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African Energy Ministers, National Oil Companies (NOCs) and Regulators Stand Out Among African Energy Chamber’s (AEC) 2025 Movers and Shakers

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National Oil Companies

The African Energy Chamber’s 2025 Movers and Shakers list highlights the dynamic contributions of energy ministers from Namibia, the Republic of Congo and Equatorial Guinea, as well as national oil companies of South Africa, Ivory Coast, Brazil and more

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, January 28, 2025/APO Group/ — 

Key African energy ministers, national oil companies (NOCs) and regulators have been recognized for their contributions to advancing hydrocarbon exploration, LNG megaprojects and policy reforms in the African Energy Chamber’s (www.EnergyChamber.orgTop 40 Movers and Shakers to Watch in 2025 list. 

Namibia’s Tom Alweendo, Minister of Mines and Energy, is at the forefront of the country’s emerging oil industry. With first oil expected by 2029 and a pioneering local content policy in place, Minister Alweendo is focused on translating Orange Basin discoveries into tangible development, while balancing investor and community needs. In the Republic of Congo, Bruno Jean-Richard Itoua, Minister of Hydrocarbons, has led milestones including the country’s first LNG exports and the Banga Kayo gas project. As Congo prepares for a 2025 licensing round and implements its Gas Master Plan, Minister Itoua’s leadership will be critical in positioning the country as a leading energy hub. Equatorial Guinea’s Antonio Oburu Ondo, Minister of Mines and Hydrocarbons, is driving efforts to reverse declining oil and gas production. Minister Ondo is tasked with securing investment, implementing the Gulf of Guinea gas pipeline project with Nigeria, and advancing the Yoyo-Yolanda gas project to revitalize the country’s energy sector. 

Africa’s leading NOCs and regulators were also recognized for their pivotal role in driving energy sector developments in 2025. Godfrey Moagi, CEO of South Africa’s National Petroleum Company (SANPC), is spearheading efforts to develop the Brulpadda and Luiperd discoveries, while advancing gas-to-power projects at Saldanha Bay, Richards Bay and Coega LNG terminals. Moagi’s leadership will determine SANPC’s ability to establish itself as a key player in the country’s energy transition. In Angola, Sebastião Gaspar Martins, CEO of Sonangol, is driving a sweeping transformation to restore the company’s profitability. With strategic partnerships, operational streamlining and the sale of non-core assets, Sonangol is poised to emerge as a more efficient and competitive entity under his guidance. 

Maxient Raoul Ominga, Managing Director of SNPC, is spearheading initiatives in the Republic of Congo to boost oil production to 500,000 barrels per day. Through the development of key fields and implementation of the Gas Master Plan, Ominga is positioning Congo as a competitive gas player while reducing flaring and diversifying revenue streams. In Ivory Coast, Fatoumata Sanogo, CEO of PETROCI, is driving hydrocarbon development through strategic partnerships with TotalEnergies and Eni. With the Baleine field development on track to significantly boost production by 2025, PETROCI is cementing the country’s position as a regional energy hub. 

Sylvia dos Anjos, Head of E&P at Petrobras, is leading the Brazilian NOC’s ambitious re-entry into Africa, targeting markets in Namibia, South Africa and Angola. Her vision focuses on leveraging untapped reserves to establish Petrobras as a competitive player and strengthen Brazil’s partnership with Africa. In Sierra Leone, Foday Mansaray, Director General of the Petroleum Directorate, is fostering investment in offshore oil and gas exploration. Following the successful conclusion of Sierra Leone’s fifth licensing round, Mansaray is focused on turning interest into tangible exploration and production gains. 

