Latest news with #AfricanEnergy
Zawya
7 hours ago
- Business
- Zawya
Petralon Energy Set to Shape Conversations on Nigeria's Oil Future at African Energy Week (AEW) 2025
African Energy Week (AEW) 2025: Invest in African Energies is honored to welcome Ahonsi Unuigbe, Founder and CEO of Petralon Energy, as a distinguished speaker at this year's edition in Cape Town. A driving force behind one of Nigeria's leading indigenous upstream oil and gas companies, Unuigbe will offer valuable perspectives on the role of independent operators in Africa's energy future, as well as the opportunities arising from sector reforms, new fiscal incentives and major IOC divestments. Since its founding, Petralon Energy has positioned itself at the forefront of Nigeria's upstream sector, with a mission to create value through indigenous ownership and technical excellence. In 2025, the company continues to make significant strides at the Dawes Island Field, where drilling and completion of a new well added 2,500 barrels of oil per day to Nigeria's daily production, directly supporting national energy security and economic growth. Petralon is also pursuing strategic offshore investments through its non-operated interests in OML 127 and OML 130, part of a broader plan to strengthen its asset portfolio amid the shifting dynamics of Nigeria's upstream sector. Beyond its operational achievements, Petralon Energy is focused on long-term capacity building. The company launched its Future Leaders Program in 2024, aimed at equipping young Nigerian engineers with the technical, leadership and problem-solving skills necessary to drive the sector forward. Petralon's strategic partnership and joint investment agreement with engineering firm Julius Berger Nigeria, announced earlier this year, further reflects its commitment to delivering infrastructure solutions that support sustainable field development and enhance project delivery. At AEW 2025, Unuigbe will join key discussions on how African independents can leverage new fiscal frameworks, attract investment and form partnerships that maximize the potential of both mature and frontier assets. His participation will contribute to high-level dialogue around indigenous firms' expanding role in shaping the continent's energy landscape. 'Companies like Petralon Energy represent the future of Nigeria's oil and gas sector — a future where African companies take the lead in driving production, creating jobs and delivering energy security. We are proud to welcome them at AEW 2025, where we will celebrate and support the success of local firms like Petralon that are building Africa's energy industry from the ground up,' states NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber. Petralon Energy's participation in AEW 2025 embodies the conference's core theme of African solutions for African energy challenges, and reflects the growing leadership of indigenous companies in delivering the continent's energy future. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber. About African Energy Week (AEW): 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
a day ago
- Business
- Zawya
UAE Undersecretary for Energy and Petroleum Affairs joins African Energy Week 2025
CAPE TOWN, South Africa/ -- Sharif Salim Al-Olama, Undersecretary for Energy and Petroleum Affairs at the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has joined African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energies to discuss collaborative opportunities in oil and gas. Taking place on September 29 to October 3 in Cape Town, the event is the premier platform for Africa's energy industry. Al-Olama's participation is expected to open new doors for multilateral deals and partnerships. The UAE has emerged as Africa's largest source of foreign direct investment, with investments from Emirati companies totaling $110 billion between 2019 and 2023. This reflects a broader trend by Emirati companies to expand their portfolios in Africa, with strengthened cooperation set to unlock a wealth of development opportunities for African nations. As African countries pursue new sources of finance to advance projects in oil, gas and logistics, UAE expertise and technology will prove invaluable. During AEW: Invest in African Energies 2025, Al-Olama is expected to share insights into opportunities for UAE-Africa collaboration. 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. Looking to consolidate its position as a major player in Africa's energy landscape, the UAE has strengthened ties with African nations in recent months. A deal signed with Morocco will see the UAE support the development of the Africa-Atlantic gas pipeline – transporting Nigerian gas to North Africa and then on to Europe. The UAE will help mobilize financing for the project through its Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth fund. As of May 2025, the feasibility and preliminary engineering studies for the pipeline were complete. Agreements have also been signed with Tanzania for the operation and modernization of port infrastructure while the UAE and Kenya signed a landmark comprehensive economic partnership agreement in 2025. The UAE also launched the UAE-Africa Gateway initiative in 2025, aimed at enhancing investment opportunities for Emirati companies in the sub-Saharan African region. The initiative seeks to mobilize private sector investment to advance African projects and strengthen UAE-Africa cooperation. The UAE's state-owned oil and gas companies are also expanding their presence in Africa. Notably, Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) is deepening its footprint across the continent, with strategic investments in exploration and infrastructure development. Recent milestones include ADNOC's international arm XRG acquiring a 10% stake in Mozambique's offshore Rovuma Basin Area 4 concession. The acquisition includes stakes in the operational Coral South FLNG project, the planned Coral North FLNG project and the Rovuma LNG projects. Collectively, these projects have a target production capacity of 25 million tons per annum. In Egypt, ADNOC partnered with energy major bp to establish Arcius Energy – a natural gas platform to unlock the country's upstream potential. The platform aligns with ADNOC's international expansion plans. Beyond oil and gas, UAE-based companies have played an instrumental role in strengthening Africa's trade and logistics sector. Companies such as DP World and Abu Dhabi Ports have expanded their presence across the continent. DP World operates six African ports while Abu Dhabi Ports have recently extended operations into Guinea, Egypt and Angola. In the clean energy space, Emirati companies are leading projects in solar, green hydrogen and power. Notably, Masdar has committed $2 billion to renewable energy projects in Africa through 2030, unlocking significant opportunities for African countries. AMEA Power is investing in a series of renewable energy projects across the continent, including $620 million in a 300MW wind project in Ethiopia; a 120 million solar project in South Africa; a 1GW green hydrogen development in Mauritania; two battery storage projects in South Africa; a 150 MW solar plant in Angola; among others. Currently, the company has more than 2.6 GW of clean energy projects either in operation of under construction in Burkina Faso, Djibouti, Egypt, Ivory Coast, Morocco, Togo and Tunisia. 