Africa’s upstream market continues to attract a slate of new investment as companies capitalize on emerging block opportunities across the continent. Play-opening discoveries in emerging markets and new finds in mature basins showcase the level of prospectivity across the continent’s oil and gas industry and a strong line up of licensing rounds expected in the coming months promise to connect potential investors with African blocks.

Committed to supporting the promotion, marketing and delivery of African oil and gas licensing rounds, international consultancy firm Africa Energy Partners (AEP) has partnered with the African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energy conference – scheduled for November 4-8 in Cape Town. As a partner, AEP will bring its extensive network and expertise to the event, facilitating crucial discussions on licensing rounds and block negotiations. 

AEW: Invest in African Energy 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.

To attract a broader range of companies to invest in oil and gas exploration, various African countries are expected to launch or conclude hydrocarbon tenders in 2024/2025, all of which aim to maximize output in producing markets or create viable industries in burgeoning oil and gas plays. Nigeria launched an oil licensing round in April 2024, with 12 offshore blocks available. The round aims to incentivize investment in deepwater acreage. Sierra Leone plans to launch its next licensing round in 2024 on the back of the success of its latest and fifth round – which featured 56 blocks and concluded last September. Additionally, Tanzania is expected to launch its fifth oil and gas licensing round shortly, with licenses set to be awarded by December 2024. Up to 26 blocks have initially been allocated for tender. Following its 2023 tender – which concluded in January 2024 and secured 53 bids – Angola is planning to launch a 2025 licensing round in Q1 of next year, featuring ten blocks in the Kwanza and Benguela basins.

With over thirty years of experience in the African oil and energy sectors, AEP collaborates closely with African ministries, NOCs, regulators, IOCs and technology firms to drive successful upstream tenders. AEP engaged in the Liberia Direct Negotiations 2021–2023, participating in discussions with the government of Liberia, the state-owned National Oil Company of Liberia and Liberia Petroleum Regulatory Authority and service company TGS. This resulted in energy major ExxonMobil submitting an Expression of Interest. Additionally, the successful conclusion of the Lake Albert Blocks in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) Bid Round was recently supported by AEP. As evidence of the growing awareness of the DRC’s energy potential and AEP’s capacity to draw in foreign investors to support the nation’s oil and gas development, the country received an Expression of Interest from an ASX-listed oil and gas company – yet to be announced.

Meanwhile, the firm also supported Sierra Leone’s fifth offshore licensing round – which was launched in 2022 and extended into 2023 due to high levels of interest. The company partnered with the Petroleum Directorate of Sierra Leone (PDSL) to promote the round, which aimed to connect companies with undeveloped acreage in the country which resulted in F.A. Oil licensing 6 highly prospective blocks. AEP are currently working with the Directorate on the direct negotiations which will close on the 27th of September. Last month, geological service firm GeoPartners, in partnership with PDSL, introduced a legacy 2D seismic dataset that was shot by Amaco to the market in hopes of further attracting investments offshore Sierra Leone.

“Africa offers a wealth of undeveloped acreage across both offshore and onshore markets. Upcoming licensing rounds in both producing and emerging markets promise to not only unlock new resources for the continent but generate high returns for investors given rising global demand and industrialization efforts in Africa. Companies such as AEP provide critical support for successful licensing rounds,” states NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber.

“With African governments keen to attract rapid investment into their open acreage we have utilized our network of 1000’s of up-to-date C-level decision makers to swiftly evaluate opportunities and it has worked very well in Sierra Leone, Liberia&the DRC. With good fiscal terms backed up with firm G&G prospectivity, the messaging needs to be promoted far and wide and this is what we do for our clients. If you couple this with face-to-face meetings at Africa Energy Week to accelerate the process results in a win-win for governments&investors. Last year’s AEW was superb with an outstanding mix O&G executives from around the globe and I know that this year’s event will be even better” said Matt Hewitson, Managing Parter of Africa Energy Partners.

As a partner to AEW: Invest in African Energy 2024, AEP will bring its extensive network and expertise to the event, facilitating key discussions and collaborations. The firm’s contributions will include providing insights into the latest industry trends and promoting investment opportunities across the African energy sector.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

Tim George, CEO of UK-based global mining firm Pensana, will speak at the upcoming Critical Minerals Africa (CMA) Summit in Cape Town – Africa’s premier gathering for critical mineral stakeholders.

As one of Africa’s leading investors in the development of rare earth elements (REEs), Pensana’s participation will be crucial in discussions on meeting rising demand for REEs, which are used in renewable energy and EV technologies, and establishing Africa’s role in the global minerals supply chain.

The Critical Minerals Africa 2024 summit on November 6 – 7 serves to position Africa as the primary investment destination for critical minerals. The event is held alongside the African Energy Week: Invest in African Energy 2024 conference (www.AECWeek.com) on November 4 – 8, offering delegates access to the full scope of energy, mining and finance leaders in Cape Town. Sponsors, exhibitors and delegates can learn more by contacting sales@energycapitalpower.

