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Eritrea: Conference on Eradication of Harmful Practices
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A conference aimed at eradicating harmful practices in general, and underage marriage and female genital mutilation in particular, was conducted in Mendefera, Southern Region, on 5 January.
The objective of the conference was to enhance the role of religious leaders and influential members of society in the effort.
Mr. Qaleab Tesfaselasie, Director General of Social Services in the region, noting that the prevalence of underage marriage and female genital mutilation has not been totally eradicated in the region, called on religious leaders to strengthen their participation in the eradication of harmful practices by using the influence and responsibility they have.
Mr. Gebrehiwet Teklu, head of the Attorney General's Office in the region, provided an extensive briefing on Eritrea's civil and criminal laws.
Indicating that marriages under 18 years of age and female genital mutilation are punishable under Eritrea's Criminal Law Articles 615 and 537 respectively, he elaborated on the legal implications.
Dr. Amanuel Mihreteab, head of the Ministry of Health branch in the region, on his part urged the public to abandon wrong beliefs and strengthen participation in the effort to eradicate harmful practices.
The participants, on their part, expressed readiness to play their due role in the effort and called on the concerned institutions to conduct relentless public awareness-raising activities.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Information, Eritrea.Uganda: Authorities subjecting opposition supporters to “brutal campaign of repression” ahead of elections
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Ugandan security forces have unlawfully targeted opposition rallies with unnecessary and excessive force and arbitrary arrests, and subjected some attendees to torture or other ill-treatment, Amnesty International said today.
The organization has documented incidents in which security officers launched tear gas at peaceful crowds in Kawempe and Iganga, and pepper-sprayed and beat people. These actions were accompanied by undue movement restrictions aimed at disrupting the opposition party National Unity Platform's (NUP) campaign rallies.
Amnesty International also received reports and verified digital evidence of such disruptions in other parts of the country.
“The authorities have launched a brutal campaign of repression against the opposition and its supporters, making it extremely difficult for them to exercise their rights to freedom of association and peaceful assembly,” said Tigere Chagutah, Amnesty International's Regional Director for East and Southern Africa.
“The Ugandan authorities must uphold their human rights obligations and allow the opposition to hold its campaign rallies without undue restrictions and without subjecting their leaders and supporters to arrests, torture or other ill-treatment.”
An eyewitness told Amnesty International that during the Kawempe rally on 24 November, following the arrival of NUP presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, popularly known as Bobi Wine, “police launched tear gas and pepper spray, to stop the rally”. The ensuing panic led to a stampede which caused dozens of people to fall into a deep ditch nearby. The police also used dogs to intimidate the crowd, pushed people into a truck with the butts of their rifles and beat them with batons and wires.
According to one attendee of the NUP rally at Iganga's Railway grounds on 28 November, the military used a truck to block one of the exits before opening fire on the crowd as they were attempting to leave the venue from the only remaining exit. One attendee of the rally, Miseach Okello, 35, died in circumstances that could be indicative of the unlawful use of force; an unknown number of others were injured.
The deceased's family told Amnesty International that armed security officers prevented them from witnessing the postmortem process, apparently to prevent them from gathering evidence that could suggest that he was killed unlawfully. The family was never given a death certificate, nor were they told the cause of death.
“Nobody should die simply for exercising their rights to freedom of association and peaceful assembly. Authorities must immediately open impartial and thorough investigations into all alleged instances of unlawful use of force by security forces. Those responsible should be brought to justice in fair trials without recourse to the death penalty,” said Tigere Chagutah.
Following the Kawempe and Iganga incidents, the Ugandan police justified their actions by stating that opposition supporters had stoned police and vandalized their vehicles. However, eyewitnesses at both rallies told Amnesty International that the crowds were peaceful and only carried the Ugandan national flag.
International law and standards require police to always apply non-violent means first before resorting to force, and to limit the force used no more than is necessary and proportionate. The use of firearms to disperse assemblies will never meet these conditions and so is always unlawful.
Undue restrictions on freedom of movement
Amnesty International verified a video recorded in Nwoya on 6 November showing security forces using military vehicles to block an opposition candidate and his supporters from campaigning.
Interviewees said that alongside these tactics, security forces also closed roads and diverted opposition processions onto longer routes without providing any legal justification. They believed these movement restrictions were designed either to delay opposition leaders and their supporters from reaching designated campaign venues or to prevent the events from going ahead altogether.
Interviewees also told Amnesty International that NUP presidential candidate was prevented from reaching campaign venues in several other districts.
Such restrictions are not permissible in the context of peaceful assemblies. Any restrictions must have a basis in domestic law, pursue a legitimate aim, and be necessary and proportionate.
Arbitrary arrests and torture and other ill-treatment
According to multiple sources including the NUP and an independent civil society organization, over 400 people have been arrested for attending rallies in different parts of the country, or for being perceived to be supporters of the NUP.
According to court charge sheets seen by Amnesty International, the majority of those arrested were charged with causing malicious damage to property, obstruction, incitement to violence, and assaulting police officers. While Amnesty International has not been able to investigate all incidents, evidence suggests that, in at least some cases, people were detained solely for their perceived support for the NUP.
Four interviewees who either attended or were in the vicinity of the Kawempe rally said that they were subjected to torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment by the police. They reported being beaten with batons pepper-sprayed in the mouth and tasered. They said they witnessed many others being subjected to similar treatment.
Peter*, who was arrested on his way home from work on 24 November, said he was held alongside others who were arrested during an opposition rally. They were held at Mulago police station for three days without access to their loved ones. Because of the torture he was subjected to, Peter lost a tooth, and his arm was broken. Amnesty International reviewed his medical reports that confirmed the broken arm.
Harrison, * who was also arrested in relation to the Kawempe rally, said the police accused them of “destabilizing the country.”
He described the torture or other ill treatment he endured: “They started pepper spraying us and pulled me out of the vehicle into a police truck… I found 20 comrades who had been beaten seriously. We were taken to Kawempe police station.”
Maria* said: “When they came to our vehicle, they tased us. They separated us and took me to another vehicle where they started beating me. They used a baton to beat me. One officer's baton broke, and he asked his colleague to give him another baton. Then they asked me ‘Do you still support Bobi Wine?' I said yes. Then they continued to beat me.”
