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“We Don’t Have the Luxury of Time”: Global Energy Leaders Urge Swift Action on Africa’s Resources

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1 year ago

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African Energy Forum

The closing panel – sponsored by Energean – at the Invest in African Energy Forum called for urgent, inclusive action to accelerate Africa’s energy development

PARIS, France, May 15, 2025/APO Group/ —

In a striking call to action at the closing session of the Invest in African Energy Forum in Paris, Energean CEO Mathios Rigas laid out a bold vision to replicate the company’s Mediterranean success across Africa, urging African governments to accelerate decision-making and prioritize the development of untapped gas resources.

Rigas’ remarks came during the high-profile panel, The Future of Global Energy Partnerships: Seizing Africa’s Untapped Market Opportunities –sponsored be Energean – which brought together global energy leaders to underscore Africa’s central role in shaping the future of secure, inclusive and sustainable energy systems.

“We want to bring the same model that worked in the Mediterranean to Africa,” said Rigas. “We don’t have the luxury of time. This is not exclusive [to] renewables or natural gas. To solve energy poverty, affordability and accessibility for the whole continent – we need everything.”

Energean, which has invested over $3 billion in the Mediterranean over the last five years, is now looking to deploy the same integrated development approach across Africa. But Rigas warned that success depends on bold leadership from governments: “If there are resources being undeveloped, push people to develop them. If they don’t want to, there’s someone else who will.”

His comments were nuanced by Tim Gould, Chief Energy Economist at the International Energy Agency (IEA), who emphasized the need for a balanced and pragmatic approach to Africa’s energy development.

“There’s extraordinary untapped potential, given the richness of the renewable resource across many parts of Africa. But we also recognize that the conversation about Africa’s development cannot end with renewables,” said Gould. “For the IEA, energy security is our core mandate. We don’t see security and sustainability at opposite ends of the spectrum.”

We are at a time where Africa should move away from using revenues from resources to address the problems of today

This framing underscored a growing consensus that Africa’s energy mix must be as diverse as its development challenges, with Gould calling for “integrated development of energy systems” that balance affordability, sustainability and sovereignty.

Namibia’s Petroleum Commissioner Maggy Shino offered a compelling national perspective, highlighting how the country’s nascent oil sector could be a springboard for economic transformation, particularly through the development of specialized skills and long-term industrial capacity.

“We are going to establish Lüderitz as an energy hub – that’s where we’re putting the infrastructure to evacuate the green hydrogen we will produce in Namibia, as well as the infrastructure for developing the petrochemical industry,” she said.

Shino emphasized that resource revenues should be leveraged strategically to build the country’s future, not just to meet short-term needs. “We are at a time where Africa should move away from using revenues from resources to address the problems of today. They should be used as seed capital to grow the future.”

Cheick-Omar Diallo, Leader Task Force Communication and Spokesperson for TotalEnergies on the East African Crude Oil Pipeline, defended the development as a sovereign decision by Uganda and Tanzania, emphasizing the company’s efforts to uphold environmental standards, minimize displacement and ensure local benefits.

“We want to be a responsible operator – that means producing to the highest standards while addressing biodiversity and community concerns,” said Diallo. “This was not just a TotalEnergies project – it was a sovereign decision by Uganda and Tanzania. Once that decision is made, the question is how to implement it responsibly. We avoided sensitive areas along the pipeline route, and while displacement is never ideal, it is a reality of infrastructure projects.”

The panel marked a fitting conclusion to the forum, blending urgency, realism and ambition. While global players like Energean and the IEA called for speed and pragmatism, African leaders insisted that the path forward must be driven by national priorities and long-term value creation.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power

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Venezuela Energy Week Confirms 19 August Date for Houston Industry Showcase

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11 hours ago

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August 10, 2026

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Officially supported by Venezuela’s Ministry of Hydrocarbons and national oil company PDVSA, the Houston Industry Showcase will take place on 19 August, convening U.S. energy leaders ahead of Venezuela Energy Week 2027 in Caracas

HOUSTON, United States of America, August 10, 2026/APO Group/ –The organizers of Venezuela Energy Week (VEW) have confirmed that the Houston Industry Showcase will take place on 19 August 2026 at The Post Oak Hotel. Officially supported by Venezuela’s Ministry of Hydrocarbons and national oil company PDVSA, the event will bring together U.S. energy companies, investors and policymakers to explore commercial opportunities ahead of Venezuela Energy Week 2027 in Caracas in February.

The showcase will feature Minister of Hydrocarbons Paula Henao as a keynote speaker, providing an update on Venezuela’s energy priorities, investment agenda and opportunities for international partnership. Her participation underscores the country’s commitment to strengthening engagement with global industry as it seeks to expand production and unlock new upstream investment.

