News

EXCLUSIVE: Off-grid solar’s decade of data wins over local banks

Off-grid solar spent nearly a decade building the audited, standardised performance data investors needed, and in 2025 eighteen new investors arrived, local banks among them. Speaking to ENN ahead of the Global Off-Grid Solar Forum in Kigali, Laura Fortes, Finance and Investment Associate Director at GOGLA, says these deals are the first examples of a pipeline she expects to keep growing.

Lion Thorn Solar Park breaks ground with 49MW contracted to PPC and POWERX

Yellow Door Energy has started building the 49MWp Lion Thorn Solar Park at Leeudoringstad in North West, with PowerChina as EPC contractor and Nedbank CIB as lender. It is the company’s second solar park in the town contracted to wheel power to the cement producer PPC and the licensed trader POWERX.

Lobito refinery stakes: who joins Zambia in Angola’s 200,000-barrel plant?

Angola wants Southern African governments to help finance the 200,000 barrel-a-day Lobito refinery, due to produce its first fuel in December 2027. Zambia has committed to a 26% stake and Botswana has been offered equity. Sonangol says it will keep at least 51% as it looks for $4.8bn to fund the next phase.

Renewable Energy

Infinity Power’s 1.2 million AIKO modules head for three South African plants

AIKO will supply the solar modules for three Infinity Power projects in South Africa totalling 773.5MWp, all awarded in the seventh bid window of the country’s renewable energy procurement programme. It is the companies’ third collaboration in Africa after two in Egypt, and takes their joint portfolio past 2GWp.

EXCLUSIVE: The energy sector needs lawyers too, says YSDN’s Damilola Hamid Balogun

Damilola Hamid Balogun founded the Youth Sustainable Development Network. Speaking to ENN ahead of YES! Nigeria, he argues that Africa's energy transition will be built as much by lawyers, policy specialists and communicators as by engineers, and that the pipeline into the sector is narrower than it needs to be.

Renewable Energy

Eskom Green seeks partners for up to 6GW of renewables and storage

Eskom has opened a request for qualification to find co-development and co-investment partners for up to 6GW of renewable generation and battery storage, the first phase of its new utility-scale renewables business. Eskom Green, being incorporated as a wholly owned subsidiary, will contribute at least 2GW of solar and 1GW of batteries.

EACOP pipeline to take crude by December as first oil moves to 2027

The 1,443km East African Crude Oil Pipeline will be ready to receive crude by mid-December, Ugandan officials say, with first commercial oil from the Tilenga and Kingfisher fields now expected before the end of June 2027. The Petroleum Authority of Uganda links the change to disrupted equipment shipments from the Middle East.

UK clean energy funding brings solar cold storage to Nigeria’s fish and meat markets

More than £2m from the UK's ZE-Gen Scale-up Fund will back ten projects in eight African countries designed to cut reliance on diesel generators. In Nigeria, Farm Warehouse will install 100 solar-powered cold storage systems in major markets, and KAMIM Technologies will build four solar-powered agricultural hubs.

Zambia solar capacity passes 1,000MW as Kudu’s 200MW finds a buyer

Zambia has reached its 2026 target of 1,000MW of solar, with 1,027MW now installed, the government told the Energy Forum for Africa in Lusaka. At the same forum, Axian signed a power purchase agreement with Africa GreenCo for the 200MW Kudu plant, whose output will be sold across the Southern African Power Pool.

Tech & Power Generation

A 370MW pilot is being prepared to test Zimbabwe’s competitive procurement

Zimbabwe is replacing unsolicited power project bids with competitive tendering, and the framework behind it is being built with World Bank technical assistance covering transaction advisers, model bidding documents and a pilot procurement of around 370MW across the Ministry, ZETDC and the regulator.

Liberia Offshore Exploration Licensing Blocks Open for Direct Negotiation

The Liberia Petroleum Regulatory Authority has finalised the technical marketing architecture for its 2026 offshore licensing round, offering global explorers a dense subsurface data package across the Liberia and Harper basins ahead of the upcoming infrastructure deal rooms in Cape Town.

