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From Gorée to Energy Sovereignty: Africa’s Path to Energy Independence

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10 months ago

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MSGBC

At the MSGBC Oil, Gas & Power 2025 conference in Dakar, African energy leaders explored the continent’s energy future, highlighted by a reflective site visit to the historic Gorée Island

DAKAR, Senegal, December 17, 2025/APO Group/ –Africa is at a crossroads. The continent is rich in resources, brimming with potential, and finally taking control of its own destiny. Nowhere was this clearer than at the MSGBC Oil, Gas & Power 2025 conference in Dakar, Senegal, held December 8-10, which brought together governments, investors, energy companies and multilateral organizations to discuss the next chapter of West Africa’s energy revolution. The event was a showcase of opportunity: Senegal and Mauritania are now oil and gas producers, the region is attracting international investment, and African nations are stepping up to define their energy future on their own terms.

 

The significance of this moment was underscored by a visit to Gorée Island following the event. The island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a powerful reminder of a time when Africans had no say over their own fate. Walking through the Maison des Esclaves and the “Door of No Return” reflected the parallels between history and today’s energy debate. Just as past generations were stripped of agency, the Western world now pressures Africa to abandon its hydrocarbons ambitions – despite the continent needing its oil and gas to lift millions out of energy poverty and power industrial growth. For the African Energy Chamber (AEC), energy sovereignty represents a pathway toward self-determination, opportunity and a thriving future.

Africa is proving it can responsibly develop oil and gas, attract investment and drive sustainable growth – all while asserting its sovereignty

The AEC has long championed the idea that Africa must develop its resources to secure its people’s future. More than 600 million Africans still lack access to electricity, and millions rely on biomass for cooking and heating. Oil and gas development, particularly natural gas, offers a fast, practical and scalable solution to deliver reliable, affordable energy while funding industrialization, education, healthcare and infrastructure. The Chamber frames this as both a moral and economic imperative: energy independence is essential for prosperity, and Africa has the right to decide its own path.

This message resonated throughout the MSGBC conference, where the Gas Exporting countries Forum (GECF) played a central role. Secretary General Eng. Mohamed Hamel delivered a keynote highlighting Senegal’s first oil and gas production from the Sangomar and Greater Tortue Ahmeyim (GTA) projects, praising the country for entering a new era of energy prosperity. Through technical workshops, market outlook sessions and high-level interventions, the GECF demonstrated its commitment to supporting emerging producers, providing data-driven insights and helping African gas resources drive long-term economic growth. Both the GECF and the African Petroleum Producers’ Organization were recognized for their leadership at this year’s conference for leadership in fostering regional and global energy collaboration, reinforcing investor confidence in Africa’s energy sector.

The MSGBC region itself is a story of optimism. The GTA LNG project, a cross-border venture between Senegal and Mauritania led by bp and Kosmos Energy, shipped its first LNG cargo in April 2025, while Senegal’s Sangomar oil field, operated by Woodside Energy in partnership with Petrosen, started producing in June 2024. Exploration is accelerating, with Guinea-Conakry launching a 22-block bid round and The Gambia promoting offshore acreage with estimated reserves of 1.2 billion barrels. Infrastructure projects, gas-to-power plants and regional energy integration initiatives are progressing quickly, while Mauritania positions itself as a global green hydrogen hub.

“The story of Gorée Island and the story of Africa’s energy development are intertwined,” stated NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman, AEC. “Just as the island is a reminder of lost agency, the continent’s current challenge is ensuring it can use its resources without external interference. Africa is proving it can responsibly develop oil and gas, attract investment and drive sustainable growth – all while asserting its sovereignty.”

For the AEC, the message is clear: Africa’s resources are not a burden or a bargaining chip. They are the engine for industrialization, job creation and energy access. With projects like GTA, Sangomar and future green hydrogen ventures, and with the backing of organizations like the GECF, Africa is seizing control of its energy destiny. Gorée is a symbol for a powerful lesson: Africa is choosing to power its people, secure its future and show the world what self-determined energy development can achieve.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

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SLB commissions new fluids systems plant in Pemba to support Mozambique’s offshore energy development

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3 hours ago

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October 9, 2026

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Mozambique

New facility expands in-country drilling and completion fluids capability, advancing the next phase of SLB’s growth in Mozambique

PEMBA, Mozambique, October 9, 2026/APO Group/ –SLB (NYSE: SLB) (www.SLB.com) announced the opening of a new fluids systems plant in Pemba, Mozambique. The new facility strengthens in-country capacity to prepare, store and deliver drilling and completion fluids for offshore operations, reinforcing the infrastructure needed as Mozambique’s offshore activity grows and its role as a strategic energy hub for East Africa continues to expand.