'The UAE has emerged as a strong partner for African countries seeking to advance the development of their oil, gas, clean energy and infrastructure industries. By expanding their presence across the market, partnering with African firms and mobilizing capital for impactful projects, Emirati companies are playing a major role in supporting Africa's economic growth,' states Verner Ayukegba, Senior Vice President, African Energy Chamber. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber. SOURCE African Energy Chamber
Zawya
2 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
African Energy Week (AEW) 2025 to Host Dedicated Energy Finance Track
The African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energies conference – taking place September 29 to October 3 in Cape Town – will host an Energy Finance Track, dedicated to exploring the opportunities, challenges and emerging trends across Africa's investment environment. The Energy Finance Track – hosted across the three-day main conference agenda – covers a variety of topics and aims to reduce risk perception, identify strategic investment avenues while exploring innovative finance models that drive projects forward in Africa. The Energy Finance Track features a suite of companies, all of which will tackle strategic topics. These include African and global national oil companies, global energy and intelligence firms, energy and technology service providers, downstream regulators, upstream operators, African E&P firms, renewable energy developers, and many more. From access to finance to investment risks to Merger&Acquisition (M&A) activity, regional projects and development finance, the track will support decision-making and deal-signing in Africa's energy sector. 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. Africa's energy sector continues to witness a surge in investment, as both operators and financiers expand their portfolios across the continent. In 2025, capital expenditure across the continent is projected to hit $43 billion, rising to $54 billion by 2030. Onshore projects are expected to represent the lion's share of expenditure at 56%, while natural gas is estimated to draw the majority of capital by 2030, accounting for over 60% of hydrocarbon investment during this period. Deepwater exploration is also on the rise, particularly in frontier markets such as Namibia and Ivory Coast. Financing exploration and production projects remains a key challenge, however, as the global capital pool continues to decline. The AEW: Invest in African Energies Energy Finance Track will address this challenge, with panels geared towards exploring innovative strategies to raise capital for oil and gas projects. Sessions include Reducing Barriers to Entry in African Energy Investments; Financing Upstream Projects for Domestic Energy Security; Sourcing International and African Capital for the Acquisition and Development of Marginal and Undeveloped Fields; and African Equity Risk Premium. Africa's M&A landscape has also proven to be dynamic in recent years, with future projections showing a positive growth trajectory as companies seeks new investment and partnership opportunities across the continent. Driven by rising capital expenditure, a surge in exploration and a focus on frontier basins across the continent, M&A activity continues to grow in Africa. Amid this growth, the Energy Finance Track will address strategies for supporting future M&A activity. Sessions on Strategic Financing for M&A and Navigating Risk and Insurance in African M&A, will examine identified risk and liabilities between buyers and sellers and how access to capital, regulatory hurdles and shifting investment trends are impacting Africa's M&A landscape. Beyond oil and gas, Africa's renewable energy and power landscape is on track for significant growth, as countries diversify their energy systems and seek to support broader economic growth. With over 600 million people living without access to electricity across the continent, African countries are accelerating the pace and development of power infrastructure, from generation to transmission to storage. Yet, financing challenges remain. The International Energy Agency projects that to meet the continent's energy access, climate and development goals, Africa requires annual energy investments to more than double to over $240 billion by 2030. Key sectors include energy access, power systems and emerging industries such as clean energy technologies. The Energy Finance Track will unpack the role innovative financing mechanisms and regional collaboration plays in achieving the continent's energy and development goals. Sessions on Intra-Africa Commodities Trading and Financing Cross-Border Pipelines and Shared Infrastructure Projects will explore how increased regional trade can serve as a catalyst for economic development in Africa. Additionally, sessions on Integrated Energy Projects: Is Financing Easier and Energy Finance Strategies: Lessons Across Africa will examine how blended finance, public-private partnership models and development finance can support energy development. 'The AEW: Invest in African Energies 2025 Energy Finance Track offers a unique opportunity for African financiers to gain insight into emerging opportunities across the continent. At the same time, the track offers project developers, governments and public institutions the chance to explore new methods of financing, while addressing critical challenges to energy development,' stated Oré Onagbesan, AEW: Invest in African Energies Program Director. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.
