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We Want to Remain Open for Investment, Says Namibia’s Petroleum Commissioner

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Petroleum

Speaking during a webinar on Guyana-Namibia upstream trends, Namibia’s Petroleum Commissioner at the Ministry of Mines and Energy Maggy Shino provided an update on the country’s exploration activities, stating that the country is open for investment as new exploration campaigns kick off

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, June 28, 2023/APO Group/ — 

The African Energy Chamber (AEC) (www.EnergyChamber.org) partnered with global energy and commodities information provider S&P Global Commodity Insights for a webinar on June 27. Exploring the respective upstream markets of Guyana and Namibia, the webinar – moderated by Verner Ayukegba, Senior-Vice President at the AEC and Justin Cochrane, African Upstream Regional Research Director, S&P Global Commodity Insights – provided insight into ongoing exploration efforts across both countries, with presentations investigating how Namibia – as a relatively new upstream play – can learn from Guyana’s experiences.

Namibia has quickly risen to become a highly attractive E&P market, with three major discoveries made in 2022 and 2023 incentivizing a strong slate of regional and global players to the country’s offshore basins. Eager to maintain this exploratory momentum, Maggy Shino, Petroleum Commissioner at Namibia’s Ministry of Mines and Energy, stated that for now, the government has no plans in place to change the current licensing structure in the country, but rather, it is committed to ensuring that the upstream market is “open for investment. We don’t want to force companies to make a decision in a licensing round but want to remain open for investment so that companies come when they are ready.”

According to Shino, “We have an ongoing drilling campaign with three rigs currently busy drilling appraisal and exploration wells. We are expecting two more wells to be drilled before the end of 2023 in the deep waters.” She added that the southern African country is seeing a rise in seismic surveys, and by the end of the year, the government is planning to announcement a series of drilling projects that will take place during 2024. 

To date, the Orange Basin represents the only de-risked acreage in Namibia, however, ongoing seismic campaigns in the Namibe and Walvis Basins are likely to reveal sizeable finds, particularly following successful exploration campaigns in the Angolan side of the offshore acreage.

Notwithstanding E&P incentives, Shino explained that the country is seeing heightened interest by global players, owing largely to Namibia’s attractive fiscal and regulatory environment. She stated that, “as a country, there is a benefit of being a late comer because we have gained insights from other countries on how to maximize our [legislation].”

We have an ongoing drilling campaign with three rigs currently busy drilling appraisal and exploration wells

While other countries continue to face challenges associated with environmental concerns, Namibia’s position as a new market has enabled the country to include environmental provisions in the drafting of its legislation. This has not only enhanced its attractiveness as an investment destination but ensures the protection of the environment – a top priority for the southern African country. According to Shino, “the Environmental Management Act has taken into consideration many scenarios to ensure industry growth as well as environmental sustainability. We continue working with civil society to ensure that our laws improve and will continue to provide the much-needed protection of the environment.”

Meanwhile, as a nascent energy market, Namibia has the opportunity to learn from those that went before it. Historically, resource-rich countries have all witnessed an ‘oil boom,’ a trend in which only the communities directly connected to energy developments reap the rewards. However, Namibia is committed to turning this trend around, implementing a number of local content mechanisms to enhance value addition and economic prosperity. According to Shino, the country is turning to its neighbors including Angola, Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea and others to strengthen local content ahead of first oil and gas. The government is also prioritizing economic diversification to ensure the development of various segments of the economy, with tourism having been identified as a top industry.

Shino also provided insight into the country’s potential Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) membership, stating that “we see great value that an organization like OPEC has in managing the dynamics of the market to ensure that the industry strives. We would like to join at the right time.”

While the offshore basins of Guyana and Namibia show few geological similarities, the timelines by which exploration efforts were undertaken and major discoveries were made are remarkably similar. Both countries witnessed over 50 years of exploratory efforts which yielded few results. However, following initial major discoveries, the pace at which developments, as well as associated E&P campaigns, kicked off rapidly accelerated.  

According to Joaquim de Azevedo, Principal Petroleum Economist for Upstream Solutions at S&P Global, the contribution towards GDP growth by the oil and gas sector will trigger an increase in wealth and improvement regarding the well-being of the population of both countries. He said both countries have fiscal terms which are attractive to global investors and are both prioritizing the rollout of gas-to-shore facilities to meet local demand using domestic resources.