The commissioning of the plant, also known as a liquid mud plant, coincides with SLB marking 70 years of operations in Mozambique. It reflects the company’s long-term commitment to investing in people, infrastructure and capability that support the country’s long-term offshore energy development plans.

 




  

With an initial storage capacity of 21,000 barrels, the liquid mud plant provides a scalable platform for future growth, supporting multiple customers and rising offshore activity while improving logistics and enhancing operational flexibility.

As SLB marks 70 years in Mozambique, this investment reflects our confidence in the country’s future and our commitment to supporting its energy ambitions

“As SLB marks 70 years in Mozambique, this investment reflects our confidence in the country’s future and our commitment to supporting its energy ambitions,” said Miguel Baptista, Central, East and Southern Africa, Managing Director, SLB. The new liquid mud plant strengthens local energy infrastructure, expands opportunities for local content development, and enhances our ability to support customers as they deliver some of Africa’s most significant offshore energy resources.”

The liquid mud plant project was delivered with strong local participation and that momentum is expected to continue into operations. During project delivery, more than 100 jobs were created in Pemba with nationals representing 80% of the workforce, reflecting a focus on building local capability.

The project was delivered with a strong focus on safety, operational integrity, and quality, achieving more than 67,000 hours worked without a recordable safety incident.

This key infrastructure strengthens SLB’s ability to support consistent service quality and enhance supply chain readiness for increasing offshore activity across Mozambique, supporting customers execute safely and efficiently while developing local skills and expertise.

Key Points:

  • SLB has commissioned a new fluids system plant in Pemba, expanding in-country drilling and completion fluids capability for offshore operations.
  • With an initial storage capacity of 21,000 barrels, the facility provides a scalable platform to support growing offshore activity in Mozambique.
  • The investment marks the next phase of SLB’s growth in Mozambique, strengthening local capability and supporting long-term offshore energy development.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of SLB.

 

 




 

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South African Energy Storage Association (SAESA) welcomes 4,600 MW battery storage prioritisation and calls for integrated energy planning

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3 hours ago

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October 9, 2026

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Battery energy storage systems (BESS) are becoming critical system infrastructure, supporting flexibility, reducing avoidable curtailment, shifting energy into periods of demand and strengthening security of supply

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, October 9, 2026/APO Group/ –The South African Energy Storage Association (SAESA) (www.SAESA.org.za) welcomes the prioritisation of 4,600 MW of battery energy storage under the first Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) 2025 Section 34 determination.

 




  

The timing is significant. Recent Integrated Energy Plan (IEP) modelling and assumptions discussions highlighted a fundamental shift that South Africa’s energy planning now needs to capture: we cannot plan the future power system by counting megawatts of generation alone.

We must plan for when energy is available, where it is available, how it moves through a constrained grid and how it is stored and dispatched when the system needs it most.

The announcement reinforces that shift. Battery energy storage systems (BESS) are becoming critical system infrastructure, supporting flexibility, reducing avoidable curtailment, shifting energy into periods of demand and strengthening security of supply.

For SAESA, the message for the IEP is clear: storage, flexibility and system services must be modelled as integral components of South Africa’s future electricity architecture, with their contribution considered from the outset of generation planning.

“The IEP must plan the power system we are becoming, not simply model the power system we have inherited,” says SAESA.

The IEP must plan the power system we are becoming, not simply model the power system we have inherited

Partnership with C&I Energy + Storage Summit

SAESA is an association partner of the C&I Energy + Storage Summit, created by VUKA Group, taking place on 28–29 October 2026 at The Maslow Hotel, Sandton, Johannesburg.

The summit brings together commercial and industrial energy users, project developers, financiers, regulators and solution providers to explore practical approaches to energy security, procurement and storage deployment.

