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Transnet Freight Rail Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to Spotlight South Africa’s Rail Reform at African Mining Week (AMW) 2026

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Etu Energias

As South Africa accelerates freight rail reforms and private sector participation to unlock mining investment, Transnet Freight Rail CEO Russell Baatjies will outline the company’s infrastructure modernization strategy and opportunities for investors at African Mining Week 2026

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, August 20, 2026/APO Group/ –Russell Baatjies, Group Chief Executive of Transnet Freight Rail, has been confirmed as a speaker at African Mining Week (AMW) 2026 – Africa’s premier gathering for the mining industry – taking place October 14-16 in Cape Town.

 

Baatjies will participate in the Regional Connectivity: Financing Africa’s Mineral Infrastructure panel, where he is expected to discuss Transnet’s strategy to modernize South Africa’s freight rail network, expand private sector participation and strengthen regional logistics corridors to support mining growth and cross-border trade.

His participation comes as South Africa accelerates sweeping logistics reforms aimed at removing infrastructure bottlenecks and unlocking greater investment across its mining sector. As the country seeks to mobilize R2 trillion to develop its critical minerals industry – including an estimated R40 trillion in untapped iron ore resources – expanding rail and port capacity has become central to increasing exports of coal, platinum group metals, manganese, chrome and iron ore while improving regional trade connectivity.

In May 2026, Transnet signed rail access agreements with 11 Train Operating Companies (TOCs) serving the coal, manganese, container, fuel and general freight sectors, marking a major step toward opening the national freight rail network to private operators. The agreements are expected to add 24 million tons of annual freight capacity, with the potential to increase to 52 million tons over the next five years, supporting South Africa’s goal of increasing annual rail volumes from approximately 180 million tons to 250 million tons by 2030.

Building on these reforms, Transnet launched the procurement process in June 2026 for The Leasing Company, a rolling stock leasing platform designed to improve access to locomotives and wagons for both established and emerging TOCs. The initiative is expected to increase asset utilization, strengthen freight capacity and attract greater private investment into Southern Africa’s rail sector.

The company is also reinforcing its financial position to accelerate infrastructure modernization through major financing agreements, including a €300 million loan from Agence Française de Développement, a €350 million loan from the European Investment Bank, a $278 million facility from the New Development Bank, a $1 billion loan from the African Development Bank and a R94.8 billion government guarantee package supporting its long-term recovery and investment program.

Alongside infrastructure investment, Transnet is strengthening collaboration with the mining industry to improve export capacity through strategic agreements with Exxaro ResourcesUnited Manganese of KalahariHotazel Manganese Mines and Tshipi é Ntle Manganese Mining, reinforcing efforts to support higher mining production through more efficient logistics.

At AMW 2026, Baatjies is expected to examine how rail modernization, private sector participation and regional logistics integration can unlock new mining investment while strengthening Africa’s mineral value chains and improving access to global markets.

 

 

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

 

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Senegal’s President and Energy Minister Confirm Official Patronage at MSGBC Oil, Gas & Power 2026

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MSGBC Oil, Gas & Power 2026 will take place from 1-3 December in Dakar under the High Patronage of President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and in partnership with the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum of the Republic of Senegal

DAKAR, Senegal, August 18, 2026/APO Group/ —MSGBC Oil, Gas & Power 2026 has confirmed the official participation of Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and Minister of Energy and Petroleum Dr. El Hadji Abdourahmane Diouf at this year’s event, set to take place 1-3 December at the Centre International de Conférences Abdou Diouf (CICAD) in Dakar.

Held under the High Patronage of President Faye and in partnership with the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum, MSGBC Oil, Gas & Power 2026 reflects the Senegalese government’s commitment to advancing energy sector investment and development across the MSGBC basin.

Minister Diouf assumed office in June 2026 following the formation of Senegal’s new government, which restructured the former Ministry of Energy, Petroleum and Mines into separate portfolios to place dedicated institutional focus on the country’s expanding hydrocarbons sector. He previously served as Minister of Higher Education, Research and Innovation and as Minister of the Environment and Ecological Transition.

Their participation comes as Senegal consolidates its position as a new oil and gas producer. The Sangomar field produced 17.9 million barrels in the first half of 2026, while the Greater Tortue Ahmeyim LNG project – shared with Mauritania – is now operating at full capacity following its first export cargo in early 2025.

Organized under the theme Powering Investment, Delivering Prosperity: Executing the Region’s Energy Strategy, MSGBC Oil, Gas & Power 2026 will convene heads of state, ministers, investors, operators and development partners to shape the next phase of energy investment across Mauritania, Senegal, The Gambia, Guinea-Bissau and Guinea-Conakry.

For more information and registration, visit www.msgbcoilgasandpower.com https://apo-opa.co/4xL10v4.

