Latest news with #AEW2025
Zawya
4 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
United States Energy Association (USEA) Chief Executive Office (CEO) Mark W. Menezes to Bring United States (U.S.) Energy Expertise to African Energy Week (AEW) 2025 Stage
Mark W. Menezes, President and CEO of the United States Energy Association (USEA), joins a roster of high-level speakers at this year's African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energies 2025 conference – taking place from September 29 to October 3 in Cape Town. Bringing decades of experience bridging public and private sector energy leadership, Menezes's participation at AEW: Invest in African Energies 2025 underscores the U.S.'s enduring commitment to supporting Africa's energy transformation through strategic partnerships, technical assistance and investment facilitation. At the helm of the USEA, Menezes oversees the Energy Utility Partnership Program (EUPP), a flagship initiative supported by the U.S. Agency for International Development, which supports national utilities and energy institutions across sub-Saharan Africa in expanding access to electricity, integrating renewable energy, improving grid stability and strengthening institutional capacity. The USEA currently operates in more than a dozen African countries, with long-standing partnerships in Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Senegal, Djibouti and Ethiopia as well as across regional power pools like the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP), Eastern Africa Power Pool and the West Africa Power Pool. 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 for more information about this exciting event. In Uganda, the USEA has partnered with the country's Uganda Electricity Generation Company, the Uganda Electricity Transmission Company and major distribution companies including Umeme and the Uganda Electricity Distribution Company. Through a wide-ranging support program, USEA has delivered significant results including the development of a national Energy Mix Diversification Strategy, the certification of asset management personnel and significant cost savings by replacing foreign contractors with locally trained hydropower maintenance teams. Meanwhile, in Kenya, the USEA supports utilities including the Kenya Electricity Transmission Company and other public and private entities through the East Africa Regional Transmission Planning Program. The initiative has helped develop the region's first integrated load flow planning model to strengthen cross-border energy planning between Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi. The USEA has also been deeply engaged in Senegal since 2015, supporting the country's national electricity company SENELEC in managing a growing portfolio of energy projects through technical assistance in project management, procurement and power system modeling. In Ethiopia, the USEA played a key role in the drafting and passage of the country's Geothermal Resource Development Proclamation, which created the legal foundation for private investment in Ethiopia's vast geothermal potential. The USEA also helped Ethiopia Electric Power secure a $7.7 million grant through the African Union Commission's Geothermal Risk Mitigation Facility to advance development of the Alalobeda geothermal field. Meanwhile, the USEA, in collaboration with the SAPP, facilitated executive exchanges, helped reform governance bylaw and supported the development of regional frequency and environmental guidelines aligned with international standards. As such, AEW: Invest in African Energies 2025 is set to serve as a critical platform for the USEA to deepen its partnerships with African utilities, regulators and private sector stakeholders. As Africa continues to balance the urgent need for energy access with long-term sustainability and industrialization goals, the USEA's technical support, training programs and planning tools offer frameworks for reform and investment readiness. 'Through the USEA and programs like EUPP, African countries are building stronger, smarter and more resilient energy systems. AEW: Invest in African Energies 2025 will provide the ideal forum to accelerate this momentum,' states Tomás Gerbasio, VP of Commercial and Strategic Engagement, African Energy Chamber. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber. About Mark W. Menezes: Mark W. Menezes is President and CEO of the United States Energy Association, representing 150 members across the U.S. energy sector. A former U.S. Deputy Secretary and Under Secretary of Energy, he managed a $34 billion budget and oversaw national labs, nuclear programs, and major energy initiatives. Menezes has held senior roles at Berkshire Hathaway Energy, in Congress as Chief Counsel for the House Energy&Commerce Committee, and as a partner at Hunton&Williams LLP. He founded Global Sustainable Energy Advisors and teaches energy law at Georgetown. He holds degrees from LSU and is licensed in D.C., Texas, and Louisiana.
