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African Refiners & Distributors Association (ARDA) Executive Secretary Joins African Energy Chamber’s G20 Forum Amid $20B Downstream Investment Drive

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African Energy Chamber

With Africa’s refined product demand set to reach 6 million barrels per day by 2050, a strategic investment opportunity has emerged for global investors

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, November 11, 2025/APO Group/ –Anibor Kragha, Executive Secretary of the African Refiners & Distributors Association (ARDA), has joined the G20 Africa Energy Investment Forum – taking place November 21 in Johannesburg – as a speaker. Connecting global finance with African energy projects, the forum will chart new pathways for strengthening the continent’s energy value chain. Kragha’s participation underscores the growing emphasis on downstream development as a catalyst for industrialization and is expected to support dialogue around Africa’s path towards energy security.

 

Increasing investments in Africa’s downstream sector has emerged as a top priority for many nations. The continent’s refined product demand is set to rise from 4 million barrels per day (bpd) in 2024 to 6 million bpd by 2050, driven by population growth and increased economic activity. Gasoline consumption is projected to reach 2.2 million bpd by 2050, diesel consumption will rise 50% and jet fuel and kerosene is expected to expand 65%, reaching 465,000 bpd during the same timeframe. To meet anticipated demand growth, the African Energy Chamber’s (AEC) State of African Energy 2026 Outlook highlights that $20 billion in investment in downstream infrastructure is required by 2050. The G20 Forum will serve as a bridge between global capital and African downstream projects.

Africa cannot build a secure energy future if it remains dependent on imported fuels

Recent months have seen a series of milestones achieved across Africa’s downstream sector, with advancements in refining and pipeline projects supporting regional distribution. Nigeria’s Dangote oil refinery is advancing towards full operational capacity following the start of operations in 2024. The 650,000-bpd refinery is Africa’s largest facility and is assessing expansion plans which would double output to 1.4 million bpd. Angola inaugurated the Cabinda oil refinery in 2025, introducing 30,000 bpd to the market. The country is also seeking investment to support the development of the 200,000 bpd Lobito facility while pursuing the construction of a 100,000-bpd facility in Soyo. Senegal is exploring the development of a second refinery – paired with a petrochemical plant – at its Société Africaine de Raffinage facility. The project aims to increase capacity from 1.5 million tons per annum (mtpa) to 5 mtpa. In the Republic of Congo, the Fouta Refinery is on track for production by the end of 2025 with a capacity of 2.5 mtpa, while South Africa has announced plans to rehabilitate the SAPREF facility, with goals to increase capacity from 180,000 bpd to 600,000 bpd once operations resume.

Beyond refining, African states are advancing pipeline projects with a view to increase exports and strengthen regional trade systems. The 1,443-km East Africa Crude Oil Pipeline – connecting Uganda’s Kingfisher and Tilenga oilfields with the Port of Tanga in Tanzania – is underway and will start operations in 2026. The $25 billion Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline is nearing the start of construction, with the Nigeria-Morocco Gas Project Company established in October 2025. The pipeline will traverse 13 African countries along the Atlantic coast, connecting Nigerian gas fields with European markets. Agreements have also been signed between the Republic of Congo and Russia for the construction of the Pointe-Noire-Loutete-Maloujou-Trechot oil pipeline and between Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea for the development of a joint natural gas pipeline, designed to increase cross-border gas trade. These developments will not only increase regional fuel distribution but lower costs and support economic development across Africa.

Kragha’s participation comes as African nations rally behind downstream infrastructure development under broader efforts to reduce fuel imports, increase storage and refining capacity and strengthen intra-African supply chains. Platforms such as the upcoming G20 Forum offer a strategic opportunity for African nations to connect with global investors, addressing key challenges across the downstream industry and implementing actionable strategies for improving fuel security.

“Africa cannot build a secure energy future if it remains dependent on imported fuels. Investing in our downstream sector is how we create real value. By refining our own crude, building local industries and ensuring energy access that supports economic growth, Africa can reduce costs, enhance fuel security and support long-term economic growth,” states NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman, AEC.

To register for the Forum click here (https://apo-opa.co/4ozitCH).

