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Lagos-headquartered Royal Power Energy (RPE) is planning to expand out of its home market and into Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), as it seeks to exploit opportunities stemming from the rising demand for electricity from mobile phone network providers.

A surge of new mining projects in Zimbabwe – encouraged by a government keen to raise more export revenues – is leading to a rapid increase in demand for electricity, but persistent supply deficits threaten to derail the ambitious plans for the sector.

The parastatal Ethiopia Investment Holdings (EIH) and the Ministry of Finance said in March the tendering process to sell eight state-owned sugar companies was progressing. An initial expression of interest was launched in August 2022. A request for proposals (RfP), building on investor feedback, is expected soon.

CrossBoundary Energy has confirmed to African Energy the expected commissioning date for its 11.25MWp solar PV and 8.5MW/MWh battery energy storage facility to supply Syrah Resources’ Twigg/Balama graphite project in Mozambique.

First details have emerged of the integrated power plant at Dangote Group’s 650,000 b/d Lagos refinery, commissioned on 22 May.

The Cygnum Capital-managed Facility for Energy Inclusion has advanced a $30m loan to Equator Energy to help the Nairobi-headquartered C&I developer grow its business across Africa.

Nigeria’s Starsight Energy and South Africa’s SolarAfrica said on 1 August they had completed their merger deal, first announced in September 2022. The deal creates one of Africa’s largest renewable energy-focused commercial and industrial players.

Dublin-headquartered Kenmare Resources anticipates spending up $25m on power infrastructure upgrades in 2026-27 to supply its Moma titanium minerals mine on the coast of Nampula province, 160km south of Nampula city.

There are pockets of progress in building infrastructure across Democratic Republic of Congo, with commercial operators and development finance institutions supporting a range of projects. But with eastern regions traumatised by violence and an uncertain election looming in December, the country remains as challenging an environment as ever, writes Jon Marks.

Ivanhoe Mines has opted for commercial and industrial (C&I) supply from an independent power producer (IPP) for its Platreef project in Limpopo province, becoming the latest large South African offtaker to respond in this way to the woeful performance of utility Eskom.

Exports of lithium have begun from a number of recently-developed processing plants – many operated by Chinese companies – as Zimbabwe looks to better exploit its large resources of a vital energy transition mineral. However, recent figures show overall production has been declining this year, writes Tonderayi Mukeredzi.

Tea grower and processor James Finlay Kenya has commissioned two solar PV plants at its Kitumbe and Chomogonday factories in Bomet and Kericho counties.

Lagos-based renewables developer Daystar Power has installed a 1.6MW rooftop solar plant for Ghandour Cosmetics in Ghana.

The announcement that a unit of United Arab Emirates national security adviser Sheikh Tahnoun Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan’s International Holding Company was winning bidder for a stake in loss-making Mopani Copper Mines points to the emergence of ‘middle powers’ in strategic African resources plays and a hoped-for revival in Zambia’s mining ambitions.

Nairobi-headquartered industrial company Abyssinia Iron and Steel has signed a power purchase agreement (PPA) with Norway’s Empower for a solar PV plant at Abyssinia’s Awasi factory.