DFC equity investing in Africa to expand, with critical minerals in the pipeline

The US International Development Finance Corporation will make more direct equity investments in Africa, including in critical minerals, its regional managing director for Africa, Vibhuti Jain, has told Reuters. The DFC already has more than $14bn committed across the continent, with over $3bn of it in critical minerals.

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

Energy news

EXCLUSIVE: Renewable energy has become industrial policy

Vincenzia Leitich is Executive Vice President for Power and Renewables, Client Coverage at Standard Bank. Across two episodes of the Let's Talk Energy Podcast she told ENN how open access has turned mining into an anchor customer for African renewables, and why transmission rather than capital is now the binding constraint.

Clean cooking commitments pass $3.1 billion as a supply shock reaches the kitchen

New pledges of $900 million were announced on 9 July at a virtual meeting of the co-chairs, after the Nairobi summit was postponed. A new programme responds to Strait of Hormuz disruption that the IEA says affected 30 per cent of globally traded LPG.

Seriti Green signs a further R10 billion as Ummbila Emoyeni starts commercial supply

President Cyril Ramaphosa officiates at Bethal in Mpumalanga today as the first 155MW phase of Ummbila Emoyeni begins commercial supply. Standard Bank and RMB financed the R4.8 billion phase, the opening stage of a build planned to pass 900MW across seven phases.

Mining & Minerals

Sierra Leone critical minerals strategy sets the terms for processing at home

Freetown launched a five-year plan in May covering lithium, graphite, cobalt and rare earths, as mineral exports climbed to $1.3 billion. Julius Daniel Mattai, who chairs the African Diamond Producers Association this year, wants African governments negotiating as a bloc rather than one at a time.

A quarter of Rwandan households get their electricity without touching the grid

Off-grid systems accounted for 25 per cent of national connectivity against 59.6 per cent on the grid, according to Rwanda Energy Group. A results-based programme backed by the African Development Bank and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank now stands at $300 million.

ENN Book Club: The Black History Month Edit

In October, Black History Month is celebrated in the United Kingdom, and in February, it is celebrated in the United States. Black History is not confined to a single month: it encompasses the past, present, and future, shaping the world we live in today. Through literature, stories, and lived experiences, we gain insight into resilience, creativity, and the pursuit of justice. In this […]

Schneider Electric – the Future is Digital

Ifeanyi Odoh, Country President East Africa, Schneider Electric, spoke to EnergyNet about the new energy landscape, sustainability, the significance of data centres for East Africa, and the importance of digital infrastructure in powering the future. What is the New Energy Landscape, and what does it mean for sustainability? The New Energy Landscape is a new […]

TAQA Arabia – Pioneering CNG Solutions for East Africa

EnergyNet spoke with Adly Kafafy, Vice President Africa & New Ventures, TAQA Arabia, to find out about Tanzania’s first integrated CNG filling station and conversion centre, the country’s new LNG Virtual Pipeline, and the role of natural gas for the future. You have launched Tanzania’s first integrated compressed natural gas (CNG) filling station and conversion […]

EXCLUSIVE: The energy sector needs lawyers too, says YSDN’s Damilola Hamid Balogun

Damilola Hamid Balogun founded the Youth Sustainable Development Network. Speaking to ENN ahead of YES! Nigeria, he argues that Africa's energy transition will be built as much by lawyers, policy specialists and communicators as by engineers, and that the pipeline into the sector is narrower than it needs to be.

Nigeria licensing round opens with 40 blocks and a call for “the best bids”

The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission has opened its 2026 licensing round with 40 blocks onshore and offshore. Announcing it at the commission's fifth anniversary in Abuja, Commission Chief Executive Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan declared that the wait was over. Under rules adopted for this round, every bidder must disclose its beneficial owners.

Transmission & Distribution

Kano-Katsina 330kV line advances with its transformers already waiting on site

Nigeria's transmission company is building a 330kV substation close to the Katsina Steel Rolling Company, at the end of a Kano line it calls the largest of its kind in the country. Minister of Power Joseph Tegbe has named the Chinese contractors lined up behind the Presidential Power Initiative and the Zungeru evacuation project.

