Author: Victor Olayiwola

WINDHOEK, Namibia, February 12, 2026 Namibia’s upstream narrative has, until recently, been defined by deepwater success in the Orange Basin, where major offshore discoveries have transformed perceptions of the country’s hydrocarbon potential. Galp’s Mopane discovery, estimated to hold up to 10 billion barrels of oil equivalent, alongside TotalEnergies’ Venus find, has firmly positioned Namibia on the global exploration map and underpinned expectations of first offshore oil before the end of the decade. Alongside this offshore momentum, however, a parallel story is unfolding onshore, where frontier basins, lower entry costs and improving geological understanding are drawing increased attention from explorers and…

LIBREVILLE, Gabon, February 11, 2026 Gabon has taken a significant step toward strengthening its mining sector by signing a new collaboration agreement between the Ministry of Mines and Geological Resources of Gabon (www.Mines.Gouv.ga) and South Africa’s Council for Geoscience. The partnership is designed to enhance geological research, build technical capacity, and accelerate the sustainable development of Gabon’s mineral resources. The agreement reflects Gabon’s broader strategy to diversify its economy and unlock the full commercial potential of its mining industry. While the country is widely known for its oil production, it also possesses significant untapped deposits of iron ore, manganese, gold,…

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, February 11, 2026 A Federal High Court in Nigeria has delivered a judgement against the Ministry of Petroleum Resources in favor of Eurafric Energy Limited, reversing the 2020 revocation of the Dawes Island marginal field license, which post revocation has been held and developed by Petralon 54 Limited since 2022.  The ruling effectively challenges the regulator’s 2020 decision not to renew Eurafric’s license that had expired without commercial production after 17 years. An appeal has since been initiated by Petralon 54 Limited, with a stay of execution pending determination by higher courts. For Nigeria’s upstream sector -…

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, February 11, 2026 APO Group (www.APO-opa.com), the leading multi-award-winning, pan-African communications consultancy and press release distribution service, has announced the appointment of Rania El Rafie, Vice President of  Public Relations & Strategic Communications, as Chair of the Public Sector & Thought Leadership Awards Judging Committee for the Middle East & North Africa Stevie® Awards. The Middle East & North Africa Stevie® Awards (https://apo-opa.co/4rNgXy4) are among the world’s most respected business awards, recognising innovation, leadership, and impact across sectors within the MENA region. As Chair, Rania personally selected a judging committee comprising senior leaders with deep expertise across corporate communications,…

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, February 11, 2026 Global demand for rare earths is set to triple by 2035, reaching 150,000 tons from 91,000 tons in 2024. As producers and consumers seek new sources of supply to meet this surge, Africa is increasingly coming into focus. Projected to account for 9% of global output by 2029, the continent is accelerating exploration and drilling activity as governments and developers move to translate geological potential into commercial production. While large-scale output remains underdeveloped, Africa’s high-grade deposits, improving project economics and faster development timelines are positioning it as a strategic supplier of critical minerals…

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, February 11, 2026 Vantage Capital (www.VantageCapital.co.za), Africa’s largest mezzanine debt fund manager, announced that it has fully exited its investment in Seaton Estates (“Seaton”), a residential coastal development located on the North Coast of Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa. The promoter of Seaton is Collins Residential, the residential arm of a diversified group with interests in the real estate, hospitality, and agricultural sectors, both in South Africa and internationally. The Seaton development sits on prime property with direct access to a kilometre stretch of beach frontage. The development comprises 1,150 opportunities made up of 600 single residential stands…

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, February 10, 2026 The organisers of the DRC-Africa Battery Metals Forum have announced the launch of a new, co-located event to this flagship annual gathering in Kolwezi, namely, the DRC Critical Minerals & Industrialisation Forum. “The successful 2025 edition of DRC-Africa Battery Metals Forum reaffirmed that industrialisation is the key to transforming the DRC’s mineral wealth into sustainable prosperity,” says Samukelo Madlabane, Event Director, Mining Portfolio of the VUKA Group that organises several leading mining events on the continent. “We received incredible engagement and collaboration from private and public sectors alike, and this reinforced the forum’s mission to accelerate…

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, February 10, 2026 South Africans are once again seeing relief at the pump, with the latest fuel price cuts delivering the cheapest petrol in roughly four years. The reductions – around 65 cents per liter for petrol and more than 50 cents for diesel – continue a downward trend that began earlier in 2026, when falling crude prices and currency strength combined to lower pump prices nationwide. While the immediate benefits are tangible – cheaper transport, easing inflationary pressure and support for businesses – the underlying drivers reveal a more fragile reality. South Africa’s fuel costs…

LAGOS, Nigeria, February 10, 2026 Identy.io (www.Identy.io), a global biometric authentication technology company specializing in secure, mobile-first identity verification, announced today its expansion plans for Africa. This expansion will enhance Identy.io’s service offerings in key markets on the continent, including Kenya and Nigeria. To facilitate this growth, the company has appointed a regional leadership team to engage with key stakeholders across government, financial services, telecommunications, and other regulated sectors.  Additionally, Matus Kapusta has been appointed as the Product Director for Identy.io’s Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS) product portfolios. As governments across Africa implement national digital identity systems to improve service…

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, February 10, 2026 SolarAfrica (https://SolarAfrica.com) has secured financial close on R1.5 billion to build SunCentral 2, the next 114 MW plant of its flagship utility-scale solar development in the Northern Cape. The new funding, provided by RMB and Investec Bank Limited, is another significant step in boosting access to affordable and clean energy for South African businesses, with first power expected in 2026. SunCentral 2 will follow SunCentral 1, which reached financial close at the end of 2024, also at 114 MW. Together with SunCentral 3, these projects form Phase 1 of the broader SunCentral vision, totalling…