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Eskom, City Power resolve billing dispute

Source: South Africa News Agency

Tuesday, June 24, 2025

City Power and Eskom have reached an agreement over their long-standing electricity billing and debt dispute.

The two parties have been in dispute regarding the amount owed to Eskom as debt and how the power utility bills City Power for bulk electricity supply.

During a media briefing on Tuesday, the Minister of Electricity and Energy, Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, announced that:
•    City Power will pay an amount of R3.2 billion to Eskom over the next four years
•    Eskom will write off some R830 million in penalties and related costs

“We have accepted that there are major challenges with regards to tariffs during winter. There is a time of use and during winter, the tariff is particularly heavy, and households, industries and customers find it very difficult to meet their obligations. So, we have accepted that during winter periods, there will be relief in relation to the payment of the R3.2 billion.

“We have been able to write off that R830 million as a result of firstly, they don’t have to pay interest on that which is owed.  Eskom has also conceded with regard to the load shedding estimations and also the penalties that have to do with notifiable maximum demand. 

“So, all of those have been removed…totalling to R830 million and that’s the concession that Eskom has made,” he explained.
The Minister said the resolution of the dispute between the two entities can be used as a template for other struggling municipalities.

“We are excited about this development. We also have something similar in Tshwane and as and when municipalities come forward, we will have these discussions on how best to provide a degree of relief. 

“Of course there must be a case that is presented, accepting that Eskom has also got its obligations…they need to collect because they generate electricity. That costs money and they must recover that money from the end user to reinvest it back into their asset base and into the generation of electricity,” Ramogkopa said. – SAnews.gov.za

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Africa launches second phase of phytosanitary programme to fight crop pests

Source: South Africa News Agency

The Department of Agriculture, in collaboration with the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC), has unveiled the second phase of the Africa Phytosanitary Programme (APP).

APP is an initiative of the IPPC and FAO, which aims to strengthen the resilience of Africa’s phytosanitary systems against plant pests of regulatory, economic, and environmental significance, using cutting-edge digital tools.

Held in White River, Mpumalanga on Monday, the launch brought together over 50 phytosanitary specialists from nine countries, including Algeria, Cape Verde, Chad, the Republic of Congo, Liberia, Malawi, Senegal, South Africa, and Tunisia.

The countries will take part in a weeklong Train-the-Trainer (ToT) workshop in advanced pest surveillance techniques, including the use of customised digital tools and applications for monitoring, detecting, and reporting major pests of economic, regulatory, and environmental importance in Africa.

The participants will be equipped with state-of-the-art tablets for geospatial pest surveillance, use field survey protocols developed by technical experts, and undertake practical sessions using the pest survey tools.

Delivering remarks on behalf of Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen, Jan Hendrik Venter, Director of Plant Health at the Department of Agriculture, emphasised Africa’s potential to become a global leader in high-quality plant product trade.

“Africa stands at a turning point. With immense biodiversity, rising agricultural productivity, and growing opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), we are well-positioned to become a global leader in the trade of high-quality plant products.

“But this vision can only be achieved if we ensure that the movement of plants and plant products is safe, traceable, and fully compliant with international phytosanitary standards,” Venter said.

Venter added that well-trained, well-equipped plant health officials across the continent, are the best line of defence in maintaining pest-free or low-prevalence status, “an essential condition for accessing these lucrative markets.”

The first and pilot phase of APP started in 2023, engaging phytosanitary specialists from Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Mali, Morocco, Sierra Leone, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

Phase 2 builds on achievements made in the pilot phase and aims to train plant health officers, who upon their return to their countries will teach their peers in the national plant protection organisations (NPPOs) and other government stakeholders on the use of the APP suite of digital tools.

“We are building a critical mass of phytosanitary inspectors, technicians and officers across Africa, by equipping plant health officers with the tools and skills to prevent and address major plant pest threats, that ultimately jeopardise food security, agricultural trade, economic growth and the environment,” FAO Deputy Director General and IPPC Officer-in-Charge, Beth Bechdol said in her video message.

Funded through generous contributions from the European Union and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, APP phase two builds on support from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) which funded phase one in 2023.

