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Fostering a Sustainable Coal Value Chain: World Coal Association Joins African Energy Week (AEW) 2023 as Partner

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World Coal Association

As a partner, the World Coal Association will shape conversations around the role Africa’s coal resources play in driving long-term energy security and baseload power

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, September 11, 2023/APO Group/ — 

Africa’s extensive coal reserves, estimated at 16.4 billion short tons, have long-played a central part in providing baseload power to the continent’s grid while serving as feedstock for international coal plants. With energy security becoming a rising concern worldwide, African nations rich in coal are actively pursuing best practices to optimize resource extraction and utilization, with the aim of expediting sustainable development and meeting global demand. Organizations such as the World Coal Association are instrumental under this agenda, and will play an important part in driving sustainable coal development in the long-term.

The African Energy Chamber (AEC) – the voice of the African energy sector – is proud to announce the World Coal Association has joined the African Energy Week (AEW) 2023 conference – Africa’s premier event for the energy sector, scheduled for 16–20 October in Cape Town – as a partner. The organization is dedicated to promoting the adoption of clean coal technologies to foster sustainable economic development, and during the event, will shape discussions around the role coal will play in alleviating energy poverty in Africa.

Amidst ongoing global debate around the future of coal, the World Coal Association is at the forefront of shaping discussions and initiatives aimed at revitalizing the global coal value chain through innovative approaches. By promoting investment in coal mining and clean coal technologies, the organization plays an instrumental part in ensuring the sustainable development of economies worldwide. These efforts are designed to align with global energy security and environmental objectives.

We commend the World Coal Association for its unwavering dedication to fostering worldwide dialogue on the critical significance of coal in propelling sustainable development

While many stakeholders are calling for an end to coal-use and the transition to cleaner sources of fuel, coal continues to play an important part in providing energy to Africa. Currently, 600 million people are without electricity across the continent and the continent’s coal reserves represent a pivotal catalyst for enhancing electrification and development. Coal-producing nations in Africa, such as South Africa, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Tanzania and Swaziland, continue to grapple with significant electricity shortages, owing largely to lack of investment. This unfortunate trend underscores the need to increase capital expenditure across the industry, both for domestic consumption and exports.

Recognizing the integral role of coal in sustainable development, African nations are proactively advancing their coal industries to reap the associated benefits. For instance, South Africa is currently engaged in a comprehensive effort to modernize its coal-fired power plants, thereby enhancing energy security. Similarly, Botswana has unveiled plans to construct a $2.5 billion coal-to-liquids facility, aimed at reducing reliance on imported petroleum products. Senegal has also joined this endeavor by reactivating its 125 MW Sendou power plant. Additionally, Zimbabwe has expanded its coal exports, contributing to revenue growth and meeting the escalating global demand through the shipment of 20,000 tons of washed coal per month from the Lubu project to the global market.

Notwithstanding energy security benefits, the effective monetization of these resources will help foster job creation, capacity building and technology transfer across the entire value chain, spanning mining, storage, transportation and more. The industry offers a substantial avenue for Africa to expand its export revenues, which can be strategically reinvested to fortify various sectors of the economy, including vital infrastructure development. As such, organizations such as the World Coal Association are poised to help stimulate the development of the industry by driving discussions around the benefits coal offer for Africa.

“Coal has historically been the backbone of the global economy. We commend the World Coal Association for its unwavering dedication to fostering worldwide dialogue on the critical significance of coal in propelling sustainable development and facilitating the transition towards a low-emissions future,” stated NJ Ayuk, the Executive Chairman of the AEC.

AEW 2023 will host distinguished representatives from the World Coal Association during exclusive networking sessions, where cutting-edge innovative and clean coal technologies and projects will be showcased. These initiatives are actively contributing to Africa’s energy renaissance as well as efforts to alleviate energy poverty, enhance consumer access to dependable and cost-effective energy, and drive towards industrialization across the continent.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

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Liberia to Preview Next Oil & Gas Licensing Round Strategy at Houston Investor Day

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The Liberia Petroleum Regulatory Authority will host operators, investors and partners in Houston on August 19 to preview future licensing opportunities and showcase the exploration potential of its offshore basins

HOUSTON, United States of America, August 7, 2026/APO Group/ –The Liberia Petroleum Regulatory Authority (LPRA) will present its strategy for the country’s next offshore licensing round at Liberia Investor Day Houston on August 19, bringing together international exploration companies, investors, service providers and energy leaders to discuss the next phase of Liberia’s upstream development.

Hosted in partnership with Energy Capital & Power, the event will provide a platform for the LPRA, led by Director General Hon. Marilyn T. Logan, to outline Liberia’s regulatory framework, investment priorities and plans to attract new participation across the country’s offshore sector. Discussions will focus on upcoming licensing opportunities, exploration prospects and the subsurface data supporting future investment decisions.

Liberia’s offshore sector is entering a new phase of exploration activity, with renewed international participation and a growing pipeline of opportunities. Following the award and ratification of eight Production Sharing Contracts in 2025, Liberia has re-established itself as a frontier exploration destination, with international operators advancing work programs designed to further evaluate the country’s petroleum potential. TotalEnergies is progressing exploration activities that include offshore geochemical surveys, 3D seismic acquisition and seabed mapping, while Oranto Petroleum has also signed contracts to explore Liberia’s offshore.

At the Liberia Investor Day Houston, the LPRA will provide industry stakeholders with insight into the priorities shaping the next licensing round, including the anticipated process, qualification requirements, available acreage and access to technical data. The engagement will give prospective investors a clearer view of Liberia’s exploration landscape and the opportunities emerging across its offshore basins.

