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Floating Liquefied Natural Gas (FLNG) and Africa’s Gas Future: A Flexible Solution for Accelerated Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Development

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African Energy Chamber

With African gas demand set to rise 60% by 2050, FLNG offers a scalable pathway to monetizing offshore resources

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, January 7, 2026/APO Group/ –Floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG) is rapidly emerging as a cornerstone of Africa’s gas development strategy, as the continent prepares for a sharp rise in demand and seeks faster, more resilient pathways to market. According to the African Energy Chamber’s (AEC) (https://EnergyChamber.OrgState of African Energy 2026 Outlook, Africa’s natural gas demand is projected to increase by 60% by 2050, underscoring the urgency of bringing new supply online efficiently and at scale. At the same time, Africa already hosts the highest concentration of FLNG infrastructure globally, positioning the continent as a natural testbed for floating solutions that monetize offshore resources while mitigating above-ground risks.

Accelerated FLNG Deployment

Early FLNG successes are already reshaping development models across the continent. Cameroon’s Hilli Episeyo FLNG project stands as Africa’s first operational FLNG facility and a global reference point. Brought online in record time, the project demonstrated how FLNG can rapidly unlock gas exports from relatively modest reserves. Since then, Africa’s FLNG market has expanded, with several projects now under development or in operation.

On the maritime border of Senegal and Mauritania, the Gimi FLNG vessel – situated at the bp-led Greater Tortue Ahmeyim LNG development and operated by Golar LNG – reached its commercial operations date in 2025. As the first FLNG unit deployed in the MSGBC region, the vessel will monetize up to 15 trillion cubic feet of gas through a 20-year Lease and Operate Agreement.

In Gabon, Perenco is developing the Cap Lopez FLNG project with a capacity of 700,000 tons per year, starting in 2026, with the unit being built by Dixstone. Offshore Nigeria, UTM Offshore is developing an FLNG facility at the deepwater Yoho field, a $5 billion project progressing toward FID. As Africa positions itself for the next phase of gas-led growth, FLNG stands out as a practical, future-focused solution – one that aligns technical innovation with the continent’s urgent development needs and long-term energy ambitions.

When deployed strategically, FLNG can help Africa turn gas discoveries into energy security, industrial growth and real economic transformation

Implications for the Sector

One of FLNG’s most compelling advantages is scalability. Unlike onshore LNG developments, which require extensive land acquisition, supporting infrastructure and long construction timelines, FLNG facilities can be deployed in phases and scaled according to reservoir performance and market demand. This modular approach reduces upfront capital requirements and allows producers to accelerate first gas while preserving optionality for expansion. The Congo LNG project illustrates this approach: following phase one operations in 2023, operator Eni moved quickly toward phase two, bringing production online in 2025 – just 35 months after construction began and six months ahead of schedule. With first exports set for 2026, the project demonstrates how FLNG can be developed at speed and scale.

FLNG also helps mitigate above-ground risks – an issue shaping gas development strategies across Africa. Mozambique offers a clear example. Despite hosting some of the world’s largest gas discoveries, security challenges in Cabo Delgado caused delays and force majeure declarations on major onshore LNG projects. Offshore FLNG developments, however, have proven more resilient. Eni brought the Coral Sul FLNG project online in 2022, with the Coral Norte FLNG project reaching a $7.2 billion FID in 2025. While projects such as Mozambique LNG and Rovuma LNG faced delays, Coral utilized FLNG to reduce exposure to onshore security threats and logistical bottlenecks, enabling continued operations even in complex environments.

Making Energy Poverty History Through Gas

Beyond speed and resilience, FLNG could become a catalyst for Africa’s broader economic development. By reducing capital intensity and shortening development timelines, FLNG improves project bankability and attracts a wider pool of investors. It also supports gas-to-power strategies, petrochemical development and regional energy security by enabling monetization of gas that might otherwise remain stranded for years.

However, FLNG is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Successful deployment requires robust regulatory frameworks, clear fiscal terms and strong collaboration between governments, operators and financiers. When aligned with national gas master plans and long-term industrial strategies, FLNG can serve as a powerful bridge between exploration success and sustainable economic impact.

These discussions will be central at African Energy Week (AEW) 2026, where governments and industry leaders will explore how floating solutions can unlock Africa’s vast gas potential while managing risk and accelerating timelines. AEW continues to provide a critical platform for sharing lessons learned, advancing project dialogue and mobilizing capital into innovative LNG developments.