Nigeria PMI reaches 56.4, the strongest reading since February 2022

Nigeria's private sector expanded at its fastest pace in more than four and a half years in September, with the Stanbic IBTC Bank PMI rising to 56.4 from 54.3. New orders and output grew at their quickest since February 2022, while fuel costs pushed purchase prices to a three-month high.

Mining & Minerals

U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright says clean cooking is a major focus of Africa policy for the Trump administration

Washington DC | 19, March, 2026 — U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright confirmed a major Africa policy focus: partnering with African governments to create the right conditions to solve the delivery challenges associated with clean cooking across the continent. Secretary Wright told the Powering Africa Summit (PAS) 2026 in Washington D.C. on Thursday: “This […]

Mining & Minerals

Guinea and United States Strengthen Energy Partnership During Powering Africa Summit

Washington, D.C., March 19, 2026 — The Minister of Energy of the Republic of Guinea, Mr. Laye-Sékou Camara, expressed his sincere appreciation to the Government of the United States and senior members of the U.S. Administration for their continued engagement and support for Guinea’s development priorities. Minister Camara emphasized that Guinea attaches great importance to the strengthening […]

Sun Africa, EXIM and African Ministers Set Project-Focused Tone at the Powering Africa Summit in Washington D.C.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — 19 March 2026 — The Powering Africa Summit opened with a clear shift toward execution, as Summit Sponsor Sun Africa and senior government leaders called for bankable projects, scalable infrastructure and deeper U.S.-Africa investment ties. Adam Cortese, CEO of Sun Africa, framed energy as the backbone of industrial growth and cross-Atlantic partnership. […]

Ghana FPSO Gas Upgrade Contract Secures 600 Million Dollar Extension

Yinson Production has finalised an infrastructure modification agreement for the floating production storage and offloading asset operating in Ghanaian waters to expand technical capacity for domestic thermal plants.

Aksa Energy Delegation Finalises Revenue Compliance Framework in Accra

Senior executives from Aksa Energy's West African division have held talks with the Ghana Revenue Authority to secure a data-sharing protocol for its 370 megawatt generation pipeline.

Renewable Energy

Côte d’Ivoire shortlists developers for 200MW of solar backed by 66MWh of storage

Developers have been shortlisted for two 100MWp solar plants at Dabakala and Niakaramandougou, each paired with 33MWh of battery storage, under 25-year independent power producer concessions. The procurement sits inside a national target of 45% renewables in the electricity mix by 2030.

A 3MW solar hybrid powers the University of Abuja from tomorrow

The Rural Electrification Agency commissions a 3MW solar hybrid plant at Yakubu Gowon University in Abuja on Wednesday 16 September, under Phase II of the Energizing Education Programme and with support from the World Bank Group. Joseph Tegbe, Minister of Power, performs the commissioning.

YSDN partnership brings Damilola Hamid Balogun’s network to YES! Nigeria in November

EnergyNet has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Youth Sustainable Development Network to deliver the youth programme running alongside the Nigeria NOW! Global Investors Expo in Abuja. The Expo was launched at the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development on 6 August, with four ministries represented.

EXCLUSIVE: Three prototypes and a final product, Mpepu Energy on building turbines in Malawi

Madalitso Chimpeni has been building wind turbines in Malawi for three years. The grant he won through the Youth Energy Summit bought the generators, paid the machinists and gave him room to get it wrong. The turbines are fabricated and waiting for installation, and 120 households are the target.

Africa minigrid internship pilot to place five to ten interns inside AMDA’s own work

The Youth Sustainable Development Network and the Africa Minigrid Developers Association will run four to six week remote placements from later this year, across regulatory coordination, research, sector support and access to capital. Whether it grows depends on an evaluation neither organisation has run yet.

Pele Green Energy’s Jolene on finding your place in the energy transition

Pele Green Energy began as a drive to transform young South Africans' lives, with energy as the conduit. Speaking to ENN at AEF, Jolene Shaw of Knowledge Pele shares what nearly sixteen years has taught her, and why young entrepreneurs should find their place across the whole energy value chain.