The event will also facilitate direct dialogue between LPRA and the global upstream community, connecting companies with policymakers and industry stakeholders involved in shaping Liberia’s next chapter of petroleum development.

As exploration companies continue to seek new frontier opportunities, Liberia Investor Day Houston will highlight the role of regulatory certainty, data availability and strategic partnerships in unlocking long-term investment across Liberia’s offshore sector.

Registration is now open for attendees. Companies interested in Liberia’s emerging offshore opportunities are invited to join LPRA, investors and upstream leaders in Houston for insights into the country’s licensing strategy and exploration outlook. For more information contact info@energycapitalpower.com.

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

 

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Beyond Stabroek: Guyana’s Offshore Basin Attracts New Wave of Exploration Investment

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As ExxonMobil advances appraisal activity in Stabroek and new operators target frontier acreage, Guyana is attracting global capital and building a diversified offshore portfolio designed to sustain long-term growth

GEORGETOWN, Guyana, August 7, 2026/APO Group/ –Guyana’s transformation into one of the world’s fastest-growing oil producers is entering a new phase, with a growing network of IOCs expanding exploration activity across the country’s offshore basin. Beyond the landmark discoveries that first put Guyana on the global energy map, new drilling campaigns and licensing partnerships are creating a broader exploration ecosystem designed to support long-term production growth.

At the center of this momentum is ExxonMobil’s continued exploration and appraisal activity in the prolific Stabroek Block. The company has submitted a proposal for a 35-well exploration and appraisal drilling campaign, expected to run from 2028 through 2033, pending regulatory approval. The program would build on more than 30 commercial discoveries already made in the block, with drilling activity focused on evaluating new prospects and appraising existing discoveries to support future development opportunities.

Exploration activity is also extending into Guyana’s frontier acreage, with ExxonMobil advancing drilling operations at the deepwater Canje Block. The company has deployed the Noble Stena Carron drillship for exploration activity, highlighting continued industry interest in evaluating Guyana’s underexplored offshore potential beyond the established Stabroek Block.

Guyana’s strong exploration outlook comes as the country’s economy continues to benefit from rapid oil sector expansion, with hydrocarbons expected to remain a key driver of exports, government revenues and economic growth. As production scales up, attracting additional investment across exploration, services and infrastructure will be critical to supporting the next phase of development.

That momentum is being reinforced through partnerships established under Guyana’s 2023 offshore licensing round. A consortium comprising TotalEnergies, QatarEnergy and Petronas is advancing exploration activities in Block S4 under a five-year production sharing agreement signed with the government in late 2025. The award represents one of the first major outcomes of the licensing round and demonstrates continued international confidence in Guyana’s offshore resource potential.

Beyond the largest operators, a diverse group of companies is also expanding activity across Guyana’s offshore basin. Eco Atlantic is advancing exploration at the Orinduik Block; CGX Energy and Frontera Energy are progressing work in the Corentyne Block; Occidental is evaluating opportunities in the Roraima Block; while Ratio Guyana and Cataleya Energy hold interests in the Kaieteur Block. Together, these partnerships are broadening Guyana’s exploration landscape, increasing competition for acreage and creating opportunities for future discoveries.

As Guyana transitions from an emerging producer to a global energy hub, the next challenge will be converting exploration success into sustainable investment, local value creation and regional growth. These opportunities will be explored at Caribbean Energy Week 2027, held under the theme “Unlocking the Caribbean Energy Corridor: Oil, Gas, LNG & Investment for a New Global Hub.” Bringing together governments, IOCs, investors and technology providers, the event will examine how Guyana’s expanding partnerships can accelerate offshore development, strengthen regional energy cooperation and attract the capital needed to support the Caribbean’s evolving energy landscape.

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

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Energy Capital & Power Establishes London Entity, Expanding Global Platform for Energy and Mining Events

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The move strengthens ECP’s presence in the UK and Europe, and its ability to connect African and South American markets with global investors

LONDON, United Kingdom, August 6, 2026/APO Group/ –International events company Energy Capital & Power (ECP) (www.EnergyCapitalPower.com) has officially established its UK entity in London, marking a milestone in the company’s growth strategy and reinforcing its ability to deliver world-class energy and mining events and campaigns in the UK and Europe.

By establishing a presence in a key hub like London – the pre-eminent energy and mining finance center – ECP actively shapes the global energy conversation. The expansion positions ECP to better serve clients, partners and investors seeking to develop business opportunities between Africa, Europe, the Americas and energy markets worldwide.

Opening our UK company brings ECP closer to key investors in the global energy finance capital

The milestone comes as ECP strengthens its reach through a series of investment platforms that connect global capital to energy and mining projects. These include the Venezuela Energy Week London Showcase on July 30 – with over 300 delegates registered – and the annual Invest in African Energy Forum, held in Paris as the premier event connecting global investors to Africa’s energy transformation.

ECP hosts high level summits and investor conferences in leading energy and minerals producing countries in Africa and South America, including: Venezuela Energy Week; Angola Oil & Gas; MSGBC Oil, Gas & Power; African Mining Week; Libya Energy & Economic Summit; Congo Energy & Investment Forum; South Sudan Oil & Power; and Caribbean Energy Week. The company has hosted investor forums and supported licensing round roadshows in Houston, London and Paris since 2016.

“Opening our UK company brings ECP closer to key investors in the global energy finance capital,” states CEO James Chester. “Having a permanent presence in London further cements our footprint in Europe, enabling us to fulfil our mission to bring minerals and energy investment to diverse global markets.”

With teams located across Africa, Europe and the Americas, ECP has long-facilitated strategic engagement, market intelligence and industry convening, uniting investors with leading energy and mining projects.

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

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