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Chariot Energy’s Industry-Led Energy Transition

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4 years ago

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Chariot Energy

With a change of management during the pandemic, we’ve switched up our portfolio, embracing gas developments as a stepping stone to zero carbon power and going further with green hydrogen and renewable projects

JUBA, South Sudan, June 8, 2022/APO Group/ — 

Energy, Capital & Power (https://EnergyCapitalPower.com) spoke with Julian Maurice-Williams, Chief Financial Officer at the Chariot Energy Group about Africa’s energy transition, the respective roles of renewables, green hydrogen and natural gas therein, and the need for investment and policy support.

Chariot is in the business of transitional energy. What does this mean for Africa?

Africa’s circumstance is unique: 1.4 billion people, a mere 43% of which have access to electricity. This is less than half the global average, and the situation will not resolve itself, population growth is projected to put a further 700 million people on the continent in the next thirty years.

Climate change is disproportionately affecting these communities despite their doing the least to cause it, and the continent receives a mere 4% of global climate funding. This is the challenge. But there is also opportunity. Africa is positioned to fast-track its industrialization and growth through sustainable development, provided sufficient power volume at the right price point, reliably supplied.

Enter Chariot. Because as Africa moves towards a decarbonized future, we too have transitioned. Previously, Chariot was an oil group whose business was exploration for large offshore oil prospects. But with a change of management during the pandemic, we’ve switched up our portfolio, embracing gas developments as a stepping stone to zero carbon power and going further with green hydrogen and renewable projects. We’re taking on these game-changing energy works and seeing them through their entire lifecycle from conception to production and thereafter, emphasizing power supply to domestic markets but also looking internationally as Europe has opened up.

We have a very entrepreneurial team at Chariot and we hope to move fast, holding a significant first mover advantage in the green energy sector in Africa

We’ve got our flagship Anchois gas project off the Moroccan coast for which we recently raised $25.5 million and hope to make a final investment decision within 12 months, targeting first gas by the end of 2024. This will primarily supply Moroccan energy needs but also potentially export to Europe via a pipeline that goes from Morocco up into Spain. We’re also working with the mining sector across Africa. We’ve got an operational project in Burkina Faso providing 15MW in renewables to a gold mine there. We’re developing a 40MW solar project with a platinum mine in South Africa and most recently, we’ve landed a 430MW solar and wind project in Zambia.

Chariot’s 10GW Project Nour in Mauritania has the potential to become the largest green hydrogen export operation in Africa. Could you speak more to the project and its timeline?

Certainly. We recently announced that our pre-feasibility study had been completed on Project Nour greenlighting further development. We signed a memorandum of understanding with the Mauritanian government last year which gave us exclusive rights to a large acreage position for wind and solar power generation for which Mauritania is truly world-class. This 10GW of green power will drive the electrolysis splitting water to create the hydrogen which may then be converted to ammonia or used in green steel production. Our project will also help provide baseload power to the Mauritanian grid.

As for next steps, we’ll be running a full feasibility study which is likely to run over the next two years. Project Nour is a major development, potentially the largest green hydrogen project in Africa, so we’ll be tackling it in stages and building a world-class consortium of partners to see it through. All the right elements are there: a hungry domestic power grid and proximity to European markets, abundant solar and wind, and excellent government backing so we’re enthusiastic about the future of Project Nour, which is a uniquely cost-effective green hydrogen project.

The theme for this year’s MSGBC Oil, Gas & Power Conference is “The Future of Natural Gas: Growth Using Strategic Investment and Policymaking.” How can policymakers further support the future of gas in the energy transition?

What we need is for governments to recognize these renewables, gas and hydrogen works as projects of national significance- Mauritania does this. So too does Morocco, and we are very fortunate to have strong relationships with both governments. For instance, the end of last year with the rise of the Omicron variant saw many countries close their borders at a time when we were undertaking our gas drilling campaign offshore Morocco. But we worked with the government and managed through that partnership to get the 200 or so people we needed into the country and out to the rig, allowing work to be completed on time and on budget.

And finally, what can we expect to see from Chariot over the coming decade?

We have a very entrepreneurial team at Chariot and we hope to move fast, holding a significant first mover advantage in the green energy sector in Africa. In Morocco, there are lots of further low-risk gas prospects close to our current discovery which certainly could merit commercial extraction. We’ve got a long-term partnership with Total Eren allowing us to co-develop renewable projects with them for mines in Africa, taking a 15-49% share. And we may also look to expand into other industries beyond mining since energy is so intersectional, working directly with other industries  to bring them the power solutions they need to scale, and always working to write an ambitious narrative around Africa’s energy transition.

