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African Guarantee Fund and Nordic Development Fund Take Lead in Fostering Green Finance in Malawi

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Green Finance

Malawi’s Vision 2063 reinforces the need to increase the nation’s resilience in agricultural technology by adapting innovative technologies

LILONGWE, Malawi, May 9, 2023/APO Group/ — 

The African Guarantee Fund (AGF) (http://www.AGF.Africa) in partnership with the Nordic Development Fund (NDF) kicked off the 8th Edition of the Green Finance Conference in Lilongwe, Malawi earlier today. The high-level conference attended by key players in the Malawi Finance and Energy Sectors, regulatory-policy stakeholders and Green SMEs highlighted the contribution of Malawi’s private sector to the achievement of the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement.

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The Paris Agreement, which was adopted by 196 Parties during the UN Climate Change Conference (COP21) in Paris, France on 12th December 2015 and put into effect on 4th November 2016; enforces a global framework to avoid dangerous climate change and also strengthens and supports each countries’ ability to deal with the impacts of climate change. 

Malawi’s Vision 2063 reinforces the need to increase the nation’s resilience in agricultural technology by adapting innovative technologies. Climate change decreases the rate at which Malawi can attain the goals of Vision 2063 as the country is prone to adverse climate hazards such as dry spells, seasonal droughts, intense rainfall and floods that all increase the poverty levels of the nation.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Malawi’s Minister of Energy, Hon. Ibrahim Matola said, “Climate change is a development issue that needs to be dealt with holistically. Climate change affects the budget negatively in the sense that the Ministry of Finance has to come in with budgetary resources to implement mitigation and response mechanisms designed to minimise negative effects of climate change. Apart from budgetary allocation, climate change affects growth prospects either through drought induced shocks or flooding as has been the case with Cyclone Idai, Gombe, Ana and recently Freddy.” 

The AGF and NDF have played a significant role in reducing the risks assumed by the financial sector by offering financial guarantees to support green SMEs

The Green Finance Conference emphasized the need for the full implementation of the Paris Agreement which requires private sector participation, especially the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). SMEs make up over 90% of enterprises and account for up to 60% of job creation and economic development in Africa. SMEs leveraging green incentives such as the Green Guarantee Facility can only be successful through adoption of complementary Technical Assistance and support from their governments through the establishment of green financing policies.

In 2016, AGF partnered with the NDF to launch the Green Guarantee Facility which unlocks financing for SMEs investing in climate change mitigation and adaptation, thereby promoting a green growth-oriented economy. The facility aims to increase sustainable private-sector led economic growth in Africa through efficient utilisation of untapped clean energy resources and other climate-resilient development initiatives. The AGF and NDF have played a significant role in reducing the risks assumed by the financial sector by offering financial guarantees to support green SMEs that are unable to provide acceptable collateral.

African Guarantee Fund Group Chief Executive Officer, Jules Ngankam said, “An increasing number of investors are looking to invest in new asset classes that are aligned to the green transition. These investors are even willing to take a lower financial return but it has to be compensated with climate return and social return. It is no longer just about maximizing the financial return but maximizing all returns jointly.”

Since the first Green Finance Conference in Lusaka, Zambia in March 2017, AGF and NDF have continued to work together to expand access to finance for SMEs focused on Green-growth across the continent.

“The Green Finance Conference was established as a response to the challenges of climate change within the framework of Nationally Determined Contributions, to analyze available opportunities and propose solutions that are necessary to meet the financing needs of Green SMEs. Those in attendance acquire skills and technologies needed to increase green financing which in turn mitigates the effects of climate change” added Mr. Ngankam.

Ms. Karin Isaksson, Nordic Development Fund Managing Director said, “The Nordic Development Fund (NDF) is the joint Climate and Development Fund that is capitalized by Nordic Countries. NDF speaks with a very strong voice in the global arena in the fight against climate change by providing financing for both public and private sector projects. By partnering with the AGF, we provide green equity, loans and grants that support the guarantee portfolio of the partnering financial institutions of the African Guarantee Fund. To be a successful partner for these financial institutions, it is important to provide technical assistance which is why the NDF grant funded the Capacity Development Fund which finances The Green Finance Conferences.” 

