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South Sudan – the Emerging Hub for East African Petroleum Sector Growth (By James Chester)

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4 years ago

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South Sudan

It is time for Juba to take its place as the gateway for exploration and energy services for the region

JUBA, South Sudan, June 15, 2022/APO Group/ — 

By James Chester, Senior Director at Energy Capital & Power (https://EnergyCapitalPower.com)

A few years ago, East Africa was primarily viewed as a venue for offshore exploration, and before its independence in 2011, South Sudan was more likely to be seen as a North African producer, as part of Sudan. But motivated governments and explorers have changed the picture.

Today, Kenya is a small-scale oil producer and Uganda has approved a massive oil development in its Lake Albert region and a refinery and export pipeline. Tanzania will export Uganda’s oil and will build its own LNG facilities to monetize its huge gas reserves. Somalia has embarked on a licensing round, as has the DRC.

South Sudan has its own unique place at the center of a wider Nile Basin-East Africa hydrocarbons-rich area that perfectly positions the country as the hub for petroleum industry services and exploration.

Measurable change has happened

In 2017, when Energy Capital & Power (https://EnergyCapitalPower.com) (then Africa Oil & Power) produced its first conference in Juba, the country was re-emerging from a fresh bout of conflict in 2016, visas were only available if you had contacts in-country to invite and process you, two out of the three joint operating companies (JOC) were not producing oil, and Juba did not have a functioning power grid. The country had only one intercity paved road, going to Uganda.

This year, as we plan the fifth edition of the South Sudan Oil & Power (https://bit.ly/3zCMESG) event series – taking place on 13-14 September 2022 at the Radisson Blu, Juba – the city and the country can show great progress. Juba now has its own power station and grid and more projects are in place in regional cities. Peace has largely held since the revitalized peace agreement of 2018 and the formation of the revitalized transitional government of 2020. All three JOCs are producing oil (albeit not without challenges still to overcome).

An e-visa system is in place – my last visa was processed in two hours – and Juba is now served regularly by Turkish Airlines, Egyptair, Ethiopian Airlines, Kenya Airways, and many others. New paved roads are already linking South Sudan’s cities.

There is no reason not to check out Juba and the country’s progress.

The energy industry, as the engine of the economy, has made huge steps forward since that first conference in 2017. Last week I met with Hon. Minister of Petroleum Puot Kang Chol and sat down with the Hon. Undersecretary Awow Daniel Chuang, and heard about the latest developments.

With the majority of South Sudan unexplored and producing areas to explore further, the government knows it has high potential assets to market to oil and gas companies

The Logical Service Point for the Region

South Sudan’s first ever licensing round is underway and closing in 2023. South Sudan is not just making the licenses available, it has built its own data facility in Juba and has purchased its own aircraft to undertake aerogravity surveys of the country. With the majority of South Sudan unexplored and producing areas to explore further, the government knows it has high potential assets to market to oil and gas companies – but that data is critical.

Until last year, South Sudan did not control its own industry and exploration data. It now has world class facilities.

As we discussed with the Undersecretary, with its new data rooms, its existing production and its drive to bring new investors, South Sudan is the logical service point for the entire East African petroleum industry – especially in exploration. With South Sudan’s unique position bridging the Nile Basin and Rift Valley areas, it is even more relevant as a hub for exploring a petroleum rich area that extends from Egypt through Sudan to Uganda, Kenya and beyond.

In the midstream and downstream sector, a focus on new solutions and partnerships is driving innovation in a previously underdeveloped segment. Trinity Energy, working with Chemex Global, has been building a refinery project that will provide fuel to South Sudan and neighboring countries. National oil company Nilepet and its state owned South African partner the Strategic Fuel Fund have embarked on the Nile Orange Energy Project, that will include a pipeline and refinery.

Many other midstream developments are in the works to meet the demands of a growing nation and a region of almost half a billion people.

Private Sector is Key

Instrumental to all of this, in addition to the commitment of South Sudan’s Ministry of Petroleum and other government entities, is the South Sudanese private sector.

