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Macky Sall Has Excelled as an African Voice Speaking up for African Priorities (By NJ Ayuk)

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4 years ago

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Sall

Sall has been particularly outspoken about Africa’s energy needs and the rights of African countries to continue extracting and capitalizing upon their oil and gas resources

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, December 7, 2022/APO Group/ — 

By NJ Ayuk, Chairman, African Energy Chamber (http://www.EnergyChamber.org)

When African Union Chairman Macky Sall addressed the United Nations General Assembly last September, he wasn’t shy about speaking up for his continent. The gist of his message? There is absolutely no excuse for failing to ensure consistent African representation in the world’s key decision-making bodies.

“It is time to overcome the reticence and deconstruct the narratives that persist in confining Africa to the margins of decision-making circles,” said Sall, who also is the president of Senegal.

Sall’s speech was about the need to give Africa permanent seats at the UN Security Council so, as he put it, “Africa can finally be represented where decisions that affect 1.4 billion Africans are being taken.”

But that was far from the first time he has called upon the global community to seek and consider African perspectives. From the beginning of his one-year term as the African Union’s chairman last February, Sall said he wanted to see fair, equitable international partnerships that welcomed African contributions instead of dismissing African priorities.

“Our continent cannot be a field which is the feast of others,” Sall said during his inaugural speech.

He also has spoken up for greater African representation in the G20, which as of yet only has one African member (South Africa). Multilateralism must “serve the interests of all,” Sall argued in October, or it will suffer “loss of legitimacy and authority.”

I commend Chairman Sall for his tireless work, not only to insist that the global community listens to and respects African issues, but also to build awareness of just what those issues are.

He has put African needs and priorities — including infrastructure development, greater access to COVID-19 vaccinations, food security, and an end to energy poverty — in front of world leaders ranging from Chinese President Xi Jinping to U.S. President Joe Biden. He has done the same at global events, including the 2022 G20 summit and the COP27 climate conference.

Sall has been particularly outspoken about Africa’s energy needs and the rights of African countries to continue extracting and capitalizing upon their oil and gas resources, even in the face of tremendous global pressure for Africa to make a rapid switch to renewable energy sources. Sall has firmly stated that, when it comes to the global march toward net zero emissions, Africa will not be in lockstep with the rest of the world at the expense of our countries’ well-being.

We are in an era when Africa needs fierce advocates. Nations and international partnerships are fighting for their respective priorities, and unless African leaders are willing to stand up for what our continent needs, our objectives will be pushed aside. Sall has, indeed, taken a stand.

We will not accept that polluting countries, responsible for the situation of the planet, tell us that we are no longer going to finance fossil fuels

An Unwavering Voice for a Just Energy Transition

African energy was not Sall’s only priority as chairman of the African Union, but he did, rightfully, use his platform to expand global awareness of Africa’s unique energy needs in 2022. He pointed out the hypocrisy of wealthy countries that harnessed fossil fuels to industrialize and grow their economies telling developing African countries that the world’s zero-emission goals trumped their right to do the same.

“We will not accept that polluting countries, responsible for the situation of the planet, tell us that we are no longer going to finance fossil fuels,” Sall said in September.

He made similar remarks when he opened the MSGBC Oil, Gas & Power 2022 conference and exhibition, held Sept. 1-2 this year in Dakar. The MSGBC region comprises Mauritania, Senegal, the Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, and Guinea-Conakry.

“In this new configuration of the world, energy resources are major assets for Africa. Therefore, we must not accept that our continent is an object of world geopolitics, but an actor, aware of its natural wealth of interests, which acts on the competition instead of suffering it,” Sall said, adding that made no sense for African countries to stop exploiting their oil and gas resources while more than 600 million Africans lacked electricity. “While remaining committed to the implementation of the Paris Climate Agreement, we must continue to defend the interests of our countries in the run-up to COP27 next November in Egypt.”

And that’s exactly what happened. Sall and other African leaders fiercely defended Africa’s energy interests before and during COP27. The result? As multiple news outlets reported, African natural gas took center stage at the conference.

