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Angolan Oil Minister Mandates Oil and Gas as Driver of Diversification, Development

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Angolan Oil Minister

Angola’s Minister of Mineral Resources, Oil and Gas Diamantino Azevedo discussed the potential for the country’s oil and gas resources to drive diversification and socioeconomic development in the country

LUANDA, Angola, October 4, 2024/APO Group/ — 

As one of Africa’s leading oil producers, boasting an impressive output of over 1.1 million barrels of oil per day, Angola has garnered a reputation as an easily accessible and attractive investment destination. The country has continued to attract investment for new exploration from global major players such as TotalEnergies, ExxonMobil, Chevron and Azule Energy.

As such, Angola’s Minister of Mineral Resources, Oil and Gas Diamantino Azevedo discussed the country’s achievements and aspiration during a fireside chat at the Angola Oil & Gas 2024 conference. Sponsored by Angolan service company Angola Environmental Serviços, the fireside chat presented an opportunity for the minister to discuss the value of Angola’s resources, how the country aims to stabilize production and boost local capacity building.

“When we explore natural resources, we aim to use them to transform society and contribute towards improving life in Angola,” Minister Azevedo stated, adding, “That’s why it’s important to speak not only in terms of how many million barrels we produce, but to speak on the impact on the living conditions of the population.”

Attention in Angola’s oil and gas sector is not only on current developments but future projects. With an energy sector ripe for investment, the country continues to streamline its investment process, making it straightforward for potential investors. These opportunities transcend traditional oil and gas, with the country’s renewable market enticing players as well.

It’s important to speak not only in terms of how many million barrels we produce, but to speak on the impact on the living conditions of the population

“We have drafted a new strategy for working towards seeking natural resources. The geological surveying is a continuous process. As long as there is a possibility of us discovering natural resources, we have to continue working,” the Minister added.

Meanwhile, in the local content space, demand for drilling and oilfield services, detailed engineering, procurement, technical construction and pre-fabrication and assembly is poised to boost the participation of local companies in the country’s oil and gas sector. To support efforts to maintain production above one million barrels beyond 2027, Angola has been promoting investment in the upstream sector, which is projected to grow by 15% between 2022 and 2027.

As such, the fireside chat directly addressed the methods of navigating Angola’s regulatory landscape, how companies can leverage innovative financing mechanisms and strategies for enhancing competitiveness in Angolan oil and gas.

“We have introduced new methodologies like the permanent offer of blocks and now we have approved a new procedure, and all this has brought new opportunities for investors. The extraction sector will always be the engine of diversification in our country’s economy,” the Minister concluded.

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

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Oando Publishes N4.1 Trillion Revenue and N65.5 Billion Profit-After-Tax in Full Year (FY) 2024 Results

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Oando

The announcement brings the company up to date on its financial reporting, successfully meeting all regulatory requirements

LAGOS, Nigeria, February 1, 2025/APO Group/ — 

Oando PLC (www.OandoPLC.com), Africa’s leading integrated energy company listed on both the Nigerian Exchange Grpup (NGX) and Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE), announced a strong financial performance for the Full Year (FY) 2024 with a 45% growth in revenue to N4.1 Trillion compared to N2.9 Trillion in FY 2023 results.

The company’s 2024 performance showcases a consistent upward trajectory following its announcement of N65.5 billion in profit after tax.

Speaking on the results, Group Chief Executive, Oando PLC, Wale Tinubu CON, commented, “2024 was a year of transformation for Oando, the key highlight being our successful acquisition and subsequent integration of NAOC Ltd, which significantly enhanced our production capacity, attaining peak operated production of 103,206boepd and net entitlements of 45,000 boepd.

Despite a challenging operating environment, we achieved a 45% increase in revenue to 4.1 trillion, reflecting the strength of our business model, and a 9% rise in profit after tax to 65.5 billion, notwithstanding the costs associated with the onboarding of NAOC.

Oando’s production for the twelve months ended December 31, 2024, averaged 23,911 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boe/d), an increase from the 23,258 boe/d achieved in 2023. This growth was primarily driven by the acquisition of an additional 20% stake in the NAOC JV in Q4, partially offset by production disruptions due to shut-in wells resulting from sabotage activities.