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

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High-Level Minister Roundup to Headline African Energy Week 2026

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1 day ago

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March 20, 2026

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African Energy Chamber

African Energy Week 2026 will convene ministers from Algeria, Ghana, Senegal, Zambia and Niger to spotlight oil, gas expansion, reforms and investment opportunities continentwide

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, March 13, 2026/APO Group/ –A high-level ministerial roundup will take center stage at this year’s African Energy Week (AEW) 2026 – taking place in Cape Town from 12–16 October –, convening some of the continent’s most influential energy leaders at a defining moment for Africa’s oil, gas and power sectors. As hydrocarbon expansion converges with accelerating energy transition strategies, the gathering is set to spotlight real-time project execution, regulatory reform and cross-border infrastructure that are actively reshaping Africa’s energy future.

 

Confirmed ministers to date include Algeria’s Minister of Energy and Renewable Energies Mourad Adjal, Ghana’s Minister for Energy and Green Transition Dr. John Abdulai Jinapor, Senegal’s Minister of Energy, Petroleum and Mines Birame Soulèye Diop, Zambia’s Minister of Energy Makozo Chikote and Niger’s Minster of Petroleum Hamadou Tinni.

 

Fresh from a March OPEC+ decision to lift output to 977,000 barrels of oil per day (bpd), Algeria enters AEW 2026 amid a $60 billion sector transformation. The country is also advancing a 500-well exploration drive and accelerating its 1.48 GW “Project of the Century” solar rollout. Gas exports to Europe remains central to the country, supported by hydrogen corridor planning and refinery expansion aimed at boosting capacity to 50 million tons by 2029.

 

Following license extension for Jubilee and TEN to 2040 and the late-2025 restart of the Tema Oil Refinery, Ghana is pushing a $3.5 billion upstream reinvestment plan while settling $500 million in gas arrears. A 1,200 MW state thermal plant and expanded gas processing at Atuabo anchor its gas-to-power shift, alongside a renewed upstream push in the Voltaian Basin.

The participation of these distinguished ministers underscores the scale of opportunity unfolding across Africa’s energy landscape and the urgency of aligning policy with capital

 

Senegal’s delegation comes on the back of strong production momentum, with the Sangomar oil field delivering 36.1 million barrels in 2025, outperforming forecasts, while the Greater Tortue Ahmeyim LNG development ramped up to 2.9 million tons per annum following first gas. Dakar is now prioritizing domestic gas through refinery upgrades at the SAR refinery and preparations for Sangomar Phase 2 to push output beyond 100,000 bpd.

 

Zambia is redefining its power mix after drought-induced hydro shortfalls. New solar capacity – including the 200 MW Chisamba expansion and 136 MW Itimpi Phase 2 – is part of a broader 2,500 MW diversification drive. Cabinet has approved major regional fuel pipelines, while the Energy Single Licensing System fast-tracks approvals. Lusaka targets 10 GW generation by 2030, with solar and wind rising to one-third of supply.

Niger’s presence reflects its emergence as a serious oil exporter, with the fully operational 1,950-km Niger-Benin pipeline now moving up to 90,000 bpd to international markets. Alongside uranium expansion and renewed cooperation with Algeria on upstream assets, Niamey is advancing digital oversight reforms and reinforcing energy sovereignty amid evolving geopolitical dynamics.

 

“The participation of these distinguished ministers underscores the scale of opportunity unfolding across Africa’s energy landscape and the urgency of aligning policy with capital,” says NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman, African Energy Chamber. “Their leadership reflects a continent moving decisively from strategy to execution, creating a platform where investors can engage directly with the policymakers shaping Africa’s next wave of oil, gas and energy growth.”

 

At AEW 2026, this ministerial cohort will be well-positioned to offer investors direct insight into Africa’s most dynamic energy markets – where new barrels, new pipelines and new megawatts are reshaping regional growth trajectories in real time.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

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Enlit Africa 2026 Programme: 280+ speakers, African nuclear 2.0, Bruce Whitfield Business Breakfast

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1 day ago

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March 20, 2026

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Enlit Africa

The event, taking place 19-21 May 2026 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, expects 7,200+ attendees and 250+ exhibitors, making it Africa’s largest gathering of energy and water professionals

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, March 12, 2026/APO Group/ –Enlit Africa (https://apo-opa.co/4cEX08g) has released its full 2026 conference programme, featuring 280+ speakers across 8 specialised tracks including a new African Nuclear 2.0 session covering Koeberg’s 20-year life extension and Ghana’s nuclear vendor selection process.

 

The event, taking place 19-21 May 2026 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, expects 7,200+ attendees and 250+ exhibitors, making it Africa’s largest gathering of energy and water professionals.

Award-winning business journalist and best-selling author Bruce Whitfield will deliver the opening address at the Project & Investment Network Business Breakfast on 19 May, kicking off three days of strategic sessions, deal-making platforms, and technical masterclasses.

New programme content includes:

African Nuclear 2.0 – A dedicated session examining the transition from planning to execution, featuring:

Koeberg Nuclear Power Station’s successful 20-year life extension (Units 1 and 2 now licensed until 2044/2045)

Ghana’s progression to Phase 3 of its nuclear programme, evaluating US, Chinese, and Russian technology bids

West African Power Pool‘s 10 GW regional nuclear capacity target

Small Modular Reactor (SMR) deployment readiness across African grids

Independent Transmission Projects (ITP) – A new session exploring how private investment is unlocking Africa’s transmission bottleneck, featuring global case studies from India’s PowerGrid and lessons for scaling grid capacity across the continent.