FAO and the IPPC are working to replicate and scale up the benefits from APP to more African countries and other regions.

Mitigating the pest problem in Africa

Globally, plant pests are responsible for destroying about 40 percent of crop yields, resulting in economic losses of approximately USD 220 billion.

In Africa, the impacts of climate change are exacerbating the problem, with invasive pests such as, fruit flies, false codling moth, maize lethal necrosis disease, citrus greening and fall armyworm – causing major damages.

According to the Centre for Agriculture and Bioscience International (CABI) data, fall armyworm alone is estimated to cause the highest yield loss in Africa – USD 9.4 billion annually.

The African Union’s Plant Health Strategy for Africa highlights that limited technical capability remains a key barrier to achieving sustainable agriculture on the continent.

Through APP, FAO, the IPPC and partners aim to strengthen plant health systems and build national phytosanitary capacity across Africa. – SAnews.gov.za

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Home Affairs rolls out upgraded National Population Register from 1 July

Source: South Africa News Agency

Home Affairs Minister, Dr Leon Schreiber, on Monday announced that the department will on 1 July 2025 begin the rollout of an upgraded National Population Register (NPR) verification service to all companies and government users to verify identities with speed and reliability.

This enhanced service, which will boost service delivery from government departments and enhance financial inclusion in the private sector, will be accompanied by tariff increases implemented after widespread public consultation and after concurrence was obtained from the Minister of Finance.

The department has since 2013 provided the service – known as the online verification system (OVS) – to third parties that connects them to the NPR. 

This allows these registered users to check identities and other biographical information of their clients against the Home Affairs database.

However, since its rollout more than a decade ago at a low cost to users, the demands on the OVS have far outstripped the capacity at which it was originally designed. 

Since then, there has been no substantive upgrade to the system, while demand and the costs of maintaining the infrastructure increased year-on-year. 

“Due to the upgrade stasis and the increased demands placed on the OVS by institutions – and exorbitant over-use by some institutions owing to unsustainably low prices – users now experience a staggering failure rate in excess of 50% on verification checks against the NPR.

“Even in the case of successful verifications, response times often take hours, thereby defeating the purpose of real-time verification. 

“Both of these factors are directly undermining services that require such verifications, including through the OVS and at Home Affairs offices,” said the department.

Under-investment and overloading of the OVS is a key factor behind the challenge of having “offline systems” at frontline offices. Additionally, an unreliable NPR poses a direct threat to national security as it undermines the ability of the State to verify identities.

The under-pricing of this service – with fees as low as R0.15 per verification – has deprived the State of the resources required to maintain and enhance the NPR. 

In turn, said the department, certain private sector users of the OVS have relied on this artificially low price to inflate their corporate profits at the expense of the quality of services received by the public, while also overwhelming the NPR with queries to such an extent that the failure rate now routinely exceeds 50%.

Effective from 1 July 2025, and following significant development work by the department and its service providers, a new OVS will be rolled out to all users. 

The upgraded OVS functions as a sleek, modern system that delivers what it was designed to do. It now performs in real-time and the failure rate has been reduced to below 1%.

For the first time, the new system will also introduce an option for users to do “non-live batch verifications” during off-peak hours at a significantly lower fee than real-time verifications. 

This will offer both a cost-effective alternative to real-time verifications and incentivise users to stop overloading the OVS’ live queue, reducing the “system offline” challenge at frontline Home Affairs offices.

As a result, and for the first time in more than a decade, Home Affairs has increased the fees for a single real-time verification check to R10 per transaction. 

For non-live batch verifications where a user wishes to verify multiple records simultaneously during off-peak periods, the cost will be R1 per verification field request. 

This cost is appropriate for the service provided and is not unreasonable when viewed against the costs charged to clients of the organisations utilising the OVS, according to the department. 

There will be no charge for the use of this service by other government departments.

The Minister said this was a matter of national security as every responsible State must take the necessary steps to ensure a functional population register. 

“This upgrade also advances financial inclusion and makes a significant contribution to South Africa’s attempts to get off the Financial Action Task Force’s grey list. 

