Global technology company SLB will lead a workshop ahead of the Angola Oil&Gas (AOG) conference this October (2-3). Taking place during the pre-conference program on October 1, the workshop will delve into strategies for increasing production through intervention performance, reservoir recovery as well as low-cost, low-carbon incremental barrels. Titled Unlocking Production Enhancement in Angola with Collaborative Excellence SLB Integrated Performance Excellence Center, the SLB session will be led by Rajesh Trivedi, Production Workflows Business Development Manager at SLB Europe and Africa, and Dr. Ali Ahmed Jama, Head of Production Enhancement at SLB sub-Saharan Africa.

SLB is also hosting a virtual guided tour of the company’s Integrated Performance Excellence (IPX) Center – situated in Luanda – during the workshop, offering the opportunity for operators to gain insight into SLB’s differentiated domain expertise and technology portfolio. As a collaborative environment, SLB’s IPX Center showcases the organization’s digital workflows and how it drives proactive intervention and stimulation solutions.

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.

As one of the largest oil producers in sub-Saharan Africa, Angola aims to maintain national production above one million barrels per day beyond 2027. This highlights a strategic opportunity for new players as well as existing operators both on- and offshore. To support production growth in active assets, the country is implementing an incremental production initiative to entice companies to reinvest in producing licenses. The first well of this initiative – the Likember-01 research well drilled by ExxonMobil in Block 15 – encountered hydrocarbons in May 2024, affirming the potential for resource recovery and increased production. Despite progress, mature oilfields need more investment to meet production goals. The upcoming incremental production initiative, expected to be approved by President João Lourenço, offers a framework for investment, including license extensions and favorable fiscal terms.

Active in Angola for 55 years, SLB has played an instrumental part in supporting industry growth through technological innovation, and as the country aims to maximize output at producing fields, SLB stands ready to support intervention approaches. As such, the SLB-led workshop and virtual guided tour aims to provide better insight into strategies for maximizing resource recovery in Angola. The session will unpack how operators can improve intervention performance and accelerate production incrementally. Senior executives and cross-functional teams within exploration and development; production management and technology; intervention and asset management; and reservoir management from major operators in Angola stand to benefit from the session.   

Don’t miss this opportunity to gain strategic insights from industry experts Trivedi and Jama and explore the potential of production enhancement in Angola. To register for the workshop and the AOG conference, visit www.AngolaOilandGas.com or contact us at sales@energycapitalpower.com.

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

According to the President, through proper usage of the systems, citizens are able to demand accountability from their leaders as far as government programs like the Parish Development Model (PDM) and Emyooga are concerned.

“NRM has empowered Ugandans with the strength to catch thieves, but you are not utilising the system. We included LCI, LCII, LCIII and LC 5 to the administration to create a layer that would check on the misappropriation of funds and the stealing of drugs from hospitals. Use the LC system to demand accountability on government programs in your area,” he advised.

President Museveni made the call yesterday during the thanksgiving ceremony of Hon. John Mulimba, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs in-charge of Regional Cooperation. The well attended ceremony was held at Nakhoola Primary School in Busia district.

The President also urged all leaders at all levels to support the NRM government in the implementation of the Universal Primary and Secondary Education programs.

“NRM wants all children to go to school without any sabotage. Chairman LC 5, LC3 and LC1 must implement this program,” he stressed.

President Museveni pointed out that UPE was introduced in 1997 and the government constructed classrooms, pays teachers, sends capitation grants but the school committees and Head teachers still charge fees and because of that children drop out of school.

“This one I don’t support. If the money sent is not enough we shall increase,” he said.

He also encouraged the people of Busia district to deeply get involved in modern commercial agriculture for both food and financial security.

He further called on leaders to advise citizens on wealth creation.

“You must get involved in wealth creation. I see most of you here are adults, very few children. there’s no miracle for wealth creation you must work,” he stressed.

The President also advised the youth who don’t have land to take advantage of other initiatives like Emyooga to support their enterprises.

“I know the youth might say land belongs to our parents so my pressure is on the parents, use your land for the prosperity of your family and the youth can use other channels like that of Emyooga for enterprises that don’t need much land,” he urged.

“You, the leaders, help the youth to access Emyooga funds and also get spaces where they can work from. You should be serious not just talking. Those who have worked have succeeded.”

The Vice President, H.E. Jessica Alupo acknowledged the importance of good neighbourliness as delegations from neighbouring countries also attended the function. She said this sends a strong message of Pan-Africanism and oneness of African people.

The host, Hon. Mulimba thanked God for the blessings bestowed upon his life.

“He has provided me with more than ever I could imagine. Lord, you have surrounded me with people who always look out for me. You have given me family and friends. God blesses me everyday with His kind words and actions. Thank you for keeping me safe,” Hon. Mulimba said.

He expressed his heartfelt appreciation to President Museveni for the trust bestowed upon him following his appointment as a minister in his government.

“Mzee, I don’t take my appointment as a Minister of State for Foreign Affairs for granted nor do I take your acceptance to grace this occasion of thanksgiving for granted. Out of a population of 45 million people in Uganda, only 81 people are appointed to cabinet. My sincere gratitude for the opportunity and confidence you bestowed to me to serve our motherland Uganda.”

Hon. Mulimba also pledged to serve with dignity and the best of his ability.