The financial institutions present will also be taken through a three-day training on Credit Risk and Product Development in Green Finance. The training will highlight how both the AGF and NDF contribute to financial risk management through the provision of green guarantee products which include Loan Guarantees; Equity Guarantees; Bank Fundraising Guarantees; and Capacity Development, all aimed at facilitating financing of Green SMEs. 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Guarantee Fund.

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Liberia to Preview Next Oil & Gas Licensing Round Strategy at Houston Investor Day

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The Liberia Petroleum Regulatory Authority will host operators, investors and partners in Houston on August 19 to preview future licensing opportunities and showcase the exploration potential of its offshore basins

HOUSTON, United States of America, August 7, 2026/APO Group/ –The Liberia Petroleum Regulatory Authority (LPRA) will present its strategy for the country’s next offshore licensing round at Liberia Investor Day Houston on August 19, bringing together international exploration companies, investors, service providers and energy leaders to discuss the next phase of Liberia’s upstream development.

Hosted in partnership with Energy Capital & Power, the event will provide a platform for the LPRA, led by Director General Hon. Marilyn T. Logan, to outline Liberia’s regulatory framework, investment priorities and plans to attract new participation across the country’s offshore sector. Discussions will focus on upcoming licensing opportunities, exploration prospects and the subsurface data supporting future investment decisions.

Liberia’s offshore sector is entering a new phase of exploration activity, with renewed international participation and a growing pipeline of opportunities. Following the award and ratification of eight Production Sharing Contracts in 2025, Liberia has re-established itself as a frontier exploration destination, with international operators advancing work programs designed to further evaluate the country’s petroleum potential. TotalEnergies is progressing exploration activities that include offshore geochemical surveys, 3D seismic acquisition and seabed mapping, while Oranto Petroleum has also signed contracts to explore Liberia’s offshore.

At the Liberia Investor Day Houston, the LPRA will provide industry stakeholders with insight into the priorities shaping the next licensing round, including the anticipated process, qualification requirements, available acreage and access to technical data. The engagement will give prospective investors a clearer view of Liberia’s exploration landscape and the opportunities emerging across its offshore basins.

The event will also facilitate direct dialogue between LPRA and the global upstream community, connecting companies with policymakers and industry stakeholders involved in shaping Liberia’s next chapter of petroleum development.

As exploration companies continue to seek new frontier opportunities, Liberia Investor Day Houston will highlight the role of regulatory certainty, data availability and strategic partnerships in unlocking long-term investment across Liberia’s offshore sector.

Registration is now open for attendees. Companies interested in Liberia’s emerging offshore opportunities are invited to join LPRA, investors and upstream leaders in Houston for insights into the country’s licensing strategy and exploration outlook. For more information contact info@energycapitalpower.com.

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

 

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Beyond Stabroek: Guyana’s Offshore Basin Attracts New Wave of Exploration Investment

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As ExxonMobil advances appraisal activity in Stabroek and new operators target frontier acreage, Guyana is attracting global capital and building a diversified offshore portfolio designed to sustain long-term growth

GEORGETOWN, Guyana, August 7, 2026/APO Group/ –Guyana’s transformation into one of the world’s fastest-growing oil producers is entering a new phase, with a growing network of IOCs expanding exploration activity across the country’s offshore basin. Beyond the landmark discoveries that first put Guyana on the global energy map, new drilling campaigns and licensing partnerships are creating a broader exploration ecosystem designed to support long-term production growth.

At the center of this momentum is ExxonMobil’s continued exploration and appraisal activity in the prolific Stabroek Block. The company has submitted a proposal for a 35-well exploration and appraisal drilling campaign, expected to run from 2028 through 2033, pending regulatory approval. The program would build on more than 30 commercial discoveries already made in the block, with drilling activity focused on evaluating new prospects and appraising existing discoveries to support future development opportunities.

