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Southern Africa

Block 3B/4B clears its appeals as TotalEnergies presses for the rest of the Orange Basin

24th October, 2026 · Updated: 21st October, 2026

Three Zambia solar plants totalling 320MW are due before the year ends

Zambia’s Ministry of Energy expects to commission 320MW of solar before the end of 2026, the largest share from a 120MW plant in Mumbwa. Bob Sianjalika, its Principal Public Relations Officer, told ZANIS that applications from independent power producers are still arriving, some with ZESCO power purchase agreements signed.

In Tallasse, groundnut oil presses run on solar after 17 years without power

A 1MW solar mini-grid with 2.4MWh of battery storage now serves 6,028 connections in Tallasse, Gombe State, ending what the Ministry of Power describes as a 17-year blackout. The REA has also started building a 16MW network of four interconnected mini-grids across the state.

How many hours of power does a hospital need? DRC evidence says 22

Health facilities in three provinces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo with power sufficient to run everything they needed, available for at least 22 hours a day, had inpatient mortality about 41% lower than those without, according to a study of 303 facilities in PNAS. Its authors want reliability targets tied to patient outcomes.

Nigeria NOW! 19 – 20 November 2026

Zimbabwe-Zambia Energy Projects Summit 3 – 5 November 2026

Southern Africa

Block 3B/4B clears its appeals as TotalEnergies presses for the rest of the Orange Basin

South Africa’s environment minister has dismissed all appeals against exploration in TotalEnergies-operated Block 3B/4B, clearing the way for up to five wells off the West Coast. Two days later in Cape Town, Magali Pailhé of TotalEnergies EP South Africa asked government to resolve the appeals still holding back its other blocks.

Three Zambia solar plants totalling 320MW are due before the year ends

Zambia’s Ministry of Energy expects to commission 320MW of solar before the end of 2026, the largest share from a 120MW plant in Mumbwa. Bob Sianjalika, its Principal Public Relations Officer, told ZANIS that applications from independent power producers are still arriving, some with ZESCO power purchase agreements signed.

In Tallasse, groundnut oil presses run on solar after 17 years without power

A 1MW solar mini-grid with 2.4MWh of battery storage now serves 6,028 connections in Tallasse, Gombe State, ending what the Ministry of Power describes as a 17-year blackout. The REA has also started building a 16MW network of four interconnected mini-grids across the state.

How many hours of power does a hospital need? DRC evidence says 22

Health facilities in three provinces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo with power sufficient to run everything they needed, available for at least 22 hours a day, had inpatient mortality about 41% lower than those without, according to a study of 303 facilities in PNAS. Its authors want reliability targets tied to patient outcomes.

Renewable Energy

Tunisia’s 2027 budget opens 1,100MW of solar and wind to foreign investors

Tunisia’s 2027 Finance Bill sets out 1,600MW of new solar, wind, and storage capacity to raise renewable electricity generation from 12% to 16%. International investors will bid for 1,100MW under concession and licensing rounds, anchored by a 300MW solar and battery plant in Kebili, alongside 500MW of self-generation.

EBRD arranges $265m for Egypt’s 1.2GW Nefer Menya solar and storage plant

The EBRD has arranged a syndicated loan of up to $265m for Nefer Menya, the 1.2GW solar plant with 600MWh of battery storage that Infinity Power and HAU Energy are developing in Minya. It forms part of a debt package of up to $566m, with the power sold under a 25-year PPA.

EXCLUSIVE: IFC’s Marième Travaly on turning Nigeria’s infrastructure deals into investable markets

IFC Nigeria infrastructure priorities from Marieme Travaly, from DARES and power distribution to local-currency finance through InfraCredit, and what makes gas bankable.

“The power hub”: Mozambique’s ENH plans $250m of gas links into ROMPCO

Mozambique’s state oil company ENH is courting South African investment for a $250m project to bring regasified gas into the ROMPCO pipeline through floating units at Inhassoro and Beira. Chief executive Rudencio Morais told Reuters he wants the infrastructure ready by 2030 or 2031.

Mining & Minerals

Guinea builds alumina refineries on a grid of about 1,000MW

Three alumina refineries are under construction in Guinea and the government wants five by 2030, Daouda Diakite told African Mining Week in Cape Town. The country generates about 1,000MW, mostly from hydro, and says industrialisation will need 5,000MW to 10,000MW. Investors and governments across the continent are now weighing that gap.

EXCLUSIVE: The mine is becoming Southern Africa’s anchor power buyer

Vincenzia Leitich, Executive Vice President for Power and Renewables Client Coverage at Standard Bank Corporate and Investment Banking, tells ENN what a lender needs before a mine can anchor a power project in Zambia or Zimbabwe, and what would make a cross-border power purchase agreement bankable today.