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

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Egypt’s Mineral Resources Authority Chair Joins African Mining Week (AMW) Advisory Board

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Eng. Yasser Ramadan, Chairman of the Egyptian Mineral Resources Authority has joined the 2026 edition of African Mining Week – scheduled for October 14–16 in Cape Town – as an advisory board member

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, June 23, 2026/APO Group/ –Eng. Yasser Ramadan, Chairman of the Egyptian Mineral Resources Authority (EMRA) has been appointed as an Advisory Board Member of African Mining Week (AMW) – The Most Influential Mining Conference in Africa – reinforcing the event’s engagement with key regulatory institutions shaping the continent’s mining sector.

 

In his role, Ramadan will provide strategic guidance on core themes and agenda priorities for AMW, ensuring alignment with Egypt’s mining sector vision, including regulatory reform, investment facilitation and value-added mineral development.

His appointment strengthens AMW’s position as a direct engagement platform for global investors seeking exposure to Egypt’s mining industry. It also supports Egypt’s broader national agenda to attract foreign direct investment into key mineral segments including phosphate, gold, copper and industrial minerals, which are central to the country’s industrialization and resource monetization strategy.

Under the theme Mining the Future: Unearthing Africa’s Full Mineral Value Chain, AMW 2026 will convene African regulators, including EMRA, alongside global investors and project developers for partnerships formation aimed at unlocking investment flows across the continent’s mining sector.

AMW 2026 comes at a time when Egypt is accelerating reforms and strategic initiatives across its mining sector. These include enhanced collaboration on mineral value chains, such as the Afreximbank-Central Bank of Egypt initiative to establish the African Gold Bank, aimed at financing gold mining and beneficiation projects. Additionally, Egypt’s Suez Canal Economic Zone-based Futurefert project recently secured $20 million in financing from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development to develop fertilizer production facilities, further supporting the country’s phosphate beneficiation ambitions and regional food security objectives.

Meanwhile, regulatory reforms are also underway, including the development of a modern mining cadastre system designed to streamline licensing processes and improve transparency for investors, led by EMRA.

Through his role on the AMW Advisory Board, Ramadan will position Egypt as a key mining investment destination within Africa’s evolving resource landscape.

https://apo-opa.co/4ai4FYa

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

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Africa’s Data-First Energy Workforce is the Key to Unlocking Future Exploration

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Africa’s energy sector is undergoing a massive digital transformation, leveraging AI and analytics to enhance transparency and production while prioritizing essential workforce development and innovation

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, June 22, 2026/APO Group/ –Africa’s energy future will be shaped not only by the resources beneath the ground, but by the ability of its workforce to interpret, manage and act on increasingly complex datasets. As exploration targets become more technically challenging and investors demand greater certainty, energy companies across the continent are turning to artificial intelligence, advanced analytics and digital platforms to improve decision-making. Building a data-first workforce capable of leveraging these technologies is emerging as a strategic priority, enabling operators to reduce exploration risk, optimize production and accelerate project development.

 

As digital innovation becomes increasingly critical to streamlining operations across exploration and production, this year’s African Energy Week (AEW) 2026 – taking place in Cape Town from October 12–16 – is set to highlight how these shifts impact regional competitiveness. These industry-wide advancements are set to take center stage during Renegade Intel, the event’s premier track dedicated to AI and data centers.

For Africa’s exploration sector, digitalization is becoming a prerequisite for success. As operators pursue frontier acreage, deeper reservoirs and more complex geological plays, the ability to process and interpret large volumes of seismic, subsurface and operational data is critical. However, technology alone is not enough. Scaling exploration activity will require a workforce equipped with advanced digital skills, capable of applying AI-driven insights to geological modeling, prospect evaluation and resource development.

In the exploration sector, the BHP Xplore Bootcamp – designed to fast-track early-stage mineral exploration – launched in South Africa on February 3. The intensive program provides junior explorers with $500,000 grants and access to proprietary data analytics, specifically targeting deeper copper and zinc systems in the Northern Cape province through advance mineral modeling.

Harnessing digitalization is no longer an option but a necessity to ensure Africa remains globally competitive

Further boosting upstream efficiency, global technology company SLB inaugurated its Africa Performance Center in Luanda, Angola in late 2025. The facility provides regional operators with high-fidelity digital twins and AI-driven workflows for enhanced oil recovery. These tools allow companies to analyze massive datasets, extending the life of mature fields in Angola and Algeria.

