CAIRO, Egypt, March 7, 2025/APO Group/ –SPARK (https://SPARK.Ngo/), in partnership with EYouth and with support from  Google.org, has launched the Maharat for Tourism E-Learning Hub in Egypt –  a pioneering platform designed to equip 25,000 individuals across the MENA region with essential skills for the tourism industry (Maharat.SPARK.Ngo/).

The launch event, held at the Triumph Plaza Hotel in Cairo, welcomed over 100 stakeholders, including representatives from  Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism, industry leaders, and digital learning experts. The initiative aligns with Egypt’s national priorities to enhance workforce competitiveness and drive tourism sector growth.

With the tourism sector rapidly evolving,  Maharat for Tourism offers free, high-quality training tailored for both aspiring and experienced professionals. The platform provides interactive courses on digital skills, business management, and customer service, ensuring users stay competitive in a dynamic job market.

By bridging the skills gap and building a digitally empowered workforce, this initiative directly contributes to Egypt’s economic resilience and job creation in one of its most vital industries.

A Strategic Partnership with the Ministry of Tourism

Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism is an active supporter of the platform, recognising its role in modernising workforce training and driving long-term industry sustainability. “We are proud to launch the Maharat for Tourism E-Learning Hub, which will provide thousands of individuals with the opportunity to develop essential skills for success in the tourism sector,” said Dina Almasaeid, SPARK’s Regional Programme Director “The support from Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism further emphasises the industry-wide commitment to fostering talent and innovation.”

Join the Movement

The Maharat for Tourism E-Learning Hub is now live and available in both English and Arabic, offering tourism professionals and job seekers the opportunity to advance their careers in the industry.  To learn more and enroll in courses, visit: https://Maharat.SPARK.Ngo/

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, March 7, 2025/APO Group/ –Africa’s national oil companies (NOC) are moving beyond operating as state-representatives by transforming themselves into competitive upstream players. By strengthening their balance-sheets through partial privatization, transferring their regulatory roles to independent entities and acquiring more assets, NOCs are emerging as strong partners for foreign firms.

Boosting Production  

Major oil producers in Africa are striving to boost production and NOC-IOC collaboration is at the forefront. Libya’s NOC is working with IOCs Repsol, bp, TotalEnergies, ConocoPhillips and more to increase output to two million barrels per day (bpd). In collaboration with the NOC, TotalEnergies has achieved a 20% increase in production at the Waha field; Repsol plans to drill nine new prospects in 2025; while Eni is planning four exploration wells in 2025. Algeria’s Sonatrach will increase hydrocarbon production by 2.5% this year, actively pursuing international partnerships following a revision of its Hydrocarbons Law in 2029. Negotiations are underway with ExxonMobil and Chevron to boost exploration. These efforts reflect a broader trend across the continent, where NOCs are leaning on foreign partnerships to advance oil and gas production.

Advancing Gas Monetization

Amid a surge in gas monetization, Africa has emerged as a major LNG producer. Collaboration between NOCs and IOCs have been at the forefront of this gas drive, leading to the emergence of new LNG exporters. Senegal’s Petrosen and Mauritania’s SMH worked alongside bp and Kosmos Energy to develop the Greater Tortue Ahmeyim LNG project – situated on the maritime border of the two countries and producing first LNG in January 2025. Mozambique’s ENH is working closely with foreign operators to develop several LNG projects, including TotalEnergies (Mozambique LNG); ExxonMobil (Rovuma LNG) and Eni (Coral South and Coral North). The 3.4 mtpa Coral South FLNG project has been operating since 2022 while ExxonMobil plans to make FID on Rovuma LNG in 2026.

The Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation is developing the Tanzania LNG project, working with Shell and Equinor to monetize resources in Blocks 1, 2 and 4. While development has been delayed, the operators remain committed to collaboratively bringing the project online. In Angola, which has been an LNG producer since 2013, the NOC Sonangol is working with its New Gas Consortium partners Azule Energy, Cabinda Gulf Oil Company and TotalEnergies to increase LNG production capacity. The partners completed the offshore platform for Angola’s first non-associated gas project in February 2025, with production on track for early-2026.

Unlocking New E&P Markets  

A slate of discoveries in recent years have opened up new oil and gas plays across the continent. Following an increase in its oil and gas budget from $120 million to $246 million for the 2024/2025 period, the Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC) is driving exploration across underexplored areas in the country. In partnership with TotalEnergies and CNOOC, the company will start production at the Kingfisher and Tilenga oilfields in 2025. UNOC is also advancing exploration in the Moroto-Kyoga basins, with preliminary studies aimed at uncovering new oil fields.