Last March, Pensana secured an $80-million loan from Angola’s sovereign wealth fund to implement a revised execution plan for its flagship Longonjo Rare Earth Project. With offtake agreements secured for 100% of Longonjo’s production, the loan will enable Pensana to accelerate project development, targeting first production by 2026. As one of the world’s largest and highest-grade magnet metal rare earth deposits, the project is set to position Angola as a strategic critical minerals supplier. George is expected to provide an update on the project, as well as highlight ongoing innovations aimed at improving the efficiency and sustainability of rare earth extraction and processing activities.

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Pensana also stands to benefit from the Longonjo project’s proximity to the planned Lobito Corridor, which will facilitate the transport of mineral resources from Africa’s Copperbelt region to international buyers. As Angola forges cooperation with global partners to advance the project – including the governments of Zambia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, USAID, the European Commission and the African Development Bank – the summit will address the role of supportive government policies in building resilient transport and logistics infrastructure for continued growth of the sector.

In addition to the Longonjo project, Pensana is advancing exploration and resource studies at the Coola Carbonatite and Sulima West REEs exploration projects in Angola, affirming its commitment to the sustainable growth of the country’s mining industry. At CMA 2024, George will unpack the wide range of socioeconomic benefits that Pensana’s projects will generate for Angola, including local job creation and broad infrastructure development. 

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

WE, the women of Sudan from women’s organisation, civil society, the private sector, gathered in Kampala, Uganda from 3-4 July 2024, on the occasion of the Sudan Women’s Peace Dialogue, convened by the African Union Commission through the Office of the Special Envoy on Women, Peace and Security, under the leadership of the AU High Level Panel on Sudan,

THANKING His Excellency Yoweri Museveni, President of the Republic of Uganda, and the people of Uganda through the Prime Minister, Rt Hon. Robinah Nabbanja and the Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development, Hon Betty Ongom Amongi, for their warm hospitality and support for the Dialogue

COGNIZANT of our common objective of advancing women’s inclusion and Participation in search of peace and security in Africa towards silencing the guns in Sudan;

APPLAUD the efforts of the High Level Panel on Sudan in the convening of this Sudan Women’s peace dialogue.

FURTHER APPLAUD the Special Envoy of the African Union Commission on Women, Peace, and Security, and other AU Departments/ Divisions/ Programmes such as the Gender, Peace and Security Programme (GPSP) and the FemWise Secretariat for their collective efforts towards ensuring that the voice of Sudanese women remains a priority in Search of Lasting Peace in Sudan ; 

GUIDED BY the various normative instruments and decisions that advance the WPS Agenda in Africa, including the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 (2000); Article 4(l), of the AU Constitutive Act, the Maputo Protocol on Women’s Rights (2003), the Solemn Declaration on Gender Equality in Africa (2004), the African Women’s Decade (2010-2020), Aspiration 6 of the Agenda 2063; and the AU Strategy for Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment 2018-2028, amongst others;

FURTHER GUIDED BY the AU instruments and the peace and security architecture;

APPLAUD the commitment of African leaders, and H.E Mr Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC), towards advancing the WPS Agenda in Africa,  including establishing a Panel of the Wise, which has 50 percent gender parity, and the appointment of a High Level Panel on Sudan (HLP-Sudan),  with  30%  female representation  chaired by Dr. Mohamed Ibn Chambas and also including Dr. Specioza Wandira Kazibwe and Ambassador Francisco Madeira.

FURTHER COMMEND the AUC for investing in efforts to strengthen women’s participation in peace and security processes through its establishment of mechanisms such as the Network of African Women in Conflict Prevention and Mediation and the African Women’s Leadership Network; and putting in place the Swakopmund processes to enhance women’s participation and inclusion in peace and security processes.

Having focused in these two days on political and governance issues, security, humanitarian and protection issues, and truth, healing and reconciliation processes,

Gravely concerned at the continuing war throughout Sudan, which is having catastrophic impact on Sudanese civilians, in particular, women and girls and vulnerable groups, destruction of physical and social infrastructure, including agriculture, health and other services, in additional the denial of access to food and water, electricity, education and other services essential for life.

Further concerned at the impact that the total destruction of Sudan is having on communities, with massive displacement of populations, both internally and into neighbouring countries,

Expressing concern at the reports of grave food insecurity, which is already leading to growing numbers of deaths from hunger and attendant disease, and which threatens to descend into full scale famine, if not reversed within the coming two months,

Expressing regret that the warring parties have failed to date to implement the provisions of the Declaration of Commitments to Protect the Civilians of Sudan, signed in Jeddah on 10th May 2023.

