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Published September 2023, this graphic consists of maps and charts illustrating initial projections from the African Union's Continental Power System Master Plan (CMP). Graphics include a map showing the CMP's main transmissions corridors, a chart showing demand forecasting scenarios for 2021-2040, data on CMP investment costs and supply capacity gap projections, a chart showing exploitable renewable energy potential and a table showing CMP forecasts for inter-regional demand and trade.

Revised in September 2023, this map provides a detailed view of the power sector in Zimbabwe. The locations of power generation facilities that are operating, under construction or planned are shown by type – including liquid fuels, gas and liquid fuels, coal, coal bed methane, hybrid, hydroelectricity, solar PV and biomass/biogas. Generation sites are marked with different sized circles to show sites of 1-9MW, 10-99MW, 100-499MW and 500MW and above. Existing and future transmission and distribution lines are shown ranging from 132kV to 400kV. Actual and planned cross-border interconnectors are also shown including lines to Botswana, Mozambique, South Africa and Zambia. Power generation data was drawn from our African Energy Live Data platform, which contains project level detail on power plants and projects across Africa. The map is presented as a PDF file using eps graphics, meaning that there is no loss of resolution as the file is enlarged.  

The abrupt end to the Bongo family’s decades-long rule seems to have caused barely a ripple among Gabon’s international and commercial partners – in contrast to the impact of the spate of coups d’état further north – as General Brice Oligui Nguema’s takeover is seen as an inside job that is generally supported across the population. While Gabon’s elite jockeys for position, the critical oil sector appears to have been largely unaffected – for now.

Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa has been sworn in for a second five-year term after an election widely condemned as flawed. The fallout could stifle efforts to put the economy back on track and undermine his plans to reengage with the world, writes Nicholas Makombe.

Anglo-Australian miner Rio Tinto extended its agreement for the QIT Madagascar Minerals (QMM) ilmenite mine on 22 August, signing a deal with the Madagascar government on revised terms.

The issue leads with an analysis of the initial projections from the African Union’s Continental Power System Master Plan, which show what an interconnected power market might look like. African Energy reports on an apparent power struggle at Namibia’s national oil company, and reflects on the significance of the long-awaited progress at Guinea’s Simandou and alumina developments, which will require gigawatts of energy and power capacity. The issue focuses on a number of key political developments across the continent. African Energy examines the reaction to the coup in Gabon that has brought an abrupt end to the Bongo family’s decades-long rule and also takes a look at how  power and mining projects are facing in Niger following the July coup by presidential guard commander Brigadier General Abdourahamane Tiani. The issue takes a closer look at the results of Zimbabwe's presidential election and examines the situation in Senegal, where electoral scheming has intensified as President Sall hesitates to name his successor. African Energy also focuses on Nigeria, where after launching seismic subsidy reforms, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is now aiming to double crude output by 2027. Analysts suggest the new government may be guilty of over-ambition, but Tinubu will be encouraged by the imminent start-up of the 650,000 b/d Dangote plant, which will transform the downstream sector, and a $3bn Afreximbank emergency loan for NNPC. The African Energy View reflects on the key themes and outcomes of the recent Africa Climate Summit (ACS) in Nairobi.

Angola’s Ministry of Energy and Water has invited engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractors to submit bids for the 400kV Huambo-Lubango backbone transmission line.

Kalahari GeoEnergy (KGE) has set a date for the expected commissioning of a 50kW pilot geothermal plant at Bweengwa in Southern Province. The project is Zambia’s first geothermal independent power producer (IPP) and is due to expand to 10MW over time.

Johannesburg Stock Exchange-listed Northam Platinum is weighing up plans to add more solar PV capacity at its Booysendal, Eland and Zondereinde mines, while also procuring more diesel generators, as it seeks to reduce reliance on the national grid.

Australian Stock Exchange (ASX)-listed Evolution Energy Minerals has signed a three-year deal with China’s BTR New Material Group for 90% of fine flake graphite production from its Chilalo project in Tanzania.

A $3bn emergency loan secured by Nigerian National Petroleum Company from Cairo-based Afreximbank has reinforced Nigeria’s tight relationship with one of the few multilateral lenders still willing to support oil and gas spending, and underlined Abuja’s urgent need for financial support to underwrite President Bola Tinubu’s reform agenda.

Australian Securities Exchange (ASX)-listed Paladin Energy has confirmed that its Langer Heinrich mine in Namibia's Erongo region is on track for a production restart in Q1 2024, following $118m of refurbishment works.

Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) Venture-listed SRG Mining has said it expects to soon meet the conditions of its $12.7m private placement with China’s Carbon One New Energy Group (C-One).

Indian parastatal ONGC Videsh, holder of a 16% net interest in the TotalEnergies-operated Mozambique liquified natural gas (MLNG) development, has provided an update of when it expects force majeure at the 13.1m t/yr project to be lifted.

Italy’s Eni is selling its onshore exploration and production subsidiary Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) to local conglomerate Oando, becoming the latest international major to offload non-core African assets. The deal includes stakes in the gas-fired Okpai 1 and Okpai 2 power plants, with a combined capacity of 960MW.