Connect with us

Business

Investors Turn to South Africa Amid Mineral Diversification Efforts

Published

on

minerals

As billions of dollars’ worth of investment is directed towards critical minerals, South Africa’s enabling environment makes the country an investment destination of choice

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, May 8, 2023/APO Group/ — 

As global players make strides towards transitioning to a cleaner energy future, demand for critical minerals – which are essential for the production of lithium-ion batteries and associated technologies behind solar and wind components and renewable power systems – is projected to grow 500% by 2050.

As such, investment has begun to accelerate towards the mining and green mining industries, with South Africa well positioned to seize this opportunity.

It is the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy that is really driving this initiative

Accounting for 60% of the world’s manganese supply; 75% of platinum and 40% of palladium as well as boasting significant quantities of rare earth elements (REE), investing in South Africa’s critical mineral resources will not only trigger economic opportunities such as job creation, revenue generation and the acceleration of the Just Energy Transition (https://apo-opa.info/3M5gNjm), but will be key for diversifying global supply chains and reducing prices: a goal set out by countries worldwide.

Speaking in an interview with eNCA about the upcoming African Critical Minerals Summit (ACMS) (https://AfricanCriticalMinerals.com/) – taking place in Johannesburg from November 6-7, James Chester, Senior Director of ACMS organizer Energy Capital & Power (ECP), stated that, “The ground has already been laid for deal making with South Africa in this sector (https://apo-opa.info/3B3WUmB). There is a group of 11 countries – the Mineral Security Partnership (MSP) – which was announced in 2022. This is a group of developed countries that are looking for projects across the world so that they can diversify their supply chain. There are billions of dollars waiting to be invested in South Africa and across Africa. We need to create the environment where that money can come in and those projects can be executed.”

Representing a US-led initiative that aims to bolster supply chains while catalyzing investment from Government and the private sector, the MSP is seeking alternative investment opportunities, focusing on minerals such as cobalt, nickel, lithium as well as the 17 REEs, and all attention has turned to South Africa. Amid concerns over market overreliance and supply bottlenecks, the MSP is looking at investing in Africa’s entire mineral value chain. 

Stepping into this picture, the ACMS will connect private sector investment with public sector stakeholders, laying the foundation for new deals to signed across the market. The ACMS was officially launched in Johannesburg on April 14 at a networking event that united high-level public and private sector stakeholders. The Summit itself is scheduled to take place on November 6-7, hosted by South Africa’s Department of Mineral Resources and Energy, and will welcome African and global delegates to discuss the role that Africa’s mineral resources will play in accelerating the global energy transition, while addressing energy security concerns and advancing socioeconomic growth across Africa.

According to Chester, “It is the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy that is really driving this initiative. They want to put forward that they have a plan for critical minerals and want to articulate that further in November,” adding that, “The energy transition is here and it is the role of the private sector, together with the public sector, to ensure that people and businesses are ready for that, and that South Africa takes advantage and is not in the position of following the rest of the world, but actually leading the rest of the world.”

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

Business

Ministers among hundreds of energy-sector leaders to attend AOW event

Published

on

Sinclair

The event kicks off with an invitation-only ministerial symposium focused on the theme of “Fostering innovation, attracting investment, and promoting sustainable growth in the oil, gas, and energy sectors”

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, October 4, 2024/APO Group/ — 

AOW: Investing in African Energy (https://AOWEnergy.com) – Africa’s leading oil, gas and energy event – has confirmed attendance for more than 80 ministers and senior officials, representing African governments, energy departments and regulators at next month’s event.

These influential stakeholders will be among the more than 1 600 senior delegates and industry leaders who will be attending the event to develop policy, share discoveries, secure investment, and shape Africa’s energy future.

The event kicks off with an invitation-only ministerial symposium focused on the theme of “Fostering innovation, attracting investment, and promoting sustainable growth in the oil, gas, and energy sectors.”

Given the recent major oil-and-gas discoveries across Africa, the energy transition and major geopolitical events, it is clear that the energy sector needs positive intervention

Among the officials and government ministers attending will be energy leaders from South Africa, Nigeria, Namibia, Cote d’Ivoire, Mozambique, DRC, Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, Eswatini, Uganda, CAR, Guinea Conakry, Guinea Bissau, Ethiopia, The Gambia, Gabon, Malawi, Morocco, Zanzibar, Liberia, Senegal, Congo Brazzaville and Sierra Leone.

In addition, the event will feature high-level delegations from numerous national oil companies, as well as multilateral bodies including the African Union, (AU), African Energy Commission (AFREC), African Petroleum Producers’ Organization (APPO) and the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP).

AOW will see these energy leaders networking with C-suite executives and decision-makers from more than 760 top energy companies at daily networking events, to discuss insights, forge new relationships, and negotiate major energy deals.

