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Advancing Sustainable Investment in Africa: International Energy Forum (IEF) Leads Energy Security and Just Transition Roundtable

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International Energy Forum

Day 2 of AEW 2023 featured a roundtable, hosted by the IEF, that examined global energy and climate policies and how Africa can leverage its energy markets to achieve its UN Sustainable Development Goals

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, October 18, 2023/APO Group/ — 

The second day of African Energy Week (AEW) 2023 – organized by African Energy Chamber (www.EnergyChamber.org) – featured a roundtable hosted by inter-governmental organization, the International Energy Forum (IEF). The roundtable featured a diverse lineup of industry leaders who examined how Africa can leverage its energy markets to achieve its UN Sustainable Development Goals and COP28 objectives by 2030.

Global energy and climate policies, impacted by successive shocks, now pose risks to energy security and just transitions. As such, the roundtable highlighted dialogue and collaboration as essential strategies to mitigate trade and investment hurdles, ensuring market predictability and affordability for a sustainable future.

“If we dare to isolate Africa, we will be making a big mistake. We always think global and act global, but we have to be careful when we see resources just go out and become unable to use those resources to empower Africans and create value,” stated NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the AEC, adding, “We need to level the playing field when it comes to driving market conditions.”

The roundtable went on to discuss Africa’s pivotal role in global supply chains and its energy landscape, with the speakers shedding light on Africa’s energy challenges and how the continent can seize opportunities in the energy transition.

“We kicked off our global energy solutions last year at AEW 2022 and we wanted it to be a review of the lessons learned from the energy crisis, but also what’s working and not working in terms of the energy transition,” stated Joseph McMonigle, Security General at IEF, adding, “The singular linear, one-size-fits-all approach to net-zero is outdated and misguided, and what we need is a multi-dimensional approach that implements multiple starting points and pathways that allows countries to use their capital resources and expertise.”

The conversation around the energy transition has moved away from a one-size-fits-all approach to recognizing that there are several pathways to the transition

It was noted during the session that cooperation and collaboration will be essential to addressing the challenges posed by the dual objectives of securing energy supply while transitioning to cleaner and more sustainable energy sources. By fostering dialogue and working together, the speakers indicated that the continent will be well-positioned to develop strategies that ensure a stable energy supply while promoting and supporting the adoption of renewable energy technologies.

“The conversation around the energy transition has moved away from a one-size-fits-all approach to recognizing that there are several pathways to the transition. These pathways look different for everyone, from the global north to the global south to within individual countries. Key fundamental issues to consider are that whatever solutions you bring to the table, better meet full criteria: is it affordable, is it accessible, and is it sustainable?” prompted Proscovia Nabbanja, CEO of Uganda’s state-owned, Uganda National Oil Company Limited.

For many African countries, oil revenues continue to play a significant role in their economies. However, fluctuations in oil prices can pose economic challenges. As such, the roundtable highlighted optimal production as key to promoting energy reliability and economic growth while driving sustainable development. The speakers addressed the skills gap in Africa and underlined local content development as a key opportunity to embrace a sustainable and prosperous energy future.

“We can’t industrialize without energy,” stated Dr. Omar Farouk Ibrahim, Secretary General of continental energy organization, the African Petroleum Producers’ Association, adding, “Fossil fuels, oil, and gas are reliable, affordable, and readily available. The conversation on limiting emissions is not just, it’s not fair, because we all seem to concentrate on current operations in emission.”

The session concluded with the panelists discussing the importance of local content development as a key strategy towards advancing sustainable energy development. It was noted that pushing for inclusivity and pushing for an agenda that considers Africa’s vulnerabilities and opportunities will be imperative for the continent to utilize its natural resources in a manner that is sustainable, equitable, and fair.

#AEW2023 takes place this week in Cape Town under a mandate to make energy poverty history by 2030. Keep following www.AECWeek.com for more exciting information and updates about Africa’s premier energy event.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

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Ministers among hundreds of energy-sector leaders to attend AOW event

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The event kicks off with an invitation-only ministerial symposium focused on the theme of “Fostering innovation, attracting investment, and promoting sustainable growth in the oil, gas, and energy sectors”

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, October 4, 2024/APO Group/ — 

AOW: Investing in African Energy (https://AOWEnergy.com) – Africa’s leading oil, gas and energy event – has confirmed attendance for more than 80 ministers and senior officials, representing African governments, energy departments and regulators at next month’s event.

These influential stakeholders will be among the more than 1 600 senior delegates and industry leaders who will be attending the event to develop policy, share discoveries, secure investment, and shape Africa’s energy future.

The event kicks off with an invitation-only ministerial symposium focused on the theme of “Fostering innovation, attracting investment, and promoting sustainable growth in the oil, gas, and energy sectors.”

Given the recent major oil-and-gas discoveries across Africa, the energy transition and major geopolitical events, it is clear that the energy sector needs positive intervention

Among the officials and government ministers attending will be energy leaders from South Africa, Nigeria, Namibia, Cote d’Ivoire, Mozambique, DRC, Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, Eswatini, Uganda, CAR, Guinea Conakry, Guinea Bissau, Ethiopia, The Gambia, Gabon, Malawi, Morocco, Zanzibar, Liberia, Senegal, Congo Brazzaville and Sierra Leone.