Private companies have grown from strength to strength in recent years, providing real competition to each other and to Chinese and international service companies. A wide range of exploration and production services are now available from these firms.

We see these companies as the real future of the industry in South Sudan and the region. They will be the local partners that will help international investors succeed on the ground. They will establish South Sudan’s new reputation as the regional industry hub. They will drive down costs, raise quality and train and employ South Sudan’s youth.

Serious barriers to entry and growth remain in South Sudan. It is important that these are examined – as they will be at South Sudan Oil & Power 2022 in September – and that they are dismantled. But the private sector and the government are serious about South Sudan’s future. They have a vision for where the country should be positioned within the regional energy industry.

To investors and international companies that wish to not only understand South Sudan’s energy potential, but also that of the Nile Basin and East Africa: You are invited to come and experience the reality of South Sudan today. Your investment, technology and hard work alongside great partners can help realize that national vision, and position your company for growth.

Experience South Sudan, learn about its energy opportunities and meet the private sector and government leaders at South Sudan Oil & Power 2022 on 13-14 September 2022 in Juba. Visit www.SSOP2022.com to register.

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

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WARC reveals insights from the winners of the Cannes Creative Effectiveness Lions 2026

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9 hours ago

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August 12, 2026

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Cannes Creative Effectiveness Lions 2026
Cultural insights, interactive experiences, strategic creator partnerships and platform-native ideas lead to commercial success
12 August 2026 – Strategically integrating cultural insights, interactive experiences, strategic creator partnerships, and platform-native ideas into campaigns are key drivers of commercial success, according to a new report by WARC, the global authority on marketing effectiveness.

‘Creative Effectiveness Lions – Insights from the 2026 winners’, identifies trends and themes common to the winners of this year’s Cannes Creative Effectiveness Lions awards category, which rewards creativity that has also met business goals and driven sustainable impact over time.

Based on WARC’s exclusive access to the jury deliberations and analysis of the entries, the report unearths insights into what makes a campaign both creative and effective, offers a behind-the-scenes view on the strategies that led to success, and provides takeaways for advertisers, agencies, media owners, people and planet.

Commenting on the report, John Bizzell, Content Lead, WARC, said: “This year’s winning Creative Effectiveness campaigns offer valuable insights for marketers, demonstrating how creative excellence can address genuine business and social issues while delivering meaningful growth.”

On the winners, jury president Bertille Toledano, CEO, BETC, Havas Creative Middle East and President of Havas Creative Network, commented: “The jury sought to award Lions to campaigns that delivered genuine impact on real people – the kind of campaigns you would discuss with your mother over lunch. We kept in mind the Creative Effectiveness Ladder to select the most effective creative work that embodied a cultural vision and a clear sense of what the brand stands for. These are the ones I’ll be telling my mother about.”

The three key themes of the Creative Effectiveness Lions 2026 winners are:

  • Rewrite cultural rules, don’t just reflect them

Cultural insight is a strategic business tool that helps brands actively focus on what connects people, and how to respond and innovate. Brands that move beyond surface-level understanding and instead use cultural analysis strategically can unlock new opportunities for growth, relevance and differentiation.

 

Brands should prioritize activation over observation, position themselves as cultural solutions, and focus on value exchange rather than transactional relationships.

Creative Effectiveness Grand Prix winner, Three Words for insurance brand AXA by Publicis France, transformed its home insurance offering to support victims of domestic violence in France by adding the clause ‘and domestic violence’ to its contracts, enabling emergency relocations for those in need.

Gold winner Pedigree’s Caramelo campaign by AlmapBBDO São Paulo, redefined the concept of ‘pedigree’ and increased the adoption of mixed-breed dogs in Brazil, particularly the culturally significant Caramelo, expanding its total addressable market.

  • Interactive experiences foster deeper brand involvement

Turning brand assets into interactive tools enables brands to deepen engagement, foster participation and create memorable moments for audiences.

Brands should embrace direct consumer participation utilising assets, leverage data to build credibility, and implement meaningful reward mechanisms to drive engagement.