A Strong Collaborator

As I tweeted in November, Africa was fortunate to have Sall at COP27. He understands both sides of the African energy transition debate: the need for Africa to set the timing for its shift to renewables and the world’s need to address climate change. Sall advocated for ongoing natural gas production in Africa, which allows us to minimize carbon dioxide emissions while providing much-needed gas to generate electricity domestically, build our economies, and move toward industrialization. Sall also has pushed for the international community to help fund the renewable energy infrastructure Africa needs for a just transition and to provide financial support for African climate adaptation.

Climate adaptation measures have particularly been a priority for Sall. In his capacity as president of Senegal, he and the CEO of the Global Center on Adaptation (GCA), Patrick Verkooijen, partnered in 2022 to unlock $1 billion in climate finance for Senegal under the Africa Adaptation Accelerator Program (AAAP). The AAAP, Africa-led and Africa-owned, is working to bolster adaptation in agriculture, digital services, infrastructure, entrepreneurship, and jobs for young people. It was developed by the Global Center on Adaptation (GCA) and the African Development Bank (AfDB) in collaboration with the African Union.

Sall was among the trailblazers to convene the Africa Adaptation Leaders’ Event during COP27. He also co-wrote, with French President Emmanuel Macron and Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, an opinion piece for the Guardian about the AAAP. It emphasized the critical importance of increased funding from developed countries for climate adaptation initiatives in developing countries, particularly those in Africa.

What we’ve seen is a pragmatic approach from Sall, one that recognizes the need for Africa to continue harnessing its oil and gas reserves while working diligently to move toward the transition to renewables — and to build climate resiliency into Africa’s economy.

When Sall’s one-year term at the helm of the African Union concludes February 5, the many challenges facing Africa will hardly be behind us. Nevertheless, I firmly believe that Sall has been making a vital difference in his role. Sall has said, loudly and clearly, that African voices will not be silenced. Thanks to Sall, it appears that the global community is starting to hear that message. That is a step in the right direction.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

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Nigeria Mining Week promises high-level engagement on critical minerals and industrialisation roadmap

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1 day ago

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July 28, 2026

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Nigeria

“New Critical Minerals Forum will focus on needs for global energy transition”

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, July 28, 2026/APO Group/ –Hot on the heels of Nigeria’s unveiling of a strategic roadmap designed to convert the country’s mineral wealth into investments in clean energy manufacturing and domestic value addition, the organisers of the Nigeria Mining Week conference and expo have revealed this year’s packed and topical programme.

Convening at the Abuja Continental Hotel in the Nigerian capital from 13 to 14 October, this longstanding mining gathering of note supports Nigeria’s ambition to become a regional refining and processing powerhouse. The theme of this year’s event is “Unlocking Investment and Growth through Partnerships.”

DOWNLOAD THE BROCHURE (https://apo-opa.co/4yPtbdV)

Unveiling strategic roadmaps

Says Samukelo Madlabane, Event Director – Mining Portfolio, VUKA Group: “The Nigerian government has sought to boost beneficiation and industrialisation in its mining sector by mandating local processing, opening large scale mineral plants and unveiling strategic roadmaps that link critical minerals to clean energy manufacturing. Recent initiatives focus on lithium, copper and bauxite, aiming to move beyond raw exports and build integrated value chains.”

Earlier this month, the Council for Critical Minerals Development in the Global South presented a Critical Minerals Roadmap to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Dele Alake, outlining strategies to harness Nigeria’s lithium, copper and bauxite resources in order to strengthen local industries, advance mineral beneficiation and draw investment into green manufacturing.

Madlabane adds: “Nigeria Mining Week is perfectly timed for this defining moment in this nation’s mining sector. Our new Critical Minerals Forum will focus on the minerals needed for the global energy transition, such as lithium, REEs, graphite, copper, and other battery or tech minerals, and how Nigeria must position itself to attract serious investment and unlock the country’s rapidly expanding opportunities.”

The Nigeria Mining Week programme highlights include:

Critical Minerals Forum: 13 October

  • Strategic Leadership in the Critical Minerals Race

This session will focus on positioning Nigeria with US and EU MSP initiatives and Asian cathode makers, ensuring bankable offtake term sheets, scaling REE projects responsibly, building infrastructure and traceability rules, and securing independent assurance to strengthen buyer confidence.