AI is increasingly being adopted across Africa’s energy management systems. Leading the charge in modern grid management, South Africa’s state utility Eskom announced on March 3 that it is leveraging AI to build a self-healing power grid. This ambitious project aims to utilize predictive analytics to minimize outages and optimize integration of renewable energy sources across its national transmission network. This was followed by the signing of an agreement between Eskom, the University of Pretoria and the South African National Energy Development Institute, aimed at harnessing the power of AI to address critical energy challenges across the country.

Similar moves are taking place in Nigeria. In a landmark move for regulatory transparency, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) launched a 60-day digitalization program in early 2026. NUPRC Commission Chief Executive Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan announced the initiative following a visit from the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative’s Executive Secretary Musa Sarkin Adar, pledging to eliminate paper trails to enhance speed and royalty enforcement.

Sustaining this momentum requires robust talent pipelines and university partnerships. Workforce reform is essential to bridge the technical gap, as African institutions must evolve into dynamic innovation hubs. Investing in local skills development ensures that the digital transition remains Africa-led, creating high-value jobs for the continent’s growing youth population.

“Transforming Africa’s economic potential into reality requires that we empower those who make growth possible – our SMEs, our women entrepreneurs and our youth,” says NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman, African Energy Chamber. “Harnessing digitalization is no longer an option but a necessity to ensure Africa remains globally competitive.”

Ultimately, digitalization and skills development are the dual engines driving Africa toward an era of energy abundance. By fostering a tech-savvy workforce and adopting cutting-edge analytics, the continent can de-risk projects and attract long-term capital. These critical advancements are set to form the cornerstone of discussions at the Renegade Intel track at AEW 2026 this October.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

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Cabship Expands Artificial Intelligence (AI)-Driven Logistics, Workforce Development Strategy Ahead of Angola Oil & Gas (AOG) 2026 Sponsorship

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As Angola’s oil and gas sector evolves, Cabship is expanding its service offering through digital innovation, workforce development and integrated logistics solutions designed to support the next phase of industry growth

LUANDA, Angola, June 22, 2026/APO Group/ –Angolan logistics and maritime services provider Cabship is strengthening its service portfolio to better support the country’s evolving oil and gas sector, while leveraging digital technologies, workforce development and local partnerships to meet growing industry demand. Reflecting its expanding role across Angola’s oil and gas value chain, the company has joined the Angola Oil & Gas (AOG) 2026 conference and exhibition as an Elite Sponsor.

 

Over the years, Cabship has developed into a strategic integrated logistics and support service providers for Angola’s oil and gas industry. The company offers a broad range of solutions spanning shipping, customs clearance, procurement, warehousing, material management, pipe yard operations, freight forwarding, transportation and offshore support services. Building on this foundation, Cabship continues to diversify its capabilities to support increasingly complex upstream and offshore developments across Angola.

The company’s growth strategy has been underpinned by continuous investment in technology and operational efficiency. As Angola’s oil and gas industry embraces digital transformation, Cabship has integrated artificial intelligence and advanced digital tools into its logistics and supply chain operations. These technologies are helping optimize cargo tracking, improve operational planning and enhance the efficiency of project execution, enabling operators and service providers to reduce costs while maintaining reliability across the supply chain.

Alongside technology adoption, Cabship has placed local content development at the center of its long-term strategy. The company signed a partnership agreement with Angola’s National Petroleum Institute (INP), aimed at strengthening training initiatives to prepare young Angolan professionals for careers in the energy sector. The partnership initially benefits 15 individuals from the provinces of Cabinda, Zaire, Bengo and Luanda, with recipients undergoing specialized training in industrial electricity in renewable energies and international welding.

The company has also continued to expand its offshore and marine support capabilities through strategic partnerships, strengthening its ability to provide integrated services for both shallow-water and deepwater operations. These efforts align with Angola’s broader objectives of increasing local participation across the oil and gas value chain while supporting new exploration, development and production projects.

As an Elite Sponsor of AOG 2026 – taking place September 9-10 in Luanda, with a pre-conference day on September 8 – Cabship will join industry leaders, policymakers and investors to discuss the future of Angola’s oil and gas sector. The company’s participation highlights the increasingly important role that logistics, digital innovation and workforce development play in supporting Angola’s next phase of oil and gas growth.

 

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

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