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From Discoveries to Development: Strategic Growth in Africa’s Oil and Gas Basins (By Elizaveta Evseeva)

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6 months ago

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Africa

By focusing on solid infrastructure, enhancing local skills, and developing several production sites instead of just large projects, this new exploration wave could finally tap into Africa’s long-awaited energy potential

SANDTON, South Africa, September 24, 2025/APO Group/ —By Elizaveta Evseeva, International Fellow, African Energy Chamber (https://EnergyChamber.org). 

Africa’s hydrocarbon frontier is at an inflection point. Large areas remain underexplored, but recent breakthroughs point to deliberate, strategic growth. The situation in these basins — a series of high-impact deepwater discoveries in Southern and West Africa alongside renewed onshore interest in Angola — challenges the old logic that Africa’s success depends only on mega-projects. These developments underscore how geology, export infrastructure and domestic politics must be considered together when judging a basin’s commercial prospects.

The Southern African Renaissance

According to the African Energy Chamber’s State of African Energy 2026 Outlook, Namibia’s Orange Basin has emerged as the epicenter of African exploration. TotalEnergies’ Venus discovery offshore Namibia is more than a deepwater find: it is a breakthrough that reshapes industry perceptions of Southern Africa’s potential. The development centers on a 160,000-barrel-per-day FPSO tied to roughly 40 subsea wells. Venus is moving into development planning, with a final investment decision expected in 2026 and first oil targeted between 2029–2030. TotalEnergies also plans to drill the Olympe-1X prospect in Block 2912. This marks a daring westward venture into unknown areas as it is the furthest west any well has been drilled in the Orange Basin. If successful, this four-way closure in Lower Cretaceous formations could unlock new play concepts.

South Africa’s participation in this renaissance cannot be overlooked. The basin’s eastern extension signals growing confidence. Examples include Rhino Resources (Volans-1X) and Eco Atlantic (Block 1). Shell is planning a five-well campaign in South Africa, close to its discoveries in Namibia. This highlights the basin’s cross-border potential. However, commercial constraints — strict fiscal terms, monetization challenges, geological complexity — and legal headwinds such as the ongoing judicial challenges to seismic/exploration approvals for the Wild Coast and related licences remain a drag on timelines.

Angola presents a fascinating duality in frontier exploration. The ultra-deepwater is still a Tier-A chance, especially with Azule Energy’s (Eni-BP joint venture) Quitexe-1 well in Block 47. However, the real surprise might come from onshore. The Kwanza Basin, inactive for four decades, could see its first pre-salt exploration well since the 1980s. Corcel’s planned 2026 drilling of the Sirius structure, potentially holding one billion barrels in place, represents a contrarian bet that could unlock an entirely new petroleum province. The deals are subject to final approvals. Of particular significance are the institutional, regulatory and contractual reforms the Angolan government is currently implementing. Our recent State of African Energy 2026 Outlook examines these reforms in depth.

West African Resurgence

Geology, export infrastructure and domestic politics must be considered together when judging a basin’s commercial prospects

Côte d’Ivoire has positioned itself as a compelling exploration destination. Murphy Oil’s Civette-1 well will be drilled by the Deepwater Skyros in the fourth quarter of this year. This well could reveal new play concepts in an area proven by Eni’s Baleine field. The prospect portfolio includes Caracal, which has a potential of 150-360 million barrels, and Kobus, with up to 1.26 billion barrels. These figures demonstrate the materiality of remaining opportunities.

The Gulf of Guinea’s broader renaissance extends to often-overlooked jurisdictions. São Tomé and Príncipe, Africa’s second-smallest nation by land area, exemplifies this trend. Shell’s Falcao-1 wildcat in Block 10 is set for late September 2025. It builds on Galp Energias’ 2022 Jaca-1 discovery with a proven working petroleum system. The updated view of the subsurface geology now resembles already producing countries like Gabon and Equatorial Guinea. As a result, there’s a surge of drilling plans for 2026-2027.

The ultra-deepwater journey in West Africa remains nascent, with few wells venturing deeper than 3,000 meters in this region. As such, the region stands as one of the last true frontiers for offshore exploration.

Reframing Risk and Reward

Recent African exploration reveals a surprising truth: “failures” can be valuable. Non-commercial wells that encounter source rocks or show petroleum systems may seem disappointing, but they help refine basin models and cut future exploration costs. Even a few technical successes, even if not commercially viable, can significantly lower expected finding costs for a basin. Portfolios that quickly adapt to negative information and change their exploration strategies tend to do better than those stuck with old geological models.

Investors often favor mega-fields, especially in high-risk areas in Africa. However, smaller, quicker oil projects have strong benefits. These projects can act as a public-policy force multiplier and provide clear cash flows that are able to change government incentives. Examples include Senegal’s Sangomar field, which accelerated licensing through early revenues, and Angola’s smaller post-2018 tiebacks, which sustained local services and prompted regulatory reforms.

Multiple modest FPSO developments build political goodwill. This reduces future political risk better than one large project. Early cash flows have the potential to change the political landscape by speeding up licensing rounds and supporting local projects. Companies such as Rhino Resources use a ‘first-to-first-oil’ approach — prioritising early, smaller-scale production to build presence and negotiating leverage. It sees early production as not just revenue, but as a key investment for better future access and terms. Smaller projects also tackle Africa’s human capital challenges better than large megaprojects do. They spread employment across regions without overwhelming local capacity. This enables gradual skills transfer and avoidance of the boom-bust cycles that have plagued resource economies elsewhere.

Turning Discoveries into Development

Africa’s next exploration wave defies simple characterization. It’s not just a boom or a careful exploration. It’s a smart, multi-faceted push into the world’s last frontier basins. The view of Africa as only a high-risk, quick-reward region is evolving. Now, patient investment, strong infrastructure and careful planning are as crucial as geological skills. Companies that treat ultra-deepwater wells as chances to build networks, prefer quick adjustments over strict plans and see the value in early production could gain more. By focusing on solid infrastructure, enhancing local skills, and developing several production sites instead of just large projects, this new exploration wave could finally tap into Africa’s long-awaited energy potential.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

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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

By

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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