For businesses assessing how storage can support their operations, the event offers an opportunity to meet SAESA and engage with the wider energy community on the decisions shaping South Africa’s evolving electricity system.

Commercial and industrial energy decision-makers are invited to apply to attend as hosted buyers. Qualifying buyers receive complimentary summit access and curated opportunities to engage with industry partners.

 

Meet SAESA at C&I Energy + Storage Summit: Join the Hosted Buyer Programme

The Hosted Buyer Programme connects commercial and industrial energy decision-makers with solution providers shaping South Africa’s evolving private energy market.

Qualified energy buyers receive complimentary access to the summit and curated engagement with industry partners exploring energy procurement, storage deployment and project development.

Apply for the Hosted Buyer Programme (https://apo-opa.co/4ehLijJ)

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of VUKA Group.

 




 

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Nigeria Mining Week 2026 sets the agenda for the sector’s next decade

Published

9 hours ago

on

October 9, 2026

By

Nigeria Mining Week

International Lithium Association and Mercuria Energy Trading NG join Nigeria Mining Week 2026 ahead of its opening in Abuja on 12 October

Nigeria has the mineral endowment to play a growing role in global supply chains, including critical minerals

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, October 8, 2026/APO Group/ —Programme and delegate passes: www.NigeriaMiningWeek.com

With less than a week to go, Nigeria Mining Week 2026 has added a global commodity trader and the world’s lithium trade association to its programme. Mercuria Energy Trading NG has signed as a Gold Sponsor, and the International Lithium Association (ILiA) has joined as a Supporting Association.

 




 
 

They join Nigeria’s mining leaders, investors and operators in Abuja from 12 to 14 October for three days on the questions that will define the sector’s next decade: who finances Nigerian projects, who buys their output, and how much of it is processed in Nigeria.

Now in its 11th edition, the event takes place at the Abuja Continental Hotel under the theme “Unlocking Investment and Growth through Partnerships”. More than 3,080 attendees and more than 90 sponsors and exhibitors are expected across seven strategic forums.

The decisions made on processing, financing and market access over the next few years will shape Nigerian mining for the decade ahead. Nigeria Mining Week puts the people making those decisions in the same room.

On the agenda

The programme follows six content pillars: exploration and geological data; financing and investment; industrialisation and processing; infrastructure and power; ESG, transparency and community development; and international and regional collaboration.

  • 12 October: pre-conference and roundtables on geological data, financing for junior miners, compliance and enforcement, and power and infrastructure.

Available to conference attendees only.

  • 13 October: conference and exhibition opening, the new Critical Minerals Forum, the Women in Extractive Industries Forum and technical workshops
  • 14 October: Gold Day, sessions on steel and industrial minerals, the Deal Room and further technical workshops

The Deal Room is a curated space for one-on-one meetings between mining projects and financiers, off-takers and strategic partners. Projects seeking offtake or financing can apply to take part.

International Lithium Association joins as Supporting Association

ILiA, the global trade association for the lithium industry, will take part in the Critical Minerals Forum on 13 October. Astrid Karamira, EMEA Representative Director at ILiA, joins the panel “Building Reliable Pathways from Nigeria to Global Battery, Magnet & EV Markets”.

The session looks at what Nigerian projects must do to reach international battery markets: technical and quality standards, traceability and responsible sourcing, export readiness, and the step from exploration success to commercial operation.

“Global buyers are asking more of their suppliers on quality, traceability and responsible sourcing than ever before. Nigeria Mining Week is an opportunity to discuss openly what those expectations mean in practice, and how Nigerian projects can meet them.”

Mercuria Energy Trading NG signs as Gold Sponsor

Mercuria Energy Trading NG is the Nigerian subsidiary of Mercuria, one of the world’s leading independent energy and commodity groups. It brings a buyer and offtaker perspective to the programme.

For many Nigerian projects, a credible buyer is the gap between a promising deposit and a financed mine. Mercuria will contribute to discussions on commodity trading and offtake partnerships, critical minerals supply chains, and infrastructure and logistics.

“Nigeria has the mineral endowment to play a growing role in global supply chains, including critical minerals. We look forward to sharing how trading, offtake and logistics partnerships can help Nigerian projects reach global markets.”

Event details

The programme is subject to change.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Nigeria Mining Week.

 

 




 

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