African Energy Chamber Highlights Africa's Energy Potential at Russia's HSE University
Anastasia Likhacheva, Dean of the HSE Faculty of World Economy and International Affairs, welcomed participants and underscored Africa's vast potential as the world's largest undeveloped energy market. She emphasized Russia's readiness to bridge the knowledge gap and tackle key challenges hindering Africa's energy development.
Sviridov outlined the results of the research on African energy markets conducted by the Center's experts in the expert-analytical handbook Africa 2025: Prospects and Challenges (the chapter 'African resources to African markets: making mining and energy work for Africa') (https://apo-opa.co/4jklRhR). 'One of the biggest challenges faced by the African countries is the lack of reliable data on the state of the African energy sector. For example, we don't know the exact number of diesel generators situated in Africa and the amount of electricity they produce,' Sviridov noted.
During his presentation Ayuk highlighted key successes in Africa's energy sector, emphasizing the significance of Russian-African energy cooperation and explored opportunities for Russian involvement in developing regional energy markets, providing valuable insights into the future of Africa's energy landscape
'What Africa really needs is empowerment. It's not the assistance, but the right to shape its future development. This affects, among other things, the energy sector,' he said, adding that Russian-African cooperation in the energy sector has significant potential.
'For example, Gazprom is looking at the projects in the field of gas motor fuel and compressed natural gas, and Rosatom has started construction of a nuclear power plant in Egypt,' Ayuk noted.
Meanwhile, he pointed out that there was great demand for Russian expertise and experience in Africa's energy sector.
'We need full-depth analysis of the African energy sector to understand the prospects of its long-term development. This is a big challenge that African governments and the private sector are currently facing. That is why we appreciate our partnership with Russian think tanks,' Ayuk said, highlighting the Africa 2025 Handbook. 'It is a source of valuable knowledge that supports activities at the level of government agencies, business leaders of all levels and international organizations.'
During the session, Ayuk emphasized that Africa offers young people unique career opportunities in various sectors.
'You need to be focused on doing something big and important. You have to be a problem solver, very ambitious and ready to contribute to lives of others. In Africa, you can find so many challenges and so many opportunities at the same time. And one more tip that I want to give is to be brave enough,' he said.
Closing the event, Andrey Maslov, Director of the Center for African Studies, expressed his gratitude to Ayuk for the informative lecture and highlighted the importance of knowledge and experience sharing for maintaining and developing Russian-African contacts, including in the energy sector.
'For us it's a great pleasure to host the African Energy Chamber here, in the HSE University. We hope to continue the expert and analytical dialogue, conduct joint projects including those involving students and strengthen our cooperation in the future.'
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Arabian Post
2 days ago
- Arabian Post
Visa Opens First Data Centre in Johannesburg
Visa has officially opened its first data centre in Johannesburg, South Africa, marking a significant milestone in its expansion across the African continent. The new facility aims to support the growing demand for secure digital payments, a sector that has experienced rapid growth in the region. The move comes as Visa seeks to strengthen its presence in Africa, where it has long identified untapped potential. According to a statement from the company, the centre will enhance the company's ability to deliver secure, reliable, and scalable payment solutions to local businesses and consumers. This marks a crucial moment as Visa continues its investment in the continent's digital economy, which has seen notable advancements in mobile banking and e-commerce. Visa's expansion into Africa has been closely linked to the rise of digital and contactless payments. Data shows that more than 60% of face-to-face payments in South Africa are now made using contactless methods, a clear indicator of the shift towards digital transactions. The new data centre is expected to cater to the increasing demand for these kinds of payment solutions, offering robust data security and operational support. ADVERTISEMENT Johannesburg was chosen for the centre due to its status as a major financial hub in Southern Africa, making it an ideal location to serve both local and regional markets. The centre will provide services such as data storage, processing, and backup, ensuring that Visa's operations across Africa are well-supported and resilient. This move also reflects South Africa's growing position as a gateway for technological investment on the continent. Visa's decision to base the data centre in South Africa comes at a time when businesses across Africa are embracing digital transformation. More and more companies are adopting digital payment systems to enhance operational efficiency, improve consumer experience, and foster growth. This trend is particularly evident in South Africa, where fintech startups are thriving and traditional financial institutions are stepping