As Africa’s energy future continues to unfold, the AEC remains committed to recognizing and supporting the leaders who are making transformative impacts in the sector. For the full Africa’s Top 40 Movers and Shakers to Watch in 2025 list, visit www.EnergyChamber.org 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

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Venezuela Energy Week Confirms 19 August Date for Houston Industry Showcase

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Officially supported by Venezuela’s Ministry of Hydrocarbons and national oil company PDVSA, the Houston Industry Showcase will take place on 19 August, convening U.S. energy leaders ahead of Venezuela Energy Week 2027 in Caracas

HOUSTON, United States of America, August 10, 2026/APO Group/ –The organizers of Venezuela Energy Week (VEW) have confirmed that the Houston Industry Showcase will take place on 19 August 2026 at The Post Oak Hotel. Officially supported by Venezuela’s Ministry of Hydrocarbons and national oil company PDVSA, the event will bring together U.S. energy companies, investors and policymakers to explore commercial opportunities ahead of Venezuela Energy Week 2027 in Caracas in February.

The showcase will feature Minister of Hydrocarbons Paula Henao as a keynote speaker, providing an update on Venezuela’s energy priorities, investment agenda and opportunities for international partnership. Her participation underscores the country’s commitment to strengthening engagement with global industry as it seeks to expand production and unlock new upstream investment.

Bringing together exploration and production companies, independent operators, oilfield service providers, engineering firms, technology companies and financial institutions, the Houston Industry Showcase will examine opportunities across exploration, production optimization, infrastructure rehabilitation and field development.

As Venezuela works to increase oil and gas production, demand is expected to grow for the technical expertise of U.S. service providers in drilling, well intervention, completion services, production optimization, artificial lift, digital oilfield technologies and infrastructure rehabilitation. Houston-based industry leaders – including SLB, Halliburton, Baker Hughes, Weatherford and a broad network of EPC contractors, equipment manufacturers and specialized service companies – are well positioned to support the modernization of mature fields, improve operational efficiency and deliver the technologies and services needed for future upstream projects.

The Houston event follows a successful Industry Showcase in London, which brought together international investors, operators and energy service companies to explore Venezuela’s evolving investment landscape. Building on that momentum, the Houston edition will deepen engagement with the U.S. energy industry and strengthen commercial dialogue ahead of Venezuela Energy Week 2027.

Venezuela Energy Week – the country’s largest energy investment platform to date – has been confirmed for 22–25 February 2027 in Caracas. Organized by Energy Capital & Power, the event will bring together government leaders, investors and industry stakeholders from across the global energy value chain.

To register for the Houston Industry Showcase on August 19, visit https://apo-opa.co/4g0TncR. To learn more about delegate, sponsorship and partnership opportunities for the showcase or to secure your place at Venezuela Energy Week 2027 in Caracas, contact info@venezuelaenergyweek.com.

Supporting Venezuela’s Earthquake Recovery
Our thoughts are with the people and communities affected by the recent earthquakes in Venezuela. As the country begins the long process of recovery, we encourage members of the global energy community to support relief and reconstruction efforts through the CAF Recovery and Reconstruction Fund for Venezuela, which channels contributions from individuals, companies and organizations to emergency assistance, essential services and long-term rebuilding efforts.

To learn more or make a contribution, please visit the CAF Recovery and Reconstruction Fund for Venezuela (https://apo-opa.co/4hkvteE).

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

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Islamic Development Bank Institute (IsDBI) Secures New Patent for Smart Stabilization System from Intellectual Property Office of Singapore

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The Smart Stabilization System is a pioneering digital market infrastructure designed to stabilize asset markets by intelligently managing supply-demand gaps and mitigating excessive volatility

JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia, August 10, 2026/APO Group/ –The Islamic Development Bank Institute (IsDBI) (https://IsDBInstitute.org) is pleased to announce that the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS) has granted a new patent for its innovative Smart Stabilization System.

 

The patent was granted on 10 July 2026 under Singapore Patent No. 10202250873B for the invention titled “A Computer Network Stabilization System and Method.” The patent application was filed on 1 September 2022 and was formally granted following a comprehensive review process.