“Ugandan authorities must commit to respecting, protecting, promoting and ensuring full respect for human rights before, during and after the elections,” said Tigere Chagutah. “They must immediately and unconditionally release anyone detained solely for attending opposition rallies or for their actual or perceived support for the NUP.”
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Amnesty International.Liberia advances implementation of amended International Health Regulations
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The Government of Liberia has taken a key step towards implementing the 2024 amendments to the International Health Regulations (2005) following the signing of a national declaration of commitment after a three-day national technical workshop held in Monrovia from 15–17 December 2025, with support from World Health Organization (WHO).
The workshop brought together 80 multisectoral experts from government institutions, partner organizations, academia and civil society to review the amended regulations and agree on national steps for domestication. The process concluded with the signing and endorsement of a national declaration outlining Liberia's commitment to implementing the amended International Health Regulations.
During the policy and domestication session on 18 December 2025, Dr Sia Wata Camanor, Chair of the One Health Technical Committee and Acting Director-General of the National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL), presented the agreed steps for domestication, including institutional arrangements and an implementation roadmap. These were formally endorsed by senior ministers and signed by His Excellency Jeremiah Kpan Koung, Vice President of the Republic of Liberia.
In his closing remarks, Vice President Koung, who also serves as Chair of the One Health Steering Committee, expressed appreciation for WHO's continued support and emphasized the importance of preparedness and coordinated leadership in addressing public health threats.
“Public health threats do not respect borders.Therefore, preparedness, coordination and decisive leadership are essential to protecting lives and development,” he said.
He noted that reaffirming Liberia's commitment to the International Health Regulations (2005), as amended in 2024, reflects national ownership of health security responsibilities and lessons learned from past and ongoing public health emergencies.
The vice president highlighted the designation of the Ministry of Health as the National International Health Regulations Authority and NPHIL as the National International Health Regulations focal point, noting that this clarification strengthens accountability and enables timely, high-level decision-making.
“This declaration reflects Liberia's resolve to align national laws and preparedness plans with the amended Regulations, strengthen multisectoral coordination through a One Health approach, and invest in surveillance, laboratory systems, workforce capacity and sustainable domestic financing,” he said.
Vice President Koung also underscored Liberia's decision not to opt out of the 2024 amendments, reaffirming the country's commitment to solidarity, transparency and shared responsibility, while ensuring that implementation remains guided by constitutional processes, national priorities and sovereign interests.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Dr Olushayo Oluseun Olu, WHO Representative to Liberia, commended the country's resilience in responding to recent health emergencies, including COVID-19, mpox and other emerging public health threats.
“The amendments adopted by the World Health Assembly were shaped by the real experiences of countries, including Liberia, over the past two decades,” Dr Olu said. “They respond to the need for clearer national authority, stronger coordination across government and faster, more decisive action when public health threats emerge.”
He added that Liberia's commitment to domesticating the amended International Health Regulations and strengthening coordination through a One Health approach demonstrates strong national ownership of its health security agenda.
Speaking on behalf of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), Dr Musa Abdullahi, Acting Country Director, said the key areas of the 2024 amendments to the International Health Regulations (2005) are aligned with Africa CDC's continental priorities.
“Africa CDC will support Liberia in strengthening its core capacities for preparedness and response,” Dr Abdullahi said.
Other speakers at the event included representatives from the Ministry of Labour, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Education, the Civil Service Agency, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning, as well as development partners, academia, civil society organizations and the media.
The International Health Regulations (2005), revised in 2024, are a legally binding global framework that guides 196 countries to prevent, detect and respond to public health risks that may spread internationally, while avoiding unnecessary interference with international travel and trade.
WHO continues to support Liberia through legal, policy and operational assistance, capacity-building and multisectoral collaboration. The amended International Health Regulations provide an opportunity for Liberia to strengthen disease surveillance, modernize emergency response systems, reinforce laboratory networks and advance implementation of the National Action Plan for Health Security, in line with national priorities.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Health Organization - Liberia.Gabon Strengthens Regional Energy Engagement as Oil and Gas Minister Joins Libya Energy & Economic Summit (LEES) 2026
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Sosthène Nguema Nguema, Minister of Oil and Gas, Gabon has been confirmed as a speaker at the upcoming Libya Energy & Economic Summit 2026 – taking place in Tripoli from January 24-26. The announcement highlights Gabon's ongoing efforts to attract international investment and advance strategic reforms in its oil and gas sector.
Minister Nguema assumed office in May 2025 and has since led a comprehensive modernization of Gabon's hydrocarbons framework. Under his leadership, the government is replacing the 2019 Hydrocarbons Code with separate oil and gas codes (https://apo-opa.co/4pW73cJ), aiming to enhance transparency, improve fiscal terms and provide legal clarity for investors. These reforms are design to unlock Gabon's deepwater and ultra-deepwater reserves, an underdeveloped segment of the country's energy portfolio.
Gabon currently produces approximately 200,000-228,000 barrels per day (bpd) of crude, with proven oil reserves estimated at 2 billion barrels and natural gas reserves at 26 billion cubic meters. In 2025, the country has seen major international re-entries, with bp and ExxonMobil signing MoUs (https://apo-opa.co/4qtT2CZ) to explore offshore oil and gas blocks. The state-owned Gabon Oil Company (GOC) has also expanded rapidly through strategic acquisitions, including Tullow Oil's Gabonese assets (https://apo-opa.co/49xcitD) and Assala Energy, raising national production to nearly 50,000 bpd under its portfolio.
Key gas projects under development in the country include the Cap Lopez LNG Terminal, a $2 billion investment by Perenco (https://apo-opa.co/3MW8oBU) featuring a floating LNG unit slated to begin production in 2026, and the Port-Gentil LNG facility, a $983 million joint venture with GOC. Gabon's broader energy strategy also encompasses renewable integration and electricity expansion, targeting 85% rural electrification by the end of 2025.
Gabon and Libya share a history of multilateral cooperation through OPEC and continental energy forums, and Minister Nguema's participation at LEES 2026 reinforces growing collaboration across the African oil and gas sector. Scheduled to join a high-level ministerial panel during this year's event, Minister Nguema is set to provide attendees with first-hand insights into Gabon's production optimization strategies, regulatory reforms, and investment opportunities, while also engaging in discussions on regional gas infrastructure and hybrid energy integration.
