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The OPEC Fund for International Development (OPEC Fund) approves close to US$1 billion in new development financing

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1 year ago

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OPEC

These projects will benefit countries across the globe and aim to bolster infrastructure, food security, renewable energy, economic resilience and governance in partner countries

VIENNA, Austria, December 10, 2024/APO Group/ — 

The OPEC Fund for International Development (OPEC Fund) (www.OPECFund.org) has approved close to US$1 billion in new development financing over the last quarter of 2024, including during its 190th Governing Board meeting in Vienna today. These projects will benefit countries across the globe and aim to bolster infrastructure, food security, renewable energy, economic resilience and governance in partner countries.

OPEC Fund President Abdulhamid Alkhalifa said: “2024 has been a landmark year for the OPEC Fund, marked by a significant increase in project approvals and commitments across key sectors, helping to build resilience, develop sustainable infrastructure and address climate change. Our latest round of financing reflects the OPEC Fund’s ongoing dedication to delivering impactful solutions that drive meaningful change for millions of people. We remain focused on working with partners worldwide to tackle today’s challenges and build a better tomorrow.”

The OPEC Fund most recently approved projects since September 2024 (in alphabetical order):

Public Sector Operations:

Bangladesh: A €96.1 million loan will co-finance the Strengthening Economic Management and Governance Program with the Asian Development Bank (ADB). This initiative supports the government’s reform agenda to strengthen private sector development, trade logistics and governance. It aims to improve domestic resource mobilization, enhance public sector transparency and promote the diversification of exports.

Burkina Faso: A US$30 million loan will support the Human Capital Protection Project, which aims to provide 17 million free healthcare consultations, immunize one million children under age five and improve education for 91,000 teachers and 748,000 students. The initiative is co-financed with the World Bank.

Chad: A US$16 million loan will promote the Rice Farming Development Project in Chari-Logone, co-financed with BADEA. The project will benefit 2,000 households, with half the beneficiaries being women and youth, by enhancing agricultural productivity, rural infrastructure and agribusiness practices in selected provinces.

Comoros: A US$17.5 million loan will support the First Fiscal Management and Resilient Growth Development Policy. This program aims to improve debt management, enhance disaster resilience and strengthen the country’s economic stability and governance frameworks.

El Salvador: A US$30 million loan will co-finance the Rural Adelante 2.0 Program in partnership with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). The program will support 74,000 smallholder farmers and rural families by improving agricultural practices, market access and climate resilience, ultimately boosting incomes and food security.

The Gambia: A US$20 million loan will fund the Rural Infrastructure Development Project (Phase 2), which will improve access to agricultural markets through enhanced rural infrastructure. The project will benefit local farmers and communities with interventions in agriculture value chains and improved connectivity to markets.

Honduras: A US$50 million loan will support the Women’s Empowerment and Social Inclusion Program promoting gender equality and empowering marginalized groups, including indigenous and Afro-descendant populations.

Kenya: A €60 million loan will co-finance the Economic Inclusion and Green Recovery Support Program with the African Development Bank. This initiative aims to create more inclusive and competitive markets, improve governance frameworks and promote green economic recovery.

Malawi: A US$20 million loan will co-finance the Mangochi–Mwanjati–Makanjira Road Project (Phase I). This project will benefit some 300,000 people by enhancing regional connectivity, reducing travel times and supporting economic development.

Mauritania: A US$40 million loan will help fund the Mauritania-Mali Power Interconnection and Related Solar Power Plants Development Project, alongside multiple development partners. The project will connect 80,000 households to electricity, promote renewable energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Our latest round of financing reflects the OPEC Fund’s ongoing dedication to delivering impactful solutions that drive meaningful change for millions of people

Montenegro: A €50 million loan, the OPEC Fund’s first engagement in the South-East European country, will support the Resilient Fiscal and Sustainable Development Program. The project focuses on improving fiscal sustainability, energy efficiency and waste management, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Senegal: A US$60 million loan will fund the Senegal Food Sovereignty Strategy Support Project to enhance agricultural productivity, climate resilience and market access for 220,000 households with a focus on women and youth.

Sierra Leone: A US$30 million loan and a $2 million grant will support the Livestock and Livelihoods Development Program. This initiative will enhance livestock productivity, establish small and medium-sized enterprises and improve nutrition and income for rural communities. It is expected to create some 20,000 new jobs along the agricultural value chain and contribute to sustainable agricultural development.

Sri Lanka: A US$50 million loan will co-finance the Second Resilience, Stability, and Economic Turnaround Development Policy Operation to restore macroeconomic stability, improve fiscal governance and protect vulnerable populations.

Türkiye: A €50 million loan to the Climate Finance Facility Project will support investments in renewable energy, energy efficiency and climate adaptation. The project will be implemented by the Turkish Industrial and Development Bank (TSKB) and aligns with Türkiye’s net-zero target for 2053.

Uzbekistan: A €70 million loan will support the Second Inclusive and Resilient Market Economy Development Program. This initiative focuses on improving fiscal risk management, enhancing social inclusion and fostering private financing for climate action.