“I thank the many stakeholders who expressed support for this vital reform in the interest both of national security and of South Africa Inc during our public consultations and call upon all users of the OVS to rise above narrow profiteering to support the safeguarding of national security,” the Minister said.

“A healthy NPR is also a prerequisite for a functional Digital ID, as the NPR must become the central database against which identities are verified as Home Affairs becomes a digital-first department.

“This investment in the NPR is an investment in national security, in financial inclusion, and in the value of our cherished South African identity that will pay off handsomely for our country,” Schreiber said.

Organisations who would like to be connected to the new OVS must send an email to verifications@dha.gov.za.

A copy of the gazette containing the new fee schedule can be accessed at https://www.dha.gov.za/images/gazettes/gazette-52893-230625-dha.pdf. – SAnews.gov.za

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Improved collaborations to protect civilians theme of dialogue between security partners and United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS)


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“As partners in providing security and safety to the civilian population, we have a collective responsibility to work together amicably and build trust,” said Angelo Lodo Daya, security adviser at the state Governor’s office. 

Mr Daya was speaking at an ongoing two-day dialogue for security partners in South Sudan’s Central Equatoria state in Juba, which aims at enhancing confidence, trust and operational coordination between national uniformed personnel and the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS)

With rising conflict across Central Equatoria, it was a timely event according to Njoki Rahab Kinyajui, Head of the UN Peacekeeping mission’s Field Office in the state.

“In past months, we have seen a distinct increase in violence across Central Equatoria, which has led to civilian displacement and fatalities. There is also a proliferation of mis- and disinformation, which has the potential to fuel more tensions. Therefore, this is an extremely important forum, giving us the space to speak candidly with our national and state-level interlocuters about the challenges we face in ensuring a peaceful and secure environment,” stated Ms. Kinyajui.

“There’s no substitute for sitting across a table and having a productive interaction so that we can work with our partners and find pathways to make people’s lives and livelihoods more secure,” she added.

Ms. Kinyajui is optimistic that discussions over the coming two days will create mutual operational understanding about the tripartite agreement between the SSPDF, UNMISS and the Joint Verification and Monitoring Mechanism—the single window through which the Mission interacts with government entities for enabling and facilitating unhindered movement and deployment of its troops across South Sudan. This platform, therefore, is expected to help ameliorate some of the difficulties that patrolling peacekeepers face on the ground.

“Our patrols are vital to our broader efforts to protect civilians,” explained Ms. Kinyajui.

“However, one of the biggest challenges for us right now in Central Equatoria is limited access. While the primary responsibility for protecting civilians lies with the Government of South Sudan, as a UN Peacekeeping mission, we need to be able to reach locations across the state where the potential for violence is high. So, a cooperative approach between the mission and security partners at every level is essential,” she added.   

To foster a deeper understanding of operational guidelines, UNMISS and national and state level security agencies will discuss the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) between the Government of South Sudan and UNMISS—a key document which defines the legal status of the UN Peacekeeping mission and outlines the immunities and privileges of UNMISS personnel.  

Over the course of two days, participants will also deliberate on other core security concerns, including electoral security, confidence building measures for enhanced field cooperation, and the importance of protecting women, girls and children.

At the end of the first day, there is already a palpable sense of camaraderie and a shared concern for community security.

“We have always been steady partners with our sisters and brothers in the United Nations. And it is time for us to strengthen that partnership and ensure these discussions provide us with clarity on how, together we can improve security conditions across the state,” concluded Brigadier General Abraham Kuol from SSPDF Headquarters in Bilpam.

The forum has brought together more than 100 participants, including senior officers from the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF); National Police and Security Services; as well as senior military peacekeepers from UNMISS.

Above all, it creates hope that while some of the candid conversations may be tough, they will lead to greater synergy between UNMISS and South Sudanese uniformed actors. 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).