“FLNG is changing the game for African gas producers. It allows countries to monetize resources faster, reduce exposure to security and infrastructure risks, and generate revenues that can be reinvested into broader development. When deployed strategically, FLNG can help Africa turn gas discoveries into energy security, industrial growth and real economic transformation,” states NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman, AEC.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

Energy

Siemens Energy Expands Angola Footprint as Senior Vice President (SVP) Waheed Abbasi Joins Angola Oil & Gas (AOG) 2026

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Energy Capital

From FPSO power solutions to local service capacity, Siemens Energy is scaling its role in Angola at a time when the country is pursuing gas expansion

LUANDA, Angola, April 28, 2026/APO Group/ –Waheed Abbasi, Senior Vice President, Gas Services: Europe and Africa at Siemens Energy, has joined the Angola Oil & Gas (AOG) Conference and Exhibition as a speaker. Abbasi’s participation comes at a time when Siemens Energy is deepening its footprint in Angola through major power infrastructure and local capacity investments, positioning itself as a key enabler of the country’s evolving oil and gas market. At the event this September (9-10), Abbasi is expected to bring insights into how power technology and gas infrastructure are converging to support Angola’s next phase of industry growth.

With a long-standing presence in Angola, Siemens Energy has played a central role in strengthening power and infrastructure systems through projects in the oil, gas and renewable energy sectors. The company is currently developing an 80 MW power generation plant for the Kaminho FPSO – part of the first large deepwater development in the Kwanza Basin. The FPSO, currently 50% complete, will be installed in 2027 with first oil produced from the Cameia field in 2028. By integrating advanced power generation systems into offshore infrastructure, Siemens Energy is supporting more efficient, lower-emission production while ensuring reliable operations in deepwater environments.

At the same time, Siemens Energy has strengthened its on-the-ground presence with the launch of its Angola Service Shop in 2026. The facility brings service execution, project support, training and critical spare parts closer to customers, enabling faster response times and improving operational reliability across Angola’s oil and gas sector. By anchoring its services locally, Siemens Energy is not only supporting existing projects but also building the infrastructure needed to sustain long-term industry growth, reinforcing supply chain resilience and technical capacity within the country.

Siemens Energy’s activities in Angola form part of a broader continental strategy, with the company active in more than 50 African countries and leading initiatives across power generation, renewable energy and hydrogen development. This pan-African footprint positions Siemens Energy as a key partner for governments seeking to balance industrial growth with energy transition goals. In Angola, this is particularly relevant as the country looks to diversify its energy mix while leveraging its hydrocarbon resources to drive economic development.

Angola’s strategy to increase the share of gas in its energy mix to 25% is creating new opportunities for companies like Siemens Energy to deploy gas-to-power solutions. The start of key projects, including the country’s first non-associated gas project – led by the New Gas Consortium –, is expected to unlock greater gas flows, supporting both LNG exports and domestic power generation. As gas availability increases, the need for efficient power generation, grid infrastructure and industrial energy solutions will become more critical. Siemens Energy’s technology portfolio, spanning gas turbines, power systems and integrated energy solutions, positions the company to play a central role in enabling this transition.

Stepping into this picture, Abbasi’s participation at AOG 2026 comes at a time when Angola is aligning upstream growth with downstream and power sector expansion, creating a more integrated energy ecosystem. The event will provide a platform for discussions around gas monetization, power infrastructure and industrial development, areas where Siemens Energy is actively contributing.

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

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African Mining Week (AMW) to Showcase Emerging Mining Frontiers as Africa Ramps Up Geomapping

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Energy Capital

The upcoming African Mining Week will connect global investors with emerging opportunities across Africa’s mining sector amidst a surge in national geomapping exercises across the continent

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, April 28, 2026/APO Group/ –State agencies the Ghana Gold Board and the Ghana Geological Survey Authority have signed an agreement to co-conduct geological surveys in the Funsi, Atuna and Bensere East regions. The initiative aims to expand national gold reserves, increase output and support the formalization of artisanal mining operations. The agreement is part of a growing trend across Africa, with mineral-rich countries embarking on national geomapping programs to strengthen mineral production, de-risk exploration projects and position the continent as a key player in the global mineral supply chain.

 

Acceleration in geomapping exercises will be a key focus at the upcoming African Mining Week (AMW) Conference and Exhibition – The Most Influential Mining Conference in Africa, scheduled for October 14-16 in Cape Town. The event will connect global investors and geophysical technology providers with African regulators and project developers, facilitating strategic collaborations aimed at unlocking greenfield developments.

