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Mozambique: Prime Minister Maleiane commends African Development Bank Group’s partnership

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Mozambique

Akin-Olugbade’s courtesy call on the prime minister is part of a six-day official visit to Mozambique

MAPUTO, Mozambique, July 12, 2023/APO Group/ — 

Mozambican Prime Minister Adriano Maleiane has given a resounding endorsement of the African Development Bank’s (www.AfDB.org) development strategy in his country. Receiving the Bank’s vice president for regional development, integration and business delivery, Marie-Laure Akin-Olugbade in his office on Thursday, Maleiane complimented the African Development Bank for what he said was its unique approach to development and partnership, which went beyond financing, to humanize its initiatives.

Akin-Olugbade’s courtesy call on the prime minister is part of a six-day official visit to Mozambique. Accompanying her were the group’s Director General for Southern Africa, Leïla Mokaddem and Country Manager for Mozambique, Cesar Augusto Mba Abogo.

Akin-Olugbade commended the Mozambican government for implementing various reforms that have helped to maintain the country’s stability, and for showing “strong resilience in the face of such exogenous shocks as climate change, Covid-19, conflict and terrorism.”

Earlier on Thursday, Akin-Olugbade and her team met with development partners and some members of the diplomatic corps in Maputo to discuss collaborative support to Mozambique. Partners included representatives from the World Bank, the Agence Française de Développement (AFD), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the European Union, the United Kingdom, Spain, Sweden, KfW, The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) participated in the meeting.

The African Development Bank team also held meetings with private sector groups as well as the government. Discussions with Economy and Finance Minister Max Elias Tonela on Wednesday focused on the implementation of the recently approved African Development Bank Country Strategy for Mozambique for the period 2023-2028.

Tonela welcomed the new country strategy paper and its alignment with the Mozambican government’s medium and long-term strategies for the economy and private sector development. He said both strategies focused on the creation of jobs and sustained social development.

Tonela noted: “This strategy is poised to strongly support Mozambique in implementing crucial economic reforms, enabling the country to realize its immense potential and achieve a positive economic outlook. It will serve as a robust framework in our collaboration for driving tangible growth and capitalizing on the abundant opportunities that lie ahead.”

African Development Bank Country Manager Abogo said: “With this Country

The African Development Bank has been actively engaged in Mozambique for more than 45 years, with investments in the country of up to $3.6 billion

Strategy Paper, we are aiming to maintain our hallmark as a strategic partner of reference for both the Government of Mozambique and other Development Partners who, like the African Development Bank, support this country in facing the challenge of achieving inclusive and sustainable growth.”

One of the African Development Bank-funded projects that the team visited was Agricultural Value-Chain and Youth Empowerment Project. It is a project that supports young farmers and their communities by providing horticulture, irrigation and livestock-related infrastructure. Following the visit, Akin-Olugbade remarked that peace and security are essential for sustainable economic development.

She said: “Conflict and violence undermine progress and have long-term adverse impacts. Addressing these issues is paramount for fostering inclusive growth and sustainable development.”

The African Development Bank’s Regional Development, Integration and Business Delivery complex—which Akin-Olugbade manages—oversees the Bank’s $30 billion portfolio and lending across its five regional hubs. It provides strategic leadership on the Bank’s work on fragility and regional integration.

Mokaddem said the visit was an opportune time to recognize the significant position Mozambique holds in the Bank’s ongoing innovative initiatives.

She said: “We have such examples as the [Bank’s] Security Indexed Investment Bond, the Dakar 2 Food Summit, and support to Zimbabwe’s debt arrears clearance, through the ongoing structured dialogue platform with the country’s creditors and development partners.” She added that this is a process being facilitated by  Mozambique’s former president Joaquim Chissano.

The African Development Bank has been actively engaged in Mozambique for more than 45 years, with investments in the country of up to $3.6 billion. It has allocated more than half of this funding in just the past decade.

Mozambique is a key focus of the African Development Bank’s various flagship initiatives for Africa’s transformation, one of them being its Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones program.

The African Development Bank’s current country portfolio for Mozambique is worth $1.21 billion and is the second largest in the southern region. It comprises 29 projects across energy, transport, agriculture, social and economic governance sectors.

