Latest news with #AfricaEnergyWeek
Zawya
13-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Minister Ekpo to Drive Nigeria's Gas Investment Agenda at African Energy Week (AEW) 2025
Nigeria's Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, is confirmed to speak at the 2025 edition of African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energies in Cape Town. As Nigeria scales up its natural gas infrastructure and strengthens its position as a leading destination for energy investment, Minister Ekpo's participation will highlight the country's expanding gas market, growing project pipeline and drive to attract a greater share of global energy capital. Nigeria's gas sector is set to attract significant foreign investment, with the U.S., UAE and key financial institutions expressing strong interest in the $25 billion Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline. This month, the UAE agreed to contribute funding to the project, while the U.S. expressed interest in the pipeline during a meeting with Nigeria's Ministry of Finance in April. The initiative, which aims to transport Nigerian gas to Europe through Morocco, is expected to boost regional energy security and economic growth. Nigeria's momentum extends further with the $550 million Final Investment Decision made by TotalEnergies and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) in June 2024 for the Ubeta Gas Project. Targeting 350 million cubic feet of gas and 10,000 barrels of associated liquids per day by 2027, the project incorporates clean energy solutions such as a 5 MW solar plant and electrified drilling rig. Additionally, NNPC has signed a project development agreement with Golar LNG to deploy a floating LNG facility offshore the Niger Delta. The plant will monetize 400–500 million cubic feet of gas per day and produce LNG, LPG and condensates, with first gas expected in 2027. These advancements are underpinned by Nigeria's broader institutional and financial reforms. Notably, Abuja has been selected to host the newly established Africa Energy Bank (AEB) – a supranational institution formed by the African Petroleum Producers' Organization and the African Export-Import Bank. With an initial capital base of $5 billion, the AEB is slated to launch in 2025 and will fund oil, gas, renewables, hydrogen and infrastructure projects across Africa. Nigeria's successful bid to host the bank further cements its leadership in the continental energy space. With proven reserves of more than 200 trillion cubic feet of natural gas and 37 billion barrels of crude oil, Nigeria is pursuing an ambitious strategy to expand energy access, reduce emissions and foster industrial growth. Additional milestones include the commissioning of the Tetracore CNG facility in June 2024 and ongoing progress on the Nigeria LNG Train 7 expansion project, which is set to boost the country's LNG capacity by 35% while adding roughly 8 million tons per annum to the country's production capabilities. Backed by strong policy support and rising investor interest, Nigeria is well-positioned to capitalize on AEW 2025 as a launchpad for its next phase of energy-driven development. 'The participation of Minister Ekperikpe Ekpo at AEW: Invest in African Energies 2025 reinforces Nigeria's role as a driving force in Africa's gas revolution. As the country rolls out critical infrastructure and attracts multi-billion-dollar investments, AEW will serve as the ideal platform to showcase Nigeria's investor-friendly reforms and its roadmap for gas monetization,' states NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber. AEW: Invest in African Energies is the platform of choice for project operators, financiers, technology providers and government, and has emerged as the official place to sign deals in African energy. Visit for more information about this exciting event. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.
Zawya
18-02-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Infrastructure Development in Africa's Energy Sector: Opportunities for Growth and Investment
Africa's energy sector presents significant opportunities for investment and growth through targeted infrastructure development. Despite the continent's abundant hydrocarbon resources, inadequate infrastructure has historically impeded efficient extraction, processing and distribution. Addressing these gaps can unlock substantial economic potential and meet the rising energy demands both within Africa and globally. As Africa continues to prioritize energy infrastructure development, this year's Africa Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energies conference – taking place September 29 to October 3 in Cape Town - will serve as a critical platform for investors, policymakers and industry leaders to explore opportunities in oil and gas pipelines, storage facilities and gas-to-power projects. Discussions at AEW 2025 will highlight successful infrastructure projects, showcase emerging investment prospects and address challenges in financing and implementation. Pipeline Infrastructure One critical area for investment is the development of extensive pipeline networks. These pipelines are essential for transporting crude oil and natural gas from production sites to refineries and export terminals. The proposed Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline aims to transport approximately 30 billion cubic meters of natural gas annually from Nigeria through to Morocco and onto Europe, traversing 13 African countries. The $25 billion, 5,600-km project is poised to enhance energy security and foster economic integration across the region, with the potential to create jobs, boost industrialization and provide a stable gas supply for domestic consumption and export, strengthening Africa's role in the global energy market. Liquefied Natural Gas Facilities Investing in Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) facilities is another promising avenue. These facilities enable the processing and export of natural gas, catering to global markets with high energy demands. Countries like Mozambique, the Republic of Congo, Nigeria and Tanzania are advancing large-scale LNG projects to capitalize on their substantial gas reserves. For example, Tanzania's LNG Liquefaction Plant, estimated at $30 billion, is set to position the country as a key player in the global LNG market. Refining Capacity Enhancement Africa's limited refining capacity often necessitates the import of refined petroleum products, leading to economic inefficiencies. Investments in modernizing and expanding existing refineries, as well as constructing new ones, are crucial. Such developments would not only meet domestic demand, but also create export opportunities. Angola is in the process of developing three new oil refineries, which will collectively increase domestic refining capacity to 400,000 barrels per day and reduce dependence on imported fuels. Storage and Distribution Networks Robust storage facilities and distribution networks are vital for maintaining energy supply stability. Investing in these areas ensures that oil and gas products are efficiently stored and transported to end-users, minimizing losses and meeting market demands. Enhanced storage capacity also provides a buffer against market fluctuations, contributing to energy security. South Africa's Richards Bay III project – a $6 million initiative involving the construction of an oil storage facility – aims to enhance South Africa's energy storage capacity and improve supply stability. Additionally, South Africa is experiencing significant growth in its LPG industry, driven by new distribution hubs and rising electricity prices. Companies like Petredec have announced the establishment of the country's first rail-supplied LPG project, aiming to make LPG a more accessible and cost-effective energy alternative. Power Generation and Electrification Leveraging natural gas for power generation offers a dual benefit: monetizing gas resources and addressing electricity deficits. Investments in gas-fired power plants and associated transmission infrastructure can significantly improve electrification rates across the continent. Mozambique's Temane gas-to-power project is set to commence operations in 2025, leveraging gas from the Pande and Temane fields to produce 450 MW of affordable power for the state utility. AEW: Invest in African Energies is the platform of choice for project operators, financiers, technology providers and government, and has emerged as the official place to sign deals in African energy. Visit for more information about this exciting event. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.