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ACE Energy Group Expands Angola Portfolio, Joins Angola Oil & Gas (AOG) 2025 as Silver Sponsor

Nigerian energy service company ACE Energy Group has joined the Angola Oil & Gas (AOG) conference – taking place September 3-4 in Luanda – as a Silver Sponsor. Offering a comprehensive suite of services catered to the oil and gas industry, ACE Energy Group has been expanding its presence in Angola’s upstream market in recent years. The company’s AOG 2025 sponsorship reflects its commitment to developing Angola’s onshore market as ACE Energy Group pursues new asset acquisitions in Angola.

Building on its experience in Nigeria, ACE Energy Group is targeting new onshore blocks in Angola. The company was one of several firms that submitted proposals to Angola’s upstream regulator the National Oil, Gas & Biofuels Agency in February 2025 for operatorship of nine blocks in the onshore Kwanza basin. The blocks were initially promoted under Angola’s 2023 bid round but not awarded during the licensing process. The proposals align with the government’s broader strategy of attracting new players to the market as the country strives to sustain oil production above one million barrels per day.

AOG is the largest oil and gas event in Angola. Taking place with the full support of the Ministry of Mineral Resources, Oil and Gas; the National Oil, Gas and Biofuels Agency; the Petroleum Derivatives Regulatory Institute; national oil company Sonangol; and the African Energy Chamber; the event is a platform to sign deals and advance Angola’s oil and gas industry. To sponsor or participate as a delegate, please contact sales@energycapitalpower.com.

Through licensing rounds and direct negotiation with operators, Angola aims to revitalize onshore production. ACE Energy Group was named operator of onshore Block CON 8 under Angola’s 2023 licensing round, which closed early-2024. Situated in the onshore Lower Congo basin, Block CON 8’s previous exploration activities were conducted in the early 1970s, with four wells drilled: Quinzau-1, Quinzau-2, Ngondo-4 and Ngondo-7. A 2D seismic survey was also conducted, partially covering the northern part of Block CON 8. Structures with possible hydrocarbon accumulation at pre-salt and post-salt levels were identified, showcasing estimated prospective resources of between 870 and 1,909 million barrels of oil. With ACE Energy Group attaining operatorship, new exploration and development opportunities are on the horizon.

ACE Energy Group’s sponsorship of AOG 2025 will support the company’s exploration strategy in Angola. As the largest industry event in the country, AOG 2025 unites stakeholders from across the oil and gas value chain, from upstream operators and financiers to service and technology providers to downstream developers and associated sub-sectors. The event offers a unique platform for companies to engage in dialogue and sign deals, thereby advancing exploration efforts across the country. 

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

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Adesina spotlights African Development Bank’s role in delivering Mattei Plan and Global Gateway investments across Africa to drive industrial growth


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African Development Bank Group (www.AfDB.org) President Dr. Akinwumi Adesina has reaffirmed the Bank’s central role in advancing Africa’s connectivity, industrialization, and regional integration through strategic investments aligned with Italy’s Mattei Plan and the European Union’s Global Gateway initiative. 

Speaking at the joint Mattei Plan–Global Gateway Summit (https://apo-opa.co/3ZJy5Jx) held in Rome on Friday 20 June, Adesina emphasized the progress made by the African Development Bank in turning strategic priorities into action—from infrastructure and energy to digital connectivity and value chains. He called for greater alignment between partners and accelerated delivery on the ground, noting that the Bank’s investments are already helping reshape regional trade and economic resilience. 

He underscored for instance the Bank’s catalytic role in the Lobito Corridor, with $1 billion committed over five years for value chain development and urban infrastructure. He also mentioned the development of the Tanzania–DRC–Burundi railway network, where the Bank is helping mobilize a $3.9 billion package alongside international partners. These efforts, he noted, reflect a coherent strategy to transform Africa’s economic geography through inclusive, green growth 

Stretching from the Atlantic port of Lobito in Angola to the heart of the continent, the Lobito Corridor is a vital route for moving minerals, goods and people across Angola, Zambia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo—unlocking huge trade and industrial opportunities for landlocked countries. 

These developments were highlighted as international partners gathered to align efforts around new cooperation frameworks—the European Union’s Global Gateway (https://apo-opa.co/3I9xwT6) and Italy’s recent Mattei Plan (https://apo-opa.co/4kV5xVV)—which aim to deepen investment with Africa in energy, agriculture, infrastructure, and digital innovation.  