“We are honored to welcome Minister Sosthène Nguema Nguema to LEES 2026,” states James Chester, CEO, Energy Capital & Power. “His participation underscores Gabon's strategic role in Africa's evolving energy landscape and offers delegates a unique opportunity to engage directly with leadership driving regulatory reforms, deepwater exploration and gas monetization initiatives. Minister Nguema's insights will be invaluable for investors and stakeholders looking to partner in Gabon's growing hydrocarbon and energy sector.”
Join industry leaders at the Libya Energy & Economic Summit 2026 in Tripoli and explore investment opportunities in one of North Africa's most dynamic energy markets. LEES 2026 offers a premier platform for partnerships, innovation and sector growth. Visit www.LibyaSummit.com to secure your participation. To sponsor or participate as a delegate, please contact sales@energycapitalpower.com.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.Data Centers Could Be the Spark Africa’s Power Sector Needs (By NJ Ayuk)
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By NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman, African Energy Chamber (https://EnergyChamber.org/).
A quarter of the way into the 21st century, digital technology has infiltrated the daily lives of billions of people to an incredible degree across the globe — but not everywhere… yet. As digital penetration rapidly nears 100% in many parts of the world, the fastest-growing markets are in developing countries where even simple electricity is hardly an assured thing. Perhaps the greatest potential is in the African market, where penetration remains shallow and demand is skyrocketing. Simply put, there's nowhere to go but up.
Although electrification has been stubbornly slow to spread across the continent thus far, internet usage is expanding at extraordinary rates. The Global System Operators and Manufacturers Association's (GSMA) Mobile Economy Report 2023 estimated that smartphone adoption in sub-Saharan Africa would rise from 51% in 2022 to 87% in 2030, driven by rising youth populations and more competitive mobile pricing. The same report predicted a near-quadrupling of data usage per mobile by 2028, from 4.6 GB per user per month to 18 GB. Every one of those phones that loads a search engine, a shopping site, or a business app these days is adding to that computing load, and that's just the mobile sector. Advances in financial technology are creating new opportunities for African businesses to thrive, and artificial intelligence is fast invading every facet of the internet. Generative AI and machine learning applications consume up to 10 times more energy than traditional searches, making all that growth orders of magnitude more expensive.
So far, data centers in Europe have mostly been able to handle Africa's needs. As African businesses and consumers increasingly demand faster speeds and lower latency, however, the need is quickly growing for more localized computing infrastructure. As of mid-2025, Africa has 223 data centers spread across 38 countries — less than 0.02% of the world's total of more than 11,800. South Africa has the most with 56, followed by Kenya with 19 and Nigeria with 17, meaning 41% of Africa's data center infrastructure is currently concentrated in these three countries.
In “The State of African Energy: 2026 Outlook Report,” the African Energy Chamber (AEC) posits that development of cloud infrastructure in these key markets could serve as nuclei to accelerate growth across the continent. Growing concerns over data sovereignty are also spurring some nations to require that certain sensitive data stays in-country, further driving demand for local data centers. The African data center market was valued at USD3.49 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD6.81 billion by 2030, rising at a Compounded Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 11.79%.
As a rule, data centers require a substantial and reliable supply of electricity — something Africa is not currently known for, with many countries facing frequent outages. Nigeria is a prime example. The country's 17 data centers — the third most in Africa — collectively require around 137 MW of power capacity in 2025. Nigeria's power grid is notorious for providing only around four hours of power per day, forcing data center operators to make up the difference with diesel generators that raise costs and pollution levels. Even around the capital city of Lagos, where internet connectivity is highest and 14 of the data centers are concentrated, the grid is a constant source of uncertainty.
Overall, the AEC report states, Africa's data center power demand capacity is forecast to achieve a CAGR of 9% between 2024 and 2030 and hit 2 GW by 2030. The total data center capacity globally, by comparison, is forecast to log a CAGR of 11% between 2024 and 2030, reaching 249 GW by year-end 2030. Adding in the power needed for cooling and other ancillary loads, the global total installed capacity is estimated at 374 GW by 2030.
The relentless demand of data centers, however, functions as a great stabilizer for attracting socially responsible capital investment in the power infrastructure. Predictably growing demand assures investors that money spent on expanding grids and developing new power generation centers will both improve lives and pay off economically. The growth of data centers also often brings with it a push for innovative power solutions, including the integration of renewable energy sources and advanced grid management technologies. Upgraded grids improve sustainability, bolster resilience, and expand the residential and commercial customer base, spreading out fixed costs and thereby reducing end users' electricity prices over time.
In northern Africa, growing hubs such as Egypt and Morocco benefit from strategic positioning that connects Europe, Africa, and the Middle East to major internet backbone lines. Egypt offers affordable land and electricity prices, while Morocco is rapidly modernizing its infrastructure and fostering a favorable legal environment for data center growth.
Sub-Saharan Africa faces more challenges, but even here, many nations are stepping up efforts to meet the insatiable demand. In South Africa, the largest market, there is particularly strong demand for facilities around Johannesburg and Cape Town. Johannesburg benefits from a diversified mix of wholesale and retail demand and both international and local providers. South Africa is leading the continent in solar integration, with public-private projects like the 12 MW solar farm being developed by Africa Data Centres and Distributed Power Africa.
Kenya's grid is already over 60% renewable, including geothermal, solar, wind, and hydroelectric sources. The Naivasha geothermal zone, which supplies nearly half of the country's power, will host a planned 100 MW green data center, backed by a USD1 billion investment by Microsoft and G42. Such clean, non-intermittent power solutions give Kenya the ability to support data centers with both lower emissions and greater stability. The Kenyan government also offers tax incentives for investments in special economic zones, including a 10% corporate tax exemption for the first 10 years, and over 15% after 10 years.
Smaller countries are getting in on the game as well. Côte d'Ivoire (currently home to six data centers) launched its largest solar power plant in Boundiali in June 2023, delivering 37.5 MWp of capacity toward its national goal of sourcing 45% of its electricity from renewable energy by 2030. West Africa's largest wind project is the Taiba N'Diaye Wind Farm in Senegal (seven data centers), while Gabon (one data center) is actively developing hydropower and attracting investment in solar hybrid systems.
