CAPE TOWN, South Africa, May 7, 2026/APO Group/ –Enlit Africa 2026 returns to Cape Town with a focused opening sequence built for decision-makers who need practical clarity, not theory: an early-morning investment-led breakfast followed by two keynote anchors that tackle delivery realities in Africa’s power, energy and water systems.

 

Taking place on 19–21 May 2026 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC), Enlit Africa convenes stakeholders from across the electricity value chain and the water ecosystem. The programme is anchored by the 2026 theme: Compounding impact: small changes, outsized outcomes – a deliberate focus on the operational decisions, governance shifts and financing mechanisms that translate intent into measurable system performance.

19 May: Project & Investment Network Business Breakfast (07:00–09:30)

The week starts with the Project & Investment Network Business Breakfast, featuring keynote commentary from Bruce Whitfield followed by a fireside chat between Bruce Whitfield and Goolam Ballim (Chief Economist and Head of Research, Standard Bank Group).

The breakfast is designed for participants focused on bankability, procurement confidence and the practical steps that move projects from intent to execution. It unpacks what financiers are actually pricing, what evidence strengthens confidence in delivery, which behaviours and signals measurably improve fundability and why Africa is more geopolitically relevant than ever before.

19 May: Keynote 1 – Africa in the AI Age (10:30–12:55)

The first keynote anchor, Africa in the AI Age, is hosted by Enkromelle Andrew (Master of Ceremonies) and opens with a welcome from Chanelle Hingston (Group Director, Power, Energy & Water, VUKA Group).

A ministerial address by the Honourable Dr. Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, Minister of Electricity and Energy is followed by a focus on digital power, storage and AI, with a keynote contribution from David Sun (Vice President and CEO of Electric Power Digitalisation Business, Huawei).

The keynote then moves into a panel discussion on the role of AI and digital technologies in Africa’s energy evolution, with panellists including Carol Koech (CEO, GEAPP). The morning concludes with an in-conversation session moderated by James Mackay (CEO, Energy Council of South Africa) with senior business leaders including Dan Marokane (Group Chief Executive, Eskom), and leaders in industry.

20 May: Keynote 2 – How coordinated energy and water planning could change African resilience (09:30–12:00)

The second keynote anchor turns to a reality shaping resilience across the continent: energy security and water security are increasingly inseparable but planning and funding remain fragmented.

Under the guidance of MC Enkromelle Andrew, the session includes a perspective on the water–energy nexus from Sabine Dall’Omo (CEO, Siemens South Africa which convenes a high-level panel on taking water–energy coordination beyond theory, with panellists including Darshana Myronidis (Global Group Director of Sustainability, Virgin Group), Deerosh Maharaj (Executive Head: Energy, Infrastructure & Mining, Standard Bank Business & Commercial Banking), Sabine Dall’Omo (CEO, Siemens South Africa), and JP van der Merwe (Chief Foreign Direct Investment Officer, Wesgro).

Across the Business Breakfast and both keynote anchors, Enlit Africa 2026 is designed to deliver high-signal discussions focused on delivery, governance and the actions that improve system outcomes at pace.

Enlit Africa, created by VUKA Group, will take place on 19–21 May 2026 at the CTICC in Cape Town, South Africa. The full programme and registration information are available at: www.Enlit-Africa.com

LUANDA, Angola, May 6, 2026/APO Group/ –Angolan financial institution Banco Angolano de Investimentos (BAI) has been confirmed as a Silver Sponsor of the Angola Oil & Gas (AOG) 2026 Conference and Exhibition, reinforcing the growing role of domestic financial institutions in underwriting the country’s next phase of hydrocarbon and energy infrastructure development. Taking place on September 9–10 with a pre-conference day on September 8, AOG 2026 is increasingly positioning Angolan capital as a critical lever in converting project pipelines into bankable investments.

 

The sponsorship signals a broader shift in Angola’s oil and gas financing landscape. While international capital continues to play a central role in large-scale upstream developments, domestic banks are becoming more active in structuring and supporting mid-sized and early-stage projects, particularly in onshore exploration and independent operator activity. This is a segment where capital access remains uneven, despite strong geological potential and a steady pipeline of licensing opportunities.