  • Building Reliable Pathways from Nigeria to Global Battery, Magnet & EV Markets

International buyers demand clear technical specifications, impurity thresholds and QA/QC standards before agreements with Nigerian projects. Success depends on structuring long term supply contracts, strengthening traceability and ESG documentation, and building credibility with partners across Asia, Europe, the US and the Gulf to secure sustainable supply chain integration.

Exploration & Geological Data:

Unlocking Nigeria’s Exploration Potential

This session explores how investment grade datasets, AI driven discovery and geoscience portals can unlock capital for Nigeria’s mining sector. Experts highlight data standards, licensing simplification and environmental safeguards to accelerate investor confidence and global competitiveness within 12 months.

Financing & Investment:

Financing Exploration & Junior Mining Companies

This session examines Nigeria’s data room requirements, capital structures and licensing reforms to attract investment. Experts highlight clean titles, ESG credibility, traceability and offtake signals as essential for DFIs, investors and global buyers to commit confidently within tight timelines.

Our new Critical Minerals Forum will focus on the minerals needed for the global energy transition, such as lithium, REEs, graphite, copper, and other battery or tech minerals

Industrialisation:

From Ore to Industry – Beneficiation & Refining

This session focuses on commissioning strategies for Nigeria’s lithium and gold projects, contracting for feed security, realistic OPEX benchmarks, and training partnerships. Experts outline pathways from first product to battery grade chemicals and value added metals supported by regulatory adjustments.

Gemstones:

Developing Nigeria’s Gemstone Value Chains

Exploring the formalisation of Nigeria’s artisanal gemstone mining through cooperatives, traceability and certification, experts will highlight international grading standards, models from Tanzania and Zambia, domestic gemstone clusters and incentives to attract global buyers, processors and jewellery manufacturers.

Policy, Regulation & Governance:

Building a Clear, Predictable and Competitive Policy Environment

Nigeria’s mining sector needs regulatory reforms to strengthen licensing predictability, improve contract stability, enhance transparency through NEITI and MCO, align beneficiation and ASM formalisation with global standards, and draw lessons from Zambia, Namibia, Botswana and Ghana to boost investor confidence.

ESG & Sustainability:

ESG that Wins Investments

This session will focus on how Nigeria must define evidence grade traceability for US and EU buyers, adopt global water and tailings practices, apply CDA designs from Ghana Botswana and Peru, meet gender inclusion KPIs within 12 months, and secure independent assurance to strengthen financing and offtake terms.

Infrastructure & Power Integration:

Power to Mines & Logistics for Industrialisation

This session will examine IPP and cogen models from India Australia and Brazil, lessons from the Lobito Corridor for Nigerian rail port power integration, ballast and aggregate standards, digital logistics tools to reduce losses, and PPP structures enabling long tenor corridor financing.

Side events and forums

Other well-known side events and forums that make a welcome return to Nigeria Mining Week and always add to the engaging atmosphere include:

  • The Gold Forum
  • The Steel & Industrial Minerals Forum
  • The Women in Extractive Industries Forum
  • The CEO Roundtable
  • The Deal Room
  • – Project Showcase & Private Capital Engagement

Industry support

Over the last 11 years, Nigeria Mining Week has become thé gathering place for many mining pioneers and suppliers, and many have become longstanding partners of the Abuja gathering. Titan Minerals Ltd is returning as the diamond plus sponsor; KMDC, Kursi, Lovol, Sinogrand, and XCMG have already signed up as diamond sponsors; and SMT Nigeria is back as a platinum sponsor.

The event will gather 3,000+ attendees, 75+ world class speakers and 150+ exhibitors and solution providers. Countries that are expected to have a strong presence with international pavilions are UK, EU, US, China, UAE, Canada, South Africa and India.

The Nigeria Mining Week conference and expo is organised by the Miners Association of Nigeria, in partnership with PwC, VUKA Group and Mining Review Africa, with the Nigerian Ministry of Mines and Steel Development as official host. NEITI is the event’s transparency partner.

DOWNLOAD THE BROCHURE (https://apo-opa.co/4yPtbdV)

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of VUKA Group.

