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African Energy Week (AEW) 2025 to Explore Africa’s Gas Expansion as Azule Energy Advances the Quiluma & Maboqueiro (Q&M) Project

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African Energy Week

The project represents the country’s first non-associated gas development and is set to boost feedstock for the Angolan LNG plant

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, February 13, 2025/APO Group/ –International energy company Azule Energy has completed the offshore platforms for Angola’s first non-associated gas project. The Quiluma platform has been loaded out and sailed away from the Ambriz Petromar Yard, joining the Maboqueiro platform which sailed away in December 2024. The move represents a milestone for the project as it targets first gas production in late-2025 or early-2026.

 

The development aligns with Angola’s two-fold approach to oil and gas development, whereby the country strives to boost oil production through exploration while increasing gas processing capacity and exports. This approach was outlined during African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energies 2024, with an Angolan country spotlight sharing insight into major projects such as the Quiluma & Maboqueiro (Q&M) development. At the 2025 edition of AEW: Invest in African Energies, further updates on Angola’s hydrocarbon strategy will be showcased, as the event drives discussions around Africa’s emerging gas economy.

AEW: Invest in African Energies 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 www.AECWeek.com for more information about this exciting event.

With significant proven reserves, countries such as Angola stand to transform both their domestic and regional economies, accelerating industrialization and electrification

Developed by the New Gas Consortium (NGC) – comprising Azule Energy as the operator, Cabinda Gulf Oil Company, Sonangol P&P and TotalEnergies – the Q&M development will harness gas resources from the Quiluma and Maboqueiro shallow water fields. An onshore facility will process gas from the fields, connecting to the country’s sole LNG facility in Soyo: Angola LNG. All the requisite commercial deals for the project were signed in December 2024, aimed at expediting gas production. The project is expected to contribute to Angola’s broader goal of increasing the share of natural gas in the energy matrix to 25%, serving as a benchmark for other emerging gas producers in Africa.

While Angola has been producing and exporting LNG for several years, most of the gas has been derived from associated gas projects, thereby monetizing previously-flared resources at offshore oil projects. However, to further boost LNG capacity, the country is looking at non-associated gas opportunities, with the Q&M project leading the way in this endeavor. The project highlights both the commercial potential available in developing non-associated gas as well as the level of opportunity in this regard. Angola, for its part, has over 11 trillion cubic feet of proven gas resources and is inviting greater investment in exploration to unlock these resources.

At the forefront of exploration efforts is the country’s multi-year licensing strategy. Launched in 2019, the round aims to award up to 55 blocks for exploration by the end of 2025, with 32 concessions awarded to date. The final bid round in this strategy – a nine-block tender offering acreage in the Kwanza and Benguela offshore basins – will be launched in Q1, 2025. The country’s upstream regulator – the National Oil, Gas & Biofuels Agency – continues to award blocks from the 2023 bid round, with three companies qualifying as operators for nine blocks onshore. Beyond the licensing round, Angola has 11 blocks available for exploration on direct negotiation and five marginal fields. This diverse investment model allows companies to invest out of the confines of a traditional licensing structure, thereby incentivizing greater participation by both foreign and local firms. Just this year, oil and gas company Red Sky Energy secured a 35% interest in Block 6/24 while Oando secured operatorship of KON 13, onshore.

These efforts to boost investment in exploration are expected to support the country’s gas production goals. By developing new fields, the country seeks to unlock additional reserves, with existing infrastructure and growing regional demand driving investment even further. This model can be replicated continent-wide, as regional neighbors turn recent discoveries into integrated oil and gas developments.