Confirming that establishment of an immediate and unconditional ceasefire and the opening of humanitarian corridors are necessary conditions for initiating political dialogue, hence demand that the warring parties immediately cease fire unconditionally, allow for the opening of humanitarian corridors and distribution of live-saving food and other items to affected populations,

Condemning in the strongest terms the continuing violations of international humanitarian and human rights law by the two warring parties, in particular systematic commission of sexual and gender based violence against women and girls, abduction, detention and forced disappearance,

Demanding that regional and international organizations put in place neutral mechanisms for the protection of civilians, in particular women, girls, children and other vulnerable populations, supported by local mechanisms to facilitate protection of civilians at the local level,

Acknowledging the challenges we have faced in our discussions, given the extreme polarization and division amongst Sudanese, in the context of continuing war and grave atrocities,

Also acknowledging the need, as part of the political dialogue process, to address the trauma and anger that is experienced by all Sudanese,

Recognizing the importance of transparency as fundamental tool for trust and confidence building,

Demanding that women in all their diversity form an integral part of all negotiating processes, including ceasefire negotiations, security arrangements, constitutional and governance processes, transitional justice, truth and healing processes, and humanitarian assistance provision,

Demanding further that woman participation be at 50% quota at all levels, including political and grassroots levels, and ensure also that gender equality and women’s rights are embedded in the provisions of any peace agreement,

Also demanding that mechanisms are put in place for monitoring the implementation and enforcement of peace agreement,

Urging the international partners to make available the necessary resources to support the implementation of this communique, and

Remaining committed to work together as women to strive for peace, justice and security in Sudan.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of UN Women – Africa.

African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energy 2024 – scheduled for November 4-8 in Cape Town – will seek to advance local content development within the continent’s burgeoning energy sector. The summit will host key panel discussions aimed at fostering sustainable economic growth and maximizing value for African nations through the development and implementation of effective local content policies (LCPs).

As Africa’s energy sector expands, the need for productive LCPs has become critical for local job creation and value retention. At AEW: Invest in African Energy, a panel on Building Value and Promoting Investment through Local Content will explore strategies for empowering African companies, enhancing global competitiveness and establishing local and regional integrated value chains. African and global energy industry stakeholders will discuss integrating LCPs into business models to make the investment case for utilizing local goods and services and hiring, training and promoting the local workforce. Meanwhile, a panel on Pan-African Local Content will focus on the intersection between climate justice, local content, sustainability and digital transformation within a new era of energy sector development.

AEW: Invest in African Energy 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 www.AECWeek.com for more information about this exciting event.

Maximizing the socioeconomic benefits of oil and gas activities remains fundamental to the continent’s progress. Following Namibia’s series of commercial oil and gas discoveries, the government is working on embedding favorable local content policies into its national development plan, learning from the experiences of established producers to ensure that the sector’s benefits are extended to local communities. To this end, Namibia’s Ministry of Mines and Energy has published a draft National Upstream Local Content Policy and hopes to have the policy completed and ready to present to the legislature by February 2025.

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Mature petroleum producers like Nigeria have seen an increase in local participation within the oil and gas industry on the back of functional local content initiatives. The Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act mandates the prioritization of Nigerian products, services and employment. Central to this effort is the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), which oversees the Act and fosters partnerships with industry and educational institutions, aiming to achieve a 70% local content target by 2027.

Senegal has also enacted reforms to prioritize local participation ahead of first oil production – which was achieved earlier this year – including a dedicated Local Content Development Fund and National Local Content Monitoring Committee (CNSCL). The CNSCL’s recent collaboration with Nigeria’s NCDMB aims to strengthen industry cooperation and capacity building across both countries, with a view to achieving 50% local content in Senegal by 2030.

In Angola, local content is centered around the country’s Angolanization policy, which prioritizes the hiring and training of Angolan nationals and was amended in October 2020 to expand the requirements for the provision of local goods and services. The updated framework promotes fair competition among Angolan service companies and reduces the dominance of international players across various sectors, and is not exclusive to the upstream oil and gas industry.

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Ghana’s energy sector is also benefiting from robust local content initiatives driven by the country’s Petroleum Commission. Key measures include the Local Content and Local Participation Regulations, which mandate a minimum 10% equity for Ghanaian companies in all projects and establish employment targets for nationals. The Local Content Fund provides crucial financial support to enhance the competitiveness of local firms, while the Enterprise Development Center offers essential training, advisory services and market linkages to Ghanaian SMEs in the sector.

“Local content is not just about job creation or training targets – it’s about ensuring that Africans are the primary beneficiaries of our continent’s vast energy resources. By developing local content policies and establishing pathways to implementation and compliance, we can empower African companies, enhance Africa’s competitiveness on a global scale and build a self-reliant energy sector,” states NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber.

Against this backdrop, AEW: Invest in African Energy 2024 will serve as a critical platform for refining local content strategies and ensuring sustainable and inclusive growth across Africa’s energy landscape. The outcomes from this event will shape the future of local content development and the trajectory of economic empowerment for African nations.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.