Erik Meyer, Senior Technical Research Analyst at S&P Global, added that Guyana and Namibia both rank among the world’s top 25 basins by identified reserves, with Guyana leading at 18 billion barrels of discovered hydrocarbons while Namibia ranks high with its Venus and Graff-1 discoveries. Meyer emphasized that the discoveries made in the southern African country has “unlocked Namibia’s deepwater potential, with a number of prospects not yet explored in the Orange Basin. There is a lot of potential in the basin and we could see future large-scale discoveries.”

For Guyana, the country made 30 discoveries offshore, finds which have enabled further exploration as revenue increases. Similarly, with its three discoveries made to date, Namibia, according to Cody Schulte, Senior Technical Research Analyst, Upstream at S&P Global, is well positioned to attract a new wave of funding. He said that both countries are similar in the fact that testing and drilling across ultra-deep waters have been key for players present in Namibia and Guyana.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

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Sierra Leone’s PDSL to Host Strategic Investor Roundtable at Paris Energy Forum

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March 24, 2026

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The Petroleum Directorate of Sierra Leone will lead a targeted roundtable at Invest in African Energy 2026, spotlighting upstream potential and cross-regional partnerships

PARIS, France, March 24, 2026/APO Group/ –The Petroleum Directorate of Sierra Leone (PDSL) is set to convene an investor roundtable at Invest in African Energy (IAE) Forum 2026 in Paris, underscoring growing interest in West and North African energy markets and the need for deeper capital engagement across exploration, renewable and offshore services. The session reflects a strategic effort by Sierra Leone to connect its emerging upstream prospects with established operators and project developers as the country moves to unlock the full potential of its emerging oil and gas industry.

 

Sierra Leone is increasingly positioning itself as a frontier oil and gas market with significant offshore potential, and part of the PDSL’s mandate is to catalyze investment interest in its offshore acreage through direct engagement with global capital. Recent data suggest the country holds estimated recoverable resources in the tens of billions of barrels, backed by discoveries and extensive multi‑client seismic datasets that prospective investors are evaluating. The PDSL is actively promoting licensing opportunities and drilling plans, emphasizing fiscal terms and exploration readiness to attract strategic partners.

 

A cornerstone of this strategy is the anticipated launch of the country’s sixth licensing round. Offering a rare early-entry opportunity into a largely untapped deepwater terrain with considerable upside, the upcoming bid round is backed by fresh 3D datasets which de-risk exploration and support new drilling campaigns. Just this month, GeoPartners announced that the final Pre-Stack Time Migration data for its recently acquired 3D multi-client seismic survey in the country was complete and is now available for licensing. The dataset provides a 3D window into the hydrocarbon potential of the underexplored northern Sierra Leone region.

 

Sierra Leone’s licensing drive comes as major operators advance exploration activities. In 2025, Eni signed a Reconnaissance Permit Agreement with the PDSL, securing rights to conduct reconnaissance and technical evaluation activities across offshore blocks G113, G129, G130, G131 and G132. The acreage covers 6,790 square kilometers within Sierra Leone’s territorial waters. Nigeria’s F.A. Oil Limited is pursuing drilling following its award of six offshore blocks through the country’s fifth licensing round in 2023. The company is currently seeking a farm-in partner to advance the project from exploration to production, offering a 40% stake in each of the G Blocks 53, 54, 55, 71, 72 and 73.

 

As these development unfold, the upcoming roundtable at IAE 2026 offers a unique opportunity for operators and policymakers to engage potential investors. The IAE 2026 Forum has become a strategic bridge between African upstream opportunities and global investors, with sessions like the PDSL roundtable designed to foster deeper dialogue and provide clarity on project pipelines and investment prerequisites. Discussions are expected to cover mechanisms for de‑risking exploration activity, optimizing fiscal and contractual frameworks and identifying synergies between hydrocarbon investment and renewable energy commitments.

 

For investors seeking differentiated exposure to African energy markets, the Sierra Leone roundtable represents both a focused exploration of frontier oil potential and a broader conversation about regional infrastructure, partnerships and the evolving demands of energy capital in the years ahead.

