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Wednesday, 26 February 2025: Eskom is pleased to announce that loadshedding will be suspended today at 5:00 AM, following the recovery of generation capacity and the replenishment of emergency reserves. “We maintain our guidance that loadshedding is largely behind us due to structural improvements in the generation fleet. Our focus remains on eliminating loadshedding as...
Gil Holzman, President & CEO, Eco Atlantic Oil & Gas, will speak at the Invest in African Energy (IAE) Forum 2025 in Paris this May as the company expands its presence in the Orange Basin, offshore South Africa.
The Canada-headquartered Eco Atlantic has recently expanded its presence in Africa through strategic transactions and exploration initiatives. In June 2024, Eco Atlantic farmed into Block 1 in the Orange Basin, further strengthening its exploration portfolio in the region. The block has extensive 2D and 3D seismic data already completed, with no additional seismic acquisition or well drilling planned during the three-year carried period. During this time, Eco will focus on interpreting and analyzing the existing data to inform its planned Work Program, leveraging its in-house exploration team. The company also holds interests in Blocks 2B and 3B/4B in South Africa, along with four licenses in Namibia.
IAE 2025 (http://apo-opa.co/3ETVwbj) is an exclusive forum designed to facilitate investment between African energy markets and global investors. Taking place May 13-14, 2025 in Paris, the event offers delegates two days of intensive engagement with industry experts, project developers, investors and policymakers. For more information, please visit www.Invest-Africa-Energy.com. To sponsor or participate as a delegate, please contact sales@energycapitalpower.com.
Eco Atlantic's approach centers on exploring low-carbon intensity oil and gas in stable emerging markets close to infrastructure, aiming to deliver material value for its stakeholders while contributing to the energy transition. The company prioritizes efficient exploration strategies that minimize environmental impact while maximizing resource potential.
By focusing on proven basins with existing infrastructure, Eco Atlantic seeks to accelerate development timelines and enhance economic viability in its operating regions. The upcoming forum will highlight how oil and gas independents like Eco Atlantic are navigating Africa's evolving energy landscape, driving investment and sustainable resource development.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.
Plans underway to ensure service delivery in the Free State
Free State Premier Maqueen Letsoha-Mathae says plans are underway to ensure that municipalities in the province can deliver basic services such as water, electricity, and refuse collection to the people.
Delivering the State of the Province Address (SOPA) on Friday, Letsoha-Mathae said that work to improve the state of the province’s municipalities is continuing.
“We are deeply concerned about the state of some of our municipalities. Their failure to provide services such as water, electricity and refuse removal is worrying. Water treatment plants are not maintained. Electricity infrastructure is collapsing. Taps are dry. Streets are littered with garbage.
“Work to improve the state of our municipalities is continuing. We want to get the basics right and improve service delivery to our people,” she said.
She added that the professionalisation of local government was ongoing and that the seventh administration continues to assist municipalities with the implementation of the Municipal Staff Regulations meant to create a development-oriented local government.
“We are also supporting municipalities with the development of municipal staff establishments that are fit for purpose, review of competency assessments, and remuneration framework for senior managers.
“Section 56 Managers are now permanently appointed in compliance with the Municipal Systems Amendment Act of 2022. Deployment of competent managers and technical officials to municipalities to enhance service delivery is also continuing.”
Letsoha-Mathae said the provincial authorities and municipal officials met with the Minister of Electricity and Energy, Kgosientsho Ramokgopa last week to ensure that all municipalities can meet their financial obligations to Eskom.
“Ten municipalities in our province are participating in the Eskom Debt Relief Programme meant to help them settle their current accounts. We continue to provide support to these municipalities to ensure compliance and financial discipline in their engagements with Eskom.
“We commit to meet our electricity, water, services and property rates obligations to municipalities to lessen their dire financial state. Payment plans will be developed and adhered to. We will lead by example,” she explained.
The province has also been battling water challenges, however, the Premier announced that the Department of Water and Sanitation has committed to giving the provincial government R1.4 billion to deal with water and sanitation issues.
This amount is meant to improve water supply and quality and upgrade water and wastewater treatment works throughout the province.
Housing
Meanwhile, the Premier committed that there shall be housing, security and comfort for all as the provincial government drives integration to bring people closer to areas of opportunities.
“We will complete the upgrade of G-Hostel in Welkom, and Dark and Silver City Development in Bloemfontein in the third quarter of the 2025/26 financial year. Conversion and development of hostels into family units is our way of saying our people deserve better.
“We will also upgrade 34 informal settlements by the end of cycle to ensure access to basic services and security for thousands of residents,” she said.
This financial year, the province had planned to service 3 652 sites in informal settlements and greenfields. She announced that this target has been surpassed with 6 878 sites having been serviced.
She added that this year, contractors will be invited through a competitive bidding process to complete historically incomplete houses throughout the province.
“In improving the living conditions of our people in rural areas, we will eradicate mud houses and replace them with proper housing structures in [the]Thabo Mofutsanyana District and Mangaung Metro. We also commit to delivering government-subsidised housing across various types to meet the diverse needs of our communities,” she said. – SAnews.gov.za
DikelediM
Tue, 02/25/2025 - 14:31
305 views
Load shedding suspension remains on the horizon
Repairs at Eskom’s Majuba power station in Mpumalanga has placed the country closer to the suspension of load shedding, Electricity and Energy Minister Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa said.
Speaking to journalists on Tuesday, the Minister reassured South Africans that the implementation of load shedding at the weekend was not due to sabotage, but technical issues.
“We are going to have a review later this evening and then we can make an announcement, a promise we make, is a promise we will keep,” Ramokgopa said at an engagement held in Johannesburg.
The Minister explained that despite 300 consecutive days of uninterrupted power supply, recent setbacks occurred, including the loss of five generation units at Majuba and four units at Camden power stations.
He added that the setback experienced at the weekend where the power utility implemented Stages 3 and 6 of load shedding were regrettable.
“The setbacks we experienced are regrettable, but we are now able to bounce back, we are coming back much faster than we thought. It is important that we have the lights on for the South African economy,” the Minister said.
Ramokgopa’s comments come as Eskom is currently implementing Stage 2 load shedding from Monday’s Stage 4.
At a briefing on Sunday, the Minister assured the nation that the country will overcome the current bout of load shedding by the end of the week.
READ | Load shedding expected to be suspended by the end of the week
“I'm confident that by the end of the week, we should be out of this difficult situation. We are confident we're going to go to conditions of normality. By the end of the week there will not be [any] load shedding,” he said at the time. -SAnews.gov.za
Edwin
Tue, 02/25/2025 - 14:38
20 views
Energise Mzansi campaign to empower South Africans on energy transition
The Energy Council of South Africa has launched a nationwide campaign to empower South Africans to gain a better understanding of and engage in the energy transition.
South Africa has committed to lowering carbon emissions to net-zero by 2050 and usher in a green economy.
In that regard, government has also committed to an energy transition which is just, inclusive and which responds to South Africa’s developmental needs – leaving no one behind.
“Energy literacy is more than just understanding the basics, it’s the foundation for informed decision-making, constructive collaboration, and ultimately driving investment and economic growth through gained public positive sentiment.
“Through this campaign, we aim to connect South Africans with the factual information they need to make sense of the challenges and take advantage of the opportunities presented by the energy transition,” Energy Council CEO James Mackay said.
According to the council, the campaign focuses on six technical energy topics.
These are:
“The Energy Council estimates that R2 trillion will be required by 2035 for new technology financing and system upgrades. Government policy and commitment is clear. The two key drivers of our energy reform agenda are now anchored in law: The Electricity Regulation Amendment Act, 2004 and the Climate Change Act, 2024.
“It is critical that informed responses lead the transition, ensuring collaboration across all stakeholders to create sustainable, long-term solutions for South Africa’s energy future,” the Energy Council said. – SAnews.gov.za
NeoB
Tue, 02/25/2025 - 12:19
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SA crafts guidelines for green hydrogen development
In a major step towards cementing South Africa’s position as a global leader in green hydrogen, the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment, Dr Dion George, has overseen the launch of two game-changing environmental planning mechanisms.
The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Guideline for green hydrogen projects and the South African Green Hydrogen Potential Atlas will remove regulatory uncertainty, drive investment, and accelerate South Africa’s transition to a green hydrogen economy.
Developed in partnership with the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), and GFA Consulting Group, these mechanisms will provide critical guidance for responsible and sustainable green hydrogen development.