Zawya
4 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Angola's National Oil, Gas & Biofuels Agency (ANPG) Drives Ambitious Investment Strategy, Joins African Energy Week (AEW) 2025 as Diamond Partner
Angola's upstream regulator the National Oil, Gas&Biofuels Agency (ANPG) has joined Africa's largest energy event – African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energies – as a Diamond Partner. The ANPG's participation comes as Angola witnesses a $60 billion investment drive across its upstream oil and gas industry between 2025 and 2030, led by a series of ambitious exploration and production projects. As the country strives to sustain oil production above one million barrels per day (bpd) while diversifying the industry through non-associated gas development, AEW: Invest in African Energies 2025 will serve as a vital platform for advancing investment across Angola's blocks. Angola's upstream capital expenditure drive is largely accredited to the ANPG's multi-year licensing strategy – launched in 2019 -, which laid the foundation for greater investment in both brownfield and greenfield blocks. Through this strategy, the ANPG aims to award 50 concessions by 2025, with 30 new concessions already awarded to date. Currently, the ANPG is preparing to launch its next licensing round in 2025, offering ten blocks for investment in the offshore Kwanza and Benguela basins. At AEW: Invest in African Energies 2025, insights into this licensing strategy will support future investments in Angola. 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 for more information about this exciting event. Beyond the multi-year licensing strategy, the ANPG has introduced a series of flexible investment structures that enable operators to invest in Angolan blocks out of the confines of traditional bid rounds. Through its permanent offer program, the ANPG has enticed spending across blocks that have not been awarded under the bid rounds. At present, up to 11 blocks are available on direct negotiation. Meanwhile, the country also launched five marginal fields for investment in 2024. These fields are suited for smaller players seeking near-term production and are situated in producing blocks with proven petroleum systems. The ANPG also introduced an Incremental Production Initiative in 2024, aimed at enticing investment in producing and maturing assets. The program features improved fiscals for operators seeking to reinvest in ageing assets and has already yielded positive results. Energy major ExxonMobil, for example, made a discovery at the Likember-01 well in 2024. This find represented the first under the initiative. These investment structures have laid the groundwork for billion-dollar projects in Angola. Between 2025 and 2028, the country expects several major projects to come online. These include the Cabinda Oil Refinery (2025); the Agogo Integrated West Hub Development (2025); the New Gas Consortium's non-associated gas project (2026); and the Kaminho Deepwater Development (2028). The country is also spearheading onshore exploration with the aim of revitalizing production across inland basins. A range of onshore contracts have been signed by the ANPG and international operators in recent months, covering strategic acreage in the onshore Kwanza and Lower Congo basins. The ANPG also signed deals with XTG and ReconAfrica for exploration rights in the frontier Etosha-Okavango basin, with the companies targeting play-opening discoveries. As sub-Saharan Africa's second largest oil producer, Angola is also making forays into non-associated gas development. With the majority of the country's gas developed through associated projects, the country is targeting gas-focused exploration wells under efforts to enhance feedstock for the Angola LNG plant, increase LPG production and support long-term economic growth through gas-to-power, petrochemicals and job creation opportunities. In July 2025, project partners at Block 1/14 in the Lower Congo basin made a new gas discovery at the Gajajeira-01 exploration well. Initial assessments suggest reserves of up to one trillion cubic feet of gas and up to 100 million barrels of associated condensate. An upcoming Gas Master Plan – offering a comprehensive guide to investing in Angola's gas industry – is expected to further support discoveries of this nature, affirming the country's position as a major gas producer. 'The ANPG's investment strategy is one that should be replicated across various African countries. It's multi-year licensing round offers recurring opportunities for companies to invest in onshore and offshore blocks while its permanent offer program introduces flexibility for operators. Marginal fields entice smaller players to invest while incremental production encourages spending in producing assets. This strategy has already led to large-scale projects and will continue to strengthen Angola's oil and gas market for years to come,' states Tomás Gerbasio, VP Commercial and Strategic Engagement, African Energy Chamber. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.