Adesina reaffirmed the Bank’s role as a key implementing partner for both initiatives. The Mattei Plan, launched by Italy in 2024, is designed to foster equal partnerships with African countries, with a focus on strategic sectors including energy, agriculture, and migration. The Global Gateway, the EU’s €300 billion investment strategy, similarly targets infrastructure development worldwide, with €150 billion earmarked for Africa. 

A cornerstone of this implementation is the operationalization of the Rome Process/Mattei Plan Financing Facility, which is a dedicated mechanism hosted by the Bank to accelerate climate-resilient infrastructure projects. The Facility’s inaugural Governing Council has already met and approved an initial pipeline of operations across energy, water, and transport sectors. 

“We have established a Special Fund, and its inaugural Governing Council has already met to begin evaluating projects, including the Lobito Corridor (https://apo-opa.co/4nkyn3K),” Adesina said. 

Underscoring the Bank’s leadership, he noted that Africa’s premier development finance institution has invested more than $55 billion in infrastructure over the past decade, making it the largest financier of regional transport corridors in Africa. 

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen reaffirmed the EU’s long-term commitment: “Global Gateway is an investment agenda that combines public and private capital… Africa is a continent of abundance—what’s missing is connectivity.” 

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni added: “These are not top-down initiatives, but concrete projects shaped through dialogue and a shared desire for lasting development. The approach Italy has implemented is clear: respect, responsibility, vision.”  

A key pillar of this transformation, Adesina noted, is energy access. He highlighted Mission 300, the joint African Development Bank—World Bank initiative to connect 300 million Africans to electricity and announced ongoing negotiations for a €165 million package with the European Commission to scale up renewable energy under the program. 

Adesina urged donors to support a robust 17th replenishment of the Bank Group’s soft loan arm for low-income countries — the African Development Fund – scheduled for this year, to sustain the momentum of the Mattei Plan and Global Gateway. He concluded: “Together, let us do more with Africa.” 

In a related development, the African Development Bank has signed a Letter of Intent with the Government of Zambia to advance the development of the Lobito Corridor, a transformative regional transport initiative connecting Southern and Central Africa.  

The project entails the construction of approximately 550 km of railway from Chingola in Zambia’s Copperbelt to the Angolan border, as well as the upgrading of 260 km of road between Chisese and Jimbe via Mwinilunga.  

The initiative builds on a broader Memorandum of Understanding between the Bank, Zambia, Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and international partners including the United States, the European Commission, Italy, and the Africa Finance Corporation. It aims to strengthen regional trade, improve transport infrastructure, and drive economic integration across the region. 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB).

Contact: 
Jonathan Clayton 
Communication and External Relations Department
media@afdb.org  

About the African Development Bank Group: 
The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) 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 44 African countries with an external office in Japan, the AfDB contributes to the economic development and the social progress of its 54 regional member states. 

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Government through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has facilitated the safe evacuation of forty one Ugandan students from Tehran, with a brief transit through Istanbul, Turkiye, following the outbreak of hostilities between Israel and Iran


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Government through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has facilitated the safe evacuation of forty one Ugandan students from Tehran, with a brief transit through Istanbul, Turkiye, following the outbreak of hostilities between Israel and Iran.

The group was led by Uganda’s Defence Attaché Ankara, Maj Gen Bob Ogiki and the evacuees included 41 Ugandan citizens persuing bachelor’s and masters degree courses from different universities in Iran as well as sstaff from the Uganda Embassy in Tehran.

The students who arrived aboard Emirates Airlines, Monday afternoon, were received by Prime Minister Robina Nabbanja at the Entebbe International Airport and ushered into the press lounge.

Prime Minister Nabbanja elaborated upon the different efforts that Government had made in reaching out to the countries neighboring those in the conflict like Azerbaijan, Turkiye and Jordan requesting sage passage for the stranded Ugandans and issuing gratis visas on arrival.