Zawya
2 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Egypt's former-Minister of Petroleum joins Arican Energy Week 2025 amid exploration surge in North Africa
CAPE TOWN, South Africa,/ -- Tarek El Molla, Egypt's former-Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, has joined the continent's premier energy event – African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African as a speaker. Taking place on September 29-October 3 in Cape Town, the event unites international financiers and operators with African energy opportunities. El Molla's participation comes as Egypt advances a bold exploration and production agenda, providing the opportunity for new deals and collaborations. Egypt's oil and gas strategy is largely centered on its ambitions to scale-up international exports as the country seeks to leverage its strategic proximity to European markets. North Africa has long-been an important player in meeting European oil and gas demand, but as Egypt accelerates exploration and production through licensing opportunities and greater collaboration with international operators, the country is well-positioned to play an even greater role in global supply chains. At AEW: Invest in African Energies 2025, El Molla is expected to share insight into this strategy and how investing in Egyptian oil and gas will help support energy security in international markets. 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. As one of Africa's biggest gas producers, Egypt has made a name for itself as a major gas exporter. Yet, the country has faced significant production declines since 2022, with gas output dropping 20% year-on-year, reaching 4.3 billion cubic feet in January 2025 – the lowest in eight years. To address this, the country is implementing a bold industry agenda aimed at mitigating declines and accelerating both greenfield and brownfield investments. Egypt's latest oil and gas licensing round – offering 13 offshore and onshore blocks across key regions in the Mediterranean Sea and Nile Delta – seeks to boost exploration and attract international investment. The licensing round will be finalized in the second half of the year, with plans to sign five new agreements and amend an existing one for exploration and production. Both international oil companies (IOC) and regional players are stepping-up their investments to support the country's oil and gas ambitions and generate greater returns from the industry. In May 2025, Russian energy firm Lukoil received parliamentary approval for two deals, including exploration and production rights in the South Wadi El-Sahl region of the Eastern Desert and similar operations in the neighboring Wadi El-Sahl area. ExxonMobil signed an MoU with the state-owned Egyptian Natural Gas Holding Company (EGAS) in April 2025, paving the way for a new operational framework in the Cairo and Masry offshore concession areas of the Mediterranean Sea, while also announcing plans to drill a new offshore gas exploration well in the North Marakia Offshore Concession. In 2025, Eni plans to drill two development wells at the Zohr gas field amid a $26 billion investment strategy planned for Egypt, Libya and Algeria. EGAS is also implementing a bold investment strategy. In the first half of FY 2024/2025, the company completed seven exploratory well and evaluation wells, as well as a 3D seismic survey program covering 2,100 km² in the western Mediterranean's King Ramses Block. The company also implemented five projects to develop gas fields during this period, placing eight new development wells on the map. Looking ahead, EGAS plans to conduct four exploratory wells in the second half of FY 2024/2025, with four more development projects set to be implemented along with 14 new development wells. In FY 2025/2026, the company is looking at drilling 17 exploratory and evaluation wells – primarily in the Delta and Mediterranean Sea – with a total investment of $434 million. A 4D seismic survey in the deep marine West Delta area and a 3D survey in the Zohr field area are also planned. These developments signal a strong commitment by upstream operators to unlock greater value from Egypt's oil and gas market, indicating the level of opportunity available across the country. With El Molla's participation at AEW: Invest in African Energies 2025, conference attendees will gain insight into the country's strategic industry plans. His participation will provide an overview into the country's investment opportunities – from upstream exploration and production to exports and downstream infrastructure – offering investors a unique opportunity to better-understand the market. 'Egypt is taking all the right steps to counteract production decline and revitalize its oil and gas industry. Through a strategic licensing round, strengthened IOC collaboration and a strong drive by state-owned entities to develop new fields, the country is well-positioned to boost oil and gas output,' states Tomás Gerbasio, VP Commercial and Strategic Engagement, African Energy Chamber. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.
