A Qatari Armed Forces aircraft arrived on Wednesday at Port Sudan Airport in the Republic of Sudan, carrying 34 tons of shelter supplies provided by the Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD) in support of those affected by floods in the country.

Since May 2023, the State of Qatar has been operating an air bridge to Sudan as part of its support for the fraternal Sudanese people, and its full support for their steadfastness in the face of the difficult circumstances they are experiencing due to the ongoing fighting.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of The State of Qatar.

As the giant glowing sun gently hovers over the horizon just before it sets, the Bangladesh Force Marine Unit heads out from its river-side base in Malakal for a final quick patrol.

Reaching speeds of 90 kilometers an hour, they race along the fast-moving waterways doing a visual check of the area before docking for the night.

Known as BANFMU, this unit is on the frontlines of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan’s effort to ensure freedom of movement along the Nile and some of its tributaries. It is often the only method for reaching remote communities in an area where roads can be impassable for many months of the year, particularly during the rainy season.

On a visit to the Unit, the UNMISS Force Commander recalls a patrol that he joined to a village that had never previously been reached by peacekeepers.

“It was the first time they had seen UNMISS because they are not accessible by land. They had felt totally isolated from the benefits that our mission could perhaps provide,” explains Lieutenant General Mohan Subramanian.

“Now, we are constantly visiting these villages, so BANFMU is helping us to expand our reach to support more people in need of protection and peacebuilding.”

The 200-strong Unit, with its 12 boats, began independent patrolling about two years ago, and so far this year, has conducted 88 patrols.

Prior to that, its sole task was to provide protection to long slow-moving convoys of barges carrying food, fuel, equipment and other vital supplies to UNMISS’ northern most bases. Known as “Operation Lifeline”, the return journey of these convoys from Mangella, near the capital Juba, to Malakal, in Upper Nile State is around 1876 kilometers and generally takes 45 days.  

“The White Nile is not only vital to sustaining peacekeeping operations, but also a lifeline for the communities across South Sudan,” says Captain Sheikh Shahid Ahmed, the BANFMU Contingent Commander.

“When you have a river as productive as this, you have so much potential. Fishing is very simple. There are many other opportunities, like producing electricity, transportation, aquaculture, anything can be done. The whole civilization can depend on this river. If we can ensure security, people can explore and exploit many more options for livelihoods.”

BANFMU is also constantly measuring water levels along the river which may be of vital assistance in providing early warning of extraordinary flooding predicted to hit the country in the coming weeks.

“The innovation they have shown in carrying out this task sounds simple. But it is critical for forward planning to ensure that, in the case of floods, we can reach areas of concern in time,” says the Force Commander.

The Unit is keen to further expand their activities if they can secure more personnel, equipment and other resources. One idea is to conduct a hydrographic survey measuring factors beneath the water that affect marine activities.

“This river is sometimes a blessing but also sometimes a curse with flooding and other issues,” says Captain Sheik Shahid Ahmed. “If you have the hydrographic survey, you can predict exactly at what time there will be flooding, which places will be affected, and how you might manage the situation. This could be of huge benefit to the mission as well as the people we serve.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).

With Africa’s energy demand on track to grow more than three-fold by 2040, investments are being directed towards large-scale, near-field development opportunities. The continent’s natural gas sector alone anticipates a more than $800-billion, 20-year upstream capital expenditure program while frontier discoveries and incremental production efforts are expected to bolster output in both emerging and mature oil markets.

As projects continue to be driven forward, the demand for supportive services such as legal, financial, logistics, technological and market intelligence is at an all-time high. Companies from across these industries have joined the African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energy conference – scheduled for November 4-8 in Cape Town – to discuss the impact of foreign investment in Africa and how associated industries can support the pace and success of project rollout.

For more information about AEW: Invest in African Energy’s 2024 speaker lineup, visit https://apo-opa.co/4dyxAGQ.

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.

While African oil and gas resources have been historically exported as raw materials, efforts to reduce the reliance on imported petroleum by scaling-up regional refining and distribution have created significant opportunities for service providers and logistics firms. At the same time, to reduce emissions across oil and gas projects while concurrently advancing operational efficiency, project developers are seeking newfound technological expertise, highlighting a vital opportunity for tech companies. Logistics, technology and service providers will provide further insight into these opportunities at AEW: Invest in African Energy 2024. Speakers include:  

Cesare Canevese, CEO, Dietsmann Maintaining Energy
Johann Jansen van Rensburg, Senior Director, NOV
Kristian Johansen, CEO, TGS ASA
Landry Pouna, Operations Director, KAESO Energy Services
Mahesh Swaminathan, Senior Vice President – Global Business Vertical Head, Member of EXCOM, McDermott International
Naphtally Mafa, Managing Director, African Resources Development
Winstone Jordaan, Managing Director, GridCars

The global energy market is both complex and in a constant state of fluctuation owing to shifting geopolitics, supply-demand dynamics and the emergence of new players in international supply chains. For African investors and projects, this complexity offers newfound challenges and opportunities and global market intelligence firms stand ready to support decision-making. During AEW: Invest in African Energy, representatives from S&P Global Commodity Insight, Wood Mackenzie, Rystad Energy and more will provide insight into market trends and forecasts. Speakers include:

