Energy

Palace Intrigues
Faustin-Archange Touadéra, Simone Gbagbo, François Louncény Fall

Intrigues big and small: every Thursday, Africa Intelligence takes a peek into the corridors of power in Africa and beyond.

Central African RepublicFaustin-Archange Touadéra dispatches master spy to Belgrade

Ivory CoastOuattara has the power over Simone Gbagbo's electricity?

Guinea, ChadTwo former prime ministers take up the pen

South Africa
Gunvor loses pole position in bid to buy Shell service stations

The Anglo-Dutch giant no longer seems keen on selling its South African assets to the Swiss trader, despite the latter's continuining enthusiasm to move forward on the deal.

Nigeria
NNPC to sign $4.7bn loan with Aramco

Negotiations for a massive loan between the Nigerian national oil company and its Saudi counterpart, which have been underway for two years, are nearing completion. The sum will partly be used to refinance a previous loan, known as Project Gazelle.

Morocco
OCP and Fortescue's short-lived green hydrogen dream

The two firms had earmarked around $13bn for a green ammonia and hydrogen venture in southern Morocco. But the phosphate giant and the Australian miner have since abandoned their pact, leaving the door open for France's Engie.

Nigeria
ENI receives several offers for its SPDC shares

The Italian company was the last major to put its shares in the SPDC joint venture on the market. It has now received several bids. The Renaissance consortium appears to be in a strong position to take over, but its interest is viewed with suspicion in Abuja.

South Africa
The Central Energy Fund publishes misleading annual report

The CEF, the parent company of the heavily indebted PetroSA, posted an unexpected net profit in 2024-2025. Yet this figure masks countless structural difficulties.

Madagascar
US firm Symbion Power loses final round in power plant dispute to Vision Madagascar

In early December, the District Court for the Southern District of New York examined a dispute between Symbion Power, Chelsea Energy and Vision Madagascar.

Cameroon
Tensions run high between Sinopec and national oil company SNH

The failure of Chinese executives to produce results from mature deposits is putting pressure on the leadership of the state-owned major Sinopec.

Morocco
EDF hoping to see light at end of the tunnel for Noor Midelt I power plant

The arrival in the kingdom of an official from the French group has given new impetus to the difficult negotiations with Rabat over the future solar power plant, on hold since 2019.

The New Guard
Nigeria, Morocco, Cameroon

Every Wednesday, Africa Intelligence spotlights a new generation of movers and shakers in business and politics.

NigeriaEmmanuel Uwandu, jack of all trades in liquefied gas

MoroccoOussama Ghajjou, crystaliser of public policies with a British flair

CameroonErnest Pouhe, key player in finance and not just in regions

Nigeria
Abuja's campaign to promote its new oil block sale

On 11 November, from London, the head of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, Gbenga Komolafe, announced the opening of the next tender for Nigerian oil blocks starting on 1 December.

South Africa
PetroSA mired in partnership with Equator Holdings

Renovation work on the public company's gas infrastructure, put in the hands of a company belonging to the businessman Lawrence Mulaudzi, remains at a standstill. The state firm has however reconfirmed its trust in this penniless partner.