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The modelling phase of the Continent System Master Plan, scheduled to conclude at end-2023, aims to show what transmission and generation investments and infrastructure are needed to meet long-term power and economic development needs.

African Energy is following the process and related transmission projects while assessing how the exercise could contribute to transforming the sector.

African Union’s power masterplan shows daunting extent of access and financing gaps

Issue 490 - 10 September 2023

Initial projections from the African Union’s Continental Power System Master Plan show what an interconnected power market might look like, driven predominantly by renewable energy – but the plan also sets out in stark relief the vast gap between current levels of supply and what is needed for universal electricity...

Zambia: Zesco moves forward on links to Tanzania, Kenya and DRC

Issue 489 - 07 August 2023

Tanzania: Tanesco to develop transmission project with Gridworks

Issue 489 - 01 August 2023

West Africa Power Pool transmission projects

West African Power Pool (Wapp) synchronises 12 national grids

Issue 488 - 23 July 2023

New impetus needed to drive Sapp’s cross-border transmission model

Issue 484 - 15 May 2023

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A 26 July putsch in Niger has new implications for regional stability and the fight against jihadism in the Sahel.

Francophone West Africa’s most recent crop of military leaders have all promised ‘transition’, to include elections by end-2024. But how far each of these political processes go is questionable: none of the juntas look particularly secure, but neither do their leaders seem keen on handing over power.

Niger coup stymies power and mining projects

Issue 490 - 10 September 2023

Sorely-needed investments in the power, mining and energy sectors have been hampered by the putsch in July. With the government heavily dependent on foreign funding, Niamey’s new prime minister will likely struggle to balance the books as sanctions bite, writes Marc Howard.

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Military intervention increasingly unlikely in Niger

Issue 490 - 10 September 2023

Niger on the brink as neighbours threaten to respond to coup with force

Issue 489 - 04 August 2023

The Sahel’s latest coup claims to have ousted Bazoum in Niger

Issue 489 - 28 July 2023

Abu Dhabi-Chad airlift revives speculation about UAE and Russian aims

Issue 488 - 24 July 2023

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As security and economic crises pose ever more challenges, it would be a good time for Nigeria to unleash its more positive forces to avoid an even worse malaise. But few believe the new president will be able to quickly turn things around.

C&I investments from large private sector players are advancing as are some electrification and off-grid schemes but the industry remains mired in critical liquidity issues. The new president must also decide whether to accelerate oil and gas reforms.

Nigeria: Tinubu picks former Lagos ally as Central Bank chief

Issue 491 - 20 September 2023

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has named Olayemi Cardoso to head the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). Cardoso was Lagos state’s economic planning and budget commissioner from 1999 until 2005, when Tinubu was governor. He is the latest member of that team to be appointed to high office. Cardaso fills the...

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Nigeria aims for crude output boost, but rosy forecasts create potential for disappointment

Issue 490 - 10 September 2023

Afreximbank supports under-pressure Nigeria with $3bn cash-for-oil deal

Issue 490 - 07 September 2023

Nigeria awaits formation of government as tensions rise over cost of living

Issue 489 - 03 August 2023

Tinubu: Nigerian revolutionary – or more of the same?

Issue 488 - 25 July 2023

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COP climate conferences have evolved into annual events whose outcomes have major impacts on energy sector financing and development. COP26 in Glasgow brought an end to gas-related finance. Something of an energy industry jamboree at COP27 in Sharm el-Sheikh partly reversed that trend.

Key issues at Abu Dhabi’s COP28 will include resolving whether international financing commitments have been unlocked and whether Just Energy Transition can help the global south to counter climate change while simultaneously promoting development goals.

Africa Climate Summit highlights a great policy divide

Issue 490 - 11 September 2023

Climate change – closely linked to the intractable issues of poverty and inequality – is an issue preoccupying policy-makers around the world, but its impacts are particularly acute across swathes of Africa. But while calls for swifter action to unlock larger amounts of financing were paramount at the inaugural Africa...

News Centre: Hot topics

Linking Africa’s power markets could revolutionise African electricity supply industries

African Union’s power masterplan shows daunting extent of access and financing gaps

Zambia: Zesco moves forward on links to Tanzania, Kenya and DRC

Tanzania: Tanesco to develop transmission project with Gridworks

West African Power Pool (Wapp) synchronises 12 national grids

New impetus needed to drive Sapp’s cross-border transmission model

Governance and security challenges in the Sahel

Niger coup stymies power and mining projects

Military intervention increasingly unlikely in Niger

Niger on the brink as neighbours threaten to respond to coup with force

The Sahel’s latest coup claims to have ousted Bazoum in Niger

Abu Dhabi-Chad airlift revives speculation about UAE and Russian aims

Is real energy sector reform possible in poly-crisis Nigeria?

Nigeria: Tinubu picks former Lagos ally as Central Bank chief

Nigeria aims for crude output boost, but rosy forecasts create potential for disappointment

Afreximbank supports under-pressure Nigeria with $3bn cash-for-oil deal

Nigeria awaits formation of government as tensions rise over cost of living

Tinubu: Nigerian revolutionary – or more of the same?

Just energy transition and the commercialisation of COP

Africa Climate Summit highlights a great policy divide

G7 backs down on gas to secure ‘just energy’ deal for Senegal

Senegal: Just Energy Transition deal accepts gas-fired projects

COP28: Sultan Al-Jaber lines up southern alliance in Africa

A fair COP as big hydrocarbons plays line up?

Other hot topics

African energy in transition – what is the future for gas?

Big gas and security – getting LNG out of Mozambique

New scramble for Africa – Green hydrogen and other clean energy export schemes

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