additional engagement and relationship-building among delegates. As the countdown enters its final week, MSGBC Oil, Gas & Power 2025 is set to play a defining role in guiding the next phase of West Africa’s energy and mining evolution – driving investment, strengthening cooperation and supporting a sustainable, inclusive future for the MSGBC region.

“MSGBC Oil, Gas & Power 2025 arrives at a decisive moment for the region. This year’s conference brings together partners, policymakers and investors who will shape the next decade of progress in West Africa,” states Sandra Jeque, Events and Project Director, Energy Capital & Power.

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

Source: APO

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The rapid emergence of the Dangote Refinery – now supplying regional markets and set for expansion to 1.4 million barrels per day (bpd) by 2028 – has reshaped West Africa’s downstream landscape and accelerated the need for coordinated, modern institutional frameworks. Against this backdrop, the MSGBC Oil, Gas & Power 2025 conference and exhibition – taking place in Dakar from December 8-10 – will host a dedicated panel session titled West Africa Potential Refining Increase and the Need for a New Institutional Framework.

The session will be well-positioned to unpack how new refining capacity, evolving trade flows and regulatory alignment are redefining opportunities for investors, traders and policymakers across the MSGBC region and beyond. With several large-scale projects underway – including Senegal’s planned Société Africaine de Raffinage (SAR) 2.0 facility, Ghana’s petroleum hub development and multiple modular refineries – the region is entering a new phase of downstream growth that demands stable governance structures, harmonized fuel standards and enhance intra-African trade mechanisms.

Explore opportunities, foster partnerships and stay at the forefront of the MSGBC region’s oil, gas and power sector. Visit www.MSGBCOilGasAndPower.com to secure your participation at the MSGBC Oil, Gas & Power 2025 conference. To sponsor or participate as a delegate, please contact sales@energycapitalpower.com.

The panel brings together four premier voices shaping West Africa’s refining expansion, including Baboucarr Njie, Managing Director, Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC); Anibor Kragha, Executive Secretary, African Refiners and Distributors Association (ARDA); Mamadou Abib Diop, CEO, SAR; and Badara Mbacké, Managing Director, TotalEnergies Senegal.

The GNPC is a major player in Ghana’s multi-phase, $60-billion petroleum hub initiative. As part of the initiative the parastatal is driving refinery development, logistics expansion and strategic partnerships to position Ghana as a future regional energy hub. Meanwhile, ARDA plays a key role in advancing harmonized cleaner fuel standards and enabling reforms and intra-African market integration essential for downstream modernization.

The SAR 2.0 refinery aims to add 4 million tons of annual capacity to Senegal by 2029, supporting domestic self-sufficiency and strengthening regional export capabilities. Finally, representing one of the region’s most attractive international energy firms, TotalEnergies Senegal is engaged across downstream distribution, product marketing and strategic partnerships in Senegal’s growing oil and gas sector.

Together, these experts will be well-positioned to examine the shifting dynamics between refiners and importers, the investment potential of new capacity additions and policy measures needed to safeguard market stability while fostering competition and innovation. As such, the session is poised to provide actionable insights on how West Africa can unlock value, attract sustainable capital and build a resilient refining ecosystem for long-term growth.

“As West Africa’s refining landscape undergoes its most significant transformation in decades, it is vital that industry leaders convene to align on the frameworks that will guide this growth. This session brings together the key decision-makers shaping the region’s downstream future, enabling that policy, investment and capacity expansion to move forward in a coordinated and sustainable way,” states Sandra Jeque, Events and Project Director, Energy Capital & Power.

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

Source: APO

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The UK government’s recent decision to withdraw $1.15 billion in support from the TotalEnergies-led Mozambique LNG project is a concerning example of Western policy priorities undermining Africa’s development. Announced on Monday, the decision comes at a moment when global energy markets face unprecedented pressure. Yet, the UK appears more focused on ideological signaling rather than practical solutions to persistent energy poverty.