The financing gap is most visible in downstream infrastructure. Angola’s Lobito Refinery alone faces an estimated $4.8 billion investment shortfall, underscoring the scale of capital required to close the country’s refining deficit and reduce reliance on imported fuels. For local institutions such as BAI, this represents both a challenge and a strategic entry point, as domestic lenders look to syndicate financing, co-invest alongside international partners and deepen exposure to energy-linked assets with long-term revenue profiles.

At the same time, Angola’s upstream strategy is evolving. Independent operators are playing an increasingly prominent role in advancing marginal fields and onshore blocks, but these projects often fall outside the traditional financing frameworks used by major international oil companies. This creates a structural opportunity for domestic banks to step in with more tailored financing solutions, particularly as regulatory reforms and licensing rounds continue to expand access to acreage.

AOG 2026 is designed to address these opportunities. The event serves not only as a dealmaking platform for international investors, but increasingly as a marketplace for domestic capital allocation. By convening operators, project developers and financial institutions, the conference facilitates direct engagement between those structuring projects and those capable of financing them locally.

BAI’s presence at AOG 2026 reflects this trend. As Angola works to sustain production, expand refining capacity and build out its gas and power value chains, the ability to mobilize local capital alongside international investment will increasingly determine which projects move forward and at what pace.

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, May 5, 2026/APO Group/ –Independent oil and gas company Etu Energias has signed into the upcoming African Energy Week (AEW) Conference and Exhibition – taking place October 12-16 – as a Gold Sponsor, reflecting a deliberate move to position itself as a more prominent and competitive indigenous upstream player. The company’s participation follows its recent acquisition of stakes in Block 14 and 14K in Angola’s Lower Congo Basin, a deal which reinforced a broader expansion strategy centered on asset consolidation and long-term growth.

The Block 14 and 14K acquisition represents a pivotal milestone in the company’s growth strategy, granting Etu Energias exposure to some of the country’s most commercially-driven upstream acreage. The deal included the acquisition of a 20% interest in Block 14 and a 10% stake in Block 14K and followed Etu Energias’ exercising its pre-emption rights for the interests. The transaction carries a base value of $195 million, with total consideration potentially reaching $310 million through contingent payments linked to oil price performance and production benchmarks through 2038.

The deal was backed by Chariot Limited, which entered the transaction as a financing partner, raising approximately $20 million via an equity placing and direct subscription. This was complemented by an additional $4 million raised, granting Chariot exposure to 4,000 barrels per day (bpd) of production. Shell Western Supply and Trading mobilized a structured facility of up to $170 million for the deal, provided in exchange for future offtake barrels.

As a cornerstone of the country’s offshore production portfolio since 1999, Block 14 offers significant upside potential, with peak production once measuring 300,000 bpd. While output has declined in recent years, this latest transaction could breathe new life into this ageing – yet increasingly strategic – asset.

“Etu Energias is demonstrating how indigenous companies can move beyond participation and into leadership by taking strategic positions in high value assets and committing capital to long-term growth. The company’s expansion reflects a broader maturation of Angola’s upstream sector, where local firms are increasingly capable of driving investment and development outcomes,” states NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman, African Energy Chamber.

The Block 14/14K transaction aligns closely with Etu Energias’ broader expansion strategy in Angola, centered around increasing output to 80,000 bpd by 2030. Over the last three years, the company closed up to $1 billion worth in M&A deals, reflecting its commitment to expanding its portfolio and strengthening its balance sheets.

To achieve its production targets, the company is planning eight exploration projects, 10 development projects and seven redevelopment projects in Angola. Recent activity includes the start of drilling at Block 2/05 in July 2025 and an onshore seismic campaign at identify prospects. To support these activities, the company announced plans to make an Initial Public Offering in 2026. The move aims to tap into new capital pools to support exploration and production projects.

Etu Energias’ Gold Sponsorship at AEW 2026 therefore reflects more than branding. It signals a company actively reshaping its position within Angola’s oil and gas industry – leveraging acquisitions, partnerships and strategic alignment to scale its portfolio. As competition intensifies and access to high-quality assets becomes more constrained, Etu Energias is making a calculated move to establish itself as a leading independent player in one of Africa’s most established hydrocarbon markets.