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The issue leads with a focus on the potential for nuclear power across the continent. Huge capital costs pose daunting obstacles to the several African countries considering nuclear power but a new generation of small reactors, while not yet commercially viable, may offer a solution for some to add significant capacity. African Energy also examines the momentum gathering behind the e-mobility industry. In the likes of Kenya and Benin battery-powered buses, motorbikes and industrial vehicles could have a radical impact on urban environments but in many jurisdictions the lack of capital, infrastructure and policy support and the high cost of vehicles are holding back what could be a revolution. Power coverage leads with the progress being made at regional power pools, which are critical if the African Union’s Continental Master Plan (CMP) is to achieve its vision of a fully interconnected African power grid. The CMP is the focus of this issue’s African Energy View article. African Energy has examined the first data that has emerged from the third development phase of the African Union’s Continental Master Plan and found much to applaud, even though targets for investment and the installation of new generation capacity by 2040 remain far out of reach for many countries. African Energy also examines South Africa's latest Integrated Resource Plan, which advocates the longer-term use of coal-fired power plants and reduces renewables’ role in the overall energy mix The Live Data section focuses on a review of the power generation sector in 2023, with the latest data showing the year saw the lowest amount of newly built power since 2018. Oil and gas coverage leads with Gabon where the new government’s decision to step in to recommend the state-owned Gabon Oil Company acquires local player Assala Energy sidelines French independent Maurel & Prom, which had expected to buy the business in the last days of the Bongo administration. African Energy also reports on Shell's move to sell its subsidiary SPDC, with the onshore and shallow-water operator going to a consortium of local companies allied to industry veteran Samuel Dossou-Aworet. Additional upstream coverage includes an update from Namibia, where Galp has made a ‘significant’ Orange Basin find. Finance and policy coverage leads with a look at Nigeria, where disbursement of the first tranche of Afreximbank’s $3.3bn crude-for-finance deal will help to ease Abuja’s immediate financial difficulties.

Since 2018, Africa has seen a downward trend in annual net power generation capacity additions. Of the 4.5GW added in 2023, 1.4GW came from hydroelectric power.

Despite a 14GW announced pipeline of new power generation projects, 2023 was marked by the lowest amount of new-build capacity being added to the continent’s grid since 2018, according to new analysis from African Energy Live Data. Hydroelectric and solar additions came out on top, while gas-to-power schemes continued to disappoint as delays and unrealised projects clog up the project pipeline.

Shell is selling Nigerian subsidiary SPDC, with the onshore and shallow-water operator going to a consortium of local companies allied to industry veteran Samuel Dossou-Aworet for a sum of up to $2.4bn the supermajor is helping to fund. While Shell is retaining some other valuable Nigerian assets, it adds to a trend of international majors exiting all but their big deep-water oil and gas plays, following recent deals by ExxonMobil, TotalEnergies and Eni. African Energy analyses several aspects of a complex deal.

Shell’s creation in 1907, as a rival to American behemoth Standard Oil, produced an Anglo-Dutch company looking for global reach. Its presence in Nigeria dates back to 1936, when Shell D’Arcy was established, which was followed by a joint venture with another major, BP’s precursor company.

While TotalEnergies and partner QatarEnergy have deepened their exposure to the highly prospective Venus play, Galp Energia has announced a light oil discovery its nearby Mopane-1X offshore exploration well – adding to the industry excitement around Namibia’s offshore prospects.

Yemeni-owned independent power producer Sabson plans a greenfield HFO-fired plant, as part of Somalia’s effort to increase its low on-grid capacity.

Updated January 2024, this map provides a detailed overview of the hydrocarbons sector in Namibia. The map shows blocks that are open, under application, under review and licensed. Licensed blocks are shaded to show reconnaissance, exploration and production acreage. Block operators and oil and gas fields are marked, with basin boundaries and names shown. The map also illustrates associated mid- and downstream infrastructure such as pipelines, tanker terminals, refineries and LNG facilities. An inset provides a more detailed view of the blocks and discoveries in the Orange sub-basin. The map is available as a PDF file using eps graphics, meaning that there is no loss of resolution as the file is enlarged.

The latest version of the South African government’s Integrated Resource Plan, issued in early January and now open for public feedback, advocates the longer-term use of coal-fired power plants and reduces renewables’ role in the overall energy mix, prompting a strong reaction from industry observers, as critics claim it will set back the energy transition, writes Tonderayi Mukeredzi.

US independent Vaalco Energy is aiming to double oil production to over 50,000 b/d within three years, with its African operations playing a significant role in the uplift alongside a continuing M&A strategy, chief executive George Maxwell told African Energy.

Félix Tshisekedi has won a second presidential term and his coalition a big parliamentary majority in Democratic Republic of Congo. But victory comes in the face of complaints from his opponents, unease among allies and a toxic blend of rebellions, insolvency and social discontent.

International oil companies in Gabon have adopted a ‘business as usual’ approach since General Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema’s coup last August, as expressed by Vaalco Energy’s chief executive George Maxwell in an interview with African Energy. But the government’s decision to step in and use the state-owned Gabon Oil Company to acquire Assala Energy – thus sidelining French independent Maurel & Prom which had planned to buy the business – points to a more activist approach from the recently-installed authorities in Libreville.

With momentum building for the delayed Greater Tortue Ahmeyim LNG project to start exports in mid-2024, supermajor BP has extended its relationship with services provider Petrofac.

The Armed Forces of Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) co-ordinator of military operations in North Kivu, Lieutenant General Fall Sikabwe on 16 January announced the launch of joint operations with Southern African Development Community (SADC) forces in eastern DRC, mainly drawn from South Africa, Tanzania and Malawi. They will be targeting 23 March Movement (M23) rebels, who are widely believed to be backed by Rwanda.

Bureaucratic hurdles are delaying the commissioning of the completed 1.65MWp Marco Borero Nyeri solar PV plant in Kenya, highlighting the difficulties facing small local independent power producers (IPPs).