Bringing together exploration and production companies, independent operators, oilfield service providers, engineering firms, technology companies and financial institutions, the Houston Industry Showcase will examine opportunities across exploration, production optimization, infrastructure rehabilitation and field development.

As Venezuela works to increase oil and gas production, demand is expected to grow for the technical expertise of U.S. service providers in drilling, well intervention, completion services, production optimization, artificial lift, digital oilfield technologies and infrastructure rehabilitation. Houston-based industry leaders – including SLB, Halliburton, Baker Hughes, Weatherford and a broad network of EPC contractors, equipment manufacturers and specialized service companies – are well positioned to support the modernization of mature fields, improve operational efficiency and deliver the technologies and services needed for future upstream projects.

The Houston event follows a successful Industry Showcase in London, which brought together international investors, operators and energy service companies to explore Venezuela’s evolving investment landscape. Building on that momentum, the Houston edition will deepen engagement with the U.S. energy industry and strengthen commercial dialogue ahead of Venezuela Energy Week 2027.

Venezuela Energy Week – the country’s largest energy investment platform to date – has been confirmed for 22–25 February 2027 in Caracas. Organized by Energy Capital & Power, the event will bring together government leaders, investors and industry stakeholders from across the global energy value chain.

To register for the Houston Industry Showcase on August 19, visit https://apo-opa.co/4g0TncR. To learn more about delegate, sponsorship and partnership opportunities for the showcase or to secure your place at Venezuela Energy Week 2027 in Caracas, contact info@venezuelaenergyweek.com.

Supporting Venezuela’s Earthquake Recovery
Our thoughts are with the people and communities affected by the recent earthquakes in Venezuela. As the country begins the long process of recovery, we encourage members of the global energy community to support relief and reconstruction efforts through the CAF Recovery and Reconstruction Fund for Venezuela, which channels contributions from individuals, companies and organizations to emergency assistance, essential services and long-term rebuilding efforts.

To learn more or make a contribution, please visit the CAF Recovery and Reconstruction Fund for Venezuela (https://apo-opa.co/4hkvteE).

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

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Islamic Development Bank Institute (IsDBI) Secures New Patent for Smart Stabilization System from Intellectual Property Office of Singapore

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11 hours ago

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August 10, 2026

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IsDBI

The Smart Stabilization System is a pioneering digital market infrastructure designed to stabilize asset markets by intelligently managing supply-demand gaps and mitigating excessive volatility

JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia, August 10, 2026/APO Group/ –The Islamic Development Bank Institute (IsDBI) (https://IsDBInstitute.org) is pleased to announce that the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS) has granted a new patent for its innovative Smart Stabilization System.

 

The patent was granted on 10 July 2026 under Singapore Patent No. 10202250873B for the invention titled “A Computer Network Stabilization System and Method.” The patent application was filed on 1 September 2022 and was formally granted following a comprehensive review process.

This achievement reflects our commitment to translating pioneering research into practical solutions that contribute to economic resilience and sustainable development

The Smart Stabilization System is a pioneering digital market infrastructure designed to stabilize asset markets by intelligently managing supply-demand gaps and mitigating excessive volatility. Leveraging sophisticated algorithms and advanced simulation models, the system is designed to anticipate supply and demand imbalances and implement programmable stabilization measures before they escalate into market disruptions.

Unlike traditional stabilization mechanisms that rely on capital reserves, buffer funds, or external interventions, the Smart Stabilization System introduces a next-generation framework for achieving autonomous market stabilization through proactive and programmed stabilization mechanisms. By incorporating distributed ledger technology and cryptographic trust mechanisms, the platform enhances transparency, trust, and operational resilience for digital asset and commodity markets.

The successful patent grant reflects IsDBI’s growing contribution to technological innovation and its commitment to developing knowledge-based solutions that address contemporary economic and development challenges.

Since filing the patent application back in 2022, the Institute has continued to advance the Smart Stabilization System through ongoing development and testing, aimed to expand its practical applications and support future capitalization opportunities. These advancements have positioned the system as a potentially transformative solution for enhancing stability and resilience in increasingly digital and interconnected economies.

Commenting on this occasion, Dr. Sami Al-Suwailem, Acting Director General of IsDBI, said, “The grant of this patent by the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore further strengthens the Institute’s position as a leader in developing innovative knowledge-based solutions that leverage modern technologies to address complex development challenges. This achievement reflects our commitment to translating pioneering research into practical solutions that contribute to economic resilience and sustainable development.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Islamic Development Bank Institute (IsDBI).

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

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3 days ago

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August 7, 2026

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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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