Private Sector Operations:

Côte d’Ivoire: A €35 million loan to a local bank will support on-lending to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), addressing a financing gap for local companies. The loan will improve SMEs’ access to finance, fostering economic growth and job creation. Small enterprises represent nearly all businesses in Côte d’Ivoire.

Côte d’Ivoire: A €50 million participation in a trade finance facility will support the procurement and export of traceable cocoa, benefiting one million producers and five million people reliant on the cocoa sector.

Dominican Republic: A US$10 million loan to a local bank will support on-lending to micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and women-led businesses, fostering economic growth and financial inclusion.

Egypt: A US$40 million loan will support the construction of two wind farms with a total capacity of 1.1 GW in the Gulf of Suez. This renewable energy project will provide clean energy to over 1.3 million households and contribute to Egypt’s goal of sourcing over 40 percent of electricity from renewables by 2035.

Ghana: A US$20 million participation in a secured trade finance facility will support the purchase, storage, and processing of cocoa beans. The facility will help expand access to premium cocoa in global markets.

Paraguay: A US$40 million syndicated loan to a local bank will support the growth of the bank’s SME loan portfolio and financing for agricultural projects, including women-led SMEs and green energy initiatives.

Uzbekistan: A US$30 million loan to Joint Stock Innovation Commercial Bank “Ipak Yuli” will expand lending to MSMEs, including women-owned businesses, fostering economic growth and job creation.

Technical Assistance Grant:

Regional (Asia and the Pacific): A US$1.5 million technical assistance grant will support the implementation of the Nature Solutions Finance Hub in partnership with the Asian Development Bank (ADB). The initiative aims to scale up investments in nature-based solutions to address biodiversity loss and climate change, targeting US$5 billion in financing flows by 2030.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of OPEC Fund.

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African Energy Chamber (AEC) Supports Perenco Partnership to Advance Industry 4.0 Skills in Central Africa

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2 hours ago

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April 10, 2026

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African Energy Chamber

The African Energy Chamber welcomes Perenco Cameroon and Perenco Gabon’s partnership with UCAC-ICAM to launch an Industry 4.0 lab, advancing local skills development and strengthening Africa’s industrial future

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, April 9, 2026/APO Group/ –A new partnership between Perenco Cameroon, Perenco Gabon and the UCAC-ICAM Institute in Douala to establish an Industry 4.0 laboratory marks a significant step toward aligning academic training with the evolving needs of the energy and industrial sectors. The facility will give students access to advanced automation, digital simulation and smart production technologies, helping close the gap between academic learning and the practical, industry-ready skills required across Central Africa’s industrial landscape.

 

As the voice of Africa’s energy sector, the African Energy Chamber (AEC) welcomes the initiative as a scalable model for local content development. By equipping students with Industry 4.0 capabilities, the laboratory directly supports the Chamber’s mandate to ensure greater in-country value creation and workforce participation across Africa’s energy value chain. The initiative also addresses critical skills shortages, enabling operators to increasingly rely on locally trained talent.

 

Developing local skills is fundamental to building a competitive and sustainable energy sector in Africa

The partnership underscores Perenco’s long-term commitment to sustainable development and capacity building in Cameroon and Gabon. Designed as a mini-factory, the UCAC-ICAM laboratory enables students to engage with real-world industrial tools and processes. This hands-on approach will support the development of engineers and technicians capable of contributing to key projects, including operations in the Rio del Rey Basin and infrastructure developments such as the Cap Lopez LNG terminal in Gabon.

 

Students across multiple disciplines will benefit from hands-on exposure to the lab’s advanced technologies. General Engineering students will train using robotic systems and virtual reality simulations, while Computer Science Engineering students will focus on industrial IoT and smart technologies. Process Engineering students will gain experience in automated production systems, and Petroleum program students will develop expertise in energy systems and instrumentation control. Graduates from UCAC-ICAM are being actively recruited by leading companies operating in Douala, reflecting growing demand for locally trained, industry-ready talent.

“Developing local skills is fundamental to building a competitive and sustainable energy sector in Africa,” says NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the AEC. “This partnership demonstrates how industry and academia can work together to create a highly skilled workforce that will drive Africa’s industrialization and energy future. It is exactly the type of initiative needed to ensure Africans play a leading role in developing the continent’s resources.”

The UCAC-ICAM laboratory represents a strategic investment in Africa’s industrial and energy future. By strengthening local capacity, advancing technology adoption and supporting independent operators, the initiative aligns with the AEC’s broader vision of a self-sufficient and globally competitive African energy sector.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

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Securing the bridge between legacy and smart

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2 hours ago

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April 10, 2026

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DLMS

STS Association and DLMS User Association sign landmark Liaison Agreement to advance interoperable, secure and future-ready metering systems

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, April 9, 2026/APO Group/ –The recent Liaison Agreement between the STS Association and the DLMS User Association marks a pivotal step in the evolution of interoperable, secure and future-ready metering systems. By aligning STS token technology with the widely adopted DLMS/COSEM framework, this collaboration is set to bridge the gap between legacy infrastructure and next-generation smart metering. The partnership reflects a shared vision to enhance interoperability, strengthen smart prepayment integration, and unlock greater value across the global metering ecosystem.

