CAPE TOWN, South Africa, April 30, 2026/APO Group/ –Angola’s national oil company Sonangol has been confirmed as an Emerald Sponsor of African Energy Week (AEW) 2026, reinforcing its position as one of the continent’s most influential integrated energy players at a time of rapid upstream expansion and downstream transformation.

The sponsorship comes as Sonangol accelerates a multi-billion-dollar investment drive across exploration, production, gas monetization and refining infrastructure, with several flagship projects set to reshape Angola’s energy landscape through 2030.

At the heart of this expansion is Sonangol’s continued partnership with international operators on major offshore developments. In Block 15/06, the Agogo Integrated West Hub – developed alongside Azule Energy and Sinopec – reached production in 2025, adding significant new volumes through the Agogo and Ndungu fields and reinforcing Angola’s drive to sustain output above one million barrels per day.

Another cornerstone development is the Kaminho Deepwater Project in Block 20/11, operated with TotalEnergies and Petronas, which targets first oil in 2028 with an estimated production capacity of around 70,000 barrels per day. The project represents a key step in unlocking Angola’s Kwanza Basin frontier and demonstrates Sonangol’s continued role in large-scale deepwater developments.

In parallel, Sonangol is expanding its gas portfolio through its stake in the New Gas Consortium, Angola’s first non-associated gas development. The Quiluma field recently achieved first gas and is expected to ramp up to around 330 million cubic feet per day at plateau, supplying feedstock to the Angola LNG plant and reinforcing the country’s position as a long-term LNG exporter.

Downstream, Sonangol is advancing an ambitious refining expansion strategy aimed at strengthening fuel security and value retention. The Cabinda Refinery has entered its final testing and commissioning phase, with operations expected to ramp up imminently following initial start-up and fuel deliveries beginning in 2026. Long-term projects in Lobito and Soyo are positioned to substantially expand Angola’s refining capacity over the coming decade.

Beyond hydrocarbons, Sonangol is also deepening its diversification into renewables and integrated power. Through renewable energy partnerships, including solar initiatives such as the Quilemba Solar Project in southern Angola developed with international partners, the company is gradually building a multi-energy portfolio aligned with Angola’s broader energy transition goals.

Financially, Sonangol has also strengthened its balance sheet to support this expansion, securing a $1.75 billion syndicated financing facility in early 2026 to support operational and capital investment needs across its portfolio.

Sonangol’s role as Emerald Sponsor of AEW 2026 therefore comes at a pivotal moment for both the company and Angola’s energy sector. The partnership underscores the company’s intent to position itself not only as a national champion, but as a continental energy leader driving investment, partnerships, and infrastructure development across the value chain.

“Sonangol continues to demonstrate the strategic importance of African national oil companies in shaping the continent’s energy future,” said NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber. “Its investment drive across upstream, gas and downstream infrastructure reflects a clear commitment to long-term value creation, energy security and industrial growth in Angola and beyond.”

JUBA, South Sudan, April 30, 2026/APO Group/ –The Ministry of Petroleum of the Republic of South Sudan (https://MOP.Gov.SS) announces that it has decided not to renew the Exploration and Production Sharing Agreement (EPSA) held by Oranto Petroleum for Block B3.

This decision follows a comprehensive review of Oranto’s performance under the EPSA over the six-year contractual period. The review found that Oranto did not meet key work program obligations, including the completion of required seismic surveys and the drilling commitments stipulated in the agreement.

In addition, Oranto failed to fulfill its financial obligations to the Government of South Sudan and related project commitments, as provided for under the EPSA framework.

In line with the Government’s policy of ensuring responsible resource development and attracting credible, technically capable investors, the Ministry has therefore concluded that the non-renewal of the Block B3 license is in the best interest of the country.

Block B3 is now open for new applications, and the Ministry of Petroleum welcomes interest from serious and qualified international and regional oil and gas companies committed to timely exploration, compliance with contractual obligations, and long-term partnership with the Republic of South Sudan.

The Ministry reaffirms its commitment to transparency, accountability, and the sustainable development of South Sudan’s petroleum sector.

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, May 4, 2026/APO Group/ –The African Energy Week (AEW) Conference and Exhibition – taking place October 12-16 in Cape Town – will host the first-ever AI and Data Center Track, positioning the continent at the intersection of digital infrastructure expansion and energy system transformation. Led by the African Energy Chamber (AEC) (www.EnergyChamber.org), the track is designed as a platform to align policymakers, investors and technology players around a unified strategy for scaling power generation through data-driven demand. As Africa moves to strengthen energy security, the upcoming track will demonstrate how AI-driven investments can support the continent as it strives to make energy poverty history.

The introduction of the AI and Data Center Track reflects a structural shift that is already underway across global energy markets. Data centers – driven by artificial intelligence, cloud computing and digital services – are rapidly becoming one of the largest sources of incremental electricity demand. Globally, the demand for uninterruptible power supply for IT equipment alone is forecast to reach 249 GW by 2030, with total installed capacity expected to climb to 374 GW.

While the penetration of data centers in Africa has been comparably slower, investment is gradually increasing in these areas. South Africa is leading the continent’s data center expansion, with cloud zones from Microsoft and AWS already live and Google expected to follow. Kenya has around 40 MW of IT load capacity and a projected 30% CAGR through 2028. Despite this progress, more investment is required to keep up with the pace of Africa’s digital evolution. Notably, data usage is expected to quadruple per mobile by 2028, while generative AI and machine learning are impacting demand.

While Europe has serviced much of Africa’s digital demand, rising latency requirements and growing data sovereignty regulations are motivating a shift to domestic data centers – strengthening the investment case even further. This comes as African energy demand continues to rise and is projected to more than double by 2040. In this context, Africa represents both a frontier market and a strategic opportunity – and a region where energy demand growth can be shaped, rather than retrofitted, around emerging digital infrastructure.

“Africa has a unique opportunity to leapfrog legacy systems by aligning its energy growth with the digital economy. Data centers and AI are not just consumers of power – they are catalysts for investment, innovation and access. If we structure this correctly, we are not just powering servers; we are powering economies and closing the energy access gap at scale. We will start a data center and AI revolution in Cape Town,” states NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman, AEC.

The AEW 2026 AI and Data Center Track positions Africa’s digital evolution as an anchor for the continent’s energy expansion. The opportunities are two-fold. Firstly, these centers require large volumes of reliable, uninterrupted electricity, therefore creating predictable and bankable demand for energy investors. Secondly, they strengthen the case for new generation capacity and grid expansion, strengthening national energy systems and introducing affordable sources of power to local markets.

This is where the AEC’s platform is attempting to reframe the narrative. Rather than treating data centers as isolated infrastructure projects, the new track positions them as anchor demand capable of unlocking large-scale power generation. Showcasing the AEC’s innovative mindset, the platform will also tackle regulatory and fiscal frameworks, with the Chamber working with governments to implement the right kind of policies that will drive data center, AI and energy expansion. The Chamber has already engaged world class companies to develop the platform, ensuring compliance and alignment with industry dynamics.

By embedding the AI and data center agenda within AEW 2026, the AEC is effectively integrating digital infrastructure into mainstream energy discourse. As global energy demand becomes increasingly shaped by digital infrastructure, Africa is positioning itself to capture that demand – and, in doing so, reshape its own energy trajectory.