Latest news with #AfricanEnergies
Zawya
30-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Sonatrach Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to Spotlight Algeria's Energy Investment Boom at Africa Energy Week (AEW) 2025
Africa Energy Week (AEW) 2025: Invest in African Energies is proud to announce the participation of Rachid Hachichi, CEO of Sonatrach, as a speaker during the high-level NOC-IOC Forum. Representing one of Africa's most strategic national oil companies and a key player in global energy markets, Hachichi will provide critical insights into Algeria's dynamic investment landscape, Sonatrach's ambitious growth strategy, and the company's evolving partnerships with global energy majors. Sonatrach is at the forefront of Algeria's push to expand its hydrocarbon output and attract foreign capital. The company has continued to secure high-value partnerships, most recently signing an $850-million hydrocarbon development and exploration contract with China's Sinopec, aimed at boosting production in the Zarzaitine oilfield. Additionally, Sonatrach has revived operations at the Alrar gas complex, a key development for meeting both domestic demand and export obligations. In 2024, Algeria made eight new hydrocarbon discoveries and has targeted daily production of 1.2 million barrels by 2025, driven by enhanced oil recovery and the launch of a new licensing round. Hachichi is expected to spotlight how Sonatrach is capitalizing on these developments to strengthen Algeria's position as Africa's leading LNG producer and a top-three gas supplier to Europe, while leveraging its geographical advantage and robust infrastructure. With a view toward sustainable energy, Sonatrach is also making inroads into green hydrogen development. The company recently hosted a delegation from Spanish energy firm Enagás to discuss collaborative projects aimed at supplying Europe's growing demand for clean hydrogen. As Algeria positions itself to provide 10% of Europe's green hydrogen by 2040, Sonatrach's participation at AEW 2025 will underscore the NOC's integral role in this emerging sector. Moreover, Sonatrach continues to drive energy diplomacy and regional partnerships, such as the recent long-term gas supply agreement with Slovenia's Geoplin, reinforcing Algeria's reliability as a supplier amidst global market shifts. 'Sonatrach is not only advancing Algeria's position as an energy powerhouse, but also sending a clear message to global investors: Algeria is open for business. Their participation at AEW 2025 will be instrumental in showcasing the strategic partnerships, ambitious upstream developments and energy diversification efforts that are redefining investment opportunities across North Africa,' said NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber. With Algeria allocating $50 billion through 2027 – 71% of which is earmarked for exploration and production – Sonatrach is opening up new avenues for international investment, backed by a series of regulatory reforms offering more attractive terms for foreign partners. As international energy companies intensify their presence in Algeria, AEW 2025 will host discussions on how Sonatrach is forging a path toward greater energy security, investment diversification and sustainable growth. 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. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.
Zawya
07-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Erik Prince to Speak at African Energy Week (AEW) 2025 as Africa's Energy Security Takes Center Stage
African security entrepreneur and founder of private security firm Blackwater Erik Prince will participate as a speaker at the 2025 edition of African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energies, scheduled to take place from September 29 to October 3 in Cape Town. With energy security emerging as a central pillar in Africa's resource development agenda, Prince's participation is set to drive critical dialogue on securing energy infrastructure and promoting investment across the continent's resource-rich regions. Prince – widely recognized for his expertise in security logistics and infrastructure protection – brings decades of experience supporting operations in high-risk environments across Africa. Through his security group Frontier Services Group (FSG), Prince has played a pivotal role in facilitating the movement of personnel and equipment in remote and conflict-prone zones, aiding oil, gas and mineral extraction activities in countries such as Sudan, Somalia and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Most recently, Prince has been leading a private initiative in the DRC's mineral-rich Katanga region aimed at improving transparency and regulatory compliance in the mining sector. AEW: Invest in African Energies is the platform of choice for project operators, financiers, technology providers and government, and as emerged as the official place to sign deals in African energy. Visit for more information about this exciting event. At AEW: Invest in African Energies 2025, Prince will be well-positioned to engage with African governments, operators and investors to share insights on building secure, investable energy projects – particularly in volatile environments. His participation will elevate strategic discussions around resource security, infrastructure protection and enabling investor confidence across Africa's upstream and midstream value chains. FSG's growing footprint across the continent aligns with the conference's vision to unlock Africa's full energy potential through integrated development and private sector leadership. As such, Prince's role in advancing energy and mineral security positions him as a key voice in AEW: Invest in African Energies' state goal to make energy poverty history by 2030. 'Erik Prince will not only contribute to high-level expertise on energy security but will also benefit from unparalleled networking and investment engagement opportunities at AEW: Invest in African Energies 2025. His presence reflects our commitment to accelerating Africa's energy development while ensuring that operations are secure, sustainable and globally competitive,' states NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.
