Africa Investment Forum: Rome Process/Mattei Plan Financing Facility (RPFF) Governing Council holds inaugural in-person meeting in Rabat
The Rome Process/Mattei Plan Financing Facility (RPFF) Governing Council convened for its first-ever in-person meeting in Rabat, Morocco, on the margins of the Africa Investment Forum (AIF).
The Governing Council approved the RPFF's 2026 work plan, which targets commitments of close to €100 million. These resources are expected to leverage more than €550 million in co-financing from the African Development Bank's ordinary resources. The investments will advance inclusive growth, enhance essential service delivery, build climate resilience, and address the root causes of irregular migration.
This meeting marks an important milestone for the RPFF, which was approved by the African Development Bank Board of Governors in February 2025. Dr Kevin K. Kariuki, Vice President, Power, Energy, Climate and Green Growth, underscored RPFF's critical importance, noting that it is truly vital in addressing Africa's profound and interconnected challenges. It mobilises and channels resources into strategic investments in the energy, transport, and water sectors through co-financing—via concessional loans or grants—of African Development Bank projects, as well as through the provision of technical assistance.The RPFF, with an initial capitalisation of €158 million, is supported by its founding partners: Italy and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
"Italy is profoundly committed to cultivating a new era of partnership with African nations, as envisioned by the Mattei Plan. The RPFF is a cornerstone of this commitment, translating shared goals into tangible projects that will empower communities, drive economic growth, and enhance climate resilience," said Lorenzo Ortona, Representative for Italy at the RPFF Governing Council. “The approval of this ambitious 2026 Work Plan underscores our collective resolve to accelerate sustainable development and address pressing challenges across the continent.”
"The UAE firmly believes in the power of global collaboration to achieve sustainable development and address climate change," said Sarah Jasim, Director of Sustainable Development Department at the UAE Aid Agency and Representative for the UAE at the RPFF Governing Council. "Our support for the RPFF reflects our dedication to empowering African nations with the resources needed to build resilient infrastructure, create opportunities, and improve the lives of their citizens. We look forward to witnessing the transformative impact of the projects outlined in the 2026 Annual Work Plan."
In the first few months of operation, the RPFF has already approved two projects that demonstrate its immediate commitment to on-the-ground impact. The Eastern Region Agricultural Value Chain Development Project (ERAVCDP) in Angola is a €17 million concessional loan contribution to a €183 million project that aims to enhance agricultural processing and value chain development, strengthening regional food security and economic opportunities. The Borana Resilient Water Development for Improved Livelihoods Program II in Ethiopia is a €6 million grant contribution to a €60 million project that is improving access to climate-resilient water and sanitation for pastoralist communities in the Borana zone, strengthening catchment management, and promoting crucial climate adaptation measures, with a strong focus on women's participation.
Dr Daniel Schroth, African Development Bank Director for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency and head of the RPFF Technical Coordination Unit, said: "We are immensely grateful to our founding partners, Italy and the UAE, for their pioneering support and commitment. Together, we have created a facility that will be a catalyst for transformative development, addressing climate challenges, and driving prosperity across the continent."
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB).About the Rome Process/Mattei Plan Financing Facility (RPFF):
The Rome Process/Mattei Plan Financing Facility (RPFF) is a multi-donor financing facility hosted by the African Development Bank. The RPFF is a key instrument in actualising the goals of the Rome Process and the Mattei Plan. It supported climate-aligned sovereign infrastructure projects in the energy, transport and water sectors in Africa to support sustainable development and contribute to addressing the root causes of irregular migration. Through its two financing windows: (i) Non-reimbursable technical assistance window and (ii) Investment window (Concessional loan and Grant), it ensures that financing is directed where it can have the greatest long-term impact, while reinforcing good governance and institutional capacity, creating jobs, improving livelihoods, and strengthening resilience in vulnerable communities.
About the African Development Bank Group:
The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) is Africa's premier development finance institution. It comprises three distinct entities: the African Development Bank (AfDB), the African Development Fund (ADF) and the Nigeria Trust Fund (NTF). On the ground in 34 African countries with an external office in Japan, the AfDB contributes to the economic development and the social progress of its 54 regional member states. For more information: www.AfDB.org
Petralon Energy Advances Dawes Island Drilling Activities Through Petroleum Industry Act (PIA)-Driven Development Strategy
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African exploration and production company Petralon Energy is advancing drilling activities at the Dawes Island field, situated at PPL 259 in Nigeria. The company brought the DI-2 well online while announcing the successful spudding of the DI-3 well. Both milestones reflect an ambitious drive to bolster production through continuous drilling activities in line with the country's Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), underscoring the central role independent companies play in driving Nigeria's production goals.
Following his inspection of operations at the Dawes Island field, Nigeria's Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil) Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri issued a strong endorsement of Petralon Energy and its operational milestones. Minister Lokpobiri commended the company for supporting the country's production strategy, highlighting the impact of the PIA in not only delivering the country's oil and gas goals but cementing the role indigenous companies play in the country's production portfolio.
“After inspecting operations at the field operated by Petralon Energy Limited, I noted that we have always maintained that the era of holding licenses as souvenirs is over. Under the “Drill or Drop” provision of the PIA, operators must remain actively engage in drilling activities or be prepared to relinquish such assets,” Minister Lokpobiri stated. He further explained that Petralon Energy represents an example for other licensees to follow, highlighting the value of a ‘drill, baby drill' approach to meet Nigeria's production quota as the country targets 2.5 million barrels per day (bpd) in the coming years.
Representing the voice of the African energy sector, the African Energy Chamber (AEC) welcomes the strong endorsement of Petralon Energy by Minister Lokpobiri. His remarks underscore a critical message for Nigeria's upstream sector: that regulatory clarity, deliberate government support and operator accountability are now working hand-in-hand to deliver real barrels and real future. For the AEC, Petralon's performance is a compelling demonstration of what the PIA was designed to achieve – an environment where committed indigenous operators can thrive, production can grow and communities become active stakeholders in the success of energy projects.
Petralon Energy has become a key example of Nigeria's upstream momentum. Since taking over the Dawes Island field, the company has revived abandoned infrastructure, restarted the DI-2 well and launched a drilling campaign adding up to 2,500 bpd. These results reflect what Minister Lokpobiri called Petralon's “commendable capacity,” reinforcing the message that empowered indigenous operators can deliver real volumes that support national production goals. Other indigenous operators stand to learn from Petralon Energy's approach, positioning themselves at the forefront of PIA-led production growth in Nigeria.
Petralon Energy's work at PPL 259 shows what becomes possible when regulatory certainty, local capability and steady investment are working in sync. Its role in the Project One Million Barrels initiative further demonstrates how indigenous players are stepping into the space left as international major shift away from onshore and shallow-water assets. Petralon Energy has also moved early on community engagement, an area that has historically slowed progress in the Niger Delta. Through Petralon 54, the company has set up Host Community Development Trusts for the Ogoloma and Koniama communities – swift action that signals respect for the PIA and recognition that operations and social license must go hand-in-hand. This approach aligns strongly with the Chamber's push for development models that build long-term stability and trust.
“Petralon Energy has shown what happens when you give capable Nigerian companies the room to perform – they deliver. The company's progress at Dawes Island is proof that indigenous operators are essential to hitting national production targets,” states NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman, AEC.
Nigeria remains the pillar of Africa's energy landscape, and strengthening local participation is essential to sustaining that role. Petralon Energy's progress, paired with active government engagement, offers a practical model for boosting production, deepening local ownership and ensuring that resource development is transparent and broadly beneficial.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.