Zawya
3 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Algerian President to Speak at African Energy Week (AEW) 2025 Amid $50B Hydrocarbon Drive
Abdelmadjid Tebboune, President of the Republic of Algeria, will speak at this year's African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energies conference. President Tebboune's participation comes as the country paves the way for a $50 billion investment drive over the next four years and underscores Algeria's commitment to working with international partners to bolster exploration and production. Under President Tebboune's leadership, Algeria has implemented bold development plans for the oil and gas industry, striving to consolidate its position as an international export hub. The country has undertaken an ambitious investment drive and continues to attract foreign capital to the market through strengthened partnerships and improved business terms. With a focus on promoting frontier acreage, increasing gas production and creating investment opportunities in green hydrogen and regional infrastructure projects, President Tebboune is laying the foundation for long-term, sustainable economic growth in Algeria. At AEW: Invest in African Energies 2025, President Tebboune is expected to share insights into this strategy, highlighting upcoming investment opportunities and regulatory reform. 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. As one of Africa's biggest oil and gas producers, Algeria is leveraging policy reform to attract new investment in exploration projects. A cornerstone of this strategy is the country's ongoing licensing round, which offers six onshore blocks to international and domestic companies. Launched in November 2024, the bid round will host a bid opening ceremony in June 2025, with the National Agency for the Valorization of Hydrocarbon Resources in Algeria expected to award at least five of the six blocks. This latest licensing round falls part of a five-year plan which features multiple bid rounds, aimed at offering acreage in high-potential geological zones and combining a mix of greenfield and brownfield assets. This multi-year strategy showcases the commitment of the government to increasing the competitiveness of investing in Algeria. Beyond the licensing rounds, President Tebboune has enacted a series of policy reforms aimed at improving the business environment for foreign operators. These include the introduction of a Hydrocarbon Law in 2019, offering improved fiscal terms to those of 2013 legislation. Since the enactment of this law, production has rebounded significantly in Algeria, with gas sales alone projected to remain at 10 billion cubic feet per day until the end of the decade. Targeting 200 billion cubic meters in gas production over the five years, the Hydrocarbon Law of 2019 will continue playing an instrumental part in attracting investment to the market. On the back of this law, a number of international oil companies have expanded their investments in Algeria. ExxonMobil and Chevron are exploring for hydrocarbon resources in the Ahnet, Gourara and Berkine basins; Eni and Equinor are revitalizing the In Salah and In Amenas fields; while TotalEnergies is leading gas appraisal and development in Timimoun. In tandem, Algeria's national oil company Sonatrach is rapidly expanding its portfolio, with strategic investments in the Zarzaitine oilfield and revived operations at the Alrar gas complex. In 2024, Sonatrach made eight new hydrocarbon discoveries and in 2025, seeks to achieve 1.2 million barrels in daily production. Beyond oil and gas, President Tebboune has set green hydrogen development as a priority for the country, underscoring the role the resource will play in facilitating a just energy transition in Algeria. The country is emerging as a green hydrogen leader in Africa, with projects such as the SoutH2 Corridor project – a 3,300 km pipeline network developed in partnership with European stakeholders – transforming the market. The project repurposes natural gas pipelines to transport green hydrogen, leveraging the continent's strategic resources and growing European demand to bolster exports. Operations are planned for 2030, with the project set to transport up to four million tons of hydrogen per year. Looking ahead, investments in green hydrogen are expected to diversify the market while creating new business opportunities for regional firms. 'Algeria's diversified energy strategy should serve as a strong example for other resource-rich nations in Africa. By prioritizing oil and gas exploration, reforming policies to attract spending and working closely with international partners to establish sustainable export networks, Algeria is establishing itself as an international energy hub. President Tebboune has played an instrumental role in making the country what it is today: an attractive, growth-oriented market,' states NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.
