CAPE TOWN, South Africa, February 25, 2025/APO Group/ –China’s growing influence in Africa’s oil and gas sector, particularly in exploration and production (E&P), continues to reshape the region’s energy landscape. At the heart of this expansion is China’s strategic interest in securing energy resources to fuel its growing economy while advancing its Belt and Road Initiative. As the global energy transition accelerates, China’s engagement with Africa’s oil and gas sector has evolved, reflecting both a long-term investment strategy and a deeper commitment to regional energy security.

China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) is actively developing key oil fields across Africa, including Nigeria’s ultra-deep Egina field and the recently operational Akpo West field. In Niger, China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) signed a $400 million crude supply deal in 2024 and is building a 1,980-km pipeline linking the Agadem Rift Basin to Benin’s Atlantic Oil Terminal. In South Sudan, Dar Petroleum Operating Co., which counts CNPC and Sinopec as major shareholders, resumed production this month after nearly a year-long hiatus. Sinopec is also expanding its footprint in Algeria through a March 2024 agreement with Sonatrach, which includes plans for the Hassi Berkane Nord exploration zone. Meanwhile, United Energy Group is set to double its Egyptian output after acquiring Apex International Energy’s Western Desert portfolio, adding over 22,000 barrels per day to its production across five concessions.

In the Republic of Congo, Chinese firm Wing Wah is leading the Banga Kayo gas monetization project, converting flared gas into LNG, butane and propane. CNOOC is advancing Uganda’s Lake Albert project, targeting first oil from the Kingfisher field in 2025. In Mozambique, CNPC is a partner in the $30 billion Rovuma LNG project, expected to reach FID in 2026, while CNOOC signed agreements in April 2024 for five exploration blocks in the Save and Angoche offshore areas. CNOOC is also making waves in Gabon, drilling the Tigre-1 probe in a high-potential deep-water oil prospect, marking the company’s first exploration in Gabon’s deep waters in over five years.

China’s energy investments in Africa extend beyond exploration and production to include vital infrastructure development, including pipelines, power plants and refineries. In Angola, China National Chemical Engineering Co. secured the EPC contract for the $6 billion Lobito Refinery, while China Engineering and Machinery Corp. was recently awarded the contract to build a 350 MW gas power plant in Nigeria. In South Sudan, CNPC and the government are exploring plans to build a new pipeline passing through Djibouti and Ethiopia, aimed at enhancing export capabilities as production increases in Blocks 3 and 7. Additionally, CNOOC is a key partner in the $5 billion East African Crude Oil Pipeline, which will facilitate the first Ugandan oil exports, with financing from the China Export-Import Bank and several other Chinese banks. These infrastructure projects are part of China’s broader push to integrate African nations into global energy supply chains, enabling greater energy access while supporting regional economic growth.

Looking toward 2025 and beyond, China’s role in Africa’s energy sector is expected to evolve in response to emerging trends in the global energy market, including the drive toward cleaner energy sources and greater emphasis on sustainability. Through companies like China General Nuclear Power Group (CGN), JinkoSolar and China Energy Engineering Group, China is funding wind, solar, nuclear and hydropower projects across the continent, reinforcing its commitment to the African energy transition. This shift aligns with China’s broader climate goals, which include achieving carbon neutrality by 2060, and highlights the growing synergy between China’s energy investments and Africa’s renewable energy ambitions.

As part of this growing collaboration, the African Energy Chamber (AEC) will host the Invest in African Energies investor forum in Shanghai on March 13, 2025.The event will focus on strengthening China-Africa relations and creating new opportunities for Chinese producers, investors and equipment suppliers to expand their footprint across Africa. The Shanghai forum will set the stage for the African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energies conference in Cape Town, where key stakeholders will continue to discuss how China’s increasing energy investments in Africa can drive future development, support the continent’s energy transition, and unlock new avenues for energy cooperation across both traditional and renewable sectors.

“China’s expanding role in Africa’s energy sector is not only reshaping regional markets, but also creating vital opportunities for investment, infrastructure development and long-term energy security. As we prepare for the Invest in African Energies investor forum in Shanghai and African Energy Week 2025 in Cape Town, we look forward to strengthening partnerships that drive sustainable growth across both traditional and renewable energy industries,” said Leoncio Amada Nze Nlang, CEMAC Executive President at the AEC.

To register, visit: https://apo-opa.co/41hZqCm

AEW: Invest in African Energies is the platform of choice for project operators, financiers, technology providers and government, and has emerged as the official place to sign deals in African energy. Visit www.AECWeek.com for more information about this exciting event. 

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, February 25, 2025/APO Group/ –Kholo Capital Mezzanine Debt Fund I (“Kholo Capital” or “the Fund”) (www.KholoCapital.com/), has reached final close at R1,4 billion in commitments, in order to make long-term mezzanine debt investments in small and medium sized businesses in Southern Africa (i.e., South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho and Swaziland). The funding provided to these businesses will positively impact communities and support economic growth, job creation, alleviation of poverty and advancement of transformation in the Southern African region. The Fund provides growth capital, BEE Financing and acquisition funding into sectors of the Southern African economy with high social impact including social housing, healthcare, education, renewable energy, food and food security, ICT, financial technology and infrastructure. The Fund follows the United Nation’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals as guiding principles with key focus on those linked to Job Creation (i.e., Decent work and Economic growth, Reduced Inequalities and Gender Equality) and those linked to Sustainable Growth (i.e.; Affordable and Green Energy, Sustainable Cities and Communities and Climate Action). The R1,4 billion in commitments was secured from leading South African institutional investors.

