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ZETDC has been taken to arbitration by developer NRE in a dispute over US dollar payments, in a case with significant implications for the country’s struggling power sector and which also highlights the macroeconomic problems weighing on the Mnangagwa administration, writes Marc Howard

A new IMF programme, six years after the ‘tuna bonds’ scandal erupted, points to Filipe Nyusi’s success at surviving through difficult times but, with just two years left before his second term ends, the president still has to show he has created an environment able to deliver LNG mega-projects, as the insurgent challenge continues and rival factions line up for a succession, writes Tom Bowker.

Democratic Republic of Congo’s huge resource base, and desperate need to cater for one of the world’s fastest-growing populations, are exciting potential investors, encouraged by President Félix Tshisekedi’s claims to be presiding over improved governance. But claims to significant progress are questionable as a controversial presidential election beckons, conflict stalks eastern DRC and criminality dogs efforts to overhaul power and other sectors, write François Misser and Jon Marks.

Tunisia’s economic decline and return to autocracy has been underlined by the World Bank suspending new projects in response to President Kaïs Saïed’s anti-immigrant stance. However, Qatar may soon start to provide much-needed funds and Tunisia is also earning revenue by acting as a re-export hub for embargoed Russian oil, writes Jon Marks.

South Sudan President Salva Kiir Mayardit’s choice of defence minister has underlined the persistent factional and communal conflicts that undermine the country’s efforts to improve its governance and focus on developmental issues.

Justice minister Abubakar Malami has reportedly recommended that the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) halt its legal action in the long-running saga over alleged fraud related to the sale of oil production licence (OPL) 245, saying the episode had negatively affected the economy.

Xinfeng Investment’s mining licence 243, which the Chinese firm intended to use to build a lithium mine and processing plant, has been revoked by the Namibian government, which said it was misled. There had been significant local opposition to Xinfeng’s plans, and a history of controversy surrounding the licence, write Marc Howard and Our Namibia Correspondent, in a special feature jointly published with Benchmark Mineral Intelligence.

Environmental, social and governance (ESG) considerations are often central to whether a project can move ahead, with the first two of these often the determining factors. But “in Angola it’s G that is often much more important than E and S,” a consultant active in southern Africa told African Energy.

Control over African mineral reserves means governments now hold a lot of the cards in negotiating with corporations and political leaders, during a period of rising global demand and shifting power balances. Industry players now argue that more equitable partnerships may finally be on the table.

The addition of Senegal to the list of countries negotiating a Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) with G7 counterparties is an important diplomatic achievement for those countries in the developed world striving to keep the concept of just transition alive. It would have been difficult for the just transition concept to maintain its claims to moral credibility – that it is a viable route to justice in climate finance – if it could not find even one more African partner to sign up for a JETP.

The conviction by a Tripoli criminal court of former National Oil Corporation (NOC) international marketing department (IMD) chief Imad Ben Rajab on charges of importing off-spec or adulterated gasoline in oil-for-fuel swaps has exposed one of the many ways in which corrupt actors have used the oil trade to extract hundreds of millions of dollars from the Libyan state.

French major TotalEnergies has started drilling at the Tilenga oilfield – a key part of the wider Lake Albert project in Uganda – while facing down fresh criticism over the Eacop export pipeline to Tanzania.

A Dubai-based company backed by a well-connected but relatively low-profile member of Dubai’s ruling Al-Maktoum family has been signing deals across Africa to generate carbon credits – generating some controversy in the process.

Few countries generate such strong opinions, for and against, as Rwanda, which is ruled with an iron fist by an apparently ageless President Paul Kagame. All but set for re-election again in August 2024, Kagame continues to make himself very useful to allies, acting as a regional policeman while also a player in his neighbours’ conflicts, while drawing in finance despite criticism of governance abuses, write Tonderayi Mukