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SDX Energy will receive $6.6m for its stakes in West Gharib blocks G and H. A deal to sell its other Egyptian asset, South Disouq, is still the subject of negotiations. The Egypt exit will allow the London AIM-listed firm to focus on its operations in Morocco.

Approval from the interim parliament in Conakry for an unprecedented-for-Guinea liquefied natural gas (LNG) import terminal and gas-to-power plant could be the first step towards meeting a predicted huge mining-driven increase in electricity demand. The project’s scale has raised eyebrows, but could prove transformative if it goes ahead, writes Marc Howard.

Doornhoek and Ursa Energy Virginia solar PV plants have become the first two projects under the sixth bid window of the renewable energy IPP procurement (REIPPP6) programme to reach commercial close and sign project implementation agreements.

A number of reports point to the cash-strapped government of South Sudan agreeing to borrow up to $12.8bn from a Dubai-based company owned by a junior member of Abu Dhabi’s ruling family, with the debt to be repaid in discounted oil shipments over 20 years. But with plenty of calls on South Sudan’s dwindling oil income, and ever more junior sheikhs turning up with African mega-deals, questions are mounting about what could be, in an ideal world, a transformational deal.

Dubai Sheikh Mohammed Bin Maktoum Al-Maktoum’s Alpha MBM Investments has aligned with Abu Dhabi-based Venom Blockchain to develop central bank digital currencies and stablecoins in Uganda, Somalia and CAR, as the ambitious junior member of Dubai’s ruling family and interests in Abu Dhabi move further into African business.

Africa-focused indie Afentra has gained approval from the Angolan government to buy a 12% non-operating interest in Block 3/05 and a 16% non-operating interest in Block 3/05A from the BP/Eni joint venture Azule Energy.

Invictus Energy has signed an agreement with gold miner Dallaglio Investments and manufacturer Himoinsa to develop a gas-fired power plant to supply the Eureka gold mine, using gas from the Cabora Bassa Basin.

Operator Kosmos Energy has set a new goal for first gas production at Senegal’s offshore Yakaar-Teranga (Y-T) field, where a shakeout in equity is expected to give state company Petrosen a bigger role. Meanwhile a source has told African Energy that any renegotiation of contract terms for the Sangomar development is expected to be initiated after the 100,000 b/d field starts first production.

Construction work is nearly complete on a 15MW coal-fired plant to supply power to Sabi Star’s lithium mine in Zimbabwe’s Buhera district. African Energy takes a closer look at one of Zimbabwe’s three biggest lithium projects.

Mauritania’s government has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Saudi Arabia to co-operate in the electricity, renewable energy and clean hydrogen sectors.

New Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye pointedly opted for Nouakchott as the destination for his first official foreign trip, ending a long tradition of starting in France and underlining his Pastef party’s pan-African agenda. Investors will be watching closely as discussions with Mauritanian President Mohammed Ghazouani centred around the potential for renegotiating the joint Greater Tortue Ahmeyim LNG development’s terms, writes Waly Dione Faye.

While many see doing business in Democratic Republic of Congo as problematic, Africa Finance Corporation is pushing ahead on a trio of schemes involving renewable energy, critical minerals and infrastructure, helped by its status as an African multilateral in which the DRC government is a shareholder.

The issue leads with a focus on the prospects for the regional electricity supply industry and West African power trading, following the interconnection of two major networks at Linsan in Guinea. While much work remains to be done, the OMVG-CLSG interconnection points to a more positive direction of travel for a West African Power Pool that is starting to excite market interest. African Energy's coverage includes a new map of West African power interconnection projects. Power coverage also includes separate features on Liberia – where President Boakai has promised to increase electricity access amid further loadshedding – and Guinea, where low rainfall has led to yet another round of loadshedding and, in turn, widespread protests and deadly violence. The issue also features two articles on Democratic Republic of Congo. Many businesses are wary of DRC, but Africa Finance Corporation sees the government as a willing partner in ground-breaking solar, critical minerals and regional infrastructure schemes. Canada’s Ivanhoe Mines has meanwhile reported progress on securing sufficient electricity supply for its Kamoa-Kakula copper mine via the Inga II rehabilitation, increased on-site generators to address grid instability and imports, from Zambia. Upstream oil and gas coverage leads with a look at the extension of TotalEnergies’ gas partnership with Sonatrach in Algeria. The African Energy View examines the build up to South Africa’s upcoming elections, with opinion polls suggesting the ruling African National Congress could lose its parliamentary majority for the first time.

Moroccan plans to build regasification plants to supply Onee’s existing and planned CCGT power stations have been mooted for more than a decade, but could now finally be moving ahead, with government commitments to build an LNG import unit at Nador, with other schemes to follow.

Prospects for the regional electricity supply industry and West African power trading took a huge leap forward when two major networks interconnected at Linsan in Guinea. Much work remains to be done after the 2 April link-up, but the OMVG-CLSG interconnection points to a more positive direction of travel for a West African Power Pool that is starting to excite market interest.