Not every country will be able to confront the growing digital demand equally. Data centers are notoriously water-hungry due to the need to cool off huge banks of closely packed computers. Nations with vast areas of desert and savannah can ill afford to have data centers compete for water with agriculture and may have to rely on their neighbors through the use of regional power pools as suggested in the AEC report. Others with fewer renewable energy prospects will likely focus on developing more conventional energy sources such as oil and gas, which many have in great abundance. Even those with strong renewable sectors would be wise to develop conventional energy to achieve the reliability that other parts of the world take for granted. The AEC has long advocated the flexibility of natural gas to serve as a bridge fuel, alleviating shortages with quick ramp-up and ramp-down when renewable supplies fluctuate.
Electrification in Africa is a multi-pronged issue with many obstacles on the path to modernization, but there is no doubt that there is a demand to be met. Building and provisioning local data centers is a powerful step toward solving some of government's most pressing problems in any nation: improving infrastructure, growing the economy, and strengthening national security.
"The State of African Energy: 2026 Outlook Report" is available for download. Visit https://apo-opa.co/48Y4qkH to request your copy.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.16 Days of Activism against gender-based violence: Five Bold Moves to end digital gender-based Violence — and unlock Africa’s digital promise (By Jemimah Njuki...
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By Jemimah Njuki , Director of the Women, Gender and Civil Society Department at the African Development Bank (www.AfDB.org) and Ndey Oley Cole, senior program manager.
The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence campaign is an international campaign led by the United Nations to challenge violence against women and girls. From 25 November - 10 December, this year's 16 Days campaign targets how to end digital violence against women and girls. African Development Bank Director for Women, Gender and Civil Society Jemimah Njuki and Senior Programme Officer Ndey Oley Cole share five bold moves to end digital gender-based violence and unlock Africa's digital promise.
Every day, countless African women and girls face harassment, threats, and abuse online — acts that silence their voices and limit their participation in the digital economy. In sub-Saharan Africa, 34 percent of young people aged between 18 and 24 experience online bullying, and according to UN Women 28 percent of women in sub-Saharan Africa had experienced online violence. These figures underscore that digital Gender-Based Violence is not an abstract problem — it is a pervasive barrier to equality, opportunity, and empowerment.
As Africa accelerates its digital transformation, we must ensure that safety and inclusion travel together. Ending digital gender-based violence is central to achieving inclusive growth, human dignity, and the promise of Africa's digital future. Here are five bold moves we can take to make online spaces safer and more empowering for women and girls.
1 Enact Comprehensive, Gender-Responsive Cyber Laws
Many African countries still lack laws that clearly define and criminalise digital forms of gender-based violence. Where legislation exists enforcement often falls short - and survivors frequently face limited protection. African governments must develop and enforce laws that recognise digital gender-based violence as a crime, ensure survivor-centred protections, and foster cross-border cooperation to tackle transnational digital abuse. Development partners, including the African Development Bank, are ready to support legal reforms through technical assistance and policy dialogue.
2 Embed Online Safety into Digital and National Development Strategies
Despite investments in broadband infrastructure and digital skills, many information and communications technology strategies overlook online safety — especially for women. Rwanda's National Cyber Security Policy shows how online safety can be integrated into national development agendas. Governments must mandate “safety by design,” fund public education on digital rights, and include digital safety in school curricula. Aligning investments in technology with secure, inclusive policies ensures that the digital economy benefits everyone.
3 Hold Tech Platforms Accountable
Tech platforms profit from African users yet often provide minimal culturally adapted content moderation, limited grievance mechanisms, and inadequate protections for women. The South Africa's Film and Publication Board Amendment Act offer benchmarks for transparency, accountability, and timely content removal. Africa needs a regional framework to set minimum safety standards, enforce content regulation, and create real-time grievance redress systems. Platforms must prioritize user safety as they expand across the continent.
4 Invest in Survivor-Led Innovation and Gender-Sensitive Digital Solutions
African women are not just victims — they are innovators creating tech-enabled solutions. Organizations such as Pollicy in Uganda and the Center for Information Technology and Development in Nigeria develop digital safety tools, train communities, and advocate for online rights. Targeted funding can amplify these efforts. For example, the African Development Bank's Korea Africa Economic Cooperation Trust Fund, in partnership with UN Women, is supporting a project in Côte d'Ivoire that empowers disadvantaged women and girls through education and digital technology, improving access to decent employment and entrepreneurial opportunities. Investing in survivor-led initiatives not only protects women but strengthens the ecosystem for innovation and social change.
5 Build a Pan-African Data System on Digital Gender-Based Violence
We cannot solve what we cannot measure. Currently, there is no standardised, continent-wide data on digital gender-based violence, and little disaggregated national data. UN Women's Women Count initiative shows how rigorous, gender-responsive data can drive policy change. Africa needs a continental strategy backed by ethical data collection, gender-disaggregated indicators, and open civil society access. The African Development Bank's Gender Data Portal (https://apo-opa.co/4aluszz), the Africa Gender Index Analytical Report (https://apo-opa.co/496KBqp), and capacity-building for national statistics offices are already making progress. Expanding these efforts ensures that policymakers and communities can respond effectively to the scope and trends of digital gender-based violence.
A Call to Action
Ending digital gender-based violence is achievable - but only if governments, tech platforms, funders, and citizens act decisively. Governments must adopt and enforce laws, embed online safety in national strategies, and invest in survivor-led initiatives. Tech platforms must prioritize user protection and accountability. Donors and development partners must fund Gender-responsive innovations. And we all must recognize that a safer digital Africa is not just a moral imperative — it is an economic and social one.
Africa's digital promise depends on women and girls being able to participate safely, freely, and confidently. By taking bold, coordinated action now, we can ensure that the next generation of African innovators and leaders thrives in a digital space that protects, empowers, and uplifts them.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB).African States urged to strengthen women’s rights protections amid rising anti-gender pushback
At the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights (ACHPR) 85th Ordinary Session, leading women's rights organisation Equality Now (www.EqualityNow.org) issued a stark warning: women and girls across Africa continue to suffer serious human rights violations due to state inaction.
Equality Now urges all African governments to urgently enact and implement comprehensive measures to fulfil their legal obligations to uphold women's and girls' rights, outlined in key regional human rights instruments, including the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights and the Protocol on the Rights of Women in Africa, widely known as the Maputo Protocol. Human rights lawyer Deborah Nyokabi delivered Equality Now's statement to the ACHPR (https://apo-opa.co/4pcnzEA), highlighting where states are falling short of their commitments.