2024 was a year of transformation for Oando, the key highlight being our successful acquisition and subsequent integration of NAOC Ltd

Additionally, the Group incurred $18.1 million on capital expenditures related to the development of oil and gas assets and exploration and evaluation activities, compared to $52.3 million in the twelve months to December 31, 2023.

Looking ahead to 2025, Tinubu stated, “In 2025, our priority shall be to drive cost optimization, operational efficiency, streamline processes, enhance procurement, and leverage technology to improve productivity across our operations. In parallel, we will intensify efforts to boost production through the dual approach of rig-less and workover initiatives while executing an aggressive drilling program across three rig lines.

Simultaneously, in collaboration with other stakeholders, we are proactively tackling above-ground security challenges by implementing a revamped security framework that integrates advanced surveillance technology and intelligence-driven initiatives to curb the perennial, unnecessary, and unjustifiable theft of oil to ensure the long-term integrity of our vast network.

As we look ahead to an exciting and successful 2025, we recognize that achieving our goals requires the unwavering support of our host communities and partners. Through extensive engagement, we will foster a collaborative ecosystem that not only secures our operations but also drives shared prosperity and sustainable development for all.”

As the company prepares for its 2025 targets, it is bolstered by optimistic oil demand predictions. The U.S. Energy Information Administration’s (EIA) global oil demand predictions forecast global demand to grow by 1.3 million barrels per day (bpd) in 2025, a significant increase from the estimated growth of 0.9 million b/d in 2024. This projected growth surpasses the pre-pandemic 10-year average (2010-2019) of 1.5 million bpd, indicating a positive trajectory for the global oil market.

With this announcement, Oando enters 2025 on a strong foundation. The announcement brings the company up to date on its financial reporting, successfully meeting all regulatory requirements. Notwithstanding the operational realities, Oando is positioned to build on the momentum of a successful 2024 committed to its strategic vision of becoming Africa’s first international oil company (IOC) by leveraging its strong operational capabilities and strategic partnerships to deliver value to its stakeholders.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Oando PLC.

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AD Ports Group Starts Port and Logistics Operations in Luanda, Angola

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Under AD Ports Group’s leadership, the Luanda port terminal will be significantly upgraded to a general cargo, container and roll on-roll off (Ro-Ro) terminal

LUANDA, Angola, January 31, 2025/APO Group/ — 

AD Ports Group (www.ADPortsGroup.com), a leading facilitator of global trade, logistics and industry (ADX: ADPORTS), today began its long-term management and development of a major multipurpose terminal and an associated logistics business with local partners in Luanda, Angola, driving forward its expansion in sub-Saharan Africa.

With Angolan joint venture partners Unicargas and Multiparques, AD Ports Group started operations at Noatum Ports Luanda Terminal in the country’s largest port. The Port of Luanda handles about 76% of Angola’s container and general cargo volumes, as well as providing maritime access to landlocked neighbours Democratic Republic of the Congo and Zambia.

AD Ports Group has a 81% stake in the multipurpose terminal venture with Unicargas and Multiparques, and a 90% stake in the logistics venture with Unicargas. 

Under a 20-year concession agreement with the Luanda Port Authority signed in April 2024, AD Ports Group committed to invest around USD 250 million through 2026 to modernise the terminal and to develop Noatum Unicargas Logistics, the joint venture providing integrated logistics, transport and freight forwarding services for local, regional and international clients.

With the terminal’s opening today, trading began at Noatum Unicargas Logistics. Noatum Unicargas Logistics is making a significant investment in new trucks and systems and will be fully integrated with the Noatum Logistics global network to strengthen Angola’s access to international markets and drive investment-led growth in the Angolan economy.

In line with market demand, AD Ports Group’s investment could increase to USD 380 million over the life of the concession, which could be extended by another 10 years.

In late 2024, AD Ports Group also signed two agreements with the Angolan government that confer significant tax and financial benefits to the operating subsidiaries of the Group.

The meaningful investments are also expected to result in the creation of thousands of local direct and indirect jobs, and in training and upskilling. The planned investments include equipment and technology solutions that will enable environmentally sustainable operations, with lower carbon emissions.

Mohamed Eidha Al Menhali, Regional CEO of AD Ports Group, said: “With the planned upgrade of Luanda’s multipurpose port terminal, and establishment of an integrated logistics and freight forwarding business leveraging our Group’s global network and reach, AD Ports Group is positioned to capture the growth in Angola’s container volumes, which are forecast to rise on average by 3.3% annually over the next decade. In line with the direction of our wise leadership, this significant investment by our Group and its partners will strengthen the country’s ties with the UAE and bring jobs and economic prosperity to the citizens of Angola.’’

This collaboration represents a significant milestone in our mission to modernize infrastructure and expand access to global trade, promising a prosperous future for Angola

His Excellency Ricardo Daniel Sandão Queirós Viegas D¢Abreu, Minister of Transport, Angola, said:

“The Port of Luanda is the main maritime gateway to Angola, a critical hub for regional trade and for the economic vitality of the country and its neighbors. Through the strategic partnership with the AD Ports Group, an integral part of a broader effort involving various stakeholders, we will transform the Port of Luanda into a modern and multifaceted facility that will significantly enhance our logistical capabilities and drive economic growth across the central and western regions of the African continent. This collaboration represents a significant milestone in our mission to modernize infrastructure and expand access to global trade, promising a prosperous future for Angola and its partners,” emphasizes Angola’s Minister of Transport, Ricardo Viegas d’Abreu.

The same official adds that the investment “the ADP Group can count on the commitment of the Angolan Government in everything necessary so that the planned investment (over 250 million dollars) delivers the desired results for all parties involved.”

Today’s commencement and transfer of business assets occurred seamlessly without interruption in terminal operations, which are planned to continue uninterrupted as AD Ports Group and its partners improve terminal efficiency and operating performance. The Group is also committed to improving health and safety at the terminal, and has already begun to put into place a best-in-class Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) programme to manage and control workplace hazards, environmental risks, and employee well-being.

Under AD Ports Group’s leadership, the Luanda port terminal will be significantly upgraded to a general cargo, container and roll on-roll off (Ro-Ro) terminal. It will be the only terminal in the Port of Luanda with 16 metres of depth alongside and therefore be able to handle Super Post Panamax vessels of up to 14,000 TEUs (Twenty Foot Equivalent Units). The terminal area of 192,000 sqm will be re-engineered to support high density and efficient container handling, and will be equipped with state-of-the-art equipment and modern IT systems.

AD Ports Group has expanded into Africa over the past three years, announcing more than USD 800 million in planned investments in the maritime and shipping, ports and logistics sectors in Egypt, the Republic of Congo, Tanzania and Angola.

The decision to enter Angola followed the signing of a 2023 framework agreement between AD Ports Group and the Government of Angola to explore cooperation in transport and maritime infrastructure.

New container handling equipment will be installed by the third quarter of 2026 that will greatly boost container capacity from 25,000 TEUs to 350,000 TEUs, and Ro-Ro volumes to over 40,000 vehicles. On 11 September 2024, AD Ports Group awarded contracts to Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industries Co. Ltd (“ZPMC”), one of the largest port machinery manufacturers in the world, to supply three Super Post-Panamax STS cranes and eight hybrid Rubber Tyred Gantry (RTG) cranes for the Luanda terminal.

Super Post-Panamax STS cranes are the largest port cranes on the market, capable of reaching 21 container rows and a distance of 60 metres. Hybrid RTG cranes can save up to 60% of diesel in comparison to a traditional diesel RTG cranes, which is equivalent to 1 million litres per year and 5,000 metric tonnes of CO2 emissions.

In the Angolan logistics venture, Noatum Unicargas Logistics will invest in new machinery, reefer and flat-bed trucks, and upgrade IT systems to integrate seamlessly across Noatum Logistics’ digital ecosystem, providing full end-to-end supply chain visibility and enhanced operational efficiency.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of AD Ports Group.