up their efforts to modernise. The centre is expected to drive innovation within the payments sector. As demand for digital services rises, Visa aims to ensure that payment solutions are fast, secure, and seamless. The company has committed to leveraging its technology to support the digital economy, not just for large enterprises but for small businesses as well. By providing access to secure and affordable payment options, Visa hopes to foster inclusivity and financial literacy among South Africa's diverse population. Visa has long been a key player in South Africa's payments ecosystem, but its commitment to localised data storage and processing marks a shift towards more regionally focused solutions. While global companies have traditionally operated in Africa using international servers, Visa's decision to house critical infrastructure on the continent is a reflection of both the regulatory environment and the company's drive to be closer to its customers. One significant factor in Visa's decision to build a data centre in South Africa is the country's data protection laws. The Protection of Personal Information Act places strict guidelines on how companies handle the personal data of South African citizens. By ensuring that sensitive data is stored within the country's borders, Visa will be able to meet compliance requirements while also enhancing its offerings to clients. ADVERTISEMENT The timing of the centre's opening is also aligned with broader shifts within the global payments industry. The growing adoption of contactless payments, driven by consumer demand for convenience, has been accelerating worldwide. Visa's investment in Africa is timely, as the region is poised for significant growth in mobile money and digital banking. By enhancing its infrastructure, Visa is positioning itself as a leading provider of secure and efficient payment solutions in Africa. Visa's commitment to the continent is not limited to South Africa. The company has already made substantial investments in other African countries, aiming to improve financial inclusion and provide innovative payment solutions. These efforts are expected to provide a wide range of benefits to the African economy, especially as countries look to grow their digital and mobile sectors. The launch of the Johannesburg data centre is a major step in Visa's strategic plan for Africa, aimed at expanding its services to new markets while addressing the growing demand for secure, reliable, and efficient payment systems. Visa has reiterated its commitment to continuing to invest in Africa and further strengthening its position as a leader in the payments industry.
Zawya
3 days ago
- Zawya
South Africa: Airbus opens new support hub in Johannesburg
Airbus has opened a new customer support centre for commercial aircraft in Johannesburg, reinforcing its long-standing partnership with Africa's aviation sector. The centre marks a key milestone in the company's nearly 50-year presence on the continent. The Johannesburg facility will offer technical assistance, engineering and maintenance solutions, fleet performance analysis, training services, and on-site support for all Airbus commercial aircraft families, including the A220, A320, A330, and A350. 'The new centre expands Airbus' presence in Africa and underscores our confidence in the region's potential, as we invest in local capabilities, empower our customers, drive connectivity and shared progress across the continent,' said Gabriel Semelas, president of Airbus in the Middle East and Africa. Supporting African airline operations By strengthening customer proximity, the new centre is designed to help African airlines operate safe, efficient, and reliable fleets. Airbus currently serves nearly 40 African carriers operating more than 260 Airbus aircraft. According to the company's Global Services Forecast, Africa will require 14,000 new pilots and 21,000 maintenance professionals over the next 20 years to support projected growth in air travel demand. Broader presence across the continent Airbus has been active in Africa since the first A300 aircraft delivery in 1976. Its broader African footprint includes Airbus Helicopters, which this year marks 30 years of operations in Southern Africa, where its Midrand hub provides maintenance, spare parts, and the continent's first H125 virtual reality simulator for pilot training. Airbus Defence and Space also provides support to African governments through military aircraft, Earth observation services, and satellite-based connectivity. With more than 180 African suppliers integrated into its global supply chain, Airbus contributes to local job creation, skills development, and industrial growth across the continent. All rights reserved. © 2022. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Zawya
3 days ago
- Zawya
Trump unlikely to enforce tariff threat on Russian oil