Zawya
06-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
South Sudan's Former Petroleum Minister Calls for Africa Energies Summit to be Held in Africa
South Sudan's former-Minister of Petroleum Ezekiel Lol Gatkuoth has called on Frontier to move the annual Africa Energies Summit to Africa, highlighting the critical value of hosting an Africa-focused event on African soil. As the voice of the African energy sector, the African Energy Chamber (AEC) ( strongly agrees with the calls of Gatkuoth. At a time when investing in African energy has become a critical topic, hosting an international energy conference on the continent has become even more imperative. More than ever, Africa requires significant levels of global investment. At present, over 600 million people currently lack access to electricity in Africa while over 900 million people live without access to clean cooking solutions. Global oil and gas investment has been on the decline in recent years, presenting major implications for African countries that rely on these resources. While renewable energy investment continues to grow worldwide, Africa only receives 2% of this investment. To close the energy access gap in Africa, the continent requires $25 billion in annual investment by 2030, according to the International Energy Agency. As such, the need to promote African energy interests has become increasingly more important. It is within this picture that it becomes key to bringing the conversation about African energy to Africa. Hosting an event such as Africa Energies Summit in Western Europe does not make sense when Africa has the perfect platform of its own to host these types of events. Taking place from May 13-15 in London, Africa Energies Summit has dubbed itself Africa's premier global upstream conference, bringing together Africa's energy industry. The event is the only African energy conference hosted by Frontier. But the question remains: why can an African energy conference not be hosted in Africa? Instead of taking Africa to the world, the world should come to Africa. By taking place in London every year, Africa Energies Summit is stating that Africa is not suitable to host its own international energy conference, a misunderstanding that will have significant impacts on the continent's sector. 'We cannot keep taking the conversation about Africa outside of the continent. Just like it would not make sense for an event focused on Europe to be hosted in Africa, we should not be hosting an event about Africa in Europe. It is time to prioritize Africa. By hosting an African energy conference on the continent, we bring significant benefits to local communities and industries,' stated Gatkuoth. Beyond the energy sector, bringing the Africa Energies Summit to Africa brings a range of benefits to the continent. AEW: Invest in African Energies, for example, has created significant value addition for local markets and industries by prioritizing local businesses, supporting business tourism and creating local employment opportunities. By bringing international events to Africa, conferences ensure that local hotels, venues, workforces and more benefit. As such, the significance of hosting large-scale events in African cannot be overstated and should be considered by organizers such as Frontier. As an industry, we need to prioritize local communities' voices and create employment opportunities in Africa's energy sector. It's time to showcase Africa's capabilities and host investment forums on our own continent. We've seen misrepresentations repeated by events like Africa Oil Week in Dubai; but it's time to break this trend. Africa is capable of hosting its own energy conferences, and we should lead the narrative. 'We have seen the same misinterpretations by groups such as Africa Oil Week when it went to Dubai and it needs to end. Africa is fully capable of hosting an international energy conference. We do not need to go abroad to discuss our own energy matters. By bringing the conversation to Africa, we prioritize African interests and narratives. The AEC wholeheartedly agrees with Gatkuoth, that the Africa Energies Summit must be brought to Africa,' stated NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the AEC. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.
Zawya
30-04-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Senegal's Energy Minister to Open New Doors for Strategic Investment at African Energy Week (AEW) 2025
Senegal's dynamic ascent in the global energy sector will take center stage at African Energy Week (AEW) 2025: Invest in African Energies, as Minister of Energy, Petroleum and Mines, Birame Soulèye Diop, confirms his participation. Minister Diop's presence underscores Senegal's commitment to advancing investment-driven partnerships across oil, gas and renewables, while also showcasing recent developments in the country's legal and policy frameworks. Following its emergence as an oil-producing nation in 2024, Senegal has exceeded expectations with the Sangomar offshore oil field, opening the door to new investment across the energy value chain. Operated by Woodside Energy, the field produced 16.9 million barrels of crude in 2024 – well above the initial target of 11.7 million. Crucially, Sangomar has begun supplying Senegal's domestic refinery, with 650,000 barrels processed in Dakar in early 2025 into diesel, kerosene, gasoline and butane. This marks a major step toward energy self-sufficiency, reduces reliance on imports and strengthens the local value chain – creating clear opportunities for investment in refining, infrastructure and downstream development. With this milestone, Senegal is positioning itself to integrate production into a sustainable, high-impact energy strategy. In a major milestone for Senegal's gas industry, BP announced first gas from the Greater Tortue Ahmeyim (GTA) Phase 1 LNG project in January 2025. Located offshore between Senegal and Mauritania, GTA is one of Africa's most complex deepwater developments and is set to produce approximately 2.3 million tonnes of LNG annually. The project positions Senegal as a competitive LNG exporter and unlocks significant investment opportunities across gas infrastructure, processing, transport, downstream utilization, and the potential