Generation Masterclasses – Five interactive roundtables on gas-to-power, nuclear, hydro power, clean coal, and hydrogen.

AI in Africa’s Power Grid – Examining practical deployment realities, real-time analytics, and predictive maintenance applications already in operation across African utilities.

Conference sessions and technical hub sessions on the expo floor are CPD-accredited by the South African Institute of Electrical Engineers (SAIEE) and the South African Institution of Civil Engineering (SAICE).

Co-located platforms:

Water Security Africa features country playbooks from Namibia (55-year potable reuse programme), Uganda (NRW reduction from 42% to 32%), Cape Town (Day Zero recovery strategies), and sector-specific stewardship sessions with Harmony Gold, Heineken, Mediclinic, and Growthpoint Properties.

Project & Investment Network (P&IN), part of the new Level 2 Executive Experience, connects project developers, investors, African utility CEOs, and DFIs through structured matchmaking, ministerial dialogues, and project briefings. Over the past two years, P&IN has facilitated $3 billion in project pitches.

Utility CEO Forum brings together 35+ confirmed utility CEOs under Chatham House Rule for candid, off-the-record strategic discussions on unbundling, prosumer management, and financial sustainability.

Municipal Forum addresses South African municipalities’ distribution, metering, and revenue challenges, including sessions on NRW management, tariff reform, Cost of Supply studies, and electrifying informal settlements.

Technical Hub sessions on the exhibition floor offer free, CPD-accredited training across Power, Renewable Energy & Storage, and Water tracks, with confirmed speakers from Eskom, ENGIE SA, ACTOM, National Transmission Company South Africa (NTCSA), RenEnergy, and Matla Energy.

Site visits on 22 May include Koeberg Nuclear Power Station and the V&A Waterfront desalination plant.

Pass options:
Free expo pass registration: https://apo-opa.co/4bl2bYu

Free expo passes provide access to 250+ exhibitors and CPD-accredited Technical Hub sessions.

Delegate Pass:
Early bird registration closes 3 April 2026. Delegate passes start at R15,100 (Silver), with P&IN Executive passes at R32,000 including access to the Bruce Whitfield breakfast, Level 2 executive lounge, and investor matchmaking.

Download the full programme: https://apo-opa.co/3NwCble

Register: https://apo-opa.co/4cEX08g

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of VUKA Group.

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Binance Secures Second Major Legal Victory in U.S. Court Under Anti-Terrorism Act in Two Weeks

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1 day ago

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March 20, 2026

By

Binance

US Federal Court in Alabama Dismisses All Claims Against Binance in Latest Lawsuit Victory

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, March 12, 2026/APO Group/ –Binance (www.Binance.com), the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, announced today that a U.S. federal court in Alabama has dismissed all claims against the company in a lawsuit alleging violations of the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA). This marks Binance’s second major legal victory in an  ATA matter within one week, following their victory in the Southern District of New York.

A Full and Complete Legal Victory

In a detailed 19-page ruling, the Court found the plaintiffs’ complaint to be legally and factually deficient. The court’s decision to dismiss every claim across the board represents a decisive legal victory for Binance.

Sanctions compliance and terrorism financing are serious matters of law – they require evidence, legal rigour, and due process

The judge described the filing as a “shotgun pleading.” The complaint failed to clearly specify the claims and improperly grouped all defendants together without distinguishing individual conduct or liability. The ruling also emphasized that the plaintiffs did not meet the basic pleading standard to provide a “short and plain statement” of their claims.

Following the ruling, the court granted the plaintiffs until April 10, 2026, to file an amended complaint addressing the deficiencies identified. However, the judge warned that failure to adequately address these issues would result in dismissal of the entire case.

Building on Momentum and Upholding Legal Integrity

“This decision reinforces our unwavering commitment to protecting Binance and our community from unsubstantiated and bad-faith lawsuits,” shared Eleanor Hughes, General Counsel at Binance. “Sanctions compliance and terrorism financing are serious matters of law – they require evidence, legal rigour, and due process. Courts have now examined these claims on two separate occasions and found them to be without merit. These outcomes speak for themselves. We will not tolerate attempts to misuse the legal system to target our industry, and we remain as committed as ever to transparency, security, and lawful conduct in everything we do”.

This latest decision follows closely on the heels of Binance’s comprehensive victory in New York (https://apo-opa.co/46Xg0ev), where the Court similarly rejected allegations that the company assisted, participated in, or conspired with terrorists. Together, these rulings reflect Binance’s strong resolve to protect its platform and community.

Binance has consistently invested in industry-leading compliance infrastructure, regulatory engagement, and legal governance. The company will continue to vigorously defend itself against any attempts to bring unfounded claims or misrepresent its operations.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Binance.

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