Author: Victor Olayiwola

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, April 15, 2026 The rise of Namibia as one of the world’s most closely watched oil and gas frontiers did not happen by accident. Long before the wave of supermajors and billion-dollar discoveries, a small group of local pioneers were working to position the country as a serious player in global energy markets. Among them, Knowledge Katti stands out for both the scale of his ambition and the lasting imprint of his work. Today, Katti serves as Chairman and CEO of Custos Energy and as a Director at Sintana Energy – roles that place him at…

ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast, April 15, 2026 The Board of Directors of the African Development Fund (ADF) has approved a grant of 1.7 billion CFA francs to finance the Project to Strengthen Competitiveness of the Private Sector across the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU). The project aims to strengthen competitiveness of the private sector and the broader economy across all eight WAEMU member states: Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Niger, Senegal and Togo, while supporting the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). It will do so by capitalising on production and trade opportunities, and…

PARIS, France, April 14, 2026 Olimpia Pilch, Chief Strategy Officer of the Critical Minerals Africa Group (www.CMAGAfrica.com), will attend and contribute to discussions at the upcoming Invest in African Energy Forum, taking place in Paris on April 22–23, 2026. Bringing extensive expertise in strategic development and international critical minerals markets, Pilch will join industry leaders, policymakers, and investors to highlight the essential role of critical minerals in underpinning Africa’s evolving energy landscape. Her participation will focus on strengthening mineral-to-energy value chains, advancing sustainable resource development, and fostering cross-border partnerships that enable long-term energy security. “Africa represents one of the most…

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, April 14, 2026 The South African Local Government Association (SALGA) and The Global Trust Project (TGTP – part of VUKA Group) (www.WeAreVUKA.com) have entered into a memorandum of understanding to pilot the Trust Equity Framework (TEf) in up to 18 municipalities across South Africa. The initiative will be voluntary for participating municipalities and is intended to support stronger municipal trustworthiness, improved service delivery, better stakeholder relationships and more credible local conditions for investment. The pilot comes at a time of sustained pressure in local government. The Auditor-General of South Africa reported that municipalities took an average of…

BRAZZAVILLE, Congo (Republic of), April 14, 2026 Energy major TotalEnergies has announced a new hydrocarbon discovery on the Moho license offshore the Republic of Congo, marking a strategic milestone for a country rapidly pursuing 500,000 barrels per day (bpd) in oil production. Led by TotalEnergies as operator (63.5%) alongside Société Nationale des Pétroles du Congo (SNPC) – which is led by Managing Director Raoul Ominga – and Trident Energy, the discovery targeted the Moho G structure at the broader Moho complex, reinforcing the country’s position as a leading mature producer with untapped upside. The African Energy Chamber (AEC) commends TotalEnergies for this latest…

ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast, April 14, 2026 Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) (www.AfricaFC.org), the continent’s leading infrastructure solutions provider, has reached financial close and disbursed €43 million under the Poro Power Green Bond, the first project finance green bond in Cote d’Ivoire and the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU). Structured as a €65 million dual-currency facility in euros and CFA francs (EUR/XOF), the bond will finance the construction of a 66MW solar power plant in the northern Korhogo region. Once operational in 2027, the project – developed by Poro Power – is expected to become Côte d’Ivoire’s largest solar plant.…

MUSCAT, Oman, April 14, 2026 Renaissance Services (www.RenaissanceServices.com), Oman’s leading integrated facilities management (IFM) and accommodation solutions company, has announced the completion of its acquisition of Socat LLC, the Omani arm of the French multinational Sodexo, as part of a strategic growth initiative. The acquisition further consolidates Renaissance’s market leadership and expands its service capabilities across the Sultanate. Socat’s client base includes commercial and institutional facilities, and this strategic acquisition enhances Renaissance’s operational footprint and adds new value-based facility management (FM) capabilities to the Company’s portfolio. Speaking on the occasion, Samir J Fancy, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Renaissance…

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, April 14, 2026 Africa’s downstream sector is back on the radar as global supply disruptions brought about by the Gulf war highlight a need for a strategic re-thinking of African energy systems. With over 600 million people living without access to electricity, 900 million people living without access to clean cooking solutions and African oil demand set to reach 4.5 million barrels per day (bpd) by 2050, industry stakeholders at ARDA Week 2026 issued a call to expand refining capacity, reduce import dependency and unlock greater value from the continent’s hydrocarbon resources. Delivering a keynote address…

CAIRO, Egypt, April 14, 2026 African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) (www.Afreximbank.com) has announced the signing of the Hosting Agreement with the Government of St Kitts and Nevis for the fifth edition of the AfriCaribbean Trade and Investment Forum (ACTIF2026). The signing of the host agreement highlights a shared resolve to deepen Afri-Caribbean partnerships and enhance trade and economic ties. ACTIF2026 will take place from 29–31 July 2026 at the St. Kitts Marriott Beach Resort, Casino & Spa in Basseterre. Commenting on the signing, Dr George Elombi, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Afreximbank, noted that: “At the fifth edition…

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, April 14, 2026 As global aluminium prices surge – hitting a four-year high of $3,492 per ton in March 2026 – driven by tensions in the Middle East, the upcoming African Mining Week (AMW) 2026, scheduled for October 14-16 in Cape Town, will explore the challenges and opportunities emerging for Africa within the global aluminium supply chain. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz – which accounts for approximately 12% of global aluminium trade – and attacks on industrial infrastructure across the Middle East – a region responsible for 9% of global output – are disrupting…