CIDADE DO CABO, África do Sul, 13 de agosto 2026/APO Group/ –Três altos responsáveis governamentais e reguladores que estão a moldar o futuro dos setores energéticos de Barbados, Angola e Marrocos irão intervir na African Energy Week (AEW) 2026, que decorrerá na Cidade do Cabo, de 12 a 16 de outubro. A sua participação surge num momento em que cada um destes mercados está a avançar com reformas importantes destinadas a atrair investimento, expandir as infraestruturas energéticas e reforçar a segurança energética a longo prazo.

 

Reunindo ministros, entidades reguladoras, empresas petrolíferas nacionais e investidores globais, a AEW 2026 constitui a principal plataforma do continente para a definição de políticas energéticas e parcerias comerciais. Os debates abrangerão as áreas de upstream, licenciamento, estratégias de transição energética, desenvolvimento de infraestruturas e integração regional, com os líderes governamentais a desempenharem um papel central na definição do panorama de investimento nos mercados africanos e internacionais.

Kerrie D. Symmonds, Ministro da Energia, Desenvolvimento Empresarial e Comércio de Barbados e Ministro Sénior Coordenador do Setor Produtivo, participa na conferência num momento em que a nação caribenha prossegue uma estratégia energética de dupla vertente. Após a sua nomeação em fevereiro deste ano, Symmonds tem supervisionado políticas que apoiam a meta de Barbados de atingir 100% de eletricidade renovável até 2030, ao mesmo tempo que abre o setor offshore do país a novas explorações.

Em junho, o governo lançou negociações diretas para 19 blocos em águas ultraprofundas, cobrindo mais de 62 000 km², criando oportunidades para exploradores internacionais a par do investimento contínuo no armazenamento em baterias e na modernização da rede elétrica. Na AEW 2026, a participação da Ministra Symmonds deverá destacar a estratégia de Barbados para alinhar a segurança energética com o crescimento económico e o investimento privado.

Posicionado para oferecer uma visão sobre um dos maiores programas de investimento a montante de África, Alcides Andrade, membro do Conselho Executivo da Agência Nacional de Petróleo, Gás e Biocombustíveis de Angola (ANPG), junta-se à AEW 2026 num momento em que a organização implementa uma estratégia de 60 mil milhões de dólares até 2030. A ANPG está também a apoiar grandes projetos, incluindo Agogo, Begonia, a Fase 3 do CLOV e os projetos de gás de Quiluma e Mabowueiro.

À medida que Angola trabalha para estabilizar a produção de petróleo e expandir a capacidade de refinação interna, Andrade estará em posição de debater as reformas regulatórias e as oportunidades de investimento que impulsionam a próxima fase de crescimento do país.

Entretanto, Salwa Didi, Diretora da Divisão de Avaliação Offshore do Gabinete Nacional de Hidrocarbonetos e Minas (ONHYM) de Marrocos, junta-se à AEW 2026 num momento em que a agência empreende a maior reforma institucional da sua história. A transformação do ONHYM numa sociedade anónima apoiada pelo Estado confere-lhe maior flexibilidade para angariar capital, criar filiais e atrair parceiros estratégicos. A reforma coincide com os progressos no Projeto de Gás de Tendrara, com os renovados esforços de exploração offshore e com o avanço contínuo do Gasoduto Nigéria-Marrocos, reforçando a ambição de Marrocos de se tornar um centro energético regional que ligue os recursos de gás africanos aos mercados europeus.

«O investimento na energia assenta em instituições sólidas, políticas claras e quadros de investimento competitivos», afirma NJ Ayuk, presidente executivo da Câmara Africana de Energia. «Barbados, Angola e Marrocos estão a demonstrar diferentes abordagens para libertar o seu potencial energético, e a AEW 2026 proporciona uma plataforma importante para que estes líderes interajam diretamente com investidores e com a indústria.»

A participação dos ministros Symmonds, Andrade e Didi reforça o papel da AEW 2026 como a principal plataforma do continente para o diálogo entre governos e o setor privado. Realizado ao longo de cinco dias no Centro Internacional de Conferências da Cidade do Cabo, o evento reúne decisores políticos com os investidores e promotores que impulsionam a próxima geração de projetos energéticos em África.

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, August 12, 2026/APO Group/ –As commodity markets enter a new era defined by a rising demand for critical minerals, Mercuria Energy Group is rapidly expanding its global footprint through major acquisitions, strategic joint ventures and infrastructure investments. Against this backdrop, the company will participate as a Bronze Partner at African Energy Week (AEW) 2026, taking place in Cape Town from October 12–16, where it will engage African governments, national oil companies and industry leaders on the next generation of energy investment opportunities.