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Customer Experience Management (CEM) Africa 2026 Welcomes Three Influential Global Speakers

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1 day ago

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July 28, 2026

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CEM

Together, they represent three distinct but complementary perspectives on leadership, customer experience and business transformation

I am particularly keen to explore Cape Town’s seamless integration of global brands and unique local retailers, alongside its exceptional culinary scene and vibrant public spaces

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, July 28, 2026/APO Group/ –CEM Africa, Africa’s leading customer experience conference, has announced three internationally respected speakers who will take to the stage at CEM Africa 2026, taking place from 18 – 20 August 2026 in Cape Town.

 

Bringing together senior leaders from customer experience, marketing, digital transformation, retail, customer service and business strategy, CEM Africa continues to attract influential voices who challenge conventional thinking and share practical insights that organisations can apply to create stronger customer relationships and better business outcomes.

Joining this year’s programme are Martin Urrutia, Global Head of Retail Experience at The LEGO Group; Bruce Whitfield, one of South Africa’s most respected business journalists and best-selling authors; and Zahirah Variawa, Emmy-nominated television presenter, award-winning travel producer and destination marketing strategist.

Together, they represent three distinct but complementary perspectives on leadership, customer experience and business transformation.

Creating World-Class Customer Experiences

Making his South African debut at CEM Africa, Martin Urrutia brings extensive global expertise in retail experience design and customer engagement.

As the Global Head of Retail Experience at The LEGO Group, Martin leads the development of retail concepts and customer experiences that strengthen one of the world’s most recognised brands. His work demonstrates how thoughtful experience design, innovation and brand strategy can be translated into commercially successful customer experiences across global markets.

During his session, Martin will share practical insights into designing memorable retail experiences that strengthen customer relationships while delivering measurable business value.

Speaking ahead of his visit to Cape Town, Martin said:

“During my visit to Cape Town, I look forward to engaging with the city’s authentic experiences, local culture, and distinctive destinations, all of which continue to inform and inspire the retail and brand experiences I create. I am particularly keen to explore Cape Town’s seamless integration of global brands and unique local retailers, alongside its exceptional culinary scene and vibrant public spaces — environments that foster connection, discovery, and new perspectives.”

Leadership in an Age of Uncertainty

Bruce Whitfield has built a reputation as one of South Africa’s most trusted business commentators, interviewing some of the world’s leading executives, entrepreneurs and innovators throughout his career. Drawing on decades of experience covering business, leadership and economic change, Bruce will explore how leaders can make better decisions, embrace uncertainty and identify opportunity in rapidly changing environments.

His keynote will challenge delegates to rethink how resilience, adaptability and decisive leadership can become competitive advantages in today’s business landscape.

The Power of Storytelling to Shape Experiences

Joining the programme is Zahirah Variawa, whose career spans more than 16 years across Africa, the Middle East and international markets.

An Emmy-nominated television presenter, award-winning travel producer, content creator and destination marketing strategist, Zahirah has partnered with tourism boards, governments, airlines and luxury hospitality brands to shape how destinations are experienced and remembered. Beyond broadcasting, she advises governments and international organisations on destination marketing strategy, facilitates industry dialogue and champions tourism as a catalyst for economic growth across Africa.

At CEM Africa 2026, Zahirah will explore how storytelling, human connection and authentic experiences influence perception, build trust and create lasting emotional connections. Her session will demonstrate why the principles of destination branding and experience design are increasingly relevant to organisations seeking to differentiate themselves through customer experience.

A Platform for Africa’s Customer Experience Leaders

The announcement reinforces CEM Africa’s position as the continent’s premier gathering for senior customer experience professionals, bringing together business leaders to explore the ideas, strategies and innovations shaping the future of customer engagement.

From world-class retail innovation and leadership to the power of storytelling, delegates will gain practical insights from speakers whose experience extends well beyond traditional customer experience disciplines. Together, they demonstrate that exceptional customer experiences are shaped by design, strengthened by leadership and brought to life through authentic human connection.

CEM Africa 2026 takes place in Cape Town from 18–20 August 2026, bringing together senior decision-makers from financial services, retail, telecommunications, healthcare, technology, government and other leading industries for three days of learning, networking and business collaboration.

For more information and to register, visit the CEM Africa website.

CEM Africa.com (https://apo-opa.co/4wtCFtN)

View the event programme https://apo-opa.co/4wr3j6r

Ticket Options https://apo-opa.co/4bgs9gQ

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of VUKA Group.