In addition, the event will feature high-level delegations from numerous national oil companies, as well as multilateral bodies including the African Union, (AU), African Energy Commission (AFREC), African Petroleum Producers’ Organization (APPO) and the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP).

AOW will see these energy leaders networking with C-suite executives and decision-makers from more than 760 top energy companies at daily networking events, to discuss insights, forge new relationships, and negotiate major energy deals.

“We are so excited to see the calibre of delegates at this year’s AOW event,” says Chief Executive Officer of Sankofa Events, Paul Sinclair. “Given the recent major oil-and-gas discoveries across Africa, the energy transition and major geopolitical events, it is clear that the energy sector needs positive intervention. The high-powered attendance proves AOW is a key platform to enable this intervention.”

Key themes to be discussed at this year’s AOW will be sustainable upstream development; expanding gas value chains; renewables and new energies; adoption of best-in-class technologies; and access to finance.

AOW: Investing in African Energy will culminate in a special anniversary party at Groot Constantia Vineyard to celebrate 30 years of the AOW event.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of AOW: Investing in African Energy.

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Afreximbank approves US$20.8 million for Starlink Global’s cashew factory project in Lagos

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The facility is expected to promote value addition which will guarantee increased earnings to the company while also fostering the creation of about 400 new jobs

CAIRO, Egypt, October 4, 2024/APO Group/ — 

African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) (www.Afreximbank.com) has approved a US$20.8 million financing facility for Nigeria-based Starlink Global & Ideal Limited to enable the company construct and operate a 30,000-metric tonne per annum cashew processing factory in Lagos.

We are delighted at this partnership which promises to deliver significant impact on employment in Nigeria

According to the facility agreement signed in on July 22, 2024, Afreximbank will provide the funds in two tranches with the first tranche of US$7.48M going toward capital expenditure for the construction of the factory and the second, totalling US$13.25M to be deployed as working capital for the operations of the factory.

The facility is expected to promote value addition which will guarantee increased earnings to the company while also fostering the creation of about 400 new jobs once the factory becomes operational. It is also expected to support about 40 small and medium-sized enterprises.

Commenting on the transaction, Mrs. Kanayo Awani, Executive Vice President, Intra Africa Trade and Export Development, Afreximbank, said that by supporting Starlink Global to establish a modern processing facility, Afreximbank is making it possible for Africa to add value to its agro-commodities, thereby facilitating exports and subsequent inflow of much-needed foreign exchange into the continent.

“We are delighted at this partnership which promises to deliver significant impact on employment in Nigeria. It will contribute to value creation and to the development of the local community while also improving the lots of smallholder farmers and small business suppliers that will work with Starlink across the value chain,” Mrs. Awani added.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Afreximbank.

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Sonangol to Lead Decarbonized Oil & Gas (O&G) Development, Says Angolan National Oil Company (NOC) Head

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Participating in an on-stage interview at Angola Oil & Gas 2024, Sonangol CEO Sebastião Gaspar Martins emphasized that oil and gas remains a core focus for the national oil company

LUANDA, Angola, October 3, 2024/APO Group/ — 

Angola’s national oil company Sonangol reiterated its commitment to driving sustainable hydrocarbon development during the Angola Oil & Gas (AOG) conference this week. Speaking during an “In-Conversation with” session, Sonangol CEO Sebastião Gaspar Martins stated that the company will not abandon oil and gas, but rather advance decarbonized oil and gas development.

We are looking at opportunities in the gas sector and have identified the right partner to develop non-associated gas

By investing in upstream oil and gas production while prioritizing low-carbon projects, Sonangol aims to boost national crude output, while diversifying and decarbonizing the industry. The NOC is focusing efforts on non-associated gas development, as well as alternative energy sources such as solar.

“We are looking at opportunities in the gas sector and have identified the right partner to develop non-associated gas. Gas produced from Angola LNG will be used for the production of fertilizer and we are evaluating the utilization of gas in the south of the country, linking gas with steel industries. We also have a blue carbon project, linked to the reduction of carbon through the plantation of mangroves. We have one area in Luanda and have identified four additional areas for this,” stated Gaspar Martins.

Sonangol has undergone transformation in recent years: following the creation of the National Oil, Gas & Biofuels Agency (ANPG) in 2019, Sonangol transferred its role as national concessionaire and regulator. This transformation has aimed to make Sonangol more competitive and strengthen its capacity as an upstream operator. Concurrently, the government is partially privatizing the NOC, with privatization set to be complete in 2026. This process will enhance financial capacity, allowing Sonangol to drive new upstream projects forward.

“The transformation of Sonangol started several years ago, when we passed the regulatory, concessionaire role to the ANPG. At the time, we transferred almost 600 employees to the ANPG. After that, Sonangol underwent a restructuring program where we created five core business units from 36 different entities – starting with exploration and production. We want to go public, but we want to do it properly. So, we are currently going through all the processes to do this,” stated Gaspar Martins.

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

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