In Namibia, NAMCOR is working with IOCs toward first oil production from the Orange Basin by 2029. Major projects include the Mopane field, which made its third discovery last month, and the Venus field, which targets FID in 2026. The company aims to secure higher stakes in future oil and gas projects – increasing its share from the minimum 10% to between 20-30% – underscoring a commitment to greater participation in field development.

Meanwhile, the South Africa National Petroleum Company (SANPC) – launched in September 2024 – strives to facilitate greater investment in exploration, natural gas monetization and infrastructure development. While major gas deposits were found in the Outeniqua Basin in 2019 and 2020, operational challenges have impacted development. The SANPC seeks to address these challenges through IOC collaboration and foreign investment. The company also strives to unlock the potential of the Orange Basin.

Fostering Collaboration at African Energy Week 2025  

As the largest energy event in Africa, African Energy Week: Invest in African Energies facilitates collaboration between Africa’s NOCs and international operators. Taking place in Cape Town from September 29 to October 3, 2025, the event offers a platform for strategic dialogue, networking and dealmaking.

“African NOCs are driving the continent’s next wave of innovative oil and gas developments. By partnering with global operators and strengthening their operational capacity, NOCs are not only driving projects forward but showcasing the competitiveness of African operators,” states Tomás Gerbasio, VP Commercial and Strategic Engagement, African Energy Chamber.

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 http://www.AECWeek.com for more information about this exciting event.  

BRAZZAVILLE, Congo (Republic of the), March 6, 2025/APO Group/ –Serving as the inaugural edition, this year’s Congo Energy & Investment Forum (CEIF) 2025, scheduled for March 25-26 in Brazzaville, underscores the Republic of Congo’s growing role in Africa’s energy landscape. Under the leadership of Bruno Jean-Richard Itoua, Minister of Hydrocarbons for Congo, the country has affirmed its commitment to maximizing its energy potential and streamlining licensing and regulatory processes, leading to a series of recent acquisitions and project developments.

Gain Insights into Congo’s Gas Master Plan

The Congolese government will unveil its new Gas Master Plan at CEIF 2025, which is designed to consolidate the position of existing companies and attract new investments to the sector. Developed in collaboration with global data and analytics provider Wood Mackenzie, the plan sets out a clear roadmap to capitalize on Congo’s gas resources, highlighting gas as a significant economic opportunity to diversify the country’s economy. The plan will allow Congo to engage more confidently with advanced regional and international players in the industry.

Participate in Congo’s 2025 Licensing Round

With aims to attract investment in both marginal and deepwater blocks, Congo is set to launch its 2025 international oil and gas licensing round. This initiative is part of the country’s strategy to increase oil production from the current 280,000 barrels per day (bpd) to 500,000 bpd and is expected to usher in a new wave of investment in sub-Saharan Africa’s fourth largest oil producing market.

This licensing round is designed to attract international oil companies (IOCs) with technical expertise and financial capacity to develop deepwater resources, as well as local and independent companies to exploit marginal fields.

Explore Congo’s Investment Potential

Congo is offering a number of investment opportunities for international and local companies and firms across all levels of the value chain.

A series of dedicated panel sessions, technical workshops and presentations at CEIF 2025 will provide an in-depth look at Congo’s efforts to sustainably increase its oil production. The conference will highlight crucial developments across the country’s energy sector as well as the broader strategic importance of Congo’s energy ambitions. CEIF 2025 will provide attendees with valuable insights into how ongoing and upcoming projects are helping the country meet its production goals while fostering economic growth and diversification in the sector.

Connect with Industry Leaders

Supported by Congo’s Ministry of Hydrocarbons and national oil company (NOC) Société Nationale des Pétroles du Congo, CEIF 2025 will serve as an opportunity for local, regional and international delegates to collaborate and discover new avenues for partnerships. Delegates can connect with top energy investors and executives – from operators, IOCs, NOCs and independents – as well as government officials, industry innovators and financiers to expand their professional network.

Help Fuel Sustainable Development

Boasting immense potential for renewable energy, Congo is well-positioned to leverage Congo’s strong slate of upcoming projects to transform its energy landscape. In recent years, the country has implemented a number of initiatives to diversify its energy matrix and expand the share of renewable energy. The Congolese government is also making strategic investments in downstream infrastructure, including new refineries and gas-to-power projects, which will be on display at CEIF 2025 and are set to help drive electrification and socioeconomic development.

The inaugural Congo Energy & Investment Forum, set for March 24-26, 2025, in Brazzaville, under the patronage of President Denis Sassou Nguesso and supported by the Ministry of Hydrocarbons and Société Nationale des Pétroles du Congo, will bring together international investors and local stakeholders to explore national and regional energy and infrastructure opportunities. The event will explore the latest gas-to-power projects and provide updates on ongoing expansions across the country.