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In the run up to elections, president-elect Bola Ahmed Tinubu sought to burnish his pro-business credentials by offering everything from taking Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Ltd (NNPCL) beyond corporatisation to privatisation, to cutting fuel subsidies in reforms that would bring greater coherence to public finances.

While imposing macroeconomic problems continue to weigh on developers, Zimbabwe is seeking ways to attract investment to independent power producers and commercial and industrial (C&I) projects. And among recent schemes to overcome being ostracised by international capital markets Zimbabwe is looking to use its wealthier C&I power consumers to provide corporate guarantees to raise capital for new projects.

Almost half of Africa’s hydroelectric power (HEP) plants are more than 40 years old and many are in need of refurbishment and modernisation. The International Hydropower Association (IHA) estimates that some 2.4GW of power could be tapped by restoring idle plants and upgrading others – and at a much lower cost than building new capacity.

A new administration is coming to Abuja, with some familiar faces and the same old daunting problems to fix. An uncomfortably small proportion of Nigeria’s 220m-plus population voted in an election that could have a big impact, but only if Bola Tinubu surprises his detractors by driving forward with a diverse package of reforms and reconciliation measures that have defied previous governments, writes Jon Marks.

Published March 2023, this graphic illustrates the results of Nigeria's 2023 elections. Two maps show the presidential election result by state and geopolitical zone, with a small box showing national average voter turnout for elections from 1999 to 2023. A pie chart illustrates the national position for the presidential election, showing the number (and percentage) of votes received by each of the candidates (Bola Tinbu, Aitku Abubakar, Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso. Two pie charts show the distribution of seats between parties in the Senate and House of Representatives.

The Opec Fund for International Development (Ofid) is providing $25m for the Niger Solar Plant Development and Electricity Access Improvement Project (Ranaa), which is supporting 40MW of solar-hybrid capacity across three developments.

Belgian construction firm BESIX said on 9 March that the first two cofferdams in the spillway openings of the 420MW Nachtigal hydroelectric power (HEP) plant have been lowered.

The first 2.4MWp phase of the Diego solar PV plant in Antsiranana has been completed, according to the local Group Filatex.

The issue leads with Libya where NOC has launched its growth-oriented upstream strategy and there is political, social and legal opposition to Eni’s multi-billion-dollar upstream gas development deal. The Focus section includes an examination of the results of Nigeria's presidential election and what it means for the country's energy industries. Power coverage leads with an analysis of the latest information on the African Energy Live Data platform that shows power generation capacity in Central Africa should expand by 2.4GW by 2027. Oil and gas coverage leads with Algeria, where Sonatrach is courting IOCs to capitalise on the potential to ramp up deliveries to Europe. The issue also looks at Tunisia following the World Bank’s decision to suspend new projects in response to President Kaïs Saïed’s anti-immigrant stance. The African Energy View focuses on Green hydrogen (GH2) and examines European ambitions of using GH2 to reach net zero and the role Africa might be asked to play. Coverage includes a map of proposed projects across the continent.

The BP-Eni joint venture has kickstarted the process of contract awards on the offshore Agogo oil scheme, with some $7.8bn signed to date following a final investment decision.

Nigeria’s National Council on Privatisation (NCP) has named the local Mainstream Energy Solutions Ltd (MESL) as preferred bidder for two hydroelectric power (HEP) plant concessions. African Energy understands that negotiations are expected to start soon to finalise terms between the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) and MESL.

Published March 2023, this map illustrates 30-plus green hydrogen (GH2) projects planned across Africa. Project locations are indicated on the map alongside notes detailing project developers and renewable energy capacities.

Its wealth of renewable energy resources, availability of land and proximity to markets mean Africa holds the key to Europe’s vision of a net zero future based on green hydrogen (GH2) use. The manufacture of carbon-free liquid fuels could also transform the continent, but project sponsors, financers and offtakers need to ensure this is done fairly, while contributing to economic and social development. The establishment of the European Hydrogen Bank can be a crucial step in that direction.

United Arab Emirates state-owned Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (Masdar) has signed a framework agreement with Côte d’Ivoire’s Ministry of Mining, Petroleum and Energy to explore the potential for solar PV plants.

Political, social and legal opposition to Eni’s multi-billion-dollar upstream gas development deal is driven by an alliance of fief holders who may not be able to stop the deal, but could make it harder and more expensive to complete. The opposition reflects continuing dysfunction, raising the prospect of more blockades and disruption, writes Mohamed Eljarh*, with John Hamilton.