Vaseline, the trusted skin healer’s silver-winning Vaseline Verified campaign by Ogilvy Singapore, engaged directly with creators to address misinformation about its product on social media to ensure safe usage among consumers.

Furniture retailer IKEA’s Hidden Tags silver campaign in Portugal by Uzina, Lisbon, encouraged customers to discover the hidden production dates on their products to build consumer trust and reinforce long-term brand commitment.

  • Strategic creator partnerships and platform-native ideas build brands

Creators are more than paid promoters; they can be authentic advocates who add real value. Platform-specific features earn community buy-in and mean reach continues when spend stops.

Brands should focus on integration rather than interruption, look beyond simple amplification, and meet audiences where they naturally engage.

Uber Easts, the food delivery platform’s silver-winning campaign Football is for Food, by Special US, transformed its NFL sponsorship into a purchase opportunity by embedding itself into the sport, linking football with food.

Bronze-winning campaign ‘U Up?’ by Rethink Canada for IKEA leveraged multiple touchpoints to create unexpected brand interactions into points of purchase for mattresses by turning consumer insomnia into immediate conversation.

WARC’s John Bizzell added: “This year’s jury talked a lot about context, from sourcing to metrics and culture. The jury wanted to see work that included well-sourced, credible data and metrics on what was the business impact. They also wanted to see cultural context – on an international jury, not everyone may understand why an insight is so important for a brand or category. Entrants should bear these factors in mind for next year.”

The full report is available to WARC Strategy subscribers. An upcoming WARC Podcast available from 20 August will discuss the findings.

 

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Energy

ExxonMobil’s Artificial Intelligence (AI) Breakthrough Signals New Era of Digital Exploration in Guyana Ahead of Caribbean Energy Week (CEW) 2027

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11 hours ago

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August 12, 2026

By

Etu Energias

As artificial intelligence transforms upstream decision-making, Guyana’s energy sector continues to attract investment and innovation ahead of the Caribbean Energy Week 2027 In-Country Launch in Georgetown on 1 September 2026

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, August 12, 2026/APO Group/ –ExxonMobil’s announcement that artificial intelligence has identified four new exploration opportunities within Guyana’s prolific Stabroek Block marks a significant milestone in the country’s digital transformation. By applying AI to historical discoveries, drilling results and subsurface data, the company is demonstrating how advanced analytics, machine learning, high-performance computing and next-generation seismic imaging can accelerate exploration, reduce costs and improve discovery success rates.

 

The breakthrough comes as Guyana targets crude oil production of 1.3 million barrels per day by 2027 and 1.7 million barrels per day by 2030, underscoring the growing role of digital technologies in maximizing resource development alongside continued investment in drilling and infrastructure.

Against this backdrop, the Caribbean Energy Week (CEW) 2027 Guyana In-Country Launch, taking place on 1 September 2026 at the Guyana Marriott Hotel in Georgetown, will bring together operators, technology providers, geoscience companies, investors and regulators to examine the latest developments shaping Guyana’s energy sector and build momentum ahead of CEW 2027 next July. Returning for its second edition, CEW provides a premier platform for advancing investment, showcasing new projects and highlighting the technologies driving the country’s next phase of upstream growth.

Momentum behind AI adoption continues to build. In May 2026, ExxonMobil Vice President of Exploration John Ardill confirmed the company was expanding its use of deep learning, machine learning and high-performance computing to analyze seismic data and identify hydrocarbon-bearing prospects that were previously more difficult to evaluate.

The company is simultaneously advancing an ambitious offshore drilling program. This month, ExxonMobil commenced new drilling activities in Guyana’s Exclusive Economic Zone, including the Whiptail development well and Rockhead-1 exploration well. Earlier this year, the company also sought environmental authorization for the Haimara gas-condensate development and has proposed a 35-well drilling campaign between 2028 and 2033, reinforcing confidence in Guyana’s long-term exploration potential.

These developments are creating growing opportunities for AI developers, digital technology providers, seismic specialists, engineering firms and oilfield service companies that can support increasingly data-driven exploration and field development activities.