 “the NRM government remains committed to evacuating Ugandans who are still stranded in those countries”, she stated

Joseph Barigye, First Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had worked with different embassies, and countries as well as the Uganda People’s Defence Forces and other partners to facilitate evacuation of Ugandan citizens, Iran students from Tehran.

Gen. Felix Kulaigye appreciated the prime minister for caring for Ugandans in such emergencies.

Some of the students expressed concern about the disruption of their course, some of which were offered on scholarship. Hon. Nabbanja pledged to work with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and that of Education and Sports to ensure they successfully complete their studies.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Republic of Uganda – Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

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Angola’s Minister Diamantino Azevedo to Join Exclusive Fireside Chat at Angola Oil & Gas (AOG) 2025

Diamantino Azevedo, Angola’s Minister of Mineral Resources, Petroleum and Gas, will deliver a keynote address at this year’s edition of the Angola Oil & Gas (AOG) conference – taking place September 3-4 in Luanda. Minister Azevedo will also participate in an exclusive Fireside Chat, where he is expected to outline the country’s bold agenda to sustain oil production, accelerate non-associated gas projects while unlocking greater economic opportunities through the oil and gas industry.   

As the premier event for the country’s oil and gas sector, AOG takes place on the eve of Angola’s 50 years of independence in 2025, celebrating 50 years of sovereignty and hydrocarbon leadership. Examining how oil and gas investments have shaped the last five decades, the event explores how policy reform, foreign investment and local innovation will drive the next 50 years of development. The event will unpack the country’s $60 billion upstream investment drive, plans for 445,000 barrels per day (bpd) in refining capacity, youth- and women-led innovations and cross-sector infrastructure projects. Minister Azevedo’s insights will support dialogue and deals by outlining governmental strategies for transforming the market.

Under the leadership of Minister Azevedo, Angola has seen rapid project advancement in recent years, with a 2025-2028 project pipeline expected to bolster production even further. Major projects include the first phase of the Cabinda refinery – starting in 2025 with a capacity of 60,000 bpd -; the New Gas Consortium’s non-associated gas project (2026); the Agogo Integrated West Hub Development (2026); and the Kaminho deepwater development (2028). Frontier exploration is expected to kick-off in 2025 at the Etosha-Okavango basin while independents pursue development opportunities in the onshore Kwanza basin. The country is also expected to launch its next licensing round in 2025, offering ten blocks for exploration in the offshore Kwanza and Benguela basins. These developments are expected to accelerate industry growth while attracting new players to the market.

Looking back, regulatory reform has served as the cornerstone of Angola’s 50 years of oil and gas growth, laying the foundation for sustained investment, local partnerships and long-term commitments by international operators. A six-year licensing round launched in 2019 paved the way for 41 concessions to be awarded to a multitude of international and regional companies, while the introduction of marginal field opportunities has created new pathways for independents. The country currently has five marginal fields available, two of which are situated in Block 4 while additional field opportunities lie in Block 14, Block 15 and Block 18. Backed by supportive policies, these fields offer accessibility for smaller E&P firms looking at either expanding their presence or entering the Angolan upstream market. Beyond this, Angola also introduced an Incremental Production Initiative in 2024 to encourage major operators to reinvest in mature assets. ExxonMobil made a discovery as the Likembe-01 well in 2024 – the first under the initiative. The country also offers blocks under its permanent offer program, enabling companies to invest out of the confines of a traditional licensing round.

These reforms are expected to continue enticing investment into the market as Angola ushers in a new era of development. The next 50 years will be determined by upcoming policies, which aim to strengthen domestic value chains and encourage greater local participation across the industry. Notably, Angola is preparing to launch its Gas Master Plan (GMP), aimed at diversifying the industry and creating expanded investment opportunities. The GMP is a 30-year strategy designed to attract investment across the gas value chain, offering a clear policy framework to entice non-associated gas development, enhance fuel security while supporting the creation of domestic gas markets. The country is also eyeing the possibility of extending its multi-year licensing strategy beyond 2026. This creates new opportunities for companies as the country targets frontier development and revitalized onshore production. At AOG 2025, Minister Azevedo’s insights will offer greater clarity on how the government is expected to work with foreign operators, strengthen the business environment while creating a regional petroleum hub in Angola.