In a statement of Tuesday, the Minister hailed the mechanisms as a victory for South Africa’s economic and environmental ambitions, reinforcing his commitment to positioning the country as a leader in clean energy innovation.
“This is a defining moment for South Africa’s green economy. By taking proactive steps to provide regulatory clarity and scientific insights, we are ensuring that green hydrogen becomes a major driver of sustainable economic growth, investment, and job creation. This is about unlocking South Africa’s potential while protecting our environment for future generations,” he said.
Under the Minister’s leadership, the Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment (DFFE) has strengthened the central role it plays in developing clear, science-based guidelines that provide certainty for investors and developers.
“The EIA Guideline will ensure that projects are planned responsibly, while the Green Hydrogen Atlas offers a powerful, interactive tool for mapping the country’s most promising locations for green hydrogen production.
“With abundant solar and wind resources, strategic port infrastructure, and a central location on global shipping routes, South Africa is uniquely positioned to become a green hydrogen powerhouse.
“Green hydrogen, which is produced using renewable energy, has the potential to replace fossil fuels in industries like steel, cement, and heavy transport, reducing emissions while creating new economic opportunities,” the department said.
The department said the launch of these mechanisms sends a clear message to international investors, industry leaders, and policymakers.
“South Africa is ready to lead in green hydrogen innovation and production,” the department said.
The EIA Guideline can be accessed at: https://bit.ly/SAGH2eia. - SAnews.gov.za
nosihle
Tue, 02/25/2025 - 11:09
41 views
Kholo Capital Mezzanine Debt Fund I (“Kholo Capital” or “the Fund”) (www.KholoCapital.com/), has reached final close at R1,4 billion in commitments, in order to make long-term mezzanine debt investments in small and medium sized businesses in Southern Africa (i.e., South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho and Swaziland). The funding provided to these businesses will positively impact communities and support economic growth, job creation, alleviation of poverty and advancement of transformation in the Southern African region. The Fund provides growth capital, BEE Financing and acquisition funding into sectors of the Southern African economy with high social impact including social housing, healthcare, education, renewable energy, food and food security, ICT, financial technology and infrastructure. The Fund follows the United Nation's 17 Sustainable Development Goals as guiding principles with key focus on those linked to Job Creation (i.e., Decent work and Economic growth, Reduced Inequalities and Gender Equality) and those linked to Sustainable Growth (i.e.; Affordable and Green Energy, Sustainable Cities and Communities and Climate Action). The R1,4 billion in commitments was secured from leading South African institutional investors.
Kholo Capital believes that mezzanine debt funding, being a subordinated loan position that sits between senior debt and equity in the capital structure of a business, is attractive because it plugs any equity funding gaps and provides businesses with a tailored and flexible loan solutions in support of their growth requirements. Kholo Capital's investment criteria include investing in small and medium sized businesses generating minimum R25m EBITDA across various growth sectors of the Southern African economy, thereby providing much needed access to capital within a preferred range of R70m to 200m per investment. The benefit of mezzanine debt loan funding lies not only in the ability to tailor funding terms like debt servicing requirements (e.g., providing capital repayment moratoriums), and also because it is a loan funding instrument it avoids the significant equity dilution which is sometimes the sad reality when businesses try to fund their growth ambitions by raising pure equity funding.
Mokgome Mogoba, Founder and Managing Partner at Kholo Capital, said: “We are very bullish about South Africa, the South African economy and the future prospects of this beautiful country and the surrounding region. We are heartened and motivated by the optimism and the resilience of its people. We aim to create in excess of 500 new jobs at a rate of more than 40 nett jobs created per investment and we have committed to investing more than 50% of the Fund in black empowered companies. We are excited at the opportunity to bring creative funding solutions to the Southern African market and to form long term sustainable partnerships with businesses over a 4 to 7-year investment horizon, realising not only strong commercial returns for our investors, but also providing transformational funding that has a positive ESG impact on businesses and surrounding communities as we also look to boost our rural and township economies.”
Zaheer Cassim, Founder and Managing Partner at Kholo Capital, added: “Mezzanine debt funding is non-dilutive by nature and therefore is an attractive funding option for family-owned businesses, BEE companies or any business that needs to raise capital and hold onto the equity in the business. And with the banks becoming more risk averse due to regulatory requirements, lending to small and medium sized businesses has reduced, creating a great opportunity for flexible mezzanine debt structures. We are grateful that our investors recognise the opportunity and have shown us tremendous support.”
With a strong pipeline of opportunities, Kholo Mezzanine Debt Fund I is well positioned to advance its investment objectives, and make a sustainable impact in support of the real economy.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Kholo Capital.
For more information contact:
Mokgome Mogoba
Managing Partner
Kholo Capital Mezzanine Debt Fund I
mokgome@kholocapital.com
Tel: +27-79-631-5860
Zaheer Cassim
Managing Partner
Kholo Capital Mezzanine Debt Fund I
zaheer@kholocapital.com
Tel: +27-83-786-0845
About Kholo Capital Mezzanine Debt Fund I:
Kholo Capital is a specialist alternative investment fund management company with deep experience and track record in private markets. It was founded in 2020 by Mokgome Mogoba and Zaheer Cassim. The Kholo Capital investment team has more than 100 years of collective credit and investment experience and is highly skilled in senior debt, mezzanine debt and private equity. The investment team has a strong track record in the credit and investment space and has invested in excess of R50bn of mezzanine debt, private equity and senior debt investment transactions in over 90 transactions in more than 10 African countries. Kholo Capital Mezzanine Debt Fund I is managed by a cohesive, dynamic and nimble team and the management team has worked together over the last 21 years.
Website: www.KholoCapital.com
Secretary Chris Wright, U.S. Department of Energy, has been confirmed as a speaker and guest of honour at the 10th Powering Africa Summit (PAS), taking place at JW Marriott Washington, D.C. across March 6-7. This is an important step to provide an answer to the question that all of African energy is now asking: how will the new Administration approach the strategic energy relationship between the U.S. and Africa
Under the Summit theme, The Future of the US & Africa Energy Partnership, U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright will deliver a keynote address at the 10th annual Powering Africa Summit. Wright will be joined by representatives from the U.S. Department of State: Ambassador Troy Fitrell, Senior Bureau Official, Bureau of African Affairs; Kimberly Harrington, Acting Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Energy Resources; and Stephen Banks, Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy Diplomacy, Bureau of Energy Resources. All will share their vision for this future relationship between African countries and the US-based investors that are so vital to realizing their energy ambitions.
“As Secretary of Energy, I am committed to unleashing all forms of affordable, reliable and secure energy here at home and advancing that mission of energy security around the world – and nowhere is that more critical than the continent of Africa. I look forward to joining the Summit to reaffirm the strategic energy partnership between the U.S. and Africa and share my vision for advancing innovation and removing barriers to energy access, both at home and around the world,” Secretary Wright said.
Ministers and governments from 19 African countries will arrive in Washington D.C., where the Africa Welcome Address will be given by H.E. Honourable Adebayo Adelabu, Minister of Power, Nigeria. Together with H.E. Honourable Jeremiah Kpan Koung, Vice President, Liberia; H.E. Honourable Dr. Dele Alake, Minister for Solid Minerals Development, Nigeria; H.E. Honourable Mahmoud Mustafa Esmat, Minister of Electricity & Renewable Energy, Egypt; H.E. Honourable Karim Badawi, Minister of Petroleum & Mineral Resources, Egypt; H.E. Honourable Bogolo Joy Kenewendo, Minister of Minerals & Energy, Botswana; H.E. Honourable Alex Wachira, Principal Secretary, Ministry of Energy & Petroleum, Kenya; and Amina Benkhadra, Director General, Office National des Hydrocarbures et des Mines (ONHYM), Morocco, he will meet distinguished Ministers and leaders from South Africa, Senegal, Ethiopia, Zimbabwe, Togo, Sierra Leone and more to drive energy development across the continent.
Flagship ministerial boardrooms and regional energy cooperation sessions will discuss and debate derisking projects, South Africa's energy future, the need for West African regulatory reforms, and the role of hydrogen in North Africa. New areas of opportunity such as bitcoin mining and data centers will be discussed through an East African lens. The Mission 300 initiative, set to provide electricity access to 300 million people in sub-Saharan Africa by 2030, is also high on the agenda.