Kholo Capital believes that mezzanine debt funding, being a subordinated loan position that sits between senior debt and equity in the capital structure of a business, is attractive because it plugs any equity funding gaps and provides businesses with a tailored and flexible loan solutions in support of their growth requirements. Kholo Capital’s investment criteria include investing in small and medium sized businesses generating minimum R25m EBITDA across various growth sectors of the Southern African economy, thereby providing much needed access to capital within a preferred range of R70m to 200m per investment. The benefit of mezzanine debt loan funding lies not only in the ability to tailor funding terms like debt servicing requirements (e.g., providing capital repayment moratoriums), and also because it is a loan funding instrument it avoids the significant equity dilution which is sometimes the sad reality when businesses try to fund their growth ambitions by raising pure equity funding.

Mokgome Mogoba, Founder and Managing Partner at Kholo Capital, said: “We are very bullish about South Africa, the South African economy and the future prospects of this beautiful country and the surrounding region. We are heartened and motivated by the optimism and the resilience of its people. We aim to create in excess of 500 new jobs at a rate of more than 40 nett jobs created per investment and we have committed to investing more than 50% of the Fund in black empowered companies. We are excited at the opportunity to bring creative funding solutions to the Southern African market and to form long term sustainable partnerships with businesses over a 4 to 7-year investment horizon, realising not only strong commercial returns for our investors, but also providing transformational funding that has a positive ESG impact on businesses and surrounding communities as we also look to boost our rural and township economies.”

Zaheer Cassim, Founder and Managing Partner at Kholo Capital, added: “Mezzanine debt funding is non-dilutive by nature and therefore is an attractive funding option for family-owned businesses, BEE companies or any business that needs to raise capital and hold onto the equity in the business. And with the banks becoming more risk averse due to regulatory requirements, lending to small and medium sized businesses has reduced, creating a great opportunity for flexible mezzanine debt structures.  We are grateful that our investors recognise the opportunity and have shown us tremendous support.”

With a strong pipeline of opportunities, Kholo Mezzanine Debt Fund I is well positioned to advance its investment objectives, and make a sustainable impact in support of the real economy.

BRAZZAVILLE, Republic of the Congo, February 24, 2025/APO Group/ –With the Republic of Congo preparing to launch a new Gas Code and Gas Master Plan to incentivize investment across the natural gas value chain, the participation of investment companies in the country’s energy sector will be a requisite for international companies seeking to navigate complex government and corporate deals.

The inaugural Congo Energy & Investment Forum (CEIF) 2025, taking place in Brazzaville from March 24-26, will feature the participation of some of the top energy investment firms operating on the continent. Speakers at this year’s event will include Abdullahi Bashir, Group Managing Director, AA&R Investment; Adou Toure, Investment Advisor to the U.S. Development Finance Corporation (DFC); as well as Didier Rault, CEO, World Mining Investment.

The inaugural Congo Energy & Investment Forum, set for March 24-26, 2025, in Brazzaville, under the patronage of President Denis Sassou Nguesso and supported by the Ministry of Hydrocarbons and Société nationales des pétroles du Congo, 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.

Congo’s regulatory landscape and industry outlook is incentivizing new players to join the market. The country aims to attract fresh investment across the growing oil and gas value chain, with the fiscal and regulatory environment having become increasingly more transparent, making it simpler for companies to invest. As such, the participation of AA&R Investment at this year’s CEIF 2025 is set to showcase the significant role a structured investment environment can play in ensuring a timely and efficient entry for new companies to the country’s energy market.

Congo’s Gas Master Plan aims to advance the country’s gas monetization agenda by catalyzing new infrastructure development, including gas pipelines, processing facilities and gas-to-power plants. The plan also seeks to reduce energy imports and raise electricity access, currently at 50%. With its significant resource base, forward-looking approach to policy implementation and commitment to low-carbon oil and gas, Congo has emerged as a highly attractive investment market. With experience across a wide range of regions and industries, World Mining Investment is well-positioned to leverage its expertise in government and corporate deals to showcase how existing operators and service providers can strengthen their footprint in Congo at CEIF 2025.

With aims to increase financing and guarantees to help unlock private sector investment in Congo’s energy sector, the U.S. DFC’s participation at CEIF 2025 is expected to benefit small businesses and financial service companies seeking to improve supply chains, infrastructure and development in the country. The institution has a rich portfolio of projects across Africa, including the trans-national Lobito Atlantic Railway, which contribute to mobilizing private sector investment and expand access to structured financing mechanisms.

“The participation of investment firms such as AA&R Investment, the U.S. DFC and World Mining Investment at CEIF 2025 is crucial for shaping the future of Congo’s energy sector. Their involvement highlights the growing international confidence in the country’s evolving regulatory framework and abundant natural resources. By bringing together key players in the global energy and infrastructure sectors, the conference is well-positioned to foster collaboration, unlock new investment opportunities and drive sustainable growth in Congo’s energy market,” states Energy Capital & Power Events and Project Director Sandra Jeque.