Zimbabwe-Zambia Energy Projects Summit 3 – 5 November 2026

Nigeria NOW! 19 – 20 November 2026

Play daily puzzles on ENN 1 January – 31 December 2026

Africa Energy Forum (aef) 2026 Opening Ceremony

Africa Energy Forum (aef) 2026 Opening Ceremony

Youth Energy Summit (YES!) Opening Ceremony 2026

Youth Energy Summit (YES!) Opening Ceremony 2026

Sarah Lane, Denham Capital | West Africa Energy Cooperation Summit (WAECS) 2025

Sarah Lane, Denham Capital | West Africa Energy Cooperation Summit (WAECS) 2025

Eunice Biritwum, Energy Commission | West Africa Energy Cooperation Summit (WAECS) 2025

Eunice Biritwum, Energy Commission | West Africa Energy Cooperation Summit (WAECS) 2025

Carl Tricoli, Managing Partner, Denham Capital | Powering Africa Summit 2026

Carl Tricoli, Managing Partner, Denham Capital | Powering Africa Summit 2026

Adam Cortese, CEO, Sun Africa | Powering Africa Summit 2026

Adam Cortese, CEO, Sun Africa | Powering Africa Summit 2026

What Will It Take to Finance Africa’s Industrial Future?

Can Zambia Build Power Fast Enough for Its Next Wave of Industrial Growth?

Are Africa’s Frontier Markets Being Mispriced by Investors?

Can Private Power Markets Solve Africa’s Industrial Energy Challenge?

All the latest articles

Southern Africa

Block 3B/4B clears its appeals as TotalEnergies presses for the rest of the Orange Basin

South Africa’s environment minister has dismissed all appeals against exploration in TotalEnergies-operated Block 3B/4B, clearing the way for up to five wells off the West Coast. Two days later in Cape Town, Magali Pailhé of TotalEnergies EP South Africa asked government to resolve the appeals still holding back its other blocks.

Three Zambia solar plants totalling 320MW are due before the year ends

Zambia’s Ministry of Energy expects to commission 320MW of solar before the end of 2026, the largest share from a 120MW plant in Mumbwa. Bob Sianjalika, its Principal Public Relations Officer, told ZANIS that applications from independent power producers are still arriving, some with ZESCO power purchase agreements signed.

In Tallasse, groundnut oil presses run on solar after 17 years without power

A 1MW solar mini-grid with 2.4MWh of battery storage now serves 6,028 connections in Tallasse, Gombe State, ending what the Ministry of Power describes as a 17-year blackout. The REA has also started building a 16MW network of four interconnected mini-grids across the state.

How many hours of power does a hospital need? DRC evidence says 22

Health facilities in three provinces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo with power sufficient to run everything they needed, available for at least 22 hours a day, had inpatient mortality about 41% lower than those without, according to a study of 303 facilities in PNAS. Its authors want reliability targets tied to patient outcomes.

Renewable Energy

Tunisia’s 2027 budget opens 1,100MW of solar and wind to foreign investors

Tunisia’s 2027 Finance Bill sets out 1,600MW of new solar, wind, and storage capacity to raise renewable electricity generation from 12% to 16%. International investors will bid for 1,100MW under concession and licensing rounds, anchored by a 300MW solar and battery plant in Kebili, alongside 500MW of self-generation.

EBRD arranges $265m for Egypt’s 1.2GW Nefer Menya solar and storage plant

The EBRD has arranged a syndicated loan of up to $265m for Nefer Menya, the 1.2GW solar plant with 600MWh of battery storage that Infinity Power and HAU Energy are developing in Minya. It forms part of a debt package of up to $566m, with the power sold under a 25-year PPA.

EXCLUSIVE: IFC’s Marième Travaly on turning Nigeria’s infrastructure deals into investable markets

IFC Nigeria infrastructure priorities from Marieme Travaly, from DARES and power distribution to local-currency finance through InfraCredit, and what makes gas bankable.

“The power hub”: Mozambique’s ENH plans $250m of gas links into ROMPCO

Mozambique’s state oil company ENH is courting South African investment for a $250m project to bring regasified gas into the ROMPCO pipeline through floating units at Inhassoro and Beira. Chief executive Rudencio Morais told Reuters he wants the infrastructure ready by 2030 or 2031.

Zimbabwe-Zambia Energy Projects Summit 3 – 5 November 2026

Nigeria NOW! 19 – 20 November 2026

Play daily puzzles on ENN 1 January – 31 December 2026