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Gabon Opens the Next Chapter of Offshore Growth as Hydrocarbons Minister Clotaire Kondja Joins African Energy Week (AEW) 2026

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1 day ago

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July 28, 2026

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African Energy Chamber

Gabon Petroleum and Gas Minister Clotaire Kondja will speak at AEW 2026, highlighting offshore expansion, gas reforms and new investment opportunities across the country

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, July 27, 2026/APO Group/ –Clotaire Kondja, Gabon’s Minister of Petroleum and Gas, has been confirmed as a speaker at African Energy Week (AEW) 2026, bringing one of Central Africa’s foremost architects of upstream reform to the continent’s premier energy investment event. Since taking office in January 2026, Minister Kondja has accelerated efforts to attract international capital, unlock Gabon’s largely untapped offshore potential and commercialize its substantial natural gas resources.

Taking place in Cape Town from October 12‒16, AEW 2026 serves as the continent’s leading platform for energy investment, convening government leaders, operators, financiers and technology providers to drive deals across Africa’s oil, gas and energy sectors. With more than 2 billion barrels of proven oil reserves and significant untapped offshore acreage, Gabon continues to offer prolific investment opportunities that will be showcased to global investors in Cape Town.

Around 72% of the country’s deepwater acreage remains unexplored, and the government is actively opening new opportunities for investors. Speaking at the Invest in African Energy Forum in Paris in April, Minister Kondja confirmed that Gabon expected to finalize PSCs with ExxonMobil and bp, converting MoUs signed in October 2025 into active deepwater exploration licenses. The government’s modernized Hydrocarbons Code and enhanced fiscal framework are further strengthening the investment case, creating competitive conditions for companies pursuing frontier exploration, mature field redevelopment and long-term production growth.

Minister Clotaire Kondja is leading a new era of investment across Gabon’s oil and gas sector through competitive reforms, frontier exploration and strategic gas development

Upstream investors are targeting frontier offshore blocks and redevelopment of mature assets, while midstream opportunities include new pipelines, storage infrastructure and refinery upgrades. At the same time, the government’s gas modernization agenda is opening investment across LNG exports, gas-to-power projects and downstream industrial gas applications as Gabon positions itself as a regional petroleum and gas hub. The government has also eliminated signature bonuses for deepwater and ultra-deepwater blocks while launching a 2026 licensing campaign covering roughly 70% of the country’s available offshore acreage.

A new investor-friendly Gas Code is under development, complemented by plans for a 130‒150-km pipeline linking Gamba to Libreville by early 2028. The strategy is supported by Perenco’s $2 billion Cap Lopez LNG project, expected to begin operations in 2026 through an FLNG facility capable of producing 700,000 tons of LNG and 25,000 tons of LPG annually while significantly reducing gas flaring.

Investment activity is gathering pace across the sector. BW Energy, Panoro Energy and Gabon Oil Company approved the $300 million Bourdon offshore development in May 2026, targeting first oil in the first quarter of 2028 from approximately 25 million barrels of recoverable reserves. BW Energy and Panoro Energy are also progressing the MaBoMo Phase 2 development, expected to deliver first oil during the first half of 2027, while Assala Energy’s Magoga-A discovery confirmed 8m of net oil play in the Gamba Sandstone formation. Meanwhile, investment continues to accelerate across the midstream segment through planned gas gathering infrastructure, expanded storage capacity and refinery modernization, supporting the government’s ambition of building an integrated petroleum industry while capturing greater value from domestic gas production.

“Minister Clotaire Kondja is leading a new era of investment across Gabon’s oil and gas sector through competitive reforms, frontier exploration and strategic gas development. As Gabon opens new offshore opportunities and advances major infrastructure projects, his insights at AEW 2026 will be invaluable for investors looking to participate in one of Africa’s most dynamic energy markets,” says NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman, African Energy Chamber.

Beyond showcasing Gabon’s investment agenda, Minister Kondja’s participation will contribute to broader discussions on how African producers can remain globally competitive amid shifting capital flows, evolving energy demand and growing pressure to deliver long-term energy security. His perspective will add to high-level dialogue between policymakers, operators and financiers focused on accelerating investment and strengthening Africa’s role in the global energy landscape.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

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