https://apo-opa.co/40fUbn0

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https://apo-opa.co/3TAYR30

https://apo-opa.co/3ZIwd3M

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

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Egypt’s Minister of Petroleum to Spearhead Latest Bid Round at African Energy Week (AEW) 2025

Karim Badawi, Egypt’s Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, has joined the African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energies 2025 conference – taking place September 29 to October 3 in Cape Town – as a speaker. His participation comes as the country advances its latest licensing round, seeking to increase production through fresh investment in offshore and onshore blocks. With the round set to close in the second half of 2025, Egypt is gearing up for accelerated growth across its upstream industry.

Egypt’s latest licensing round was launched in March 2025, featuring 13 offshore and onshore blocks across key hydrocarbon regions. Available acreage includes seven undeveloped fields in the Mediterranean Sea, three offshore exploration blocks in the Gulf of Suez and three onshore exploration areas in the Western Desert. The bid round forms part of a broader strategy by the Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources to attract new investment across the upstream sector and follows a previous 12-block round which closed in February 2025. During AEW: Invest in African Energies 2025, Badawi is expected to share insights into the impact these licensing rounds will have on the market.

AEW: Invest in African Energies is the platform of choice for project operators, financiers, technology providers and government, and has emerged as the official place to sign deals in African energy. Visit http://www.AECWeek.com for more information about this exciting event.

Egypt’s bold licensing strategy comes as the country strives to mitigate production decline and support the development of high-potential blocks. Under the leadership of the Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, the country has set a target of drilling 586 oil and gas wells by 2030 and is strengthening collaboration with international partners to realize this goal. Recent deals and exploration milestones align with this strategy, indicating a positive growth trajectory for the country’s upstream oil and gas sector.

Egypt approved two transactions by Russian energy firm Lukoil in May 2025, covering exploration and production rights for acreage in the South Wadi El-Sahl region of the Eastern Desert and the Wadi El-Sahl area. Energy major ExxonMobil signed an MoU for a new operational framework in the Cairo and Masry offshore concession areas of the Mediterranean Sea while energy major Eni is spearheading a $26 billion investment strategy across three North African countries – including Egypt. In terms of drilling, Eni is preparing to drill two development wells at the Zohr gas field in 2025. ExxonMobil plans to drill a new offshore gas exploration well in the North Marakia Offshore Concession. The Egyptian Natural Gas Holding Company also plans to drill 17 exploratory and evaluation wells in 2025/2026, targeting acreage in the Delta and Mediterranean Sea. The company is investing $434 million in drilling activities.  

Beyond exploration, Egypt is working toward scaling-up its production and export capacity to support growing demand in both regional and international markets. As one of Africa’s top gas producers, Egypt already plays an instrumental part in global supply chains, but upcoming projects stand to further consolidate its position as a global exporter. Turkey is deploying a floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU) to Egypt, which will provide LNG storage and regasification services to the country during peak demand periods in 2025. Another agreement was signed with energy infrastructure firm Höegh Evi for the supply of a FSRU, which will be situated at the Port of Sumed in Q4, 2026. The FSRU enhance the country’s regasification and export capacity. Meanwhile, energy major Chevron announced plans to conduct a seabed survey in the eastern Mediterranean, aiming to develop a pipeline that will transport gas from Cyprus’ Aphrodite field to processing facilities in Egypt. This will not only support regional gas monetization but cements Egypt’s role as a regional petroleum hub. Badawi’s insights at AEW: Invest in African Energies 2025 are expected to support both upcoming projects and efforts to integrate regional markets.

