Bruno Jean-Richard Itoua

Spotlight | Congo
ENI's $5bn 'Marine XII' LNG project in Congo electrifies politicians and subcontractors alike

By promising substantial investments in an LNG export project off the coast of Pointe-Noire, Italy's ENI has raised hopes of breathing new life into a moribund industry. The Congolese authorities have placed high stakes on the project.

Congo
TotalEnergies, ENI and Perenco dilly-dally over Djeno terminal

TotalEnergies, ENI, Perenco and the SNPC are struggling to reach agreement on management of the Djeno Terminal. This has angered the oil minister, who has given them until 31 March to settle their differences.

Palace Intrigues
William Ruto, Denis Sassou Nguesso, Kaïs Saïed, Ben Moctar Maouloud

Intrigues big and small... Every Tuesday, Africa Intelligence takes a peek into the corridors of power in Africa and beyond.

KenyaState House employees find First Lady's fasting hard to swallow

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TunisiaKaïs Saïed blocks football boss from attending FIFA congress

Ivory CoastBen Moctar Maouloud courts French arms companies at Bpifrance salon

Congo
Government minister Itoua bows to IMF demands on gas flaring

A new decree aimed at improving the regulation of gas flaring and venting practices has just been published in Congo. The country has long been slow to improve the regulation of this polluting practice, despite pressure from international donors.

Congo
TotalEnergies and ENI tax privileges soon to be buried

Congo's finance ministry is stepping up pressure on oil firms. It has discreetly overseen the drafting of a presidential decree outlining new tax measures and putting an end to tax advantages they have enjoyed for decades.

Congo
IMF recommendations on conflicts of interest spell trouble for oil ministry

Under pressure from international donors, the Congolese president has signed a decree to crack down on conflicts of interest within his administration. Its implementation is likely to have repercussions for numerous advisers to the oil minister who have one foot in the private sector.

Congo
Congo bows to IMF pressure and overhauls hydrocarbons ministry

The Congolese hydrocarbons ministry is about to undergo a radical shakeup. In particular, the powerful hydrocarbons general directorate is to disappear.

Africa
French IFPEN and TotalEnergies remain the masters of 'oil schools'

The training of oil technicians and engineers, as well as that of energy ministry executives in French-speaking Africa, is generally carried out by instructors from the renowned French Institute of Petroleum.

Congo
Minister Itoua keeps faith in China's BFDI over faltering Pointe-Noire refinery project

Congo's new hydrocarbon's minister Bruno Jean-Richard Itoua has issued his first accreditation to the firm Atlantique Pétrochimie, the BFDI subsidiary that is supposed to be constructing the Pointe-Noire refinery. But since the laying of the cornerstone in February, the works have been at a standstill.