Mercuria’s latest expansion reflects a strategy centered on controlling physical assets alongside its global trading operations. In June 2026, the company signed a marketing agreement and inventory prepayment facility with Lotus Resources. The agreement will support the commercialization of approximately 1.3 million kg of uranium from Malawi’s Kayelekera Mine over 30 months, strengthening the country’s role in global nuclear fuel supply while demonstrating growing investor confidence in African mining assets.

The company is also deepening its presence in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), one of the world’s most strategic critical mineral producers. In February, Mercuria completed its first purchases of responsibly sourced copper and cobalt from Enterprise Générale du Cobalt following a strategic agreement to strengthen traceability across artisanal mining supply chains. The partnership supports greater transparency while expanding international market access for Congolese minerals.

Mercuria continues to increase its financial commitment to Africa’s mining sector through large-scale prepayment financing that provides producers with development capital in exchange for long-term supply agreements. This approach is helping miners secure financing outside traditional banking channels while supporting new production across minerals essential to electrification, battery manufacturing and advanced technologies.

The company has also been linked to discussions surrounding the proposed development of Western critical mineral supply chains anchored by the DRC’s Kipushi Mine. By supporting financing structures for copper, zinc and other strategic minerals, Mercuria is reinforcing Africa’s role as a long-term supplier of resources required for global industrial growth and the energy transition.

These investments are supported by a significantly strengthened financial position. Mercuria reported an 88% increase in first-half 2026 profit and subsequently retained earnings to expand its equity base rather than distribute dividends. In June 2026, the company further enhanced its capacity to finance large-scale investments by securing a $3.84 billion multicurrency revolving credit facility, providing additional liquidity to support future projects, including across African markets.

“Access to innovative financing and global commodity markets will be essential to unlocking Africa’s full energy and mining potential,” says NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman, African Energy Chamber. “Mercuria’s growing investment across African critical minerals and resource value chains makes the company a valuable addition to AEW 2026, where industry leaders will shape the partnerships needed to drive the continent’s next phase of growth.”

Mercuria’s participation at AEW 2026 comes as African producers seek greater access to capital, trading expertise and commercial partnerships capable of accelerating resource development. As countries pursue new investment across hydrocarbons, critical minerals and associated infrastructure, the company’s integrated approach to financing, marketing and commodity trading offers a relevant model for unlocking large-scale projects across the continent.

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, August 12, 2026/APO Group/ –ExxonMobil’s announcement that artificial intelligence has identified four new exploration opportunities within Guyana’s prolific Stabroek Block marks a significant milestone in the country’s digital transformation. By applying AI to historical discoveries, drilling results and subsurface data, the company is demonstrating how advanced analytics, machine learning, high-performance computing and next-generation seismic imaging can accelerate exploration, reduce costs and improve discovery success rates.

 

The breakthrough comes as Guyana targets crude oil production of 1.3 million barrels per day by 2027 and 1.7 million barrels per day by 2030, underscoring the growing role of digital technologies in maximizing resource development alongside continued investment in drilling and infrastructure.

Against this backdrop, the Caribbean Energy Week (CEW) 2027 Guyana In-Country Launch, taking place on 1 September 2026 at the Guyana Marriott Hotel in Georgetown, will bring together operators, technology providers, geoscience companies, investors and regulators to examine the latest developments shaping Guyana’s energy sector and build momentum ahead of CEW 2027 next July. Returning for its second edition, CEW provides a premier platform for advancing investment, showcasing new projects and highlighting the technologies driving the country’s next phase of upstream growth.

Momentum behind AI adoption continues to build. In May 2026, ExxonMobil Vice President of Exploration John Ardill confirmed the company was expanding its use of deep learning, machine learning and high-performance computing to analyze seismic data and identify hydrocarbon-bearing prospects that were previously more difficult to evaluate.

The company is simultaneously advancing an ambitious offshore drilling program. This month, ExxonMobil commenced new drilling activities in Guyana’s Exclusive Economic Zone, including the Whiptail development well and Rockhead-1 exploration well. Earlier this year, the company also sought environmental authorization for the Haimara gas-condensate development and has proposed a 35-well drilling campaign between 2028 and 2033, reinforcing confidence in Guyana’s long-term exploration potential.

These developments are creating growing opportunities for AI developers, digital technology providers, seismic specialists, engineering firms and oilfield service companies that can support increasingly data-driven exploration and field development activities.

As the first official milestone on the road to Caribbean Energy Week 2027, the Georgetown launch will provide a platform for industry leaders to examine the technologies, partnerships and investment strategies driving Guyana’s next phase of growth while strengthening collaboration across the Caribbean energy sector.