Angola plans to increase oil production to 1.1 million barrels per day (bpd) until 2027, thereafter maintaining output at this level. To support production growth, the country is promoting investment in exploration, with several drilling campaigns planned across both on- and offshore acreage.

As upstream drilling progresses in Angola, waste management company Angola Environmental Servicos (AES) joins the Angola Oil&Gas (AOG) conference (http://apo-opa.co/4cRIMO5) – scheduled for October 2-3 in Luanda – as a Silver Sponsor. During the event, AES is expected to share insight into emerging technologies regarding environmental and waste management while promoting solutions for improving sustainability across oil and gas operations. 

AOG is the largest oil and gas event in Angola. Taking place with the full support of the Ministry of Mineral Resources, Oil and Gas; national oil company Sonangol; the National Oil, Gas and Biofuels Agency; the African Energy Chamber; and the Petroleum Derivatives Regulatory Institute, the event is a platform to sign deals and advance Angola’s oil and gas industry. To sponsor or participate as a delegate, please contact sales@energycapitalpower.com.

Under efforts to incentivize investment in exploration, Angola is preparing to launch its next oil tender in Q1, 2025, offering up to 10 blocks across the Kwanza and Benguela basins. At present, the National Oil, Gas&Biofuels Agency – Angola’s national concessionaire – is negotiating terms for a 12-block tender concluded in January 2024. With the round – as well as incremental production drilling (http://apo-opa.co/4eVWbq6) 1 at already-producing assets – Angola anticipates 43 wells to be spud throughout 2024. 

Stepping into this picture, AES is strategically positioned to support upcoming concessions, with facilities at the Sonils Logistics Base in Luanda and the Kwanda Base in Soyo offering waste management services and solutions. The company’s integrated offerings include thermal desorption, incineration, landfill services, tank cleaning services, cargo transport units, recycling and more, all of which are integral for oil and gas operations.

Meanwhile, to respond to the growing needs of the Angolan oil and gas industry, AES (http://apo-opa.co/3XSwZLa) acquired new equipment in 2022 while implementing automation across its operations to reduce human interaction and improve safety. The company aims to drive sustainability across the oil and gas industry (http://apo-opa.co/3XVObja). This is being achieved through research and development, the introduction of new processing activities for Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials and other operational technologies.

Uniting upstream operators, Angolan regulators and service and technology providers, the AOG 2024 conference offers a platform for heightened engagement between industry stakeholders. AES’s participation in the event reflects their commitment to supporting sustainable oil and gas operations in Angola.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

Lawmakers have questioned the involvement of a Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) owned company in private security services saying it is likely to cause confusion amongst the public.  

Last year, the National Enterprise Corporation (NEC), the commercial arm of the UPDF ventured into private security, a move that has now raised concern among Members of Parliament (MPs). 

MPs on the Committee of Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE) raised the issue while meeting the Managing Director of NEC, Lt. Gen. James Mugira on Friday, 05 July 2024. 

AUDIO Mayanja

The Committee’s Deputy Chairperson, Hon. Allan Mayanja tasked Mugira to explain the constitutionality of the UPDF’s involvement in provision of private security services. “Is this not contradictory to Article 210 of the Constitution,” asked Mayanja. 

Mugira explained that the NEC does not utilise personnel from the UPDF, but rather recruits veterans, Uganda Police Forces, civilians and returnees from countries like Iraq. “Those form the core of the man power. We are registered under the police because even the licenses are issued by the police,” said Mugira adding that, ’the fire arms we use are not ordinarily used by UPDF but semi-automatic rifles which are used by other private organisations and the UPDF does not pay salaries for the workers’.

AUDIO Mugira

Hon. Yusuf Nsibambi (FDC, Mawokota County South) advised against recruitment veterans saying that majority of Ugandans still assume that veterans are under the control of the army. “The support is okay but the distinction between a veteran and a serving military officer, as laymen we cannot differentiate and any abuse may be attributed to the army because the line is not clear,” Nsibambi said. 

Mugira agreed that there might be a misconception between retired and serving soldiers but clarified that those still serving in the army are taken care of by the government whereas the veterans are not. 

“The problem is largely misconception; people need to understand and support it for the interest of the country. Our boys who have been providing services in United Arab Emirates and other countries are absorbed and given employment,” said Mugira. 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Parliament of the Republic of Uganda.

President Cyril Ramaphosa and newly elected British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer have expressed their shared commitment to deepening relations between South Africa and the United Kingdom in several areas of cooperation, including the just energy transition.

Prime Minister Starmer placed a call with President Ramaphosa this morning, Sunday, 7 July 2024, to express his interest in working closely with South Africa as part of executing the strong mandate given to the Labour Party in the general election on Thursday, 4 July 2024.

President Ramaphosa congratulated Prime Minister Starmer on his electoral victory and said the Statement of Intent framing South Africa’s Government of National Unity incorporated many objectives shared by the two new administrations.

The two leaders viewed today’s discussion as a continuation of the deliberations in which they engaged in November 2022 when President Ramaphosa visited London on the first State Visit hosted by His Majesty King Charles III. Sir Keir Starmer was at that time the leader of the opposition Labour Party.

President Ramaphosa described the bilateral relationship as a special bond and said South Africa wished to see greater alignment with the UK at the national and multilateral level, with South Africa’s Presidency of the G20 in 2025 providing one such opportunity.

President Ramaphosa foresees closer cooperation with UK in the political, social, people-to-people, diplomatic, trade and investment and climate change domains.

The Prime Minister agreed that the G20 would be a platform for advancing shared interests in climate change, economic growth and the eradication of inequality.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Presidency of the Republic of South Africa.

On his first visit to EUCAP Somalia in his role as Civilian Operations Commander, Mr. Stefano Tomat commenced a comprehensive duty trip in Somalia. His visit includes key meetings with the Somali and international counterparts, visits to EUCAP Somalia’s Field Offices in Bossaso and Hargeisa and facilities, and observation of the Mission’s engagements throughout the country.

By meeting with Somali counterparts, the Civilian Operations Commander aims to support the Mission in fostering stronger partnerships and ensuring that EUCAP’s efforts are well-integrated with Somali needs. The duty trip also serves to stay abreast of the Mission’s activities on the ground and to discuss achievements and challenges experienced by EUCAP Somalia.

Additionally, the visit includes interactions with the Senior Management Team and discussions with Mission Members to gain awareness of the operational environment.

This visit underscores the EU’s commitment to supporting Somalia’s security and governance through active engagement and collaboration, in line with the EU-Somalia Joint Operational Roadmap.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of EU Capacity Building Mission in Somalia (EUCAP Somalia).