As the first official milestone on the road to Caribbean Energy Week 2027, the Georgetown launch will provide a platform for industry leaders to examine the technologies, partnerships and investment strategies driving Guyana’s next phase of growth while strengthening collaboration across the Caribbean energy sector.

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

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Business

SOKOYO Advances Global Solar Street Lighting Capabilities

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12 hours ago

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August 12, 2026

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SOKOYO

BEIJING, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 12 August 2026 – SOKOYO, a top manufacturer of solar street lights, has installed 252 sets of lighting units in QatarEnergy’s solar power project in Ras Laffan and Masaieed in Qatar.

Installation of SOKOYO’s split solar street lights for the project being built by Samsung C&T Corp. was completed in July. The arrangement of solar panels was customized at the customer’s request for ease of maintenance.

“SOKOYO provided us with a specially customized solution for our power station,” said Ms. Kathy, senior procurement manager for Samsung. “The entire solar street lighting system consistently met our expectations for brightness, battery life and overall reliability.”

SOKOYO, founded in 2008, has manufactured more than 1 million lighting units installed in a wide range of settings across SoutheastAsia, Africa, the Middle East and Central Asia.

The company manufactures its own LED modules, solar panels, batteries, light housings and light poles. They have third-party certification for European Union and other safety and reliability standards, which qualifies them for export to global markets.

SOKOYO is regularly appointed to bodies that establish national and industry standards.

SOKOYO’s product line includes all-in-one solar street lights, all-in-two solar street lights and split-type solar street lights. They can be controlled remotely with IoT technology to improve safety and efficiency. Using solar power makes them immune to disruptions in supplies of oil and gas.

As the industry evolves to focus on “system-level R&D,” SOKOYO is reducing customer costs by enhancing reliability and resistance to heat and cold. To improve efficiency, it is developing smart lighting and IoT applications. It is promoting modular production, intelligent manufacturing and standardized process management.

The research team has seven engineers, some with more than two decades of industry experience. They develop technology for a wide range of environments and customer needs.

SOKOYO has experience in markets including Thailand, thePhilippines, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Nigeria. It has developed technology to cope with heat, humidity, sandstorms and low light during extended rains, a challenge in central Africa and other areas.

In Uganda, SOKOYO supplied 1,000 light sets to help improve safety on a busy expressway between the capital, Kampala, and the eastern industrial center of Jinja. They provide the first nighttime lighting on a 22-kilometer section of road crowded with trucks, buses and motorcycles.

In Yemen and the United Arab Emirates, SOKOYO lights use LED modules developed to cope with heat, sun and sand.

The company supplied more than 2,000 light units to Saudi Arabia’s planned high-tech city of NEOM as part of the Saudi 2030 Vision plan.

Customers can use SOKOYO’s test facilities to try out different light configurations. Lights can be tested on roads of up to four lanes in an1,100-square-meter darkroom. Designers and urban planners can ensure light is distributed effectively, eliminating dark areas on the road and improving safety.

Batteries are tested to confirm they resist crushing, heat and cold, vibration, overcharging or being dropped. LED modules are drenched in salt spray for up to 72 hours to make sure they resist corrosion.

SOKOYO has been chosen for bodies that formulated eight national and industry standards including the “General Technical Specification for Solar Photovoltaic Lighting Devices” in 2025 with definitions and standards for split-type and integrated solar devices.

SOKOYO products have third-party certification that they meet standards of the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) and other bodies.Its batteries meet the requirements of the CB scheme under the IEC, recognized in more than 50 countries. Tests confirm they withstand overcharging, high temperature, vibration, impact and short circuit.

The company’s solar panels received IEC certification that they meet standards for electric shock protection, temperature changes, damp, heat, humidity, hail impact and other factors.

SOKOYO participates in efforts to improve the industry’s reputation by promoting “zero false labeling” and reliable products that refuse to cut corners.

SOKOYO pays attention to the environment. Its products are designed to minimize light pollution and limit disruption for wildlife, stargazers and the public.
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

 

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