The Mozambique LNG project is far more than another fossil fuel venture. It represents a transformative opportunity for the continent, with the potential to deliver 13 million tons of LNG annually – powering industries, fueling domestic growth and supporting economic development in a region where millions still live without reliable electricity. By withdrawing support, the UK has chosen to prioritize its green and “woke” agenda over African progress, focusing on counting emissions rather than taking into consideration African energy poverty and the need to prioritize energy security, affordability and sovereignty.

Security challenges in northern Cabo Delgado forced TotalEnergies to suspend operations in 2021. Since then, improved conditions have allowed the company to lift the suspension and resume planning, contingent on government approval for a revised development roadmap. Rather than recognize this progress, UK Export Finance cited ‘risks’ as justification for withdrawal – a rationale that reflects priorities driven more by political optics than by Africa’s urgent energy needs. The same risk has been evaluated by the US, with the US Export-Import Bank moving to reapprove a loan earlier in 2025 in recognition of the improved situation on the ground. The decision to withdraw financing reflects a broader trend by the UK to follow an anti-fossil fuels agenda, one that has already put North Sea production in great decline.

The African Energy Chamber (AEC) condemns the decision to withdraw, deeming the decision as not only a setback for Mozambique but for the entire continent. The withdrawal undermines African energy security, industrial ambitions and efforts to lift millions from energy poverty. This pattern has repeated across the continent: projects delayed or blocked, investments withheld, all justified in the name of climate or security concerns, while energy poverty persists. Africa does not need moral instruction on climate from nations that consume energy at levels far beyond the continent’s needs. What is essential are partnerships that respect African priorities, timelines and the sovereign right to develop sustainably.

“Withdrawing support from Mozambique LNG is a betrayal of Africa’s right to energy security and a slap in the face of progress for the continent’s millions living without reliable power. This moment should serve as a call to action: it serves as a stark reminder that Africa’s energy future cannot rely solely on foreign financing or conditional support. Mozambique LNG, and projects like it across the continent, must be championed by Africans for Africans, with a focus on responsible development, job creation and the eradication of energy poverty,” states NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the AEC.

The Mozambique LNG project highlights what African energy development should look like: ambitious, transformative and responsible. Gas‑liquefaction projects in Cabo Delgado are expected to create at least 10,000 direct jobs by 2025, focusing on local populations and supporting young graduates with SME development. Construction of the Mozambique LNG facility alone has been estimated to create around 5,000 jobs. Beyond employment, LNG production and exports have already generated rising government revenues – with state LNG‑related earnings increasing by over 20% last year. Once fully operational and supported by stable financing, Mozambique LNG could deliver the energy, revenue and human capital needed to power industry, boost public services and lift communities out of energy poverty.

Africa is rich in natural resources – including its 620 trillion cubic feet of natural gas – yet these resources are too often treated by Western governments as tools of influence rather than drivers of growth. The UK’s withdrawal underscores the urgent need for Africa to develop independent financing mechanisms, attract investors who respect its priorities and strengthen regional cooperation to protect critical energy projects.

Mozambique LNG exemplifies how African energy development can create jobs, drive industrial growth and reinforce economic sovereignty. Energy security cannot be dictated by shifting foreign political priorities. Led by Africans with a focus on responsible development, projects like Mozambique LNG can deliver tangible benefits, empower communities and help eradicate energy poverty across the continent.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

Source: APO – Report:

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The 25th Session of the African Forestry and Wildlife Commission (AFWC25) has opened in Banjul, The Gambia, with a clear call for African countries to scale up innovation and reinforce political commitment to protect and restore Africa’s forests and wildlife.

Delegates from across the continent are attending the week-long meeting, organised by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and hosted by the Government of The Gambia, under the theme Innovative and Inclusive Forest and Wildlife Resources Management for Africa.

Against a backdrop of rising climate risks, accelerating biodiversity loss, and growing demand for forest products, AFWC25 aims to strengthen collective action on sustainable forest and wildlife management and guide FAO’s technical support in the coming biennium.

In his opening address, H.E. Muhammed B. S. Jallow, Vice President of the Republic of The Gambia, welcomed delegates and emphasised the country’s commitment to environmental stewardship.