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

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Energy Intensive Users Group of Southern Africa (EIUG) and VUKA Group announce joint EIUG Conference and C&I Energy + Storage Summit

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The EIUG Conference will provide a platform for open dialogue on electricity industry challenges and opportunities

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, August 18, 2026/APO Group/ –The Energy Intensive Users Group of Southern Africa (EIUG), together with VUKA Group (https://WeAreVUKA.com/), will co‑host the EIUG Conference alongside the C&I Energy + Storage Summit, created by VUKA Group, on 28–29 October 2026 at The Maslow Hotel, Sandton.

The EIUG Conference is more than a gathering – it is a platform to shape South Africa’s industrial energy future

The EIUG Conference will provide a platform for open dialogue on electricity industry challenges and opportunities. It will bring together government, industry leaders, energy‑intensive consumers, and service providers to exchange perspectives, strengthen industrial competitiveness, and explore solutions for South Africa’s energy future.

The two‑day programme features ministerial and industry keynotes, panel discussions on tariff escalation, carbon tax, CBAM, and electricity market reforms, as well as masterclasses on financing, digitalisation, grid security, and hydrogen development.

Delegates will also benefit from networking functions, case study presentations, and practical workshops designed to accelerate the just energy transition.

“The EIUG Conference is more than a gathering – it is a platform to shape South Africa’s industrial energy future,” says Fanele Mondi, EIUG CEO. “ By bringing together government, industry, and service providers, we aim to foster open dialogue and practical solutions that support competitiveness, sustainability, and resilience.”

For more information, visit EIUG Conference (https://apo-opa.co/4x0Wzwd).

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of VUKA Group.

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Presidential Energy Adviser Olu Verheijen to Highlight Nigeria’s Investment Drive at African Energy Week (AEW) 2026

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As the Tinubu administration advances reforms to unlock upstream investment, expand gas development and strengthen energy security, Nigeria’s Special Adviser to the President on Energy will join global industry leaders at African Energy Week 2026

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, August 17, 2026/APO Group/ –Nigeria’s efforts to reposition its energy sector and attract a new wave of investment will take center stage at African Energy Week (AEW) 2026, with Olu Verheijen, Special Adviser to the President on Energy, Federal Republic of Nigeria, confirmed to participate in the event.

Her participation comes as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration continues to implement an ambitious energy reform agenda aimed at reversing years of underinvestment, improving project economics and restoring Nigeria’s position as one of Africa’s leading destinations for oil, gas and infrastructure capital.

Since taking office in 2023, the administration has prioritized measures to improve investor confidence, including the implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act, reforms to strengthen regulatory efficiency and a series of executive actions designed to accelerate investment across the upstream sector. The government has also focused on improving the commercial performance of NNPC, transitioning the national oil company toward a more investment-oriented operating model and expanding partnerships with international operators.

Nigeria has the resources, market scale and entrepreneurial strength to lead Africa’s next era of energy investment

These reforms are supporting renewed momentum across Nigeria’s upstream sector in 2026, with major international operators advancing new investments across deepwater oil and gas developments. ExxonMobil and its partners are moving forward with a $1 billion investment in the Usan Infill Project, expected to add approximately 40,000 barrels per day of production, while Shell continues to expand its deepwater and integrated gas portfolio through projects including Bonga North and the HI gas development. Bonga North is expected to deliver up to 110,000 barrels per day at peak production, while the HI project is designed to supply 350 million standard cubic feet of gas per day to Nigeria LNG. These investments reflect growing confidence in Nigeria’s resource base and highlight opportunities for further capital deployment across offshore development, gas infrastructure and energy services.

With approximately 200 trillion cubic feet of proven natural gas reserves, Nigeria is seeking to accelerate gas commercialization through LNG expansion, industrial projects, gas processing and gas-to-power initiatives. Projects including the Nigeria LNG Train 7 expansion, alongside broader efforts to strengthen domestic gas supply infrastructure, are expected to play a key role in improving energy security, supporting industrial growth and expanding Nigeria’s position in global gas markets. Recent developments are also highlighting growing momentum around indigenous-led gas projects, including UTM Offshore’s 15-year gas supply agreement with a joint venture between NNPC and Seplat Energy to supply 200 million standard cubic feet per day of gas from the Yoho field for Nigeria’s first indigenous floating LNG project.

Nigeria’s downstream sector is also entering a new phase following the ramp-up of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, which has the capacity to process 650,000 barrels per day and is expected to reduce reliance on imported refined products while creating new opportunities across logistics, trading and energy infrastructure.

“Nigeria has the resources, market scale and entrepreneurial strength to lead Africa’s next era of energy investment,” said NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber. “The reforms underway under President Tinubu’s administration are focused on making the sector more competitive, improving investor confidence and ensuring that Nigeria captures greater value from its oil, gas and power resources. AEW 2026 provides a critical platform to connect these reforms with the investors, companies and partners needed to deliver growth.”

As Special Adviser to the President on Energy, Verheijen has been closely involved in advancing Nigeria’s energy priorities, including investment promotion, sector coordination and policy implementation. Her participation at AEW 2026 will provide stakeholders with insight into Nigeria’s strategy for unlocking capital and accelerating development across the energy value chain.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

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