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Mission 300: Significant new donor pledges in support of the Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa announced on margins of the Africa Energy Summit

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Mission 300

France’s contribution will bolster the Africa Green Infrastructure Alliance (AGIA), a platform of the African Development Bank, Africa 50 and other partners that will develop transformative sustainable infrastructure projects for investment

DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania, January 31, 2025/APO Group/ — 

Denmark, the United Kingdom, Spain and France have unveiled new or additional contributions to the Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa, demonstrating strong support for the African Development Bank (www.AfDB.org)-managed fund as it expands energy access across Africa, including through the Mission 300 partnership. Another new donor – Japan –joined in December 2024 with a $5 million contribution under AGIA (https://apo-opa.co/3Eju6LT). 

SEFA is a multi-donor Special Fund that provides catalytic finance to unlock private sector investments in renewable energy and energy efficiency. It aims to contribute to universal access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy services for all in Africa in line with the New Deal on Energy for Africa and Mission 300. 

Mission 300 (https://apo-opa.co/4hDAJqx), an ambitious new partnership of the African Development Bank Group, the World Bank Group and other development partners, aims to provide access to electricity to an additional 300 million Africans by 2030.  

France, a new donor to SEFA, will provide €10 million. Denmark, the UK and Spain will increase existing contributions by DKK 100 million (€13.4 million), £8.5 million (€10.13) and €3 million, respectively.  

Africa is endowed with enormous untapped potential for renewable energy, which can fuel green industrialisation

France’s contribution will bolster the Africa Green Infrastructure Alliance (AGIA) (https://apo-opa.co/4aHQE4M), a platform of the African Development Bank, Africa 50 and other partners that will develop transformative sustainable infrastructure projects for investment.  

 These contributions come as SEFA enjoyed its best year on record in 2024, with $108 million approved for 14 projects. SEFA now boasts a portfolio of over $300 million in highly impactful investments and technical assistance programmes, which is expected to unlock up to $15 billion in investments and deliver approximately 12 million new electricity connections. 

Denmark’s Acting State Secretary for Development Policy, Ole Thonke, said: “Africa is endowed with enormous untapped potential for renewable energy, which can fuel green industrialisation. The latest Danish financial contribution to SEFA will focus on the newly established Africa-led Accelerated Partnership for Renewables in Africa (APRA), further supporting the continent’s ambitious development and climate goals.” 

“We are halfway through this decisive decade to achieve the sustainable development goals and get on track to tackle climate change,” said Rachel Kyte, UK Special Representative for Climate, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. “Achieving our collective goals of reliable, affordable and clean power is a golden thread that links economic growth, greater investment, strengthened resilience and climate ambition. By accelerating the roll-out of clean power, the UK and Mission 300 are putting green and inclusive growth at the heart of our partnerships with Africa. Our announcement of an additional £8.5 million in UK funding for the AfDB’s SEFA will mobilise the much-needed private sector investment so that more Africans can access clean power right across the continent.” 

Inés Carpio San Román, Alternate Governor of Spain for the African Development Bank, said, “We are pleased that Spain has decided to renew its support for the SEFA fund with a contribution of €3 million. This reaffirms our commitment to the crucial sector of renewable energy, which plays a key role in fostering sustainable development across Africa.” 

“As a strong supporter of Africa’s green infrastructure investments with financial tools that mobilise private finance, France is proud to contribute €10 million to the AGIA through SEFA,” stated Bertrand Dumont, Director General of the French Treasury and Governor for France at the African Development Bank. “This very first contribution is our first step towards reinforcing Africa’s sustainable development and accelerating the continent’s path to a low-carbon economy. By investing in green infrastructure in Africa, we are investing for the future.”  

Dr Daniel Schroth, Director of Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency at the African Development Bank, said, “We welcome the new commitments from donors whose support underscores the impactful work of SEFA. These contributions are essential in enabling SEFA to fulfil its role as a key delivery vehicle for Mission 300 at this pivotal moment.” 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB).

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