The Bank vice president and her team are visiting Mozambique through Friday, 7 July.  

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB).

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Genesis Energy Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to Discuss Energy Expansion at Congo Energy & Investment Forum

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Genesis Energy

Akinwole Omoboriowo II will discuss Genesis Energy’s plan to deliver 10.5 GW of power across Africa, highlighting how Nigeria’s power sector experience can inform the development of the Republic of Congo’s domestic energy grid and gas export potential

BRAZZAVILLE, Republic of the Congo, January 20, 2025/APO Group/ — 

Akinwole Omoboriowo II, CEO of Genesis Energy, will speak at the Congo Energy & Investment Forum (CEIF) in Brazzaville this March, where he will discuss the company’s plans to deliver 10.5 GW of power across Africa, with a focus on energy initiatives that align with the Republic of Congo’s energy development goals.

Genesis Energy is driving transformational power projects, including providing 334MW to the Port Harcourt Refinery in Nigeria and plans to produce 1 GW within the WAEMU region. In October 2024, Genesis and BPA Komani announced their strategic partnership to mobilize capital and facilitate critical infrastructure projects focused on renewable energy, particularly Battery Energy Storage Systems across Africa. Additionally, Genesis’ recent MOU with the U.S. Agency for International Development will mobilize $10 billion for green energy and renewable projects, supporting Africa’s transition to a sustainable energy future.

The inaugural Congo Economic and Investment Forum, set for March 25-26, 2025 in Brazzaville, will bring together international investors and local stakeholders to explore national and regional energy and infrastructure opportunities. The event will explore the latest gas-to-power projects and provide updates on ongoing expansions across the country.

During CEIF 2025, Omoboriowo will explore how Genesis’ successful energy infrastructure development projects in Africa, combined with private sector innovation, can guide the Republic of Congo in strengthening its energy security and achieving its decarbonization goals. By leveraging its expertise in clean energy and strategic partnerships, Genesis Energy is poised to play a key role in helping the Republic of Congo harness its energy potential and expand its regional energy influence.

The Republic of Congo’s renewable energy sector is in a phase of growth, with increasing interest in solar, hydro and wind energy projects. Battery energy storage capacities are also gaining traction as a vital component of the country’s energy infrastructure, helping to balance supply and demand. The government is focusing on diversifying its energy mix to reduce dependency on fossil fuels and enhance grid reliability. Looking ahead, the Congo aims to expand its renewable energy capacity and integrate storage solutions to meet growing domestic and regional energy needs while supporting environmental sustainability.

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

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Eni, TotalEnergies Announce New Exploration Projects in Libya

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National Oil Corporation

Eni is launching three exploration plays, TotalEnergies is expecting promising results from its recent onshore exploration project, and other developments were shared during an upstream IOC-led panel at the Libya Energy & Economic Summit

TRIPOLI, Libya, January 19, 2025/APO Group/ — 

Libya’s National Oil Corporation (NOC) and international energy companies TotalEnergies, Eni, OMV, Repsol and Nabors outlined key exploration milestones and strategies to advance oil and gas production in Libya at the Libya Energy & Economic Summit 2025 on January 18.

Among the key developments highlighted were TotalEnergies’ recent onshore exploration project and promising exploration opportunities in the Sirte and Murzuq basins.

“With 40% of Africa’s reserves, Libya remains largely untapped,” said Julien Pouget, Senior Vice President for the Middle East and North Africa at TotalEnergies. Pouget shared TotalEnergies’ plans for 2025, including the completion of an onshore exploration project and new exploration in the Waha and Sharara fields. “We expect results next week,” he added.

Luca Vignati, Upstream Director at Eni, echoed optimism for Libya’s potential and outlined the company’s ongoing investment initiatives in the country. “We are launching three exploration plays – shallow, deepwater and ultra-deep offshore. No other country offers such opportunities,” Vignati stated. He also highlighted the company’s investments in gas projects, including over $10 billion for the Greenstream gas pipeline and a CO2 capture and storage plant in Mellitah.

Repsol affirmed its commitment to advancing exploration in Libya, focusing on overcoming industry challenges and achieving significant production milestones.