The 10th Anniversary Gala Drinks Reception sponsored by Genesis Energy, will celebrate International Women's Day, ahead of March 8.
Critical to the week's discussions will be a host of private players including Alliant Insurance Services, GE Vernova, ARM-Harith Infrastructure Investment, Globeleq, Africa50, Nextracker, Schneider Electric, Newmarket Capital and the summit's general sponsor, Sun Africa, who are looking to a new future for the U.S.-Africa relationship.
Sun Africa CEO, Adam Cortese said: “We are seeing a sea change in how the U.S. participates in foreign infrastructure development and our unique model of development is an excellent illustration of how U.S. energy companies can thrive in emerging markets on a strictly commercial basis. Sun Africa remains committed to harnessing Africa's immense energy resources through innovative structures, state-of-the-art technology and strong alliances while maintaining our long-standing market-based approach to development. At Sun Africa, we believe energy development on the continent truly represents an opportunity for win-win partnerships and look forward to sharing our experience.”
Simon Gosling, MD of EnergyNet added: “This summit has always been about bringing together African countries seeking investment with U.S.-based investors who see the vast potential on the continent. It is more important than ever to establish the crucial energy projects that Africa needs. PAS25 will put the continent center stage and make sure that both sides have a future relationship to be excited about.”
Media Credentials Requited for Powering Africa Summit
The Secretary will open the Summit on 6 March, delivering a Keynote Speech at 09:45, followed by a Fireside Chat with Mission 300 Accelerator CEO, Andrew Herscowitz.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of EnergyNet Ltd..
For more information, please get in touch with
Poliana@EnergyNet.co.uk
Senior Marketing Manager
International mining stakeholders are increasing their access to Africa's mineral resources through joint ventures, acquisitions and stakes in local projects. Meanwhile, African countries and operators are leveraging these partnerships to enhance capital, accelerate project development and meet ambitious production targets.
The upcoming African Mining Week (AMW), taking place in Cape Town this October, will spotlight mergers and acquisitions (M&A), offering African projects a platform to showcase opportunities and providing global investors the stage to present growth strategies for Africa's expanding mining sector.
Recent research by the Economist Intelligence Unit indicates that foreign investment in Africa's mining industry is poised for significant growth in 2025, building on strong momentum established in 2024. Several key transactions highlight this trend. Earlier this month, UK-based Altona Rare Earths finalized its acquisition of an 85% stake in Botswana's Sesana Copper-Silver Project from Ignate Minerals, committing significant capital to accelerate exploration and mine development. In December 2024, Australian mining firm Patriot Lithium acquired a 90% stake in Zambia's Kitumba Copper Large Scale Exploration License from Newlight Nominees Zambia, enabling increased funding for exploration and production activities. Similarly, in October 2024, Jubilee Metals, a UK-based company, acquired Project G, its second open-pit copper asset in Zambia, as part of a strategy to boost investments and raise copper output to 25,000 tons per year.
Recent M&A activity in Africa's mining sector is reshaping the industry, improving operational efficiencies and creating new pathways for innovation and technology transfer. For African nations, these investments bring new opportunities for job creation, infrastructure development and access to global markets, fueling economic growth. Additionally, the influx of foreign capital and expertise enhances local capabilities, enabling African countries to harness their natural resources more effectively while addressing challenges like underdeveloped supply chains and limited financing for exploration.
In South Africa, M&A activity reached $10 billion between June 2023 and 2024, with 32 deals closed, compared to 24 year-on-year, according to PwC. Among the notable deals, Kenya's Marula Mining secured a 51% stake in South Africa's Mansera Kruisrivier Cobalt Holding Company in July 2024, funding feasibility and aerial studies to advance the project. Meanwhile, China's Baowu Steel Group acquired stakes in Guinea's Simandou Project, the world's largest untapped iron ore deposit, in June 2024. In Mali, Ganfeng Lithium secured an operational stake in the Goulamina Lithium Mine in a $342.7-million deal with Australia's Leo Lithium in May 2024. The UAE-based International Resource Holdings also entered the market, acquiring Zambia's Mopani Copper Mines for $1.1 billion in May 2024, enhancing exploration and production capabilities at one of the country's largest copper facilities.
As African nations focus on boosting mineral production to drive economic growth, M&A activity is expected to intensify, with global partners seeking greater stakes in the continent's abundant resources. Against this backdrop, the upcoming AMW will play a crucial role in shaping Africa's M&A landscape by facilitating project showcases, fostering partnerships and advancing deal signings that will define the future of the mining sector.
African Mining Week serves as a premier platform for exploring the full spectrum of mining opportunities across Africa. The event is held alongside the African Energy Week: Invest in African Energy 2025 conference (https://AECWeek.com/) from October 1 -3. in Cape Town. Sponsors, exhibitors and delegates can learn more by contacting sales@energycapitalpower.com
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.
SolarAfrica (https://SolarAfrica.com/) is proud to take another major step forward in the development of its flagship utility-scale solar project, SunCentral, by successfully reaching financial close on the first 114 MW component of the project alongside funding partners Investec and RMB. The R1.8 billion investment into SunCentral marks the start of the project's rollout in South Africa.
SunCentral is a large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) plant located between Hanover and De Aar in South Africa's Northern Cape province. The project will be developed in three phases.
Phase 1, consisting of 342 MW, will be delivered through a staged roll-out of three 114 MW facilities and will deliver renewable energy to a diverse range of off-takers by wheeling it through South Africa's power grid. Phase 2 and 3 will increase SunCentral's capacity to 1 GW.
Unlike similarly sized projects that offer wheeling on a one-to-one basis (with one generation plant supplying one off-taker), SolarAfrica's project will offer wheeling on a one-to-many basis, making it available to a wider pool of businesses in South Africa.
SolarAfrica's Chief Investment Officer Charl Alheit, who spearheaded the financial close, explains: “Reaching financial close on the first 114 MW of our utility-scale wheeling development and Main Transmission Substation (MTS) investment marks a significant milestone in our commitment to advancing sustainable energy solutions for our customers in the commercial and industrial sectors.”
He adds that the substantial size of SunCentral will unlock access to cheaper, greener power for even more businesses across the country. “We are excited to see this project move forward as we continue contributing to the energy transition while delivering long-term value to our customers."
SolarAfrica is part of the greater Starsight Energy Africa Group. The success of SunCentral will act as a blueprint for similar (and possibly smaller) off-site generation projects in other key African markets in which the Starsight Energy Africa Group companies operate.
“The construction of SolarAfrica's SunCentral is a critical step in our journey to expand clean energy adoption across Sub-Saharan Africa, says Paul van Zijl, Group CEO of Starsight Energy Africa Group. “We are excited to move this project forward and continue delivering long-term value to our customers,” he says.
SolarAfrica is backed by world-class investors African Infrastructure Investment Managers (AIIM) and Helios Investment Partners who both hold decades-long track records of bringing investment to support African innovation.
“Reaching Financial Close on the first 114 MW on SunCentral is a fantastic milestone for SolarAfrica, says Thor Corry, Investment Director at AIIM.
“The modular approach to construct the MTS and plug in subsequent 114 MW modules provides a superb platform for SolarAfrica to scale at pace to meet the needs of the C&I customers in South Africa who want to secure price certainty and cost efficiencies while furthering South Africa's Just Energy Transition. With South Africa requiring up to 30 GW of new capacity by 2030 to meet its climate commitments and energy needs, projects like this are crucial,” Corry concludes.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Starsight Energy.
About SolarAfrica:
Founded in 2011, SolarAfrica provides a suite of capex-free green energy solutions to the commercial and industrial sectors in Southern Africa. The holistic suite includes on-site solutions such as solar energy and battery storage together with virtual solutions like wheeling, trading and aggregation.
SolarAfrica partners with businesses in South Africa seeking an energy solution that provides power security, cost savings and carbon reduction – building towards long-term sustainability.
The company has evolved into an ambitious team who are passionate about what they do and the core values they uphold. SolarAfrica has been named the continent's leading solar energy firm twice, scooping the Africa Solar Industry Association's African Solar Company of the Year award in 2021 and 2023.
About Starsight Energy:
Across the continent, Starsight Energy is redefining what it means for businesses to be energy efficient. Starsight Energy provides premier clean on-grid and off-grid energy services to commercial and industrial clients in Africa.
