London-listed Pensana has secured full financing of $268 million for the development of its Longonjo rare earth project in Angola, marking a significant step forward for the global magnet metal supply chain. The Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) has approved a $81.2 million contribution to a $160 million syndicated loan facility, alongside South Africa’s Absa Bank. This facility will cover 60% of Phase 1 funding, subject to final loan documentation and conditions precedent. The remaining funding
Australia-listed Lucapa Diamond Company has finalized its Mineral Investment Contract (MIC) for the Lulo Joint Venture (JV) in Angola, increasing its ownership stake to 51%. During a three-day meeting in Angola, the MIC committee and JV partners—including Endiama, Rosas & Petalas, and Lucapa—agreed on all outstanding details. The final agreement has now been submitted to the Angolan Ministry of Mineral Resources and Petroleum for formal signing. A signing ceremony is expected soon, with Lucapa set
The exit of Russian diamond company Alrosa from Angola’s Catoca and Luele mines was officially finalized on Monday through the signing of three agreements between Endiama, Angola’s national diamond company, and Taaden, a state-owned mining company from Saudi Arabia. Endiama Chairman José Ganga Júnior explained that Alrosa’s departure was driven by operational difficulties stemming from sanctions imposed on Russia. Over the past 15 months, efforts were made to secure a viable solution for Catoca and
Angola’s National Agency for Petroleum, Gas, and Biofuels (ANPG) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Vietnamese company Xuan Thiên Group (XTG) to explore the oil potential of the Etosha Okavango Basin. The agreement, signed in Luanda, marks a significant step toward assessing the region’s hydrocarbon resources. Key Highlights of the Agreement 
Exploration Scope: The study will cover approximately 300,000 square kilometers in the Etosha/Okavango Basin. Seismic Data Acquisition: The project includes obtaining
Pancontinental has invested more than $5 million in the exploration of PEL 87 in Namibia’s Orange Basin during the first licence period. Awarded in early 2018, PEL 87 is a joint venture permit covering 10,970 km², with an eight-year exploration term divided into three periods, plus possible extensions. It can be converted into a production licence under pre-agreed terms. The permit is currently in its first additional exploration phase. Located on-trend with major hydrocarbon discoveries
Afentra plc has confirmed ongoing negotiations to acquire interests in Blocks 3/05 and 3/05A from Etu Energias, though a final agreement is not yet guaranteed. The company intends to finance the acquisition using existing cash reserves, pending regulatory and government approvals. In collaboration with Sonangol and joint venture partners, Afentra is developing a strategic plan to boost production, expand reserves, and maximize asset value in these blocks. As an upstream oil and gas company, Afentra
Libya has launched its first open licensing round in nearly two decades, offering 22 blocks for oil and gas exploration and development. The National Oil Corporation (NOC) is making available 11 offshore and 11 onshore acreages, with estimated undeveloped discoveries containing at least 2 billion barrels of oil equivalent (BBOE) in hydrocarbon resources. To streamline the bidding process, NOC has compiled extensive geological and geophysical datasets using advanced digital tools. Libya is estimated to hold
Egypt’s Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Karim Badawi met with Norway’s Ambassador to Egypt Hilde Klemetsdal and Terje Pilskog, CEO of Norwegian renewable energy company Scatec, to discuss expanding cooperation in green energy. The talks focused on Scatec’s ongoing green ammonia production project in Damietta Governorate, which utilizes green hydrogen to support Egypt’s transition to sustainable energy. Badawi highlighted the strong partnership between Egypt and Norway emphasizing Norway’s advanced technologies and their role in
Ghana and Japan have signed a $13.44 million grant agreement to improve electricity supply stability in Tamale and surrounding areas. The grant will fund the construction of a primary power substation, along with a control room, transformers, and sub-transmission lines, to enhance electricity distribution in the region. The two-year project will be overseen by the Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo). Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Baah Forson signed the agreement on behalf of Ghana, while
Mabruk Oil Operations has restarted production at Libya’s Mabruk oilfield after a ten-year shutdown, the Tripoli-based Government of National Unity (GNU) announced on Wednesday, March 12, 2025. Production resumed on Sunday at an initial rate of 5,000 barrels per day (bpd), with plans to increase output to 7,000 bpd by the end of March and 25,000 bpd by July. To enhance operational efficiency, operators began transferring crude to the nearby Al-Bahi field on Tuesday, strengthening