“Egypt is not only assessing short-term production strategies but implementing initiatives that ensure long-term growth across the upstream oil and gas industry. Spearheaded by Minister Badawi, the country is advancing its bold licensing strategy, offering blocks that have the potential to transform the exploration and production space. This approach signals a strong commitment by the government to establish a globally-competitive and resilient energy sector in North Africa,” states Tomás Gerbasio, VP Commercial and Strategic Engagement, African Energy Chamber.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

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Shaping the Future of African Mining: What to Expect at African Mining Week (AMW) 2025


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As the global energy transition accelerates and demand for critical minerals continues to surge, Africa’s vast mineral wealth – accounting for 30% of the world’s critical minerals – is capturing the attention of investors, innovators and policymakers worldwide. African Mining Week (AMW) – taking place on October 1 – 3, 2025 in Cape Town – arrives at a pivotal moment for the continent’s mining sector. Under the theme From Extraction to Beneficiation: Unlocking Africa’s Mineral Wealth, AMW is set to be a game-changing platform that will connect governments, industry leaders, financiers, and technology providers to shape the next phase of mining-led development across Africa.

Multi Track Agenda

AMW 2025 will feature a comprehensive multi-track program designed to reflect the full spectrum of Africa’s mining value chain. Delegates will have access to the Strategic Conference, Technical Conference, and Mining Investment Hub – each offering dynamic discussions on issues ranging from regulatory improvements and infrastructure development to mergers, acquisitions, and local content policies. The program is geared toward fostering investment, promoting downstream beneficiation, and accelerating inclusive economic growth through value-added mineral processing.

Country Spotlights

Country Spotlights will take center stage at AMW, offering targeted investment intelligence and updates from key African mining jurisdictions. The country spotlights will highlight opportunities within the world’s largest platinum group metals producer; South Africa, which accounts for over 80% of the world’s total reserves. The Zambia spotlight will showcase opportunities resulting from efforts by the country to increase its copper output to three million tons per annum by 2031. Today, Zambia ranks as Africa’s second largest copper producer. The spotlight on the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) – the world’s largest cobalt producer and Africa’s leading copper producer – will connect investors with emerging opportunities as the country intensifies the creation of Special Economic Zones for electric vehicle manufacturing using local mineral resources. Botswana’s diamond-led economic growth strategy, Gabon’s evolving landscape under its reformed Mining Code, and Morocco’s phosphate-driven value addition will be unpacked during the country spotlights. Emerging lithium markets in Namibia and Zimbabwe will also be in focus, as these countries position themselves as key suppliers for battery and green technology supply chains.

Dedicated Forums

Dedicated forums and summits at AMW will provide platforms for deeper engagement on sector-specific themes. The Ministerial Forum will showcase policy reform initiatives to boost investor confidence and unlock project pipelines. The Gold Summit will explore Africa’s position in global gold markets, while the Women in Leadership Forum will promote gender inclusion across the extractive industries. The Technology Forum will feature cutting-edge mining solutions powered by AI, automation, and data analytics. The Junior Miners Forum will create a dedicated space for emerging companies to connect with financiers, development partners, and technology providers.

Regional Roundtables

AMW 2025 will host a series of Regional Roundtables to catalyze multi-billion-dollar collaborations between Africa and global partners and position the continent as a competitive hub for mineral development and beneficiation. The U.S.-Africa, China-Africa, European Partnerships in Mining, and Middle East-Africa roundtables will promote joint ventures, infrastructure financing, knowledge exchange, and innovation transfer.

Technical Workshops

Technical Workshops will provide hands-on training and in-depth learning opportunities for engineers, ESG professionals, and mining executives. Topics will include sustainable mineral processing, ESG compliance, AI-powered exploration, and advanced drilling technologies.

High Level Panel Discussions

Throughout the three-day event, AMW 2025 will also serve as a high-level platform for strategic discussions that address Africa’s pressing industry challenges. These include sector financing, environmental and social governance, supply chain traceability, formalization of small-scale mining, skills development, and the broader implications of digitalization in mining operations. Ministers, regulators, service providers, and industry leaders will come together to exchange ideas, forge partnerships, and turn insights into action.

African Mining Week serves as a premier platform for exploring the full spectrum of mining opportunities across Africa. The event is held alongside the African Energy Week: Invest in African Energies 2025 conference on October 1-3 in Cape Town. Sponsors, exhibitors and delegates can learn more by contacting sales@energycapitalpower.com.

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