Serving the commercial and industrial, financial, residential, educational and agricultural sectors, Starsight Energy delivers tailored power and cooling solutions to meet client requirements while optimising consumption through energy-efficient appliances and environmentally friendly practices and recommendations.
From load analysis and modelling to demand management and customised solution design, Starsight Energy helps clients optimize energy efficiency and cost savings across the board.
About African Infrastructure Investment Managers (“AIIM”):
AIIM, a member of Old Mutual Alternative Investments* (“OMAI”), has been investing in the African infrastructure sector since 1999 with a track record extending across seven African infrastructure funds. AIIM's team of 40+ investment professionals are based out of five locally staffed offices across the continent in Cape Town, Johannesburg, Nairobi, Lagos and Abidjan providing direct on-the-ground coverage of our key markets.
AIIM is Africa's largest dedicated infrastructure private equity manager and currently manages an aggregate AUM of USD2.9 billion in assets across the power, renewable energy, digital infrastructure, mid-stream energy and transport sectors with operations in 19 African countries.
AIIM is a licensed FSP approved by the Financial Sector Conduct Authority in South Africa.
*Old Mutual Alternative Investments (OMAI) is a private alternative investment manager in Africa, with over USD7.6 billion (ZAR139.4 billion) under management in infrastructure, private equity, hybrid equity and impact funds. It is a member of Old Mutual Investment Group, the investment management arm of Old Mutual.
About Helios Investment Partners:
Established in 2004, Helios Investment Partners is the largest Africa-focused private investment firm, with a record that spans creating start-ups to providing expanding companies with growth capital and expertise. The firm has over $3.0 billion in assets under management and is led and managed by a predominantly African team based in London, Lagos, Nairobi and Paris, with the language skills and cultural affinity to engage with local entrepreneurs, managers, and intermediaries on the continent.
Helios leverages its local and global networks to create attractive proprietary investment opportunities, with an emphasis on building market leaders in core economic sectors and driving performance through a highly engaged approach to portfolio operations. The firm's unique combination of a deep knowledge of the African operating environment, a singular commitment to the region and a proven capability to manage complexity, is reflected in its diverse portfolio of growing, market-leading businesses, and its position as a partner of choice in Africa.
Helios is the second mainstream private equity firm globally, and the largest emerging markets focused private equity firm, to achieve B Corp certification. B Corp status recognizes the firm's longstanding commitment to sustainability and responsible business practices.
End of load shedding remains within reach
The Minister of Electricity and Energy, Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa is confident that the end of load shedding in South Africa is within reach.
Briefing the media on Sunday following an implementation of Stage 6 load shedding, Ramokgopa assured the nation that government and Eskom are making long-term decisions in the best interest of the country's power grid and economy.
“At all material points, we will never make expedient decisions at the cost of the grid, because the consequences will be too ghastly to contemplate. That is why it is important that to the degree that we need to initiate load shedding, understanding fully well that is going to deliver a message of an entity and a ministry that essentially is dropping the ball.
“But we are making the point that we will not make expedient decisions. We'll make decisions that are in the interest of the of the grid and in the long term, in the interest of the South African economy,” the Minister explained.
The Minister further reassured the public that there is significant progress in stabilising the electricity supply.
“And I give you the assurance, that point I always make consistently, the end of load shedding is within touching distance,” he said.
New capacity
The Minister highlighted key developments in Eskom's recovery plan, including the synchronisation of Kusile Unit 6, initially expected by the end of February but now scheduled for 9 March.
Medupi Unit 4 is expected at the end of March or early April. These additions will bring 1,600 megawatts to the grid.
"Of course, the Medupi one is what we lost; we are recovering that. The Kusile unit, however, is entirely new capacity. I'm confident that we are moving in the right direction.
“I want to say to the rest of the country, you are going through pain, we understand your anger, we feel your pain, we can hear your cries. We will resolve this problem,” Ramokgopa said.
READ | Load shedding expected to be suspended by the end of the week
Staying the course
Ramokgopa emphasised that government remains committed to the generation recovery plan, which he said is yielding positive results despite occasional setbacks.
“We're staying the course in relation to the generation recovery plan, because that generation recovery plan is giving us the results that we desire. We have accepted that there are going to be setbacks.
He explained that the ongoing maintenance work is a critical part of ensuring that when the government ultimately declares load shedding a thing of the past, it does so with confidence.
“But as I’ve said consistently, when I stood before the nation to give an update on the grid’s performance, I made the point [that there will be] short-term pain, [and] long-term gain. We cannot postpone the maintenance of these assets.
“That’s why we are able to allocate the capital received from National Treasury to ensure that we carry out the necessary maintenance so that when we stand before you … that load shedding is behind us I'm able to speak with a degree of confidence. That is why I have not been able to make that absolute statement, because we have accepted that there are inherent risk in relation to the strategy that we have taken,” he explained.
In response to concerns about Eskom’s operational decisions, Ramokgopa dismissed any suggestions of underhanded dealings, reiterating that all efforts are aimed at long-term sustainability.
"We're not going to do shortcuts in relation to our obligations to the environment. We are committed to ensuring that South Africa’s energy supply is both stable and sustainable. As part of this journey to ensure that we eliminate load shedding, we're going to ensure that we keep to our obligations in relation to the environment,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za
DikelediM
Sun, 02/23/2025 - 15:50
629 views
Load shedding expected to be suspended by the end of the week
The Minister of Electricity and Energy, Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa has assured South Africans that the country will overcome the current bout of load shedding crisis by the end of the week.
The Minister along with Eskom executives were briefing the media on Sunday to provide an update on the status of South Africa’s electricity generation performance.
The briefing follows an announcement by Eskom that it had implemented Stage 6 load shedding as of 1:30 am on Sunday.
“I'm confident that by the end of the week, we should be out of this difficult situation. We are confident we're going to go to conditions of normality. By the end of the week there will not be [any] load shedding. We would have gone through this wave and of course, we want the country to get accustomed to being normal.
“And in fact, something called load shedding should be considered extremely abnormal,” Ramokgopa said.
READ | Electricity Minister and Eskom to provide power update
The Minister explained that despite 300 consecutive days of uninterrupted power supply, recent setbacks occurred, including the loss of five generation units at Majuba and four units at Camden power stations.
Eskom CEO Dan Marokane said out of the 10 units lost overnight, six were back online.
“We have five to six units that are planned to come back in operation during the course of today and we will take stock just after 8 o’clock in the evening, after the evening peak. Our teams are very focused on returning these units,” Marokane told media at the briefing in Pretoria.
He said the loss of multiple units at the Majuba power station was occasioned by an overload on a transformer.
Marokane said when they checked the situation at Majuba on Saturday, it coincided with the trip to Medupi power station which had to do with the underfrequency in the network.
At Majuba, five units were lost but were brought two back online by 6am on Sunday, as well as one at Camden. The power utility would proceed to bring the rest of the units back into operation.
“Essentially, what really pushed us into the position that we found ourselves [in] having to initiate load shedding at very short notice yesterday at 5:30 pm was the loss of multiple units at Majuba power station.
“This was occasioned by initially an overload on a transformer as a result of the startup of a unit that was coming out of a long-term outage and that essentially started the domino effect of reticulation supply cutting to the rest of the units. And one by one, those units gave in,” he explained.
He added that “we have understood the exact nature of how the event came about, and we are able to isolate it overnight and start addressing it.”
“Of course, in the coming week, we will be diving deeper into ensuring that, from a system design perspective, we are able to contain such occurrences going forth. And we'll also assess where else the rest may be lying in our fleet,” the CEO said.
Apology
Meanwhile, the Minister apologised for the recent setback and explained the efforts to address the load shedding issue.
“Let me also say at the onset that I want on behalf of government, and the leadership of Eskom, to express our regret and convey our apology to the rest of the country. The fact that we are experiencing load shedding and secondly, that we are experiencing the intensity of load shedding that we haven’t experienced in a long time.
“The levels of agitation, levels of anger and disappointment are understood because we are really on a journey to ensure that indeed ultimately, we are able to eradicate load shedding.”
He said that the setback was regrettable as was the one that occurred earlier this month.
The Minister explained that it was important to share how the country got to Stage 6 load shedding.
First, he explained that his department and Eskom are guided by the Energy Action Plan that the President outlined in July 2022, of which one of its outcomes is to fix Eskom.
The Minister emphasised that there was no sabotage involved on the basis of evidence in their disposal.