Nyokabi pointed to weak legal safeguards against sexual violence, limited access to justice and support services, widespread impunity for perpetrators, and persistent failures to tackle sexual exploitation and trafficking. She also stressed how the lack of reproductive healthcare is a preventable crisis putting millions of women, girls, and babies at risk. Another concern is the rise of anti-gender rights movements seeking to dismantle legal protections and block progress.
Barriers to justice for sexual and gender-based violence survivors
Across Africa, survivors of sexual and gender-based violence continue to face formidable barriers to justice and support services, despite strong regional legal frameworks and progressive sexual violence laws in some jurisdictions.
Equality Now's report, Barriers to Justice: Rape in Africa, Law, Practice and Access to Justice (https://apo-opa.co/44zPoPx), revealed that while rape is one of Africa's most pervasive crimes, the majority of cases don't make it to court, and even fewer result in a conviction. Gaps in laws and weak enforcement, under-resourced judicial systems, limited political will, and pervasive victim-blaming and discrimination foster a culture of impunity that emboldens perpetrators.
African governments must address sexual violence in conflict
A high-profile case illustrating the weaponisation of sexual violence by state actors was shared by Ugandan lawyer, journalist, and activist Agather Atuhaire (https://apo-opa.co/3L3he01), who has spoken out about being raped and tortured in Tanzanian state custody after being arrested on her way to support political opposition leader Tundu Lissu, a critic of Tanzania's government.
Sudan's devastating war provides a harrowing example of how sexual violence increases during conflict. In 2025, the International Criminal Court spoke of rape being used as a weapon of war (https://apo-opa.co/4p4dJo5), and a UN Fact-Finding Mission reported large-scale ethnically targeted sexual violence (https://apo-opa.co/3L9Wd3L).
In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the Ministry of Health recorded 73,400 sexual violence cases (https://apo-opa.co/4s92RYW) between January and July 2025, a 16% increase from the previous period. Alarmingly, the actual number is likely far higher, as countless incidents go unreported due to stigma, fear, insecurity, and significant legal and logistical obstacles faced by survivors in conflict-affected areas.
In August 2025, a historic judgment by the ACHPR held the DRC accountable for widespread sexual violence (https://apo-opa.co/4pHRtRQ) in a case filed to obtain justice for survivors of atrocities committed by Congolese military personnel on January 1, 2011, in South Kivu, where over 50 women were raped and tortured, with some murdered. The ACHRP ruled the DRC had violated multiple provisions of the African Charter and Maputo Protocol, including the rights to life, health, dignity, and protection from torture. Crucially, it recognised the gendered nature of the crimes, setting a precedent.
Nyokabi highlighted concerns over the DRC's inaction following the ACHRP's ruling, urging the government to issue a formal public apology to survivors, implement comprehensive reparative measures, and prosecute perpetrators. Equality Now also calls for a robust follow-up to ensure compliance with the ACHPR's decision, including a hearing on the implementation status and reporting by the DRC within the mandated 180-day period.
In Kenya, 2025 marked a historic first: the Kenyan government paid compensation for conflict-related sexual violence (https://apo-opa.co/4q2QMmF) to four survivors of the 2007–2008 post-election unrest. While this represents a significant step toward accountability, it remains deeply inadequate as hundreds of survivors of post-election sexual violence have received no redress.
Sexual exploitation and human trafficking
Sexual exploitation and trafficking are pervasive across Africa, fuelled by poverty, conflict, climate change, displacement, and cross-border trafficking. Although legal instruments exist, enforcement is inconsistent, and better-coordinated regional action is urgently needed.
Governments must move from commitment to implementation by harmonising and strengthening anti-trafficking laws, ensuring reparations for survivors, and investing in specialised justice mechanisms and survivor-centred services.
Anti-gender rights movements in Africa
The rise of anti-gender rights movement (https://apo-opa.co/4rYXfQR) is jeopardising legal protections for women and girls and threatening to undo decades of legal progress, endangering the well-being of millions. These efforts are not occurring in isolation. Well-funded international networks are increasingly influencing, coordinating with, and empowering African actors who oppose gender equality.
At a regional convening in Kenya in June 2025, ultra-conservative campaigners from the US and Europe joined African counterparts to advance an agenda framed as “promoting and protecting the sanctity of life, family values, and religious freedom.” In practice, their regressive plan contests reproductive healthcare, comprehensive sexuality education, and LGBTQ+ rights.
Emerging from the convening is the ‘Draft African Charter on Family, Sovereignty and Values.' Composed without participation from women's rights organisations, this charter promotes a narrow model of the “traditional family” and womenhood rooted in rigid, hierarchical gender roles that discriminate against women, girls, and LGBTQ+ individuals. It disregards diversity in family structures and aims to eliminate essential protections for family life and marriage equality.
Anti-gender rights ideology ignores the reality documented in Equality Now's report, Gender Inequality in Family Laws in Africa (https://apo-opa.co/4p2i8aW), which identifies how family life for many women and girls is blighted by control, violence, discrimination, and marginalisation.
Anti-gender rights actors jeopardise efforts to end FGM
A troubling example of anti-gender rights activism is illustrated by a constitutional challenge submitted to The Gambia's Supreme Court, requesting the country's law banning FGM be overturned on the grounds that it violates Gambians' constitutional rights to cultural, traditional, and religious freedoms. This follows a failed attempt in 2024, when MPs rejected a bill to repeal anti-FGM legislation.
Those striving to end FGM reject assertions that the practice is cultural or religious, emphasising that no tradition or religion can justify violating the rights, health, and safety of women and girls.
A 2025 ECOWAS Court ruling found Sierra Leone liable for human rights violations due to its failure to criminalise FGM (https://apo-opa.co/4pLlcJS), which the Court said “meets the threshold of torture.” Despite this judgment, the government still hasn't banned the practice. In neighbouring Liberia, FGM remains legal and pervasive. However, a bill to permanently ban all harmful practices affecting girls and women, including FGM, is being considered by lawmakers.
Equality Now calls on every African government to fully enforce existing anti-FGM laws and swiftly introduce legislation where legal protections are lacking.
Africa's reproductive justice crisis
Africa remains the most dangerous place globally to give birth, accounting for 70% of maternal deaths worldwide (https://apo-opa.co/48Mqm28). Most are preventable, with child marriage, criminalisation of healthcare services, and unsafe abortion all contributing factors.