Exploration activity is also extending into Guyana’s frontier acreage, with ExxonMobil advancing drilling operations at the deepwater Canje Block. The company has deployed the Noble Stena Carron drillship for exploration activity, highlighting continued industry interest in evaluating Guyana’s underexplored offshore potential beyond the established Stabroek Block.

Guyana’s strong exploration outlook comes as the country’s economy continues to benefit from rapid oil sector expansion, with hydrocarbons expected to remain a key driver of exports, government revenues and economic growth. As production scales up, attracting additional investment across exploration, services and infrastructure will be critical to supporting the next phase of development.

That momentum is being reinforced through partnerships established under Guyana’s 2023 offshore licensing round. A consortium comprising TotalEnergies, QatarEnergy and Petronas is advancing exploration activities in Block S4 under a five-year production sharing agreement signed with the government in late 2025. The award represents one of the first major outcomes of the licensing round and demonstrates continued international confidence in Guyana’s offshore resource potential.

Beyond the largest operators, a diverse group of companies is also expanding activity across Guyana’s offshore basin. Eco Atlantic is advancing exploration at the Orinduik Block; CGX Energy and Frontera Energy are progressing work in the Corentyne Block; Occidental is evaluating opportunities in the Roraima Block; while Ratio Guyana and Cataleya Energy hold interests in the Kaieteur Block. Together, these partnerships are broadening Guyana’s exploration landscape, increasing competition for acreage and creating opportunities for future discoveries.

As Guyana transitions from an emerging producer to a global energy hub, the next challenge will be converting exploration success into sustainable investment, local value creation and regional growth. These opportunities will be explored at Caribbean Energy Week 2027, held under the theme “Unlocking the Caribbean Energy Corridor: Oil, Gas, LNG & Investment for a New Global Hub.” Bringing together governments, IOCs, investors and technology providers, the event will examine how Guyana’s expanding partnerships can accelerate offshore development, strengthen regional energy cooperation and attract the capital needed to support the Caribbean’s evolving energy landscape.

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

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Energy Capital & Power Establishes London Entity, Expanding Global Platform for Energy and Mining Events

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The move strengthens ECP’s presence in the UK and Europe, and its ability to connect African and South American markets with global investors

LONDON, United Kingdom, August 6, 2026/APO Group/ –International events company Energy Capital & Power (ECP) (www.EnergyCapitalPower.com) has officially established its UK entity in London, marking a milestone in the company’s growth strategy and reinforcing its ability to deliver world-class energy and mining events and campaigns in the UK and Europe.

By establishing a presence in a key hub like London – the pre-eminent energy and mining finance center – ECP actively shapes the global energy conversation. The expansion positions ECP to better serve clients, partners and investors seeking to develop business opportunities between Africa, Europe, the Americas and energy markets worldwide.

Opening our UK company brings ECP closer to key investors in the global energy finance capital

The milestone comes as ECP strengthens its reach through a series of investment platforms that connect global capital to energy and mining projects. These include the Venezuela Energy Week London Showcase on July 30 – with over 300 delegates registered – and the annual Invest in African Energy Forum, held in Paris as the premier event connecting global investors to Africa’s energy transformation.

ECP hosts high level summits and investor conferences in leading energy and minerals producing countries in Africa and South America, including: Venezuela Energy Week; Angola Oil & Gas; MSGBC Oil, Gas & Power; African Mining Week; Libya Energy & Economic Summit; Congo Energy & Investment Forum; South Sudan Oil & Power; and Caribbean Energy Week. The company has hosted investor forums and supported licensing round roadshows in Houston, London and Paris since 2016.

“Opening our UK company brings ECP closer to key investors in the global energy finance capital,” states CEO James Chester. “Having a permanent presence in London further cements our footprint in Europe, enabling us to fulfil our mission to bring minerals and energy investment to diverse global markets.”

With teams located across Africa, Europe and the Americas, ECP has long-facilitated strategic engagement, market intelligence and industry convening, uniting investors with leading energy and mining projects.

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

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