U.S. President Donald Trump is unlikely to follow through on his threat to place 100% tariffs on countries that buy Russian oil because it would worsen politically-damaging inflation pressures and his similar threat against buyers of Venezuelan oil has had limited success, especially in China. Trump said this month he would put 100% secondary tariffs on countries that buy Russian exports unless Moscow agrees to a major peace deal with Ukraine in 50 days, a deadline that would expire in early September. The threat mirrored an announcement in March that the U.S. would slap tariffs on buyers of sanctioned Venezuelan oil. No such tariffs have been imposed since, even though Venezuela's exports of oil have jumped. "We find that secondary tariffs may be too blunt of an instrument for the administration to use," on Russia, said Fernando Ferreira, the director of geopolitical risk service at consultancy Rapidan Energy Group. "If you're willing to go with the nuclear option by removing 4.5 plus million barrels a day from the market, and you're willing to cut off commercial ties with other countries because they're importing Russian oil, you're going to risk massive oil price spikes and a meltdown of the global economy." Clay Seigle, senior fellow and James Schlesinger chair in energy and geopolitics at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said that if the 100% tariff is fully enforced on countries that receive Russian barrels, it has the potential to cut global supplies and drive prices higher. Analysts and traders are deeply skeptical that Trump will allow that to happen for two reasons, Seigle said. "First, he is very sensitive to high oil prices and will want to avoid that outcome." Second, Trump prefers consummating bilateral deals more than adhering to any strict formulas that would tie his hands in negotiations. "Some U.S. trade partner nations may, just like oil traders, dismiss this as grandstanding," Seigle said. On July 16, two days after issuing the tariff threat, Trump said the oil price of $64 a barrel was a great level, that his administration was trying to get it down a little bit more, and the low level was "one of the reasons that inflation's in check." Since then oil prices have stayed in the mid-$60s range, shrugging off the threat of imminent supply disruptions. Seigle said Trump's existing trade war, particularly his tariffs on steel, could push commodity prices higher for oil drillers in the United States, the world's top crude producer. That could raise prices for oil just as the midterm U.S. Congress elections get underway next year. Trump's Republicans hold razor-thin majorities in both the U.S. House and Senate and the president will likely avoid actions that spike oil prices during the campaigns, the analysts said. White House spokesperson Anna Kelly said Trump has proven he follows through on his promises. "He has been extremely tough on (Russian President Vladimir) Putin and smartly left all options on the table while leaving existing sanctions in place – and recently threatened Putin with biting tariffs and sanctions if he does not agree to a ceasefire." The Treasury Department, which administers sanctions, said it was ready to act. "As President Trump announced, Russia has 50 days to agree to a deal to end the war, or the U.S. is prepared to implement biting secondary sanctions," a spokesperson said. HESITANCY TO TARGET RUSSIA The Trump administration's lax enforcement of the 25% tariff threat in March on buyers of Venezuelan oil and the failure so far to impose effective energy sanctions on Russia are two other reasons why market participants are skeptical. China, Venezuela's top oil customer, has been adapting to U.S. sanctions on the oil exports since they were imposed in 2019. Over the last year, China has been buying more than $1 billion of Venezuelan oil rebranded as Brazilian, according to tanker tracking companies. Venezuela's exports surged in June as the loss of U.S. and European buyers was offset by cargoes sent to China. Indian oil refiners, major buyers of Russian crude, do not believe that Trump will follow through on the threat, and there are no plans to stop purchases of Russian oil, three sources at Indian refiners said. India's imports of Russian oil rose about 1% in the first half of this year, with refiners Reliance Industries and Nayara Energy making almost half of the overall purchases from Moscow, according to data provided by sources. Oil Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, however, said the world's third-largest oil importer and consumer was confident of meeting its needs using alternative sources if Russian supplies are hit. Trump's Treasury Department has designated about 19 Russian nationals since January 20 under counter-terrorism, cyber, and North Korea sanctions programs, actions mostly not related to the war in Ukraine, said Jeremy Paner, a partner at law firm Hughes Hubbard & Reed and former Treasury Department sanctions investigator. By comparison, the U.S. has designated about 75 Iranian nationals and entities and imposed 109 such measures on China since Trump began his second term, he said. "Based on the administration's apparent hesitancy to target Russia through trade sanctions, I do not see the Russian oil tariff threat as particularly effective," Paner said. Action is also not likely to come from Congress even though the U.S. Senate has strong bipartisan support for a bill that would impose 500% tariffs on buyers of Russian oil. The Senate's Republican leaders are waiting for Trump's go-ahead and have given no indication that they intend to take up the bill before they leave Washington for the August recess. Even if the bill passes, it will likely allow the president to waive tariffs, letting lawmakers claim they are tough on Russia but rendering the legislation mostly symbolic. "It all makes sense from a political messaging perspective, but from the perspective of what's needed for the legal authority on sanctions, it's a bit of a head scratcher," Paner said. (Reporting by Timothy Gardner; additional reporting by Patricia Zengerle in Washington, Nidhi Verma in New Delhi and Siyi Liu in Singapore Editing by Marguerita Choy)