We have 48 billion barrels of discovered but unexploited oil, with total potential estimated at 90 billion barrels, especially offshore

“Over the past decade, Libya has made remarkable efforts to fight natural field decline and encourage exploration,” said Francisco Gea, Executive Managing Director, Exploration & Production at Repsol. “We have reached 340,000 barrels per day. The two million target is within reach, and as international companies, we have the responsibility to bring capacity and technology.”

“Innovation is key to maximizing production and accelerating exploration. By deploying cutting-edge solutions, Nabors can enhance efficiency, reduce costs and ensure safer operations,” added Travis Purvis, Senior Vice President of Global Drilling Operations at Nabors.

Bashir Garea, Technical Advisor to the Chairman of the NOC, highlighted the country’s immense oil and gas potential. “We have 48 billion barrels of discovered but unexploited oil, with total potential estimated at 90 billion barrels, especially offshore,” he said. He also pointed to Libya’s sizable gas reserves, noting, “Libya has 122 trillion cubic feet of gas yet to be developed. To unlock this potential, we need more investors and new technology, particularly for brownfield revitalization.”

“Our strategy spans the entire value chain. Strengthening infrastructure is essential to maximizing production and efficiency,” said Hisham Najah, General Manager of the NOC’s Investment & Owners Committees Department.

NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber and session moderator, underlined Libya as a prime destination for foreign investment: “Libya is at the cusp of a new energy era. The time for bold investments and strategic partnerships is now.”

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

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Libya’s Oil Minister: Brownfields, Local Investment Key to 2M Barrels Per Day (BPD) Production

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Libya’s Oil & Gas Minister outlined plans to boost production to 1.6 million bpd in 2025 and 2 million bpd long-term, with brownfield development and local investment at the core, during the Libya Energy & Economic Summit

TRIPOLI, Libya, January 19, 2025/APO Group/ — 

Libya is setting its sights on boosting oil production to 2 million barrels per day (bpd) within the next two to three years, with brownfield development and local investment identified as critical drivers of this growth. Speaking at the Libya Energy & Economic Summit (LEES) in Tripoli on Saturday, Minister of Oil and Gas Dr. Khalifa Abdulsadek outlined the country’s strategy to reach 1.6 million bpd by year-end and laid the groundwork for longer-term growth.

“There are massive opportunities here, massive fields that have been discovered, but a lot of fields have fallen between the cracks,” stated Minister Abdulsadek during the Ministerial Panel, Global Energy Alliance – Uniting for a Secure and Sustainable Energy Future. “We want to make sure local oil companies take part. We also want to leverage the upcoming licensing round to support our planned growth in the oil sector.”

The minister’s remarks were complemented by a strong call for international participation in Libya’s upcoming licensing round, signaling the government’s commitment to fostering collaboration and maximizing the potential of its energy sector.

Highlighting Libya’s vast natural gas potential – with reserves of 1.5 trillion cubic meters – Mohamed Hamel, Secretary General of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum, stressed the need for enhanced investment in gas projects. He pointed to ongoing initiatives like the $600 million El Sharara refinery as opportunities to stimulate economic diversification.

There are massive opportunities here, massive fields that have been discovered, but a lot of fields have fallen between the cracks

“Natural gas is available,” Hamel stated, adding, “It is the greenest of hydrocarbons and we see natural gas continuing to grow until 2050.”

The panel also tackled the global energy transition, emphasizing Africa’s unique challenges and the need for the continent to harness its resources to achieve energy security. Dr. Omar Farouk Ibrahim, Secretary General of the African Petroleum Producers Organization (APPO), underscored the critical need for finance, technology and reliable markets to drive progress.

“At APPO, we have noted three specific challenges for the African continent. Finance, technology and reliable markets,” he stated, questioning whether Africa can continue to depend on external forces to develop its resources.

As one of Africa’s top oil producers, Libya holds an estimated 48 billion barrels of proven oil reserves. The country’s efforts to expand production, attract investment and drive innovation are central to the discussions at LEES 2025. Endorsed by the Ministry of Oil and Gas and National Oil Corporation, the summit has established itself as the leading platform for driving Libya’s energy transformation and exploring its impact on global markets.

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

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