A new chapter is unfolding in Africa’s energy sector as Ethiopia prepares to join the ranks of oil-exporting nations. In a landmark move, the country is set to launch its first-ever crude oil exports this September, marking a significant step forward in its economic development and energy independence. The announcement was made by Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, who confirmed that petroleum exports will commence in September, according to the local media outlet Ethio Negari.
The Egyptian Natural Gas Holding Company (EGAS) has awarded six new oil and gas exploration blocks to a group of international energy companies, marking a strategic push to attract more foreign investment into the country’s natural gas sector. The awarded areas include four offshore blocks in the Mediterranean Sea, offered through the 2024 international bid round via the Egypt Upstream Gateway (EUG), and two onshore blocks located in the Nile Delta and North Sinai. These
The government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has announced plans to revive Anhui Congo Investissement (Sacim), a diamond mining company located in Miabi, Kasaï Oriental. Sacim is a joint venture between the Congolese state and China’s Anhui Foreign Economic Construction Corporation. Despite producing approximately 250,000 carats of diamonds each month, the company has recently struggled with operational, managerial, and social challenges. According to DRC’s Minister of Mines, Kizito Pakabomba Kapinga Mulume, the crisis
Egypt has launched a new round of gas exploration opportunities, offering 12 blocks to international energy companies in a bid to boost domestic production and attract foreign investment. The Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources announced the openings through its international bidding platform last week. The offering includes five offshore blocks and seven onshore sites, providing a strategic mix of exploration zones for potential investors. These 12 blocks are part of a broader licensing round
Uganda has signed a trilateral agreement with Tanzania and Zanzibar to strengthen regional cooperation in regulating the oil and gas sector. The move supports Uganda’s goal of producing its first oil by 2026, even as uncertainty persists over the timeline for its long-delayed refinery project. The agreement unites Uganda’s Petroleum Authority, Tanzania’s Petroleum Upstream Regulatory Authority (PURA), and the Zanzibar Petroleum Regulatory Authority (ZPRA) in a coordinated effort to enhance petroleum development across East Africa.
Nigeria and Germany have entered into a €20 million partnership aimed at accelerating Nigeria’s transition to renewable energy and supporting its broader clean energy objectives. The initiative will be implemented through the KfW Development Bank in collaboration with the Africa Enterprise Challenge Fund, according to the Nigerian Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning. This partnership features an initial €20 million grant and a formal project agreement focused on promoting environmentally sustainable development across Nigeria. The
Russia held onto its position as the world’s leading producer of rough diamonds by value in 2024, maintaining the top spot it secured for the first time in 2023, ahead of Botswana. Despite facing significant challenges—including ongoing sanctions from the United States and European Union, as well as a broadly weakened diamond market—Russia sustained its rough-diamond output at 2023 levels. The country produced 37.3 million carats in both 2023 and 2024. However, due to market
Angola’s Minister of Transport, Ricardo Viegas D’Abreu, and France’s Minister Delegate for Transport, Philippe Tabarot, convened in Paris to enhance bilateral collaboration in the fields of transportation and infrastructure. The high-level meeting focused on several key areas of strategic importance: Civil Aviation: Discussions highlighted Air France’s operations in Angola and the expansion of TAAG Angola Airlines’ fleet with Airbus aircraft, aiming to boost connectivity and modernize the national carrier. Urban Mobility: Both nations emphasized the
The Government of Zambia has formalized a $40 million partnership to deploy 50 megawatts (MW) of solar power across 209 public institutions in the Eastern Province, marking a major step toward the country’s clean energy transition. The initiative falls under the Presidential Solar Initiative, spearheaded by President Hakainde Hichilema, which aims to add 1,000 MW of solar energy to Zambia’s national grid by 2025. The agreement was signed between Zambian firm Accura Logistics and international
Mali has officially begun construction of a new gold refinery backed by Russia, a move the country’s military leadership says will strengthen national control over its vast natural resources. The facility, which will have a refining capacity of 200 tons per year, is being built in partnership with Russia’s Yadran Group and a Swiss investment firm. The Malian government will maintain a controlling stake in the project. Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony in Senou, near