Ashutosh Singh, Head of Energy Transition, S&P Global Commodity Insight
Atul Atya, Senior Vice President and Chief Energy Strategist, S&P Global Commodity Insight
Carlos Torres Diaz, Senior Vice President, Rystad Energy
Daniel Evans, Vice President, Global Head, Fuels and Refining, S&P Global Commodity Insight
Etienne Kolly, Associate Director, Upstream Intelligence, S&P Global Commodity Insight
Gavin Thompson, Vice Chairman, Europe, Middle East&Africa, Wood Mackenzie
Ian Thom, Direction, Upstream Research, Wood Mackenzie
Justin Cochrane, Head of African Upstream Research, S&P Global Commodity Insights
Mansur Mohammed, Head of West Africa Upstream Research, Wood Mackenzie
Mike Wynne, Vice President, Upstream Solutions, S&P Global Commodity Insight
Nivedh Das Thaikoottathil, Renewables&Power Analyst, Rystad Energy
Pranav Joshi, Vice President and Analyst, Rystad Energy
Rehan Burger, Associate Director, S&P Global Commodity Insights

Meanwhile, to support project development, a number of legal, finance and advisory organizations are strengthening their presence in Africa, engaging with project developers and governments alike to advance energy access. From providing legal support in contracts and deals to facilitating dialogue among stakeholders to mobilizing capital for SMEs, projects and communities, these organizations play a central part in alleviating energy poverty in Africa. At AEW: Invest in African Energy, speakers from these industries will include:

Chanine Williams, Senior Investment Manager, Norfund
Gabriel Onagoruwa, Partner, Olaniwun Ajayi
Ibitola Ukabam, Associate Vice President, Natural Resources, Africa Finance Corporation
Leoncio Amada NZE, Executive President, African Energy Chamber: CEMAC Region
Mpho Makwana, Chairman, Epitome Investments
Nadège Hopman, Deputy Head of Regional Representation, European Investment Bank
Olumide Ogunfowora, Founding Partner, Argentil Capital Management
Osam Lyahen, Director, Africa Finance Corporation
Peter George, Partner and Investment Director, Spark+ Africa Fund
Sergio Pugliese, Executive President, Angola, the African Energy Chamber
Tominiyi Owolabi, Managing Partner, Olaniwun Ajayi
Wole Lawuyi, Chief Investment Officer, African Development Bank Group

There is still time to register your participation at the biggest energy event in Africa. Visit www.AECWeek.com or contact register@aecweek.com to secure your place at this highly-anticipated event.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

A strong slate of exploration and production activities in 2024 have positioned the MSGBC region as a premier energy investment destination. The Senegalese basin currently has 16 blocks available for tender, while Mauritania’s upcoming licensing round for 15 offshore blocks marks a significant milestone in its oil and gas sector.

As the region affirms its position as a global exploration hotspot, this year’s MSGBC Oil, Gas&Power 2024 conference – taking place in Dakar from December 3-4 – will showcase ongoing project developments, while creating new opportunities for regional and international oil and gas companies to participate in the sector. A panel session – Emerging Frontiers: Leveraging New Discoveries for Growth in West Africa – will examine the opportunities and challenges inherent in unlocking the MSGBC region’s offshore hydrocarbon reserves and yielding new discoveries.

Explore opportunities, foster partnerships and stay at the forefront of the MSGBC region’s oil, gas and power sector. Visit www.MSGBCOilGasAndPower.com to secure your participation at the MSGBC Oil, Gas&Power 2024 conference. To sponsor or participate as a delegate, please contact sales@energycapitalpower.com.

In June 2024, Senegal started production at its inaugural oil development, the Sangomar oilfield project. Meanwhile, the country is on track for first gas production from the Greater Tortue Ahmeyim (GTA) development – which straddles the maritime border with Mauritania – later this year. Senegal is also home to the massive Yakaar-Teranga development, which holds an estimated 25 trillion cubic feet of natural gas reserves and is eyeing first production in 2027.

Having secured an extension for The Gambia’s offshore Blocks A2 and A5 through September 2025, independent energy player FAR is now seeking farm-in partners to fund geoscience reviews and exploration wells. Blocks A2 and A5 lie in close proximity to the 230-million-barrel Sangomar oil field, highlighting the asset’s potential for a major discovery. Managing Director of Gambia National Petroleum Corporation Baboucarr Njie will participate in the exploration-focused panel, where he is expected to showcase investment opportunities across the country’s oil and gas value chain and the potential for play-opening discoveries.

Currently finalizing the terms of its 22-block bid round, Guinea-Conakry is poised to attract new players to the market and incentivize exploratory drilling in its offshore acreage. To date, five prospect wells have been drilled in the country, which contains 27 offshore blocks and is located near to existing commercial discoveries in Ivory Coast, Senegal and Mauritania. Director General of the National Petroleum Company of Guinea-Conakry Moussa Cissé will speak on the panel, where he is set to promote unexplored opportunities in Guinea-Conakry’s on- and offshore acreage, while introducing potential investors to domestic infrastructure projects.

Following the company’s milestone acquisition of Eni’s onshore assets in Nigeria, CEO of multinational energy company Oando, Adewale Tinubu, will also participate in the panel session, where he is expected to discuss the company’s role as a leading indigenous explorer. Last month, Oando completed its acquisition of Eni subsidiary Nigerian Agip Oil Company, transforming Oando into one of Nigeria’s largest oil producers. Accordingly, Tinubu is expected to discuss Oando’s investment strategy at MSGBC Oil, Gas&Power 2024, with a focus on integrating just transition principles and technologies while ensuring local value creation.

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