for a second phase of development. Building on this momentum, the Yakaar-Teranga Gas Project – aimed at supplying both domestic power generation and future LNG exports – is targeting a final investment decision in 2025. Together, these developments form the cornerstone of Senegal's gas monetization strategy, offering a stable and scalable platform for investors seeking long-term returns in one of West Africa's most promising energy markets. Under the leadership of President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, Senegal has launched a bold 25-year economic and social development plan centered on achieving economic sovereignty and unlocking the full value of its natural resources. The plan prioritizes local processing and value addition, with ambitious targets including 100% electricity access and national energy self-sufficiency. For investors, this signals a clear and long-term policy direction that places energy at the heart of national development. Minister Diop is expected to outline how the energy sector will drive this vision – balancing resource monetization with environmental stewardship and embedding sustainability at the core of Senegal's strategy. In addition to its oil and gas developments, Senegal is rapidly expanding its renewable energy capacity, with a target of 40% of its power mix coming from renewables by 2030. As Senegal continues to build a diversified energy mix and strengthens its legal and policy frameworks, AEW 2025: Invest in African Energies serves as the premier platform for the country to highlight its growing investment potential. Minister Diop's participation will outline the country's achievements in energy development and its vision for future projects, inviting investors to explore strategic opportunities. The event will provide a key opportunity for stakeholders to engage with Senegal's energy sector and align their investments with the country's goals of sustainable development and economic transformation. As a result, AEW 2025 will be instrumental in fostering partnerships and attracting investments that support Senegal's energy ambitions for a sustainable and prosperous future. 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. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.
Zawya
18-03-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Balancing Energy Security and Decarbonization: African Energy Week (AEW) 2025 to Address South Africa's Power Crisis
South Africa faces a critical energy challenge: securing a stable power supply while transitioning to a low-carbon future. The African Energy Chamber's ( State of African Energy 2025 Outlook Report provides a detailed analysis of this shift, highlighting the country's continued reliance on coal, the slow pace of renewable energy integration and the urgent need for infrastructure investments to modernize the grid. These insights will set the stage for key discussions at African Energy Week (AEW) 2025: Invest in African Energies, where industry leaders will examine how South Africa and other mature markets across the continent can balance energy security with decarbonization. Coal remains the cornerstone of South Africa's power generation, contributing over 80% to the energy mix. This heavy reliance has led to ongoing load-shedding – constraining industrial productivity, discouraging investment and limiting GDP growth to less than 1% annually over the past decade. Addressing this crisis requires urgent intervention through infrastructure investment, diversification of the energy mix and policy reforms to enhance grid stability and efficiency. This will be a key focus for stakeholders at AEW 2025, where discussions will center on accelerating the transition to a more resilient and diversified energy system, enhancing the role of renewables and gas-to-power solutions, and attracting critical investments to modernize the grid and reduce dependence on coal. In response to the energy crisis, South Africa has embarked on integrating renewable energy sources. The Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Program has been instrumental, with over 7.2 GW of solar PV and 3.6 GW of onshore wind capacity installed by the end of 2023, collectively accounting for over 17% of the country's total installed capacity. Gas-to-power projects have also emerged as a viable solution, with the government issuing requests for proposals for 2 GW of such projects in late 2024. Concurrently, battery energy storage systems are being developed, with the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy launching bid rounds totaling over 1.7 GW/6.9 GWh of storage capacity. South Africa's Just Energy Transition Investment Plan has drawn global interest, securing $8.5 billion in commitments from partners including France, Germany, the UK, the US and the EU. However, disbursement remains a challenge, with only $1.9 billion allocated to date – primarily for grid expansion and support for coal-mining communities. As the country navigates the complexities of a large-scale transition, key issues such as grid constraints, the integration of renewables and ensuring a stable, sustainable energy supply will be addressed at AEW 2025. Taking place in Cape Town, AEW 2025: Invest in African Energies serves as the premier platform for South Africa and the broader African continent to tackle the critical energy challenges shaping the region's future. The event will highlight strategies to integrate cleaner energy sources while maintaining grid stability and affordability, as well as emphasize modernization of grid infrastructure, addressing capacity constraints and enhancing transmission networks to support a diversified energy mix. Beyond technical solutions, securing large-scale investments will be a key priority, as Africa seeks to attract capital for sustainable energy projects that ensure both energy security and environmental responsibility. By convening industry leaders, policymakers, financiers and innovators, AEW 2025 will drive forward collaborative solutions, policy reforms and strategic partnerships essential for unlocking Africa's full energy potential and fostering long-term economic growth. 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. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.