He used the same occasion to announce the crossover of 1,400 former supporters of opposition National Unity Platform (NUP) to NRM.

The colourful ceremony was also attended by among others cabinet ministers, Members of Parliament, Members of the diplomatic corps as well as religious and cultural leaders.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of State House Uganda.

Multiple attacks on the city of El Fasher have taken place over the last week, resulting in a rise of wounded people arriving at the MSF-supported Saudi hospital; The hospital itself was attacked on 11 August, showing that warring parties are not making efforts to protect health facilities or civilians; The warring parties must protect civilians and health structures, as well as let humanitarian supplies pass through unobstructed.

As the fighting escalates in El Fasher, Sudan, once more, its impact on the lives of civilians is becoming increasingly devastating. Multiple attacks on the city have taken place over the past week and since Saturday, at least 15 people have been killed, more than 130 have been injured, and yet another attack on Saudi hospital, where the Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) supports with fuel and supplies, has occurred. Saudi is last remaining public hospital in the city with the capacity to treat the wounded and perform surgery. This attack caused extensive damage and has left the facility only partially functioning.

The attack took place on Sunday 11 August, marking the 11th time a hospital in El Fasher has been hit since the fighting escalated on 10 May. The surgical ward was hit during the bombardment, killing the carer of a patient and injuring five others, while the maternity unit was also damaged. In addition, a number of hospital offices were hit, and a nurse sustained injuries while working inside.

Already, Saudi hospital had been inundated with wounded people following heavy fighting on Saturday 10 August. Over 100 people arrived at the facility that day, and 14 passed away from their injuries. At the same time, 15 casualties were brought from El Fasher to our facilities in Zamzam camp, located 15 kilometres from the city. It is expected that the fighting will become even more intense over the coming days. 

“For more than three months, people in El Fasher have been under constant bombardment,” says Michel Olivier Lacharité, head of MSF’s emergency operations. “Shelling from both sides has impacted on the city resulting in over 2,500 casualties arriving at MSF-supported hospitals and more than 370 of these patients passing away from their injuries. The number of victims of the conflict is unknown.” 

“Sunday’s attack on Saudi hospital – which is the largest hospital in North Darfur state – makes it crystal clear that the warring parties are making no efforts to protect health facilities or the civilians inside them,” says Lacharité. “Patients fear for their lives as a result of the relentless attacks.” 

“People are moving to Zamzam to flee the fighting in El Fasher, but those already in the camp also fear for their lives – Zamzam was hit by shelling just one week ago and there are very real fears that this will happen again,” he says. “We are preparing to receive more casualties in Zamzam – especially as the fighting in El Fasher means that people cannot easily reach Saudi hospital. However, our field hospital has been built to treat children with malnutrition and paediatric diseases – it is not currently set up to treat the wounded.”

“There is no operating theatre and no blood bank, which means our team will be under exceptional pressure if casualties continue to arrive,” says Lacharité. “Additionally, people in the camp are already facing life-threatening issues of their own. MSF raised the alarm about the catastrophic malnutrition crisis there over six months ago, and now the Famine Review Committee has declared a state of famine in the camp.”

“We urge the warring parties to let humanitarian supplies pass through without being obstructed, and we also urge them to protect civilians and health structures,” says Lacharité. “Saudi is the last remaining public hospital in North Darfur with the capacity to effectively treat the wounded. If it, or our facilities in Zamzam, are hit again and become non-functional, there will be nowhere left for the injured to seek care and the death toll will soar.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Médecins sans frontières (MSF).

The European Commission’s Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority, HERA, will procure and donate 175 420 doses of the MVA-BN® vaccine, the only FDA and EMA-approved mpox vaccine, as an immediate response to the mpox outbreak in Africa. In addition, the pharmaceutical company Bavarian Nordic will donate 40 000 doses to HERA. The Africa CDC will distribute the vaccines according to regional needs.

Through the Africa CDC, these vaccines will be distributed to affected countries. Furthermore, HERA is in collaboration with the Africa CDC with the aim to expand access to mpox diagnostics and sequencing in the region, with a €3.5 million grant foreseen for early autumn.

Africa CDC declared on 13 August a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security, to respond to the escalating public health concern across the region. Africa CDC has called upon the international community to support its efforts in mobilising 2 million vaccines, a call to which HERA has responded immediately.

Background

MVA-BN or Modified Vaccinia Ankara-Bavarian Nordic is a non-replicating smallpox vaccine and the only mpox vaccine approved in the EU/EEA and United Kingdom (marketed as IMVANEX®). U.S. and Switzerland (marketed as JYNNEOS®), and in Canada (marketed as IMVAMUNE®).  MVA-BN has been indicated for use in the general adult population (18 years and older) in individuals considered at risk for smallpox or mpox.

Currently, only two African countries have granted Emergency Use Authorization for the MVA-BN vaccine, but the WHO last week requested Bavarian Nordic to submit an Expression of Interest for Emergency Use Listing (EUL) of the vaccine, which could accelerate its accessibility to African countries where national regulatory approvals are not yet in place.

HERA has worked with Bavarian Nordic since the 2022 mpox outbreak, initially through direct procurement agreements, followed by the signing of a joint procurement agreement which has enabled EU Member States and additional countries in the European Economic Area (EEA) as well as Western Balkan countries to procure the mpox vaccine for national use.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).