Despite regional commitments, national laws often contain contradictions that hinder access to reproductive healthcare. In countries such as Kenya and Nigeria, outdated and overlapping laws create fear among healthcare providers and discourage them from offering safe abortion services. In Tanzania and Uganda, restrictive laws and policy reservations on the Maputo Protocol block access to critical reproductive healthcare.
Equality Now requests that the ACHPR continue advocating for African Union Member States to harmonise national laws with the Maputo Protocol's Article 14, which specifies that women's right to sexual and reproductive health should be ensured.
Nyokabi concludes, “Africa's civil society urges ACHPR Member States to uphold their binding commitments. Legal equality is not optional. It is a prerequisite for lasting peace, development, and justice.”
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Equality Now.Notes to editors:
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ConstructAfrica Hosts its First Ambassador Town Hall, Marking a Milestone in Advancing Africa’s Construction Leadership
On Friday, 28 November 2025, ConstructAfrica (https://ConstructAfrica.com/) successfully convened its inaugural Ambassador Town Hall Meeting, bringing together a distinguished group of leaders from across Africa's construction, infrastructure, finance, legal, education, technology, and policy sectors. This historic gathering marks the formal introduction of the ConstructAfrica Ambassadors Programme, an initiative designed by the ConstructAfrica Industry Advisory Board (CIAB) to champion excellence, collaboration, and thought leadership across the continent's built-environment ecosystem.
The Town Hall set the foundation for a new pan-African community of experts committed to strengthening Africa's construction sector, one of the continent's most important engines of economic and social development.
A Milestone for Africa's Construction Future
The inaugural Town Hall highlighted both the significance of Africa's construction and infrastructure landscape and the urgent need for coordinated leadership. The sector (one of the fastest-growing globally) contributes up to 11% of GDP in key African markets, attracts trillions of dollars in pipeline investments, and serves as a catalyst for job creation, industrialisation, regional integration, and improved quality of life across the continent.
Against this backdrop, the Ambassadors Programme aims to mobilise 100 influential leaders by 2026 to help shape a more sustainable, investable, and globally competitive construction industry for Africa.
In introducing the ConstructAfrica Ambassadors Programme, Dr Nelson Ogunshakin OBE, Chair of ConstructAfrica Industry Advisory Board (CIAB), said, “We are delighted to have secured the commitment of highly qualified and enthusiastic corporate executives across the African continent to form the first cohort of the Ambassadors. The Ambassadors Programme brings together a carefully selected group of exceptional professionals and visionaries committed to advancing Africa's infrastructure transformation. The initiative will serve as a global think tank and collaborative network, elevating Africa's voice in development discourse and strengthening the flow of insights, innovations, and best practices across the sector. On behalf of the CIAB, I would like to welcome onboard our new ambassadors and look forward to collaborating with each member towards the successful delivery of future programme – strengthening the African construction sector.”
Demonstrating ConstructAfrica's Commitment to Excellence
The launch of the Town Hall and Ambassadors Programme signals ConstructAfrica's deepening commitment to supporting Africa's construction ecosystem with reliable market intelligence, strategic dialogue, and platforms for knowledge exchange.
Sharing his reflections on the significance of the programme, Dr. Segun Faniran, Founder and Publisher of ConstructAfrica, said: “The ConstructAfrica Ambassadors Programme brings together distinguished thought leaders from diverse fields across key sectors relevant to the African construction landscape. Through this initiative, we are building a powerful network of visionaries committed to advancing industry standards, fostering collaboration, and shaping the future of infrastructure development in Africa. The programme reflects ConstructAfrica's commitment to market intelligence, thought leadership, and sustainable growth, laying the foundation for a more connected and resilient continent.”
As a pan-African hub for data, insights, and thought leadership, ConstructAfrica remains dedicated to empowering investors, developers, policymakers, and practitioners to make informed decisions that lead to sustainable, impactful infrastructure delivery.
The Town Hall concluded with expressions of gratitude to the inaugural cohort of Ambassadors - leaders whose expertise and passion reflect ConstructAfrica's vision of building a stronger, more connected, and more resilient Africa.
LIST OF THE AMBASSADORS
|
S/N |
Name |
Role |
Area of Expertise |
Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
Jumoke Ogundare |
Chief Executive Officer, Lagos Lagoon Highways Limited |
Developer & Investor |
Nigeria |
|
2 |
Hakeem Ogunniran |
Chair, Eximia Realty |
Housing Development |
Nigeria |
|
3 |
Grace Bema |
Managing Director, BCHOD Consulting Engineers |
Design Engineering |
Zimbabwe |
|
4 |
Rob Morson |
Partner, Pinsent Masons |
Legal / Solicitors |
South Africa |
|
5 |
Tunde Fagbemi |
Chair, Dukia Gold |
Aviation & Mining |
Nigeria |
|
6 |
Eddie Andrews |
Deputy Mayor of Cape Town |
Government |
South Africa |
|
7 |
Colette Yende |
Chief Procurement Officer, Transnet Engineering |
Procurement |
South Africa |
|
8 |
Bruce Mutaurwa |
Chief Executive Officer, Rapidus Engineering |
Civil Engineering |
South Africa |
|
9 |
Nkgatho Tlale |
Deputy Vice Chancellor, Tshwane University of Technology |
Engineering / Academic Leadership |
South Africa |
|
10 |
Mqhele Dlodlo |
Vice Chancellor, NUST, Zimbabwe |
Engineering / Academic Leadership |
Zimbabwe |
|
11 |
Vibhuti Jain |
MD, Regional Head of Africa, DFC |
Infrastructure Finance |
South Africa |
|
12 |
Denamo Addisie |
Professor, Addis Ababa University |
Construction Project Management |
Ethiopia |
|
13 |
Sophonias Deneke |
Director, Amigos Institute |
Construction Technology |