"I want to say to the rest of the country; the evidence that is before us is that this is a technical issue. I am making this point because we must not find any reasons to manufacture explanations of why we are at Stage 6 and point fingers somewhere else,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za
DikelediM
Sun, 02/23/2025 - 15:06
95 views
Government remains committed to preserving local industries
Government is committed to preserving local industries and safeguarding employment opportunities, the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition said.
This as government acknowledged the concerns raised by the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA) on the impact of ArcelorMittal South Africa’s (AMSA) decision to wind down its long steel business.
“We recognise the significance of this matter for workers, the broader steel industry, and the economy,” said the department in a statement on Saturday.
This as NUMSA staged a picket outside the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) to voice their demands on Friday.
“The Minister is awaiting the memorandum to be presented by the board regarding these demands. Once received, the Minister will consider the issues raised and respond appropriately.
“The Department of Trade, Industry, and Competition (the dtic) remains committed to engaging all stakeholders, including AMSA, organised labour, and industry partners, to find sustainable solutions. We continue to explore all possible avenues to avert job losses, support affected workers and ensure the resilience of South Africa’s steel sector,” said the department.
The dtic urged all parties to engage constructively “as we work towards interventions that protect industrial capacity while securing long-term economic stability.”
“The government remains steadfast in its commitment to preserving local industries and safeguarding employment opportunities,” said the department.
In January, the dtic said the steel industry is critical in the reconstruction and recovery plan for the South African economy, particularly the manufacturing, mining, construction, engineering, and transportation sectors.
This as AMSA announced that it was winding down its longs steel business at its Newcastle plant.
“The department notes with serious concern the announcement by ArcelorMittal South Africa to wind down its longs steel business at its Newcastle plant. In fulfilment of its mandate to work with the private sector in growing the local economy the dtic remains committed to working with AMSA to find a workable and lasting situation,” the department said in a statement at the time.
During the course of 2024, AMSA had reached out to various government departments and state-owned entities with requests for different concessions for their business. Having taken heed of these requests, the Minister of the dtic took the decision to form a comprehensive and coordinated approach to resolving the issues raised by AMSA.
READ | DTIC notes ArcelorMittal South Africa’s decision
The Minister set up a technical working group made up of the relevant stakeholders including the dtic and AMSA, the Departments of Electricity and Energy, Transport, as well as Eskom, Transnet and private sector stakeholders. -SAnews.gov.za
Neo
Sun, 02/23/2025 - 12:02
168 views
In a significant announcement at the Guyana Energy Conference and Supply Chain Expo being held from, February 18 - 21, Prof. Benedict Oramah, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) (www.Afreximbank.com), declared the multilateral Bank's intention to establish a $1 billion oil service financing facility in Guyana. This initiative aims to enhance local participation in the country's fast growing oil industry, in alignment with the government's local content policies. The Bank will deploy the $1 billion facility directly to qualifying corporate clients or through a factoring line via local banks, enabling them to finance invoices from local contractors.
President Oramah highlighted the transformative potential of Guyana's estimated 12 billion barrels of crude oil reserves. Emphasising the transformative power in proactive resource management, he advised Guyana to aggressively harness and build capital from its oil resources.
He said, "Given the level of oil production in Guyana and its offshore location, I estimate that the oil service sector would amount to 5 to 8 billion US dollars annually. But where will it go? Most of it would be paid to oil service companies abroad, if Guyana does nothing to avoid that. A 50% retention in Guyana would increase Guyana's GDP by 29% to 47%.” As such, he called for robust local content policies that would enable Guyanese entrepreneurs to become significant players in the oil value chain.
Based on Afreximbank's rich history of supporting commodity-dependent economies, President Oramah shared insights to complement the ongoing efforts of the Guyanese government. He acknowledged the inherent risks associated with dependency on a single commodity and laid stress on the importance of diversification.
He cautioned, “The commodity market is prone to volatility and cyclicality; hence, the reliance on crude revenues as a primary source of government funding could expose the national economy to volatile commodity markets." As such, he advised the government to secure long-term off-take contracts with oil service companies, which will enhance market access and price stability.
In the spirit of deepening Afri-Caribbean partnership, President Oramah remarked that skilled oil service companies from Ghana, Egypt, and South Africa, are "ready and willing to support Guyanese... And of course, Afreximbank is there to underwrite the marriage.”
He added that: “These measures are necessary if Guyana and other new entrants in the Caribbean and Africa are to avoid the painful "Dutch Disease. We make these suggestions based on the three long decades of financing oil and gas activities across Africa. We have witnessed oil-dependent economies transform for better or worse through these periods. In all these, the difference reflected the policy choices the leaders made.”
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Afreximbank.
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About Afreximbank:
African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) is a Pan-African multilateral financial institution mandated to finance and promote intra-and extra-African trade. For over 30 years, the Bank has been deploying innovative structures to deliver financing solutions that support the transformation of the structure of Africa's trade, accelerating industrialization and intra-regional trade, thereby boosting economic expansion in Africa. A stalwart supporter of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), Afreximbank has launched a Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) that was adopted by the African Union (AU) as the payment and settlement platform to underpin the implementation of the AfCFTA. Working with the AfCFTA Secretariat and the AU, the Bank is setting up a US$10 billion Adjustment Fund to support countries effectively participating in the AfCFTA. At the end of December 2023, Afreximbank's total assets and contingencies stood at over US$37.3 billion, and its shareholder funds amounted to US$6.1 billion. Afreximbank has investment grade ratings assigned by GCR (international scale) (A), Moody's (Baa1), Japan Credit Rating Agency (JCR) (A-) and Fitch (BBB). Afreximbank has evolved into a group entity comprising the Bank, its impact fund subsidiary called the Fund for Export Development Africa (FEDA), and its insurance management subsidiary, AfrexInsure (together, "the Group"). The Bank is headquartered in Cairo, Egypt.
For more information, visit: www.Afreximbank.com
Electricity Minister and Eskom to provide power update
The Minister of Electricity and Energy, Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa and Eskom will provide an update on the status of South Africa’s electricity generation performance at a briefing this morning.
Sunday’s briefing follows an announcement by Eskom that it has implemented Stage 6 load shedding.
“Eskom regrets to announce that Stage 6 load shedding was implemented at 1:30am due to multiple unit trips at Camden Power Station and will continue until further notice.
“This measure followed the implementation of Stage 3, necessitated by multiple unit trips at Majuba Power Station and a unit trip at Medupi that resulted in a loss of 3 864 MW in generation capacity, while planned maintenance accounted for 7 506 MW,” the power utility said in social media post.
In Sunday’s social media post on X, Eskom said Stage 6 load shedding was necessary to “replenish emergency reserves and prepare for the week ahead.”
On Saturday, the power utility implemented Stage 3 load shedding.
“Following over 20 days of uninterrupted electricity supply, Eskom has encountered another temporary setback. As a result, Stage 3 load shedding will be implemented from today at 17:30 until further notice,” it said at the time.
The briefing in Pretoria is expected to start at 11 am. -SAnews.gov.za
Neo
Sun, 02/23/2025 - 09:32
101 views
Foreign Ministers’ Meeting backs SA’s G20 Presidency priorities
The Group of 20 (G20) Foreign Ministers have thrown their weight behind South Africa’s Presidency priorities, which focus on sustainable development and debt sustainability for low-income countries among others.
Other priorities of South Africa’s G20 Presidency are strengthening disaster resilience; mobilising finance for a Just Energy Transition; and harnessing critical minerals for inclusive growth and development.
This is according to the International Relations and Cooperation Minister, Ronald Lamola, who addressed the media at the conclusion of the first Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on Friday.
The Minister said the two-day meeting which began on Thursday at the Nasrec Expo Centre in Johannesburg, was productive.
“Let me first express South Africa’s deep appreciation to you all for what has been a very productive First Foreign Ministers’ Meeting under South Africa’s G20 Presidency. I further thank the members of the G20 Troika, Brazil and the United States of America for their support and cooperation during our G20 Presidency,” said the Minister.
The meeting also outlined Task Force One’s focus on inclusive economic growth, industrialisation, employment, and reducing inequality.
Task Force Two focuses on food security, while Task Force Three addresses artificial intelligence, data, governance, and sustainable development innovation.
“Furthermore, we have proposed the additional initiatives – the review of the work of the G20, a cost of capital review, a broadened compact with Africa 2.0, and an initiative on critical minerals,” said the Minister.
South Africa also took note of the fruitful discussions and inputs on the various priorities and high-level deliverables which will enrich various streams of work during 2025.
“We can assure you that all the views expressed will be considered as we progress with our work during this year. We look forward to the active participation and contributions of all your delegations,” the Minister added.
He said the Ministers reaffirmed G20 as the premier forum for international economic cooperation.
The gathering also stressed the G20’s commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), highlighting the need for urgent action to accelerate efforts to reaffirm the group’s strong commitment to the SDGs in line with South Africa's theme of “Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability”.
The leaders also noted the impact of ongoing conflicts on economic development and the attainment of SDGs, with a focus on sustainable investments in conflict prevention and peacebuilding.
“Concerning the ongoing conflicts and wars in Africa, the Middle East and Europe, the meeting reiterated that all states must act in a manner consistent with the Purposes and Principles of the UN [United Nations] Charter.”
Guided by international law, Lamola announced that there was an agreement to support all efforts towards a just peace in Ukraine, Palestine, Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and other major conflicts around the globe.
The leaders also touched on the importance of elevating African voices in the G20 and addressing pressing global challenges.
READ | SA expresses concern over conflict situations
The Minister also underscored the need to reform the international system of global governance, inclusive of the international financial architecture, the multilateral trading system, and the multilateral development banks.
The meeting “further stressed the need to reform the United Nations to make it fit for purpose and relevant to the current international reality. This includes the Security Council.”
Also under discussion was the importance of multilateralism, the need for the reform of the UN and the upcoming Financing for Development Conference in Seville, Spain and the UN Climate Change Conference (COP) in Belém, Brazil.
“South Africa undertook to present a four-stage roadmap of this proposed G20 review, including a briefing on the proposed approach and survey methodology which will involve the participation of G20 members, guest countries and invited stakeholders.”
According to the Minister, the final report will be presented for adoption at the final G20 Sherpa meeting taking place from 16 to 19 November 2025.
President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed the opening of the meeting on Thursday where he urged global leaders to embrace inclusivity, cooperation and reform as South Africa steers the Presidency of the G20 for the first time.
READ | Call for global solidarity at G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting
– SAnews.gov.za
Gabisile
Fri, 02/21/2025 - 18:22
45 views
Friday, 21 February 2025: Eskom confirms that loadshedding remains suspended, supported by a stable power system and adequate emergency reserves. This progress underscores the success of the Generation Operational Recovery Plan in improving generation capacity and maintaining a reliable electricity supply. From 1 April 2024 to 20 February 2025, loadshedding was suspended for 323 days...
Earlier this week, Egypt's Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Karim Badawi and Saudi Arabia's Minister of Energy Abdulaziz bin Salman Al Saud signed an agreement to develop an executive plan for energy efficiency cooperation, strengthening bilateral ties in the energy sector and fostering sustainable development. This follows another significant development in September, in which Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly secured a $5 billion pledge from Saudi Arabia's PIF, representing the “first phase” of a larger investment strategy.
As a leading global energy giant, Saudi Arabia has been actively investing in Africa's energy sector, aiming to expand its energy reserves, advance energy diplomacy and compete with other global superpowers. This strategic push not only strengthens Saudi Arabia's influence in the region, but also paves the way for deeper economic and political ties with African nations.
To date, the lion's share of investment in Africa's energy sector has focused on clean energy advancements. With total project costs reaching $7 billion across the continent, Saudi developer ACWA Power stands as the leading private-sector investor in African renewable energy. In October 2024, the company announced that its Redstone solar plant in South Africa was set to achieve its full 100 MW capacity, while its Kom Ombo solar PV plant in Egypt successfully reached its full capacity of 200 MW. ACWA Power is also leading Project DAO, South Africa's largest hybrid renewable power plant, with an $800 million investment. The project is expected to come online by 2026 and aligns with the Kingdom's broader Vision 2030 goals.
In addition to renewable energy, Saudi Arabia is diversifying its investments to secure critical minerals for clean energy technologies. In October, Saudi Arabia's Manara Minerals, a joint venture between Ma'aden and the Public Investment Fund (PIF), entered advanced talks to acquire a minority stake in First Quantum Minerals' Zambian copper and nickel assets. The potential investment, valued between $1.5 billion and $2 billion, underscores Saudi Arabia's strategy to secure critical minerals that are vital for the global clean energy transition.
Turning to broader regional commitments, Saudi Arabia's financial support for Africa's energy infrastructure has grown. In October, the Kingdom announced a major funding initiative, pledging at least $41 billion for sub-Saharan African nations. This includes $1 billion for development, $5 billion for startups, $10 billion in financing from the Saudi Export-Import Bank and $25 billion in private sector investments over the next decade.
Meanwhile, the Saudi Ministry of Energy has established the "Empowering Africa" initiative as part of its broader commitment to supporting sustainable development across the continent. In collaboration with the Ministries of Communications and Information Technology and Health, the initiative aims to deliver clean energy, connectivity, e-health and e-learning solutions to enhance lives and promote long-term growth in Africa. Building upon the Clean Fuel Solutions for Cooking Program, it focuses on providing cleaner cooking solutions to vulnerable populations, aiming to reduce reliance on traditional biomass fuels and improve health outcomes for millions of households. Minister bin Salman Al Saud has emphasized energy as a fundamental human right and is spearheading efforts to improve access to clean cooking technologies across the continent.
Additionally, state-owned petroleum company Saudi Aramco is strengthening its partnerships with African nations to support energy investments and mobilization. These collaborations are expected to drive infrastructure development, enhance oil and gas production capacity and facilitate knowledge transfer between Saudi and African energy stakeholders, while aligning with broader energy security and sustainability goals.
In the multilateral arena, the African Energy Chamber is working with Saudi Arabia to support South Africa's G20 energy investments and mobilization. This partnership is set to facilitate greater financing and policy coordination, ensuring Africa's energy priorities are well-represented in global energy discussions. The upcoming African Energy Week: Invest in African Energies conference in Cape Town serves as a key platform to facilitate and support these investments, bringing together Saudi stakeholders, African governments and global energy leaders to advance new projects, strengthen partnerships and accelerate the continent's energy transition. These collaborations are essential in addressing energy challenges, driving economic growth and fostering long-term sustainability. As Saudi investments expand – alongside those of other G20 nations – their impact on Africa's energy landscape will only deepen.
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 www.AECWeek.com for more information about this exciting event.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.
BMA facilitated smooth arrival of G20 Foreign Ministers
The Border Management Authority (BMA) says the processing of dignitaries arriving for the G20 Foreign Ministers' meeting, currently underway in Johannesburg, was carried out smoothly.
“The G20 Ministers started arriving in the country from 19 February 2025 and will depart from 22 February 2025, using OR Tambo International Airport and Lanseria International Airport.
“Working together with law enforcement agencies, the BMA has ensured seamless processing of the Foreign Ministers in a safe environment upon arrival. To this effect, the BMA has augmented its capacity at these two airports and allocated dedicated Immigration counters for the delegates to ensure speedy processing of all travellers,” BMA Commissioner Masiapato said in a statement.
The two-day meeting which began on Thursday is taking place in Nasrec, Johannesburg.
South Africa assumed the G20 Presidency on 1 December 2024, which will culminate in a meeting of G20 Heads of State and Government later in November.
Various sectoral Ministerial meetings will be held throughout the year in the lead up to November.
G20 members include the world’s major economies.
The BMA is a Schedule 3A National Public Entity established in April 2023 with the mandate of facilitating legitimate movement of goods and persons.
Speaking at the opening of the G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting at Nasrec in Johannesburg, President Ramaphosa emphasised the significance of hosting the G20 Leaders’ Summit on African soil.
The Foreign Ministers' Meeting, hosted by the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, takes place under South Africa's G20 Presidency theme of 'Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability'.
“Africa is home to some of the world’s fastest-growing economies and faces unique challenges, such as the impact of climate change, development needs and the effects of global trade dynamics.
“The Summit's location underscores the need for African voices to be heard on critical global issues, like sustainable development, the digital economy and the shift toward green energy,” President Ramaphosa said in his address on Thursday. – SAnews.gov.za
Edwin
Fri, 02/21/2025 - 09:43
86 views
From significant oil deposits in Namibia's Orange Basin to untapped potential in South Africa to gas frontiers onshore Zimbabwe and developments in Mozambique and Angola, Southern Africa has emerged as a highly-promising oil and gas market. However, to unlock the full potential of the industry, investors need to rally, providing the much-needed capital and technology to boost energy development across the region.