Seriti Green’s Chabisi Motloung on the careers waiting for young Africans in renewables

Four months after leaving smelting for renewables, Seriti Green's Chabisi Motloung has a message for young Africans: this is where the careers are. Speaking to ENN at AEF's Youth Energy Summit, the COO makes the case for reinvention, problem-solving, and the dream of a single interconnected African grid.

Thought Leadership

IPP Office Highlights Storage and Grid Expansion as Critical to South Africa’s Next Energy Growth Phase

South Africa’s energy sector is entering a new phase of its transition, with increasing attention focused on battery energy storage, transmission infrastructure and the reforms required to unlock further investment. As the country continues to expand renewable energy capacity and modernise its electricity market, questions around grid resilience, system flexibility and long-term energy security have […]

Zambia solar capacity passes 1,000MW as Kudu’s 200MW finds a buyer

Zambia has reached its 2026 target of 1,000MW of solar, with 1,027MW now installed, the government told the Energy Forum for Africa in Lusaka. At the same forum, Axian signed a power purchase agreement with Africa GreenCo for the 200MW Kudu plant, whose output will be sold across the Southern African Power Pool.

Tech & Power Generation

A 370MW pilot is being prepared to test Zimbabwe’s competitive procurement

Zimbabwe is replacing unsolicited power project bids with competitive tendering, and the framework behind it is being built with World Bank technical assistance covering transaction advisers, model bidding documents and a pilot procurement of around 370MW across the Ministry, ZETDC and the regulator.

Zambia’s 2027 budget plan targets 10,000MW while eight projects build 1,315MW

Zambia's Energy Regulation Board was tracking 1,315MW of generation under construction in September, as ministries defended their 2027 spending plans in Lusaka this week. The medium-term plan behind that budget, published on 27 September, puts 10,000MW among its production targets, and comments on its Green Paper close on 9 October.

Ambassador John Giordano, US Ambassador to the Republic of Namibia | Africa Energy Forum 2026

Ambassador John Giordano, US Ambassador to the Republic of Namibia | Africa Energy Forum 2026

Hlatse Nkune, Principal – Energy Finance, Nedbank | Africa Energy Forum 2026

Hlatse Nkune, Principal – Energy Finance, Nedbank | Africa Energy Forum 2026

Mpho Phasha, Senior Associate Power & Renewables Finance, Nedbank CIB | Africa Energy Forum 2026

Mpho Phasha, Senior Associate Power & Renewables Finance, Nedbank CIB | Africa Energy Forum 2026

Rentia van Tonder, Global Head Power & Renewables, Standard Bank | Africa Energy Forum 2026

Rentia van Tonder, Global Head Power & Renewables, Standard Bank | Africa Energy Forum 2026

The Energy Post Podcast | Green Energy Transition | Transitioning Kenya and the Region

The Energy Post Podcast | Green Energy Transition | Transitioning Kenya and the Region

U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright Keynote Speech & Fireside Chat with Rajiv Shah | Powering Africa Summit 2026

U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright Keynote Speech & Fireside Chat with Rajiv Shah | Powering Africa Summit 2026

Tour of Rare Earths in the Energy Transition

Mining & Minerals

Tour of Rare Earths in the Energy Transition

Tour of Critical Minerals for the Energy Transition – Andy Calitz and Mary Hemmingsen

Mining & Minerals

Tour of Critical Minerals for the Energy Transition – Andy Calitz and Mary Hemmingsen

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

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

Michael Konadu, GE Vernova | West Africa Energy Cooperation Summit (WAECS) 2025

Michael Konadu, GE Vernova | 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

Take a look back: aef 2019 Country Spotlight, Zimbabwe

Southern Africa

Take a look back: aef 2019 Country Spotlight, Zimbabwe

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?

Maximising The Power of Regional Collaboration to Scale Up Energy Development

Is Solar Enough? Rethinking Off-Grid Energy in West Africa

DFIs, Local Capital and Financing West Africa’s Power Transition

Strategic Vision for National Electricity & Energy Policy

Youth Powering Africa’s Sustainable Future

Beyond the Grid: Financing Southern Africa’s Energy Revolution with Standard Bank