 

STS Association, in partnership with ESI Africa (part of VUKA Group), and DLMS User Association, is hosting a free webinar on this topic:

Securing the bridge between legacy and smart

Thursday, 7 May 2026 | 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Register: https://apo-opa.co/4cfEUb5

What you will learn

Industry experts will unpack how this strategic alignment enables seamless integration between your trusted prepayment systems and advanced data exchange protocols. Attendees will gain insight into:

  • How STS tokens can be securely transported using DLMS/COSEM
  • The role of Generic Companion Profiles in enabling interoperability
  • How coordinated roadmaps will shape the future of token technology and smart metering
  • The expanding application of these standards beyond electricity into water, gas and time metering
  • Practical benefits for utilities, manufacturers and system integrators navigating the transition from legacy to smart environments

Introducing the Panel

Lance Hawkins-Dady – STSA Board Chairman

Franco Pucci – STSA Technical Consultant

Don Taylor – STSA Independent Director

Sergio Lazzarotto – DLMS User Association, President

Join STS Association and ESI Africa to explore how this landmark collaboration is securing the bridge between legacy systems and smart innovation. Discover how aligned standards can simplify integration, enhance security and future-proof your metering strategy.

Register now: https://apo-opa.co/4cfEUb5

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of VUKA Group.

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Africa’s Lithium Pipeline Gains Momentum as Global Supply Deficits Loom

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17 hours ago

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April 9, 2026

By

Energy Capital

The upcoming African Mining Week 2026 – taking place from October 14-16 in Cape Town – will connect global investors with prospects within the lithium industry amidst an anticipated resource supply deficit by 2028

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, April 9, 2026/APO Group/ –Rising demand for lithium is positioning Africa to attract foreign investment, accelerate local beneficiation and strengthen its role in securing the global battery supply chain. A recent forecast by Wood Mackenzie projects that global lithium demand could exceed 13 million tons by 2050 under an accelerated energy transition scenario. This surge is expected to place significant pressure on supply, with deficits emerging as early as 2028. Without substantial new investments, existing lithium projects will struggle to meet demand beyond the mid-2030s.

 

Against this backdrop, Africa’s growing pipeline of greenfield and development-stage lithium projects positions the continent as an increasingly important contributor to global supply security. In 2025, Africa ranked as the largest source of new lithium supply globally, with new output from the region exceeding that of the rest of the world combined. This milestone underscores the continent’s potential to scale production and strengthen its role in the global battery minerals market.

Emerging Lithium Producers Strengthen Africa’s Supply Pipeline

Even under a slower energy transition scenario, Wood Mackenzie projects that lithium markets will remain adequately supplied until 2037, before entering deficit. This outlook reinforces Africa’s strategic role as new projects across Mali, Zimbabwe, Ghana and Namibia advance toward production.

In the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Zijin Mining, AVZ Minerals and KoBold Metals are expected to begin operations at the Manono lithium project in mid-to-late 2026, marking the country’s first lithium output. Ranked among the world’s largest hard-rock lithium deposits, Manono is expected to begin exports shortly after commissioning, diversifying DRC’s mineral output while strengthening the continent`s contribution to the global electric vehicles and battery supply chain.

Mali Emerges as a Regional Lithium Hub

Mali is also rapidly positioning itself as a key lithium producer. The Bougouni Lithium Project, commissioned in 2025, currently produces approximately 125,000 tons per annum of concentrate, with Phase Two expansion plans underway that could nearly double production capacity.

Meanwhile, the Goulamina Lithium Project, one of the largest spodumene deposits globally, is producing around 506,000 tons of spodumene concentrate annually, with expansion plans targeting one million tons per year. Together, these projects are expected to significantly strengthen Mali and Africa’s position within the global lithium market.

Ghana and Zimbabwe Expand Lithium Production and Value Addition

In Ghana, the Ewoyaa Lithium Project, developed by Atlantic Lithium, is set to become the country’s first lithium-producing mine, with production targeted for late 2027. The project is expected to produce 3.58 million tons of spodumene concentrate grading 6% and 5.5%, alongside approximately 4.7 million tons of secondary product, further strengthening Africa’s contribution to global lithium supply.

Meanwhile, Zimbabwe – currently Africa’s largest lithium producer – is accelerating efforts to move up the value chain. Government policies restricting the export of raw lithium are encouraging investment in local processing and beneficiation facilities, supporting the production of higher-value lithium products and positioning the country as a key supplier to the global battery materials market.

Investment Momentum Builds Ahead of African Mining Week

With an estimated $276 billion in new investment required to avoid the forecast supply deficits beginning in 2028, Africa’s lithium-rich countries are well positioned to attract the capital needed to expand production and downstream processing.

In this context, African Mining Week 2026 – scheduled for October 14–16 in Cape Town – will serve as a key platform for global investors, project developers and policymakers to engage on opportunities within Africa’s lithium sector. As the continent’s premier mining investment event, the conference will feature high-level discussions, project showcases and strategic networking sessions aimed at accelerating partnerships across the lithium value chain.

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

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