“Hosting this important Africa Forestry and Wildlife Commission meeting here in Banjul is both a privilege and a statement of intent,” he said. “It is a clear message that The Gambia positions firmly among the nations of Africa that have chosen to protect, not exploit; to restore, not destroy; and to act, not just talk about our environment.”

He highlighted significant reforms undertaken in recent years, including the National Forest Policy (2023–2032), strengthened national institutions, and decisive actions against illegal logging.

“My government took a bold and irreversible step to ban all timber exports, revoke all illegal felling permits, and disrupt the cross-border trafficking of rosewood that was devastating our environment,” he said. “Forest degradation has slowed, reforestation is increasing, and community forestry programmes continue to expand across the country.”

The Vice President also underscored the central role of partnerships, especially with FAO: “FAO’s support has been consistent in community forestry programmes, mangrove restoration, biodiversity protection, forest management and capacity strengthening across the sector.”

FAO calls for integrated action to unlock the full potential of Africa’s forests

FAO Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for Africa, Abebe Haile-Gabriel, commended The Gambia for its achievements and reaffirmed FAO’s commitment to supporting African Member States as they work to strengthen the sustainability and resilience of forests and wildlife.

“FAO continues to work with countries to unlock the potential of forests, trees and wildlife in transforming agrifood systems for better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life, leaving no one behind,” he said.

He also emphasised the urgency of coordinated action across sectors: “The challenge before us, notably climate change, biodiversity loss, wildfires, and land degradation, continue to impact economies, agrifood systems and livelihoods. This reality underscores the urgency of our shared responsibility,” he stressed.

The Minister of Environment, Climate Change and Natural Resources of The Gambia, Hon. Rohey John Manjang, underscored the importance of forests and wildlife to the nation’s environmental and cultural heritage, highlighting that community-based forest management models now cover over 30 percent of the country’s forest estate.

Drawing attention to the global importance of Africa’s forests and wildlife, the Chairperson of the Committee on Forestry (COFO), Pierre Taty, highlighted key initiatives driving progress across the continent, including the Sustainable Wildlife Management Programme, which supports over 400 million people who rely on wild meat for nutrition. He noted that while African countries have pledged to restore more than 100 million hectares of degraded land, under 9 percent has been restored to date, emphasising the need to accelerate efforts through the newly proclaimed UN Decade for Afforestation and Reforestation (2027–2036). He urged delegates to deliver strong recommendations to guide the work of COFO and FAO in the years ahead.

The outcomes of AFWC25 will feed into the 28th Session of the Committee on Forestry and the 34th FAO Regional Conference for Africa in 2026.

AFWC25 at a glance

Throughout the week, AFWC25 delegates will examine key forestry and wildlife priorities for the continent, including:

innovative financing mechanisms for forestry and wildlife;

sustainable management of forests and wildlife in Small Island Developing States;

strengthening cross-sectoral linkages for resilient agrifood systems;

sustainable forest-based bioeconomy approaches; and

the interconnection between forestry, wildlife, forest foods and agrifood systems.

In parallel, the Ninth African Forestry and Wildlife Week (AFWW9) will feature a series of side events and exhibitions led by The Gambia, showcasing national achievements in forest and wildlife management. These events will highlight innovative approaches to community forestry, progress in biodiversity protection, and successful models of ecosystem restoration, while offering a platform for delegates to explore practical solutions that can be adapted and scaled across Africa.

Delegates will also participate in a field excursion to observe local forestry and wildlife initiatives first-hand.

About the AFWC

Established in 1959, the African Forestry and Wildlife Commission is one of FAO’s Regional Forestry Commissions. It provides a platform for African countries to review progress, share experiences, and guide FAO’s technical support on sustainable forest and wildlife management.

AFWC25 is taking place from 1–5 December 2025 in Banjul, The Gambia.

More on this topic

See more on the AFWC25 website. Follow #AFWC25. 

– on behalf of Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO): Regional Office for Africa.