African markets and business updates

International oil companies active in South Africa have called for government intervention to streamline regulations and address appeal-related licensing delays that continue to constrain investment in the country’s upstream sector. Speaking during a panel discussion sponsored by the South African National Petroleum Company (SANPC) at African Energy Week (AEW) 2026, industry leaders highlighted the need for predictable policy, infrastructure investment and faster project approvals to unlock South Africa’s petroleum potential.…

Wood Mackenzie proposes a new revenue-sharing model for Gabon's ultra-deepwater oil projects. The proposal would adjust the state's share of oil revenue based on project profitability. Gabon is revising its hydrocarbons code amid declining production and expected oil revenue losses. British ...

The proposed 2027 budget rises 6.4% to CFA18.47 trillion. The government expects economic growth to accelerate to 6.6% in 2027. The plan allocates CFA100 billion to launch a sovereign wealth fund. Côte d’Ivoire's government presented a proposed 2027 national budget of ...

British junior miner Serval Resources aims to raise £6.5 million ($8.6 million) through a share placement to finance copper exploration projects in Namibia, Botswana and Côte d'Ivoire. The company plans a 20,000-metre drilling programme at its Kaoko Basin project in Namibia, targeting an initial ...

Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger have signed an agreement to harmonise higher education programmes across the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), aiming to align university training with labour market needs. The three countries plan to strengthen academic mobility, research cooperation and innovation, including through ...

Uganda is on track to begin commercial oil production by June 2027, with first exports to follow through the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP), according to Kristina Kasebayo, Head of Compliance at the Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC). Speaking during a fireside chat at African Energy Week 2026 in Cape Town, Kasebayo reaffirmed the country's production timeline while outlining plans to reach a final investment decision (FID) on its domestic refinery in February 2027, targeting completion by 2030.…

Liberia has launched its 2026 Offshore Direct Negotiation Licensing Round, offering 15 offshore blocks across the Liberia and Harper basins as the country seeks to attract exploration investment and advance the development of its petroleum sector. Announced on October 14 in Cape Town alongside African Energy Week 2026 and African Mining Week, the round was launched by the Liberia Petroleum Regulatory Authority (LPRA) and organized by Energy Capital & Power (ECP). The campaign invites qualified companies to pursue individual blocks through direct negotiations, with the licensing process closing on April 15, 2027. LPRA Director General Marilyn T.…

African Mining Week (AMW) 2026 officially opened on Wednesday with keynote addresses from regional leaders, regulators and international stakeholders, underscoring the vital need for deeper regional integration, localized value addition and strategic global partnerships to drive mining growth across the continent. Patrick Mulindwa Lubega, Chief of Staff of the Africa Minerals Strategy Group (AMSG), stressed that African producers must leverage the surging global demand for critical resources to deliver socioeconomic benefits for local communities.…

Nigeria has presented 65 projects worth $78.5 billion to international investors under its Project Nigeria initiative, targeting private capital for energy, transport, agriculture, industry and technology. The government is highlighting stronger economic indicators to attract investment, including $54.6 billion in foreign reserves, improved sovereign credit ratings ...

About 85% of Africa’s trade is conducted with the rest of the world, while trade between African countries, though smaller, contains a higher share of manufactured goods. This gives ports and the transport corridors linking them to inland markets a ...