African Energy Week: Invest in African Energies – taking place September 29 to October 2, 2025 - will highlight Southern Africa's energy potential, from major projects and exploration campaigns to investment opportunities and emerging challenges. By uniting regional governments, major operators and global stakeholders, the event fosters collaboration, serving as a catalyst for South African energy development.
Angola Drives Exploration Towards Near-Term Production
Sub-Saharan Africa's second-largest oil producer, Angola continues to leverage industry reform to accelerate exploration and development. Seeking to maintain oil output above one million barrels per day while increasing natural gas production, the country is preparing to launch the final bid round of its six-year licensing strategy in Q1, 2025. Offering nine blocks for exploration in the deepwater Kwanza and Benguela basins, the round is expected to entice major deepwater players to expand their portfolios offshore Angola. To further support production growth, the country introduced five marginal fields for exploration in 2024 and continues to promote blocks available on direct negotiation. Major projects such as the Cabinda Oil Refinery (2025); the New Gas Consortium (early-2026); and the Agogo Integrated West Hub Development (mid-2026) are also set to fuel production.
Mozambique Targets LNG Advancement
With over 100 trillion cubic feet (TCF) of gas resources in the Rovuma Basin, Mozambique is pushing ahead with several large-scale LNG projects. These include the operational 3.4 million ton per annum (MTPA) Coral South FLNG project; the under-development 3.37 MTPA Coral North project; the 18 MTPA Rovuma LNG project; and the 13 MTPA Mozambique LNG project. Despite delays, operators are committed to accelerating development. While pushing the Mozambique LNG project timeline from 2027 to 2029/2030, TotalEnergies expects a U.S. loan approval to be restored under the Trump administration in the coming weeks. ExxonMobil also anticipates FID for the Rovuma project by 2026, paving the way for advanced development.
Namibia: The Next Deepwater Oil Producer
Following a string of discoveries in the offshore Orange Basin, Namibia is working towards first oil production by 2029. The Venus-1X discovery by TotalEnergies is at the forefront of this goal, with the French major seeking to finalize its phase one development plan in 2025 and make FID in 2026. However, the development of the Mopane well – situated in PEL 83 and operated by oil and gas firm Galp - could bring the timeline to first production much closer. Two discoveries were made at the Mopane 1-A well and the Mopane 2-A well, and the operator is now seeking a farm-in partner to develop the asset. Other companies such as Shell, Petrobras, Africa Oil Corp, Chevron and more are also investing offshore while independents including ReconAfrica and Sintana Energy are conducting exploration and appraisal drilling onshore.
South Africa Prioritizes Gas Exploration, Renewable Expansion
Two offshore basins have generated significant interest by foreign player in South Africa: the Southern Outeniqua Basin and the Orange Basin. Southern Outeniqua featured two major gas discoveries made by TotalEnergies (Luiperd and Brulpadda) in 2019 and 2020, representing some of Africa's biggest finds made during the period. While TotalEnergies exited the Southern Outeniqua basin in 2024, the company has turned its attention to South Africa's Orange Basin, hoping to mirror upstream success in neighboring Namibia. Other firms including Africa Oil Corp, Shell and Petrobras are investing in the Orange Basin, and all eyes are on future discoveries offshore South Africa.
Zimbabwe: An Onshore Gas Frontier
Zimbabwe made headlines in 2022 when Invictus Energy announced successful drilling activities at the Mukuyu-1 well at the onshore Cabora Bassa Project. This was followed by the discovery of gas at the Mukuyu-2 well in 2023, with the find revealing the potential for 20 TCF of gas resources. In 2025, the company completed an independence review of the Petroleum Production Sharing Agreement, which would enable the Invictus Energy to unlock value-sharing from the project. Going forward, the company is pursuing a 3D seismic survey alongside appraisal drilling and well testing to further delineate the resource potential while refining development plans and improving the operational efficiency. All eyes are on the project as Zimbabwe strives to bring its first natural gas development to fruition.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.
About AEW: Invest in African Energies:
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 www.AECWeek.com for more information about this exciting event.
Deputy President Shipokosa Paulus Mashatile has today, Thursday, 20 February 2025, received a courtesy visit by the Chairman of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), Mr. REN Hongbin, at the OR Tambo Official Residence in Pretoria, Gauteng Province.
The CCPIT is a key Chinese economic promotion institution that reports directly to the State Council responsible for the facilitation and promotion of trade and investment with foreign countries by supporting Chinese companies (their members) to do business abroad and to engage and support foreign companies that have operations in China.
It has more than 400 000 Chinese business members, the majority of which are from State-owned Companies (SoEs).
This visit to the Deputy President follows the successful 2nd State Visit to China by President Cyril Ramaphosa in September 2024. In particular, it builds on the outcomes of the President's business engagements, including the seminal South Africa – China Presidential Business Forum, the closed roundtable discussion between the President and the Leadership of 20 high-level Chinese investors, and the Presidential Business Programme in Shenzhen that focused on key investors in China's leading technology and innovation hub.
Therefore, the Chairman's visit is mainly focussed on following up on the implementation of the outcomes of the 9th Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Summit held in Beijing in September 2024, as well as optimising the trade and investment environment for better cooperation between South Africa and China.
Deputy President Mashatile has welcomed China's plan to host the FOCAC Ministerial Coordination Meeting alongside the China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo in June 2025.
Such events, he said, would strengthen Africa-China economic relations and accelerate projects in industrialisation, infrastructure, agricultural modernisation, and green development, aligning with AU Agenda 2063 goals.
“Chairman, our President was encouraged by the number of Chinese companies he interacted with in Beijing and Shenzhen last year, who all expressed a wish to increase their investment exposure in South Africa. We continue to prioritise new investments in targeted sectors and enlarge the beneficiation and manufacturing base in South Africa, especially in the automotive and energy, which will contribute to local job creation, technology, and skills transfer,” said the Deputy President.
Furthermore, the Deputy President took the opportunity presented by the visit to mobilise Chinese businesses to attend the Business20 (B20) meetings of the G20 in South Africa this coming year.
In reciprocating the invite by the Deputy President, the Chairman also invited South Africa to attend the 3rd China International Supply Chain Expo (CISCE) that will be hosted by the CCPIT in Beijing in July this year. The CISCE is one of the four national-level trade and investment conferences hosted in China yearly. The 2nd CISCE was held in Beijing in November 2024 and was addressed by the Vice President of China, Mr Han Zheng.
Post the meeting with the Deputy President, the Chairman is expected to meet with the Minister of Trade, Industry, and Competition, Mr Parks Tau.
During this meeting, Deputy President Mashatile was supported by Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ms Moraka and Deputy Minister of Trade Industry and Competition, Mr Godlimpi.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Presidency of the Republic of South Africa.
Call for global solidarity at G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting
President Cyril Ramaphosa has urged global leaders to embrace inclusivity, cooperation and reform as South Africa steers the Presidency of the Group of 20 (G20) for the first time.
Speaking at the opening of the G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting at Nasrec in Johannesburg, President Ramaphosa emphasised the significance of hosting the G20 Leaders’ Summit on African soil.
The Foreign Ministers Meeting, hosted by the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, takes place under South Africa's G20 Presidency theme of 'Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability'.
“Africa is home to some of the world’s fastest-growing economies and faces unique challenges, such as the impact of climate change, development needs and the effects of global trade dynamics.
“The Summit's location underscores the need for African voices to be heard on critical global issues, like sustainable development, the digital economy and the shift toward green energy,” President Ramaphosa said.
The President said this was a great opportunity to promote greater collaboration between African nations and the rest of the world.
He highlighted pressing global challenges, including geopolitical tensions, climate change, economic inequality and food insecurity, warning that the world’s fragile coexistence was under threat.
“These challenges are interconnected. They require responses that are inclusive and coordinated. Yet, there is a lack of consensus among major powers, including in the G20, on how to respond to these issues of global significance,” he said.
He called for greater consensus among major powers within the G20 to address these issues.
The President also highlighted that there are just five years to 2030, the deadline for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
He said the international community committed to this ambitious agenda to end poverty and hunger, to protect the planet, to achieve gender equality, universal education and health coverage, and to promote decent work and sustainable economic growth.
“Our commitment to achieve these targets we must not waver. The nations of the world look to the G20 for leadership on the most pressing issues confronting our world.