“We are so excited to see the calibre of delegates at this year’s AOW event,” says Chief Executive Officer of Sankofa Events, Paul Sinclair. “Given the recent major oil-and-gas discoveries across Africa, the energy transition and major geopolitical events, it is clear that the energy sector needs positive intervention. The high-powered attendance proves AOW is a key platform to enable this intervention.”

Key themes to be discussed at this year’s AOW will be sustainable upstream development; expanding gas value chains; renewables and new energies; adoption of best-in-class technologies; and access to finance.

AOW: Investing in African Energy will culminate in a special anniversary party at Groot Constantia Vineyard to celebrate 30 years of the AOW event.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of AOW: Investing in African Energy.

Continue Reading

Business

Afreximbank approves US$20.8 million for Starlink Global’s cashew factory project in Lagos

Published

on

PAPSS

The facility is expected to promote value addition which will guarantee increased earnings to the company while also fostering the creation of about 400 new jobs

CAIRO, Egypt, October 4, 2024/APO Group/ — 

African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) (www.Afreximbank.com) has approved a US$20.8 million financing facility for Nigeria-based Starlink Global & Ideal Limited to enable the company construct and operate a 30,000-metric tonne per annum cashew processing factory in Lagos.

We are delighted at this partnership which promises to deliver significant impact on employment in Nigeria

According to the facility agreement signed in on July 22, 2024, Afreximbank will provide the funds in two tranches with the first tranche of US$7.48M going toward capital expenditure for the construction of the factory and the second, totalling US$13.25M to be deployed as working capital for the operations of the factory.

The facility is expected to promote value addition which will guarantee increased earnings to the company while also fostering the creation of about 400 new jobs once the factory becomes operational. It is also expected to support about 40 small and medium-sized enterprises.

Commenting on the transaction, Mrs. Kanayo Awani, Executive Vice President, Intra Africa Trade and Export Development, Afreximbank, said that by supporting Starlink Global to establish a modern processing facility, Afreximbank is making it possible for Africa to add value to its agro-commodities, thereby facilitating exports and subsequent inflow of much-needed foreign exchange into the continent.

“We are delighted at this partnership which promises to deliver significant impact on employment in Nigeria. It will contribute to value creation and to the development of the local community while also improving the lots of smallholder farmers and small business suppliers that will work with Starlink across the value chain,” Mrs. Awani added.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Afreximbank.

Continue Reading

Business

Sonangol to Lead Decarbonized Oil & Gas (O&G) Development, Says Angolan National Oil Company (NOC) Head

Published

on

Sonangol

Participating in an on-stage interview at Angola Oil & Gas 2024, Sonangol CEO Sebastião Gaspar Martins emphasized that oil and gas remains a core focus for the national oil company

LUANDA, Angola, October 3, 2024/APO Group/ — 

Angola’s national oil company Sonangol reiterated its commitment to driving sustainable hydrocarbon development during the Angola Oil & Gas (AOG) conference this week. Speaking during an “In-Conversation with” session, Sonangol CEO Sebastião Gaspar Martins stated that the company will not abandon oil and gas, but rather advance decarbonized oil and gas development.

We are looking at opportunities in the gas sector and have identified the right partner to develop non-associated gas

By investing in upstream oil and gas production while prioritizing low-carbon projects, Sonangol aims to boost national crude output, while diversifying and decarbonizing the industry. The NOC is focusing efforts on non-associated gas development, as well as alternative energy sources such as solar.

“We are looking at opportunities in the gas sector and have identified the right partner to develop non-associated gas. Gas produced from Angola LNG will be used for the production of fertilizer and we are evaluating the utilization of gas in the south of the country, linking gas with steel industries. We also have a blue carbon project, linked to the reduction of carbon through the plantation of mangroves. We have one area in Luanda and have identified four additional areas for this,” stated Gaspar Martins.

Sonangol has undergone transformation in recent years: following the creation of the National Oil, Gas & Biofuels Agency (ANPG) in 2019, Sonangol transferred its role as national concessionaire and regulator. This transformation has aimed to make Sonangol more competitive and strengthen its capacity as an upstream operator. Concurrently, the government is partially privatizing the NOC, with privatization set to be complete in 2026. This process will enhance financial capacity, allowing Sonangol to drive new upstream projects forward.

“The transformation of Sonangol started several years ago, when we passed the regulatory, concessionaire role to the ANPG. At the time, we transferred almost 600 employees to the ANPG. After that, Sonangol underwent a restructuring program where we created five core business units from 36 different entities – starting with exploration and production. We want to go public, but we want to do it properly. So, we are currently going through all the processes to do this,” stated Gaspar Martins.

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

Continue Reading

Trending