 

IAE 2026 (www.Invest-Africa-Energy.com) is an exclusive forum designed to connect African energy markets with global investors, serving as a key platform for deal-making in the lead-up to African Energy Week. Scheduled for April 22–23, 2026, in Paris, the event will provide delegates with two days of in-depth engagement with industry experts, project developers, investors and policymakers. For more information, visit www.Invest-Africa-Energy.com. To sponsor or register as a delegate, please contact sales@energycapitalpower.com

 

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

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Cape Town Prepares for African Mining Week 2026 as Draft Program Reveals Continent’s Mineral Drive

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March 24, 2026

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African Mining Week returns for its 2026 edition with an expanded three-day program, bringing together African mining leaders and global partners to shape the future of the continent’s mining sector

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, March 24, 2026/APO Group/ –Global economic trends – from record-breaking commodity prices to intensifying geopolitical competition for resources – are reshaping the strategic importance of Africa’s mineral wealth. As global countries race to secure supply chains for energy transition metals – which are expected to triple by 2030 – Africa is positioning its 30% share of the world’s critical minerals as a key pillar of economic growth. African governments are modernizing mining codes, developing industrial corridors and investing in mineral processing facilities to support local beneficiation, job creation, workforce development and regional mineral markets.

 

Against this backdrop, the upcoming African Mining Week (AMW) Conference & Exhibition – Africa’s premier gathering for mining stakeholders – has launched the draft program for its 2026 edition {https://apo-opa.co/3NneKLj}. Scheduled to take place October 14–16 in Cape Town, the event provides a platform where policymakers, global investors, project operators, technology providers, academia and mining service companies examine Africa’s mining opportunities, challenges and long-term strategic direction.

Under the theme ‘Mining the Future: Unearthing Africa’s Full Mineral Value’, the three-day, multi-track agenda reflects the growing urgency among African markets to strengthen value addition across the mining value chain.

Regional Cooperation and Policy Alignment in Focus

A key feature of the agenda is the Ministerial Forum, where African mining ministers will provide updates on regulatory reforms and policy alignment initiatives aimed at unlocking greater value from the continent’s mineral resources. Discussions will examine how harmonized regulatory frameworks and regional cooperation can accelerate investment flows and strengthen Africa’s position in global mineral supply chains.

The inclusion of regional policy integration reflects a growing continental push to leverage frameworks such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to enhance cross-border mineral cooperation and trade.

We are acting to enhance regional integration through frameworks such as the African Mining Vision and the Africa Mineral Strategy Group

“Africa’s integration is not only a political objective but a strategic economic vision,” stated Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, Ghana’s Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, in remarks reported by Energy Capital & Power – organizers of AMW – in February 2026. “Our natural resources require coordinated policies. Isolated legal frameworks cannot fully unlock their value. Through integration and initiatives such as the ECOWAS [Economic Community of West African States] Mining Code and the African Mining Vision, we can build a stronger and more competitive mineral economy.”

Nigeria’s Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Henry Alake, echoed this emphasis on regional cooperation and beneficiation.

“We are acting to enhance regional integration through frameworks such as the African Mining Vision and the Africa Mineral Strategy Group,” he stated. “We must develop mineral corridors that connect resources, infrastructure and markets across the continent. Our goal is not to simply export raw materials, but to develop industrial hubs that create jobs and value across borders.”

Connecting Global Investors with African Opportunities

Strategic roundtables and Country Focus sessions form a key part of the AMW 2026 program, connecting African mining jurisdictions with international partners from the U.S, Europe, the Middle East and China. These sessions will provide African stakeholders with a platform to showcase exploration opportunities and project pipelines across the mining value chain.

Meanwhile, technical workshops and the exhibition floor at AMW 2026 will provide a platform for equipment manufacturers, technology providers and engineering firms to showcase innovations designed to enhance operational performance across mining operations.

By combining high-level policy dialogue with technical expertise and investment matchmaking, AMW 2026 positions itself as a critical marketplace where Africa’s mineral potential converges with global capital, technology and strategic partnerships – helping shape the next phase of growth for the continent’s mining sector.

AMW serves as a premier platform for exploring the full spectrum of mining opportunities across Africa. The event is held alongside the African Energy Week: Invest in African Energies 2026 conference from October 12-16 in Cape Town. Sponsors, exhibitors and delegates can learn more by contacting sales@energycapitalpower.com.