The theme for AMW 2026 – Mining the Future: Unearthing Africa’s Full Mineral Value Chain – reflects a growing trend among African mining jurisdictions eager to unlock the continent’s $8.5 trillion worth of untapped mineral potential. This is backed by the launch of national geomapping initiatives, aimed at identifying new exploration frontiers and supporting investments.

Recent examples include Burundi’s mid-March partnership with U.S. companies Lifezone Metals and KoBold Metals to assess the Musongati Nickel project and other critical mineral prospects. The Democratic Republic of Congo has also engaged Xcalibur Smart Mapping to survey an area spanning 700,000 square kilometers as part of a strategy to unlock over $24 trillion in untapped mineral reserves, with 90% of its geology yet to be explored.

Zambia has also completed 55% of its national geomapping project, as the country seeks to identify new copper deposits to meet its 2031 target of increasing output to three million tons. Meanwhile, Nigeria is advancing its own geomapping efforts following approval of a N1 trillion budget for 2026, aimed at unlocking the country’s potential in more than 44 critical minerals. Several other countries, including Tanzania, are also implementing similar initiatives, while South Africa is providing technical support to nations such as Gabon, South Sudan and Nigeria.

Liberia has plans to geomap 80% of its largely unexplored geology. In an exclusive interview ahead of AMW 2026, Matenokay Tingban, Liberia’s Minister of Mines and Energy, told organizers that “we are seeking geomapping and exploration partners. With Liberia’s vast but largely untapped mineral resources, access to geoscientific data will allow us to negotiate stronger investment deals and unlock downstream infrastructure development.”

The surge in geomapping initiatives highlights Africa’s commitment to unlocking its mining sector growth and presents lucrative opportunities for global exploration, drilling and geophysical technology providers. AMW 2026 will showcase ongoing geomapping progress, connecting African stakeholders with global partners to foster partnerships that will drive the expansion of Africa’s drilling and greenfield projects.

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

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African Petroleum Producers Organization (APPO) Pushes Regional Energy Hubs to Unlock Africa-Wide Investment Scale

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Energy Capital

APPO’s Secretary General outlines integration strategy, gas potential and financing tools reshaping Africa’s energy investment landscape at IAE 2026

PARIS, France, April 24, 2026/APO Group/ –The African Petroleum Producers Organization (APPO) is promoting the development of regional energy hubs across the continent, aiming to remove trade barriers and strengthen infrastructure interconnections – from pipelines to refining and distribution networks.

 

Speaking at Invest in African Energy (IAE) 2026 in Paris, Farid Ghezali, Secretary General, APPO, said the initiative is central to repositioning Africa in the global energy system. The strategy signals a structural shift for investors: away from fragmented national markets toward a unified, high-growth regional bloc of 1.4 billion people.

“For investors, this changes everything,” Ghezali said. “You are no longer investing in isolated national markets, but in an integrated regional market with scale, demand growth and long-term potential.”

We need long-term partnerships that justify large-scale investments and create stability for both producers and buyers

Ghazali framed the push for integration as a response to a rapidly shifting global energy landscape marked by volatility and geopolitical uncertainty. “Recent events have shown that energy security is not just about supply – it is about reliability and resilience,” Ghazali noted. “The world is looking for diversification and stability,” he said. “Africa can offer both – but only if we organize ourselves as a connected and competitive energy market.”

A key part of APPO’s vision is addressing the continent’s infrastructure gap. Despite holding more than 600 trillion cubic feet of proven gas reserves, Africa continues to face constraints in monetizing its resources. “Resources in the ground are not enough,” Ghezali noted. “We need pipelines, LNG facilities, processing infrastructure – real assets that connect supply to demand.”

He emphasized that Africa must move beyond short-term, transactional energy deals, particularly in its engagement with Europe. “We cannot remain in the logic of short-term transactions,” he said. “We need long-term partnerships that justify large-scale investments and create stability for both producers and buyers.”

Financing remains a hurdle, especially as traditional capital sources become more cautious under ESG pressures. However, short-cycle exploration, near-field developments and optimization of existing assets offer immediate value, as recent successes in Namibia, MSGBC countries and Ivory Coast have shown. To support more projects, APPO has backed the creation of the African Energy Bank. At the same time, investors’ preferences are shifting toward integrated energy projects that combine upstream development with domestic power generation or LPG production. “The most attractive projects today are those that deliver both financial returns and development impact,” Ghazali said. “Gas-to-power projects respond to both energy security and sustainability.”

Ghazali underscored the need to boost intra-African energy trade. “We produce oil and gas, yet we import refined products,” he said. “This must change. Regional integration is the only path to a competitive and self-sufficient energy market.”

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

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