“We need to move beyond the thinking that natural gas is merely a transition fuel for Africa. Natural gas is the fuel of the future. With significant proven reserves, countries such as Angola stand to transform both their domestic and regional economies, accelerating industrialization and electrification through low-carbon gas projects. The milestone achieved by Azule Energy and its project partners should be commended. As the country’s first non-associated gas project, the development signals the start of a new era of gas-driven growth in Angola,” states Tomás Gerbasio, VP Commercial and Strategic Engagement.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

Business

Aurionpro expands its multi-country transaction banking engagement with Diamond Trust Bank (DTB)

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Aurionpro

Aurionpro’s upgraded iCashpro platform for DTB delivers a unified digital experience across payments, trade, virtual accounts, and real-time reporting, enhancing straight-through processing, visibility, and control for both the bank and its corporate customers

MUMBAI, India, April 30, 2026/APO Group/ –Aurionpro Solutions Limited (www.AurionPro.com) (BSE: 532668 | NSE: AURIONPRO)a global leader in banking technology, announced the expansion and upgrade of its transaction banking engagement with Diamond Trust Bank (DTB), to modernize and enhance the bank’s corporate transaction banking capabilities across multiple countries.

Download Document: https://apo-opa.co/4edHUaC

This multi-country transaction banking upgrade covering Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania aligns with DTB’s intent to enhance customer experience, streamline operations, and support growing transaction volumes as it expands its regional corporate banking footprint. DTB continues to focus on building a more agile, ‘digital-first’ banking experience, particularly around payments for its corporate customers across Africa, and is now well positioned to scale these capabilities. As part of its broader transformation agenda, the bank has been steadily investing in platforms that enhance scale, reliability, and service consistency across markets.

Through this partnership, we are proud to lead the next era of transformation in transaction banking, helping DTB enhance operational agility

Aurionpro’s upgraded iCashpro platform for DTB delivers a unified digital experience across payments, trade, virtual accounts, and real-time reporting, enhancing straight-through processing, visibility, and control for both the bank and its corporate customers. By enabling DTB to standardize and scale its transaction banking operations across countries, the platform ensures consistent service levels, stronger control, and improved efficiency. It also supports enhanced user experience, advanced security, and the flexibility to introduce new features as DTB expands its regional transaction banking footprint.

Murali Natarajan (https://apo-opa.co/48trPdk), Managing Director & CEO, DTB Kenya   commented: “We are delighted to strengthen and broaden our partnership with Aurionpro Solutions as part of DTB’s ongoing digital transformation journey across multiple markets. Our focus on innovation, operational excellence, and customer-centricity continues to guide our technology investments. This upgrade strengthens our transaction banking capabilities, enabling us to deliver greater value to our customers through robust digital channels and seamlessly integrated experiences.”

Ashish Rai, Group CEO, Aurionpro Solutions, commented: “We are pleased to deepen our multi-country engagement with Diamond Trust Bank and support the next phase of its transaction banking modernization. As DTB continues to scale across markets, platform resilience and consistency become paramount. Through this partnership, we are proud to lead the next era of transformation in transaction banking, helping DTB enhance operational agility, deliver superior experiences to corporate customers, and create long-term value across geographies.”

He added, “Aurionpro’s iCashpro lays a strong digital foundation for transaction & wholesale banks across the globe to grow their corporate and SME client portfolio today, while creating a clear roadmap for next- generation capabilities in AI-driven insights, advanced automation and API-led connectivity for businesses in Kenya and across Africa.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Aurionpro Solutions Ltd.

 

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Minerals Council Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Joins African Mining Week (AMW) as South Africa Improves Sectorial Investment Climate

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Energy Capital

Minerals Council CEO to share insights on policy, infrastructure and investment trends shaping South Africa’s mining industry

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, April 30, 2026/APO Group/ –The upcoming African Mining Week (AMW) conference will feature Mzila Mthenjane, CEO of the Minerals Council of South Africa, as a speaker. Scheduled for October 14 – 16, 2026 in Cape Town, the event will bring together global investors, policymakers and industry leaders, with Mthenjane’s participation highlighting the council’s commitment to engaging international stakeholders and promoting investment across South Africa’s mining sector.

His participation comes at a critical moment as the Minerals Council works closely with government on finalizing the Mineral Resources Development Bill 2025, a policy framework aimed at strengthening the country’s mining investment climate and the sector’s contribution to GDP. According to the council, the revised legislation will support new investment across the value chain as South Africa seeks to mobilize R2 trillion over the next five years to unlock its critical minerals potential.