“Just as cooperation supported the progress of early humans, our modern-day challenges can only be resolved through collaboration, partnership and solidarity,” he said.
President Ramaphosa said this was why South Africa had placed solidarity, equality and sustainability at the centre of its G20 Presidency.
“We would like our G20 Presidency to be one in which all voices are heard and in which all views count. The G20 represents over two-thirds of the world’s population.
“Its decisions and policies must reflect the needs and aspirations of all who form part of the G20 family,” he said.
He also called on the G20 to seek to reflect the needs and aspirations of all people who call this planet home.
A call for UN and global financial system reforms
With the United Nations marking its 80th anniversary, President Ramaphosa reiterated South Africa’s call for reforming the UN Security Council, the multilateral trading system, and the international financial architecture to make them more representative and responsive to today’s realities.
“The UN must change accordingly. We continue to call for the UN Security Council, the multilateral trading system and the international financial architecture to be reformed to make them more representative, more agile and more responsive to today’s global realities.
“As the G20, it is critical that the principles of the UN Charter, multilateralism and international law remain at the centre of all our endeavors,” the President asserted.
President Ramaphosa also addressed ongoing global conflicts, including the wars in Ukraine, Sudan, the Sahel and Gaza.
He welcomed the recent ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, calling it a crucial first step toward lasting peace and urging diplomatic solutions to global conflicts.
“As the G20, we must continue to advocate for diplomatic solutions. Our own experience as South Africa is that the peaceful resolution of conflict through inclusive dialogue is the foremost guarantor of sustainable, lasting peace,” he said.
Key priorities for South Africa’s G20 Presidency
Outlining South Africa’s vision for its G20 Presidency, President Ramaphosa identified four key priorities, which include strengthening disaster resilience and response, ensuring debt sustainability for low-income countries, mobilising climate finance for a just energy transition and harnessing critical minerals for sustainable development.
He emphasised the need for international financial institutions and the private sector to scale up post-disaster recovery efforts, particularly in vulnerable nations.
With many developing economies burdened by high borrowing costs, he called on G20 leaders to renew efforts in addressing debt sustainability, especially in Africa.
On the third priority, President Ramaphosa urged developed nations to fulfil their obligations in supporting developing economies’ green energy transitions, in line with global climate agreements.
Turning to the last priority, the President proposed an inclusive G20 framework on green industrialisation and investment to promote value addition and beneficiation of critical minerals. – SAnews.gov.za
DikelediM
Thu, 02/20/2025 - 16:19
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Conference discusses strategies to achieve women’s economic inclusion
Without a dedicated plan and political will to combat patriarchal forms of exploitation, Africa’s commitment to eradicating “all forms of gender-based violence and discrimination against women and girls” by 2063, will remain hollow.
These were remarks made by the Minister in the Presidency responsible for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Sindisiwe Chikunga.
The Minister was speaking at the Southern African Regional High-Level Conference on Advancing Economies of Women in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and Africa on Thursday.
The Ministry in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, in collaboration with the Gates Foundation, is hosting the first Southern African Regional consultation to advance women economic empowerment in the SADC region.
The high-level two-day consultation forum, held in Sandton, Johannesburg, brings together women leaders from the SADC region, including senior government officials, policymakers, and representatives from other African Union (AU) Member States.
The forum, which will conclude on Friday, aims to discuss strategies to achieve women’s economic inclusion, financial access and Economic Justice and Rights (EJR) across the SADC region.
In her address, Chikunga acknowledged that women own fewer productive assets and that their businesses have fewer opportunities to trade. She also said that women experience financial exclusion and have limited access to markets and procurement.
She warned that without concrete measures in place, the continent’s aspiration to ensure that African women in all spheres -- granting them equal social, political, and economic rights, including the right to own and inherit property, sign contracts and manage businesses -- will remain unfulfilled.
“Similarly, rural women’s access to productive assets such as land, credit, inputs and financial services, will remain idle and futile without deliberate action. Without a deliberate skills revolution, the desire to position our youth at the forefront of knowledge and as catalysts of innovation and entrepreneurship, will fall short.
“Only when education and skills are accessible to all, will we be able to cultivate the creativity, energy and innovation of Africa’s youth into a driving force behind the continent’s political, social, cultural and economic transformation,” she explained.
Despite the continent’s noble vision, the Minister argued it will remain a distant reality “until we put in place concrete measures with firm timelines, deliverables and accountability mechanisms to ensure its realisation.”
She emphasised that the success of Agenda 2063 rests squarely on the seriousness of the leaders’ commitment to uplift women and girls, enabling them to pull the entire continent forward.
According to the AU, Agenda 2063 is Africa's development blueprint to achieve inclusive and sustainable socio-economic development over a 50-year period.
Beyond Agenda 2063, the Minister highlighted the region’s support for the consultative forum, which is also inspired by the SADC Vision 2050 and the Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (RISDP) 2020-2030, which both reflect the region’s developmental aspirations.
She underscored the importance of increasing women’s participation in regional development, enhancing equal access to opportunities, achieving gender parity, strengthening gender mainstreaming at both national and regional levels, and combating gender-based violence (GBV).
Economic participation
Chikunga emphasised that the economic potential of the region cannot be fully realised when half of its population remains underrepresented in trade, financial systems, digital economies, and entrepreneurship.
She also stressed the importance of ensuring that girls and women have access to quality education, as this is essential for meaningful economic participation to help address barriers. These barriers include early marriages, teenage pregnancies, and other societal norms that hold back the girl child.
‘We must provide young women with the kind of vocational and technical training that is tailored to market demands and empowers women to participate in diverse sectors, including STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics), agriculture, and entrepreneurship.
“We must note that, as things stand, women make up less than a third of the workforce across STEM careers, a number that should alarm all of us.
“The historical and ongoing exclusion of women from STEM is a tragedy we must confront urgently. Tangible programmes are needed to correct societal and cultural beliefs that use gender stereotypes to perpetuate scientific inequality,” she explained.
The Minister further highlighted the need for financial inclusion and access to investment opportunities, including access to land, productive assets, and property rights.
She also called for the provision of smartphones for women in the marketplace, including access to the internet, and digital tools that can enhance their economic participation. – SAnews.gov.za
GabiK
Thu, 02/20/2025 - 17:30
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Eskom cracks down on attacks against field employees
Eskom says it is collaborating with the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS) Energy Safety and Security Priority Committee to crack down on violent crimes against its employees – particularly those based in the Eastern Cape.
The energy utility described a “rising wave” of attacks against its employees in that province and warned that rising violence is compromising its ability to service those areas.
“Despite an initial decline earlier in the financial year, these attacks have surged since October 2024, posing significant risks to both personnel and service delivery operations, particularly in the Eastern Cape
“Eskom is committed to enhancing security measures but will cease operations in areas where employee safety is compromised. Protecting critical infrastructure and ensuring the well-being of its employees is an urgent priority,” Eskom said.
The energy company revealed that at least 14 armed robberies and five car hijackings had been perpetrated against its employees since the beginning of the 2024/25 financial year.
“One of the most alarming incidents occurred on 4 January 2025 along the N2 at Tsolo Junction, where an Eskom employee was shot and robbed of personal belongings during a car hijacking. Electrification sites and commuting employees remain particularly vulnerable, with most attacks concentrated in Mbodlana Village, uMthatha, Port St Johns, and Tsolo.
“Criminals are employing extreme violence, using firearms, hijacking company and personal vehicles, coercing employees into transferring cash, and even restraining them. These threats place Eskom personnel at severe risk of injury or loss of life while carrying out essential duties,” Eskom said.
The power utility said continued attacks “extend beyond individual safety concerns”.
“They contribute to the deterioration of public infrastructure, jeopardise energy security, disrupt electricity supply, result in financial losses, and create an unsafe work environment.
“Eskom strongly condemns these violent acts and continues to work diligently with NATJOINTS to curb the crisis. However, should the situation persist, Eskom may be forced to withdraw its technicians from high-risk areas.
“This would inevitably lead to prolonged power outages and service disruptions, negatively affecting communities and businesses. The safety of Eskom employees is non-negotiable,” Eskom said.
Community members are urged to report any information they may have on these attacks to contact the Eskom Crime Line on 0800 112 722 or via WhatsApp at 081 333 3323. – SAnews.gov.za
Matona
Thu, 02/20/2025 - 16:11
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