This achievement reflects our commitment to translating pioneering research into practical solutions that contribute to economic resilience and sustainable development

The Smart Stabilization System is a pioneering digital market infrastructure designed to stabilize asset markets by intelligently managing supply-demand gaps and mitigating excessive volatility. Leveraging sophisticated algorithms and advanced simulation models, the system is designed to anticipate supply and demand imbalances and implement programmable stabilization measures before they escalate into market disruptions.

Unlike traditional stabilization mechanisms that rely on capital reserves, buffer funds, or external interventions, the Smart Stabilization System introduces a next-generation framework for achieving autonomous market stabilization through proactive and programmed stabilization mechanisms. By incorporating distributed ledger technology and cryptographic trust mechanisms, the platform enhances transparency, trust, and operational resilience for digital asset and commodity markets.

The successful patent grant reflects IsDBI’s growing contribution to technological innovation and its commitment to developing knowledge-based solutions that address contemporary economic and development challenges.

Since filing the patent application back in 2022, the Institute has continued to advance the Smart Stabilization System through ongoing development and testing, aimed to expand its practical applications and support future capitalization opportunities. These advancements have positioned the system as a potentially transformative solution for enhancing stability and resilience in increasingly digital and interconnected economies.

Commenting on this occasion, Dr. Sami Al-Suwailem, Acting Director General of IsDBI, said, “The grant of this patent by the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore further strengthens the Institute’s position as a leader in developing innovative knowledge-based solutions that leverage modern technologies to address complex development challenges. This achievement reflects our commitment to translating pioneering research into practical solutions that contribute to economic resilience and sustainable development.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Islamic Development Bank Institute (IsDBI).

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Liberia to Preview Next Oil & Gas Licensing Round Strategy at Houston Investor Day

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The Liberia Petroleum Regulatory Authority will host operators, investors and partners in Houston on August 19 to preview future licensing opportunities and showcase the exploration potential of its offshore basins

HOUSTON, United States of America, August 7, 2026/APO Group/ –The Liberia Petroleum Regulatory Authority (LPRA) will present its strategy for the country’s next offshore licensing round at Liberia Investor Day Houston on August 19, bringing together international exploration companies, investors, service providers and energy leaders to discuss the next phase of Liberia’s upstream development.

Hosted in partnership with Energy Capital & Power, the event will provide a platform for the LPRA, led by Director General Hon. Marilyn T. Logan, to outline Liberia’s regulatory framework, investment priorities and plans to attract new participation across the country’s offshore sector. Discussions will focus on upcoming licensing opportunities, exploration prospects and the subsurface data supporting future investment decisions.

Liberia’s offshore sector is entering a new phase of exploration activity, with renewed international participation and a growing pipeline of opportunities. Following the award and ratification of eight Production Sharing Contracts in 2025, Liberia has re-established itself as a frontier exploration destination, with international operators advancing work programs designed to further evaluate the country’s petroleum potential. TotalEnergies is progressing exploration activities that include offshore geochemical surveys, 3D seismic acquisition and seabed mapping, while Oranto Petroleum has also signed contracts to explore Liberia’s offshore.

At the Liberia Investor Day Houston, the LPRA will provide industry stakeholders with insight into the priorities shaping the next licensing round, including the anticipated process, qualification requirements, available acreage and access to technical data. The engagement will give prospective investors a clearer view of Liberia’s exploration landscape and the opportunities emerging across its offshore basins.

The event will also facilitate direct dialogue between LPRA and the global upstream community, connecting companies with policymakers and industry stakeholders involved in shaping Liberia’s next chapter of petroleum development.

As exploration companies continue to seek new frontier opportunities, Liberia Investor Day Houston will highlight the role of regulatory certainty, data availability and strategic partnerships in unlocking long-term investment across Liberia’s offshore sector.

Registration is now open for attendees. Companies interested in Liberia’s emerging offshore opportunities are invited to join LPRA, investors and upstream leaders in Houston for insights into the country’s licensing strategy and exploration outlook. For more information contact info@energycapitalpower.com.

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

 

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