The policy reforms come amid shifting production trends in the sector. In 2025, South Africa recorded declines in gold and platinum group metals output of 1.9% and 4.1%, respectively. The new regulatory framework is expected to strengthen public-private partnerships and stimulate investment, enabling South Africa to increase production and capitalize on strong global commodity prices. Increased private sector investments is crucial with South Africa seeking targeting to unlock an estimated R40 trillion in untapped iron ore potential as well as maintain its position as the world’s leading producer of chrome and manganese.

At AMW 2026, Mthenjane is expected to outline these trends, providing insights into how the council is contributing to addressing challenges disrupting the sector. Infrastructure and energy costs remain key concerns for industry players. To support the energy-intensive sector, South Africa approved a 35% reduction in electricity tariffs for major ferrochrome producers, helping stabilize an industry that has faced significant cost pressures after electricity prices surged by roughly 900% since 2008.

Logistics constraints are also a priority area for reform. South Africa’s economy is losing an estimated R1 billion per day due to inefficiencies across rail and port infrastructure. As a result, the government is considering measures supported by the Minerals Council to increase private sector participation in logistics. Planned reforms include rail modernization initiatives targeting 250 million tons of freight capacity by 2029, alongside port upgrades and private operator participation aimed at strengthening mineral exports and improving supply chain efficiency.

Beyond infrastructure and policy reforms, the Minerals Council is advocating for stronger exploration investment to support long-term industry growth.

At AMW, Mthenjane is expected to highlight these developments and outline the steps required to reinforce South Africa’s position in the global minerals supply chain. His insights will offer investors and stakeholders a timely perspective on opportunities within the country’s mining sector.

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

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Seychelles Targets Energy Investment Push as Minister Jérémie Joins African Energy Week (AEW) 2026 as a Speaker

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African Energy Chamber

Seychelles energy minister will speak at AEW 2026, positioning her to highlight reforms, renewable projects and investment opportunities as the island nation advances its transition toward a diversified energy system

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, April 29, 2026/APO Group/ –Marie-May Jérémie, Minister of Environment, Climate, Energy and Natural Resources for Seychelles will participate as a speaker at this year’s African Energy Week (AEW) 2026, taking place from October 12–16 in Cape Town. Her participation underscores the country’s growing role in shaping Africa’s small-island energy transition agenda.

Minister Jérémie’s presence at AEW 2026 comes at a critical time as Seychelles accelerates efforts to reduce its heavy reliance on imported fossil fuels. The event provides a platform to attract investment, strengthen policy alignment and showcase bankable projects, positioning the country as a viable destination for private-sector participation in island energy systems.

Seychelles is demonstrating how policy reform and innovation can unlock investment in constrained environments

In May last year, international finance institution the World Bank approved the Renewable Energy Acceleration Program, a seven-year initiative aimed at modernizing the grid and increasing renewable energy penetration to 15% by 2030. The program focuses on unlocking private capital while strengthening transmission infrastructure to accommodate variable renewable energy sources.

Project development is gaining traction in the country, particularly in innovative technologies suited to Seychelles’ land constraints. The 5.8 MW Seysun Lagoon floating solar PV project, developed by independent renewable power producer Qair, is under construction and expected online in 2026.

Alongside renewables, Seychelles continues to pursue upstream opportunities to diversify its economy. The government approved new exploration entrants in 2025 and extended exiting petroleum agreements, while securing an infrastructure partnership with China. Multilateral estimates suggest over $800 million in investment will be required over the next 25 years.

Regulatory reform is central to this transition, with Seychelles introducing an independent power producer framework to open the market to private developers. Standardized power purchase agreements, grid access reforms and strengthened public-private partnership structures are being implemented to improve transparency, reduce risk and accelerate project bankability across solar, storage and emerging wind opportunities.

“Minister Jérémie’s participation highlights the strategic importance of island nations in Africa’s broader energy transition,” says NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman, African Energy Chamber. “Seychelles is demonstrating how policy reform and innovation can unlock investment in constrained environments. Her insights will be critical to advancing dialogue on resilient, low-carbon energy systems across the continent.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

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