Zawya
5 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Dangote's Game Changing Impact on African Energy
The historic commencement of operations at the 650,000 barrels-per-day Dangote Refinery has redefined Africa's refining ambitions, establishing a new epicenter for oil product supply across West Africa and beyond. As the continent's largest single-train refinery – and one of the most technologically advanced globally – Dangote represents a turning point for African energy self-sufficiency, reducing import dependence and reshaping traditional trade flows within the Atlantic Basin. Already, the refinery has begun exporting refined products, with early shipments pointing to a diversification of destinations – from regional African markets to Europe and Asia. These developments are ushering in a new era for crude and product flows, as well as domestic monetization strategies. The facility's ability to process a slate of Nigerian and other light sweet crudes is having far-reaching implications not only for Nigeria's upstream sector but for oil producers across the Gulf of Guinea, potentially prompting shifts in production plans, infrastructure investment and regional trade dynamics. As Africa's premier energy event returns to Cape Town, African Energy Week (AEW) 2025: Invest in African Energies will place a critical spotlight on West Africa's evolving refining landscape with a dedicated workshop on the 'The Dangote Refinery and its Impact on the African Refining Balance.' Hosted by the African Energy Chamber (AEC) and S&P Global Commodity Insights, the session will take place on Monday, September 29 from 11:30 to 12:30, drawing key industry stakeholders and policy leaders into a dynamic discussion on one of the most transformational projects in the continent's oil and gas sector. Beyond reshaping crude and product markets, the refinery is also impacting fuel quality and environmental standards in the region. Dangote's state-of-the-art configuration allows it to produce Euro V standard fuels, a major step forward for countries long reliant on lower-quality imports. This creates new opportunities for West African governments to strengthen fuel specifications, improve urban air quality and reduce exposure to volatile global supply chains. The workshop will also explore the broader impact of Dangote on Africa's existing refining infrastructure. With aging, underutilized refineries scattered across the continent, the rise of a mega refinery capable of meeting domestic and regional demand poses significant questions for legacy plants. Will they modernize, reposition themselves to serve niche needs or shut down entirely in the face of more efficient competition? The discussion will address the strategic responses by national oil companies and private operators as they navigate this new refining era. 'AEW 2025 continues to serve as the continent's definitive platform for energy dialogue, investment and innovation, with the Dangote workshop exemplifying the type of forward-looking conversations shaping the future of African energy. As West Africa's refining ambitions begin to bear fruit – and as the continent seeks to capture more value across its energy value chain – the implications for energy security, trade and industrial development are profound,' says NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman, African Energy Chamber. To register for the workshop click here ( Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber. About African Energy Week: 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 for more information about this exciting event.
Zawya
14-07-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Africa GreenCo Advances Zambian Solar Projects as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Joins African Energy Week (AEW) 2025
Ana Hajduka, Founder and CEO of green energy supplier Africa GreenCo, will participate as a speaker at this year's African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energies 2025 conference, taking place from September 29 to October 3 in Cape Town. During the event, Hajduka is expected to share insights into the company's groundbreaking work in advancing renewable energy trading and power market integration, as Africa GreenCo advances a series of projects across southern Africa. Delivering tailored energy solutions, Africa GreenCo supports businesses, utilities and renewable energy developers in Africa by facilitating renewable energy trade and distribution. Recent developments reflect this, while supporting the expansion of the continent's renewable energy sector. Hajduka will share insights into these projects during AEW: Invest in African Energies 2025, while engaging with renewable energy developers and financiers active across the continent. 