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

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Tony Elumelu Foundation Selects Seven North African Entrepreneurs in 2026 Cohort

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March 24, 2026

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Seven North African entrepreneurs in technology, education, professional services and agriculture selected from 265,000 applications at historic Abuja ceremony

Hope is not just a feeling — it is a system we can build

ABUJA, Nigeria, March 24, 2026/APO Group/ —
  • 7 North African entrepreneurs selected from Morocco, Tunisia and Egypt
  • 51% of the 2026 cohort are women, all selected purely on merit, without any quota in place
  • 3,200 total entrepreneurs selected from 265,000+ applications across 54 African countries
  • USD 5,000 in non-refundable seed capital for each selected entrepreneur
  • Selection conducted independently by Ernst & Young

 

The Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) (www.TonyElumeluFoundation.org), the leading philanthropy empowering young African entrepreneurs, announced on Sunday, 22 March 2026 the 12th cohort of the TEF Entrepreneurship Programme at a ceremony held at the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja. The announcement was made by Founder Tony O. Elumelu, C.F.R.

 

Among the 3,200 entrepreneurs selected from 265,000 applications received from all 54 African countries: seven from North Africa. Three from Tunisia, two from Morocco, two from Egypt. Spanning technology, education, professional services and agribusiness, they represent a generation of North African founders building businesses that address the urgent needs of their communities. Their selection, which was conducted independently by Ernst & Young, places them among the most rigorously assessed young entrepreneurs on the continent.

 

This year’s cohort carries a historic signal: 51 percent of the 2026 entrepreneurs are women. They were selected purely on merit, without quota. Across hundreds of thousands of applications, women distinguished themselves through the strength of their ideas, the clarity of their business models and the ambition of their vision.

 

In 2026, the Foundation is empowering a total of 3,200 entrepreneurs across all its entrepreneurship programmes:

 

  • 1,751 entrepreneurs through Heirs Holdings Group: Heirs Energies, Transcorp Power, Transcorp Hotels, and United Capital;
  • 1,049 entrepreneurs in partnership with the European Commission, OACPS, BMZ and GIZ;
  • 100 entrepreneurs in partnership with Sèmè City Development Agency;
  • 100 entrepreneurs in partnership with DEG, the German Development Agency;
  • 100 entrepreneurs in partnership with the IKEA Foundation, UNICEF’s Generation Unlimited and the Dutch Government; and
  • 100 entrepreneurs in partnership with UNDP and the Rwandan Ministry of Youth and Arts.

 

 

Each selected Tony Elumelu Entrepreneur will receive USD 5,000 in non-refundable seed capital, access to world-class business management training on TEFConnect, one-on-one mentorship, and entry into a powerful network of investors, partners and fellow entrepreneurs.

 

In his annual letter (https://apo-opa.co/4uOFepM), “A Story of Hope,” Tony O. Elumelu, C.F.R., Founder of the Tony Elumelu Foundation, shared a powerful message to the new cohort:

 

“For a long time, I believed luck was something that simply happened to you. Then I came to understand: luck can be engineered. Opportunity can be democratised. Hope is not just a feeling — it is a system we can build.” — Tony O. Elumelu, C.F.R., Founder, Tony Elumelu Foundation — 2026 Annual Letter

 

The Tony Elumelu Foundation has empowered over 2.5 million young Africans with access to business management training on TEFConnect (https://TEFConnect.com), and disbursed over USD 100 million in seed capital to more than 24,000 selected entrepreneurs.

 

Collectively, these entrepreneurs have generated USD 4.2 billion in revenue and created more than 1.5 million direct and indirect jobs. Through its support for African entrepreneurs, TEF has lifted 2.1 million Africans above the poverty line and positively impacted more than 4 million African households, with 46% of supported entrepreneurs being African women. Eighty percent of TEF-supported businesses survive and scale, against a global average of ten to twenty percent.

 

 

The announcement ceremony was broadcast live in English (https://apo-opa.co/3PWLiML), French (https://apo-opa.co/3PWLiML), Portuguese (https://apo-opa.co/4t4Y7Da) and Arabic (https://apo-opa.co/4bYHlQl).

 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Tony Elumelu Foundation.

 

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