Ethiopia |
|
14 |
Wubishet Jekale Menegsha |
Director, Jekale CM Consultancy |
Construction |
Ethiopia |
|
15 |
Shiferaw Alemu |
Program Director, Ethiopian Aviation |
Infrastructure Development |
Ethiopia |
|
16 |
Refilwe S. Buthelezi |
President, Federation of African Engineering Organisations (FAEO) |
Engineering Leadership |
South Africa |
|
17 |
Kazawedi Papias |
Managing Director, TASK Africa |
Engineering Leadership |
Tanzania |
|
18 |
James Afolalu |
Program Manager (Data), Cognizant |
Infrastructure Asset Management; IT |
Nigeria |
|
19 |
Alfie Chimedza |
Director, Programme Advisory, Gleeds |
Infrastructure Advisory |
Zimbabwe |
|
20 |
Yusuf Abdi |
Construction Engineer, Cullen, Grummitt & Roe |
Construction Engineering |
Somalia |
|
21 |
Bwalya Lumbwe |
Construction Dispute Expert, Incipio, Zambia |
Construction Law; FIDIC |
Zambia |
|
22 |
Derrick Nkera |
Director, Turner & Townsend, Rwanda |
Cost Management; Construction Consulting; East Africa |
Rwanda |
|
23 |
Lanre Lawale |
Group Leader, Technical Specialist Services – India, Middle East and Africa, Arup |
Façade Engineering |
Nigeria |
|
24 |
Wale Okubadejo |
Managing Partner, OAC Architects |
Architecture |
Nigeria |
|
25 |
Igbuan Okaisobor |
Chief Executive Officer, Construction Kaiser |
Construction Business |
Nigeria |
|
26 |
Claire Barclay |
Partner, Pinsent Masons |
Construction Law; Infrastructure Project Planning; Finance Structuring; Risk Management |
South Africa |
|
27 |
Theophilus Shittu |
UNESCO Chair in Earthen Architecture, Building Cultures, and Sustainable Development |
Sustainable Architecture; Urbanism; Architectural Technology; Construction Technology; Construction Management |
Nigeria |
|
28 |
Ronald Mbiu |
Consultant Quantity Surveyor & Construction Project Manager, Endelevu Designs, Kenya |
Sustainable Design & Construction Services |
Kenya |
|
29 |
Charles Malek |
Global Director, Structural & Bridge Engineering, Dar Al Handasah (DAR) |
Bridge Engineering; Building Structures; 3D Printing |
(based in Lebanon) |
|
30 |
Hussein Mohammed |
Professor of Civil Engineering, Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria |
Engineering Materials; Operational & Performance Evaluation of Engineering Structures |
Nigeria |
|
31 |
Aramide Adeyoye |
Chief Executive Officer, ABM Infrastructure Advisory |
Infrastructure Planning; Engineering Procurement & Construction |
Nigeria |
|
32 |
Katelula Kaswaga |
Bridge Engineer, Yoosh |
Bridge Engineering |
Tanzania |
|
33 |
Vishal Haripersad |
Managing Director, Knight Piésold Southern Africa |
Engineering (Mining & Infrastructure) |
South Africa |
|
34 |
Rizwan Qadri |
Managing Director, Riz Consulting Services Limited |
Infrastructure & Consulting |
Tanzania |
|
35 |
Brighton Mapfumo |
Project Manager, Seychelles Infrastructure Agency |
Project Management & Quantity Surveying |
Seychelles |
|
36 |
Charles Gavamukulya |
Managing Director (Contracts and Commercial Lead), CG Engineering Consults |
Construction Law & Dispute Resolution |
Uganda |
|
37 |
Concepter Ouma |
Quantity Surveyor |
Quantity Surveying |
Kenya |
|
38 |
John Beecroft |
Chief Executive Officer, Tetramanor |
Finance; Contracting |
Nigeria |
|
39 |
Effie Mpakati-Gama |
Vice-Chancellow, University of Hebron, Malawi; Consultant, Sustainable Construction, Malawi |
Sustainability; Green Construction |
Malawi |
|
40 |
Marzia Traverso |
Professor of Sustainability in Civil Engineering; Co-founder, Circular SRL |
Sustainability; Green Construction |
(based in Germany) |
|
41 |
Kahilu Kajimo-Shakantu |
Department Head, Quantity Survey & Construction Management, University of the Free State |
Construction |
South Africa |
|
42 |
Abimbola Windapo |
Deputy Dean, University of Cape Town |
Construction |
South Africa / Nigeria |
|
43 |
Olusegun Ijalana |
Senior Architect / Project Manager, Seychelles Infrastructure Agency |
Architecture |
Nigeria / Seychelles |
|
44 |
Marde van Wyk |
Private Markets Principal Consultant, 27four |
Finance |
South Africa |
|
45 |
Elton Zingwevu |
Chief Executive Officer, Excellentia Training Solutions |
Insurance |
South Africa |
|
46 |
Femi Edun |
Director, Frontier Capital Ltd |
Project Structuring |
Nigeria |
|
47 |
Halima Kyari |
Director, Access Bank PLC |
Risk Management |
Nigeria |
For inquiries, contact:
hello@constructafrica.com
About ConstructAfrica:
ConstructAfrica is the premier pan-African platform delivering actionable market intelligence, real-time project insights, and thought-leadership across the continent's construction and infrastructure sectors. Through its editorial content, data products, webinars, events, and advisory engagements, ConstructAfrica supports stakeholders in navigating Africa's dynamic built-environment landscape.
For more information, visit https://ConstructAfrica.com/
Senegal’s Energy, Petroleum & Mines Minister Announces MSGBC Oil, Gas & Power 2026
Birame Soulèye Diop, Minister of Energy, Petroleum & Mines of Senegal, announced that the next MSGBC Oil, Gas & Power Conference and Exhibition will take place from December 1-3, 2026, in Dakar, Senegal. The announcement was made during a fireside chat at the 2025 edition of the event, with Minister Diop underscoring the need to continue investing in regional energy.
“MSGBC Oil, Gas & Power 2026 will build on the success of this year's event and provide a platform to accelerate investment and regional collaboration in the energy sector,” said Minister Diop. “We invite investors, partners and stakeholders to join us in shaping the future of energy in the MSGBC region.”
During the discussion, Minister Diop also highlighted the importance of local content and national capacity in developing Senegal's energy sector.
“Local content must be understood as both a legal and economic foundation - a legal entity capable of participating in commercial activity and contributing expertise,” he said. “It also refers to individual human resources: financial experts, geological engineers, petrochemical and electromechanical specialists - the backbone of national capacity.”
The Minister also spoke about the role of the national private sector in nation-building. “Our states are right to affirm that nation-building relies on developing a strong national private sector. We are not exclusivist; we do not exclude anyone,” he said. “When we invite partners, we ask them to show openness and the willingness to transfer skills and share knowledge.”
On the topic of domestic gas usage and energy access, Minister Diop emphasized the urgent need to provide affordable, clean energy. “Everyone knows that in Africa, clean cooking methods are still far from widespread. In remote villages, women still cook with firewood, while children rely on kerosene lanterns to study,” Minister Diop said. “Gas must be a transition energy for achieving universal energy access. If all African gas-producing countries used their full capacity, their contribution to greenhouse gas emissions would be only 0.5%.”
Minister Diop also called for regional collaboration to leverage Africa's comparative advantages. “We must build together around shared interests: electricity through West African Power Pool, gas through the Nigeria–Morocco pipeline and other strategic corridors. No one can dictate our path; we will build our projects, like Yakaar-Teranga, with Senegalese priorities first,” he said.
Minister Diop concluded by underlining the vision for long-term sustainable development, stating that “the future of Senegal's energy sector depends on strong local content, strategic partnerships and regional cooperation. We are building our continent's energy future together.”
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.The Government of Angola Launches an International Public Tender for the Management of the Namibe Corridor
The Ministry of Transport of The Republic of Angola (www.MinTrans.gov.ao) has today launched, 5th December, the Public Tender for the Concession of the Right to Operate, Manage and Maintain the Namibe Corridor. Interested entities may submit their proposals until 4 May 2026.
The concession, with an initial duration of 30 years, extendable up to 50 years, covers the operation, management, maintenance and preservation of the Moçâmedes–Menongue Railway Line, including rolling stock, associated infrastructure, workshops and the training centre. It further encompasses the possibility of designing and constructing new sections, extensions and branch lines, as well as railway connections to the Republic of Namibia and, at a later stage, to the Republic of Zambia.
The Secretary of State for Land Transport, Jorge Bengue, noted at the launch event that the process constitutes a strategic opportunity for international operators with a proven track record in the railway sector. “The Namibe Corridor has the potential to strengthen Angola's role as a regional logistics platform, enhance supply chains, foster new investments, and increase the competitiveness of exports. We anticipate a dynamic tender process with strong participation from established industry operators,” he stated.
Jorge Bengue further emphasised that Angola has carried out structural reforms in recent years that have strengthened legal certainty and created a more competitive business environment. The success of the concession of the Lobito Corridor has demonstrated the country's capacity to implement partnership models that stimulate private investment and accelerate the modernization of transport infrastructure.
Individual companies or consortiums of competitors with proven experience in the management of railway infrastructure and freight operations are eligible to apply. The detailed technical and financial requirements are set out in the tender documents, which are available for a fee of USD 20,000, or the equivalent in kwanzas at the exchange rate of the National Bank of Angola at the time of the transaction.
The Namibe Corridor encompasses the Moçâmedes Railway, with a total length of 855 km, and the Port of Namibe, forming a strategic logistics axis for the export of minerals, ornamental stones, agricultural products, and other goods. The infrastructure allows for a theoretical capacity of up to 5 million tonnes per year, serving as a connection point for landlocked countries in the region, in coordination with the Lobito and Walvis Bay corridors.
This corridor also contributes to tourism development and regional integration, strengthening Angola's position in Atlantic–Indian trade routes and consolidating the country as a significant commercial hub within the African context.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Transport of Angola.Major Global Players Set to Join MSGBC Upstream Market as Nations Eye Future Discoveries
Several international energy companies are expected to join the MSGBC region's upstream market in the coming months, as operators target exploration opportunities in The Gambia, Guinea-Bissau and Guinea-Conakry. Speaking at the MSGBC Oil, Gas & Power 2025 conference this week, Ben Sayers, Partner & Energy Specialist, GeoPartners, explained that the south of the MSGBC region has not yet heralded a major discovery, but expected forays by international companies could potentially turn this trend around.
“We are seeing a very different position in the north of MSGBC and the south. In the north, we have production onstream in Senegal and Mauritania. In the south, countries still need to drill to find that oil. We have seen Chevron joining Guinea-Bissau which is fantastic for the south part of the basin. We could see similar things in The Gambia, with two to three big companies expected to join. Companies are also linking up to work with Guinea-Conakry,” Sayers said.
These developments align with a broader trend by regional nations to incentivize upstream investment. In addition to opportunities in the south of the MSGBC basin, Paul Freeman, Global Exploration Advisor, SLB, highlighted opportunities in deeper acreage across the region. He explained that “We know the geology is good and there are the right kind of play types. Once you go below 1,000 m, there is very little exploration. But recent discoveries in Namibia show that certain play types and source rocks work better the deeper you go. There is a vast area in the MSGBC basin in the ultra-deepwater that still has potential to be unlocked.”
Against a backdrop of record-breaking production and major investments, the MSGBC region is positioning itself as the next major exploration hub. From improved fiscal terms to bold exploration campaigns and new block opportunities, regional nations are looking to attract fresh capital in upstream projects.
“I used to say that the MSGBC is a world-class petroleum system; but I was wrong, it is a super world-class petroleum basin. We now have solid drilling evidence proving that we have multiple source rocks. We have Permian source rocks, source rocks in the Jurassic and cretaceous. Seismic does not find oil and gas. While seismic is a requirement, drilling finds oil and gas,” stated Rogers Beall, Executive Chairman, Africa Fortesa Corporation.
Senegal is currently seeking partners to develop its Yakaar-Teranga gas project while Mauritania is looking to advance its BirAllah development. To attract partners in these projects - as well as other exploration initiatives - Alioune Guèye, CEO, Petrosen Holding, underscores the role of national oil companies (NOC).
He explained that “the basin is attractive enough in terms of geology. Now the question is, why haven't we attracted more players into the basin? I believe that there are steps in attracting big players. One of the first steps is for NOCs to do some volarization and preliminary work. Companies like Petrosen need to step up their game and do that work to de-risk [the basin] and ensure that we can attract those players to invest.”
Mauritania is strengthening its regulation under efforts to attract partners to projects such as BirAllah. Chemsdine Sow Deina, Director General of Petroleum and Low Carbon Hydrogen, Ministry of Energy and Petroleum, Mauritania, explained that “We have recently established some improvements to the regulations, including terms associated with cost recovery. We have a better investment code and a new local content code. The legal framework is based on best practices worldwide. The win-win partnership is our strategy.”
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.