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 for more information about this exciting event. To date, Africa GreenCo has facilitated the trade of over 1 TWh of electricity and continues to champion the role of market-based solutions in achieving energy security and decarbonization in Africa. Africa GreenCo signed a head of terms for a long-term power purchase agreement with pan-African energy group AXIAN Energy to develop two grid-connected solar PV projects in Zambia. Once operational, the projects will add 25 MW of renewable energy to Zambia's national grid, helping alleviate electricity shortages, improve reliability for businesses and support the country's long-term industrial growth. The projects will be developed with support from financial services provider Standard Bank. Meanwhile, the company's subsidiary GreenCo Power Services will purchase electricity from Zambia's 32 MW Ilute Solar Project under a recently signed a power purchase agreement, enabling cross-border trade via the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP). This innovative arrangement eliminates the need for sovereign guarantees, positioning GreenCo as a key player in advancing regional integration and private-sector investment in Africa. In November 2024, GreenGo Finance Solutions – Africa GreenCo's Zambian subsidiary – signed a $55.5 million facilities agreement with financial institution Stanbic Bank Zambia and Standard Bank to support emergency electricity imports in Zambia. The facility enables the prepayment of over 130 MW of cross-border power supply, easing liquidity constraints for local offtakers and bolstering energy security in the country. The agreement follows Africa GreenCo's instrumental role in facilitating a 125 MW power import deal between Zambia's state utility ZESCO, mining major First Quantum Minerals (FQM) and regional suppliers. Jointly financed by Africa GreenCo and FQM, the arrangement delivers 85 MW to Zambia's national grid and allocated 40 MW to FQM's operations. In October 2024, GreenCo Power Services achieved a significant regulatory milestone with the award of a domestic trading and import/export licenses from South Africa's National Energy Regulator. The licenses enable Africa GreenCo to operate within South Africa's competitive electricity market and to facilitate cross-border transactions through the SAPP – creating a critical channel for dispatching surplus clean power across the region. 'Africa GreenCo's model reflects the future of energy in Africa – private-led, regionally interconnected and powered by clean energy. Ana Hadjuka's participation at AEW: Invest in African Energies 2025 will offer vital insights into how blended finance, cross-border trade and regulatory innovation can converge to solve Africa's most pressing power challenges,' states Tomás Gerbasio, VP of Commercial and Strategic Engagement, African Energy Chamber. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.
Zawya
11-07-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Forvis Mazars Expands Across Africa, Joins African Energy Week (AEW) 2025 as Gold Partner
Forvis Mazars – a global audit, assurance, tax, advisory and consulting services firm – is strengthening its commitment to Africa's energy development through strategic partnerships, market expansion and financial expertise that drives energy growth across the continent. Formed through the merger of Mazars and Forvis, the global professional services network is expanding its footprint in Africa with new offices in Nigeria, Zimbabwe and Burkina Faso, bringing its total presence to 26 countries across the continent. As a Gold Partner of this year's African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energies conference, the firm plays a key role in enhancing corporate governance, boosting project bankability and facilitating long-term investment in Africa's energy market. AEW 2025: Invest in African Energies will take place from September 29 to October 3 in Cape Town under the theme Positioning Africa as the Global Energy Champion. In Nigeria, Forvis Mazars recently launched a $5 billion global financial advisory firm in Lagos, creating a gateway to world-class financial services to support local project development. In Zimbabwe, the firm opened operations amid the country's second gas discovery at the Mukuyu-2 well, aligning with upstream sector growth. Meanwhile, new offices in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso reflect the firm's strategic focus on West Africa's booming energy sector, as projects such as Senegal's Sangomar oilfield and the Greater Tortue Ahmeyim LNG terminal – straddling the maritime border between Senegal and Mauritania – gain momentum. Forvis Mazars supports energy stakeholders with end-to-end financial advisory services that unlock value at every stage of the project lifecycle. From audits for LNG ventures to advising on energy taxation in oil-rich regions, the firm combines deep regional knowledge with global standards of excellence. Its role in Africa's energy market is expected to grow alongside increasing demand for transparent, sustainable and compliant financial practices. As a trusted advisor to governments, developers and multinationals, Forvis Mazars has become a critical enabler of energy investment and economic development. Its participation as a gold partner at AEW 2025: Invest in African Energies highlights the firm's pivotal role in shaping Africa's energy landscape through rigorous financial guidance, capacity building and private sector support. 'Forvis Mazars' participation as a gold partner at AEW 2025 underscores the vital role financial expertise plays in accelerating energy development across Africa. Their presence strengthens the bridge between global investment standards and local project execution, ensuring transparency and long-term value creation. We are proud to welcome a partner so deeply committed to Africa's energy future,' said NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman, African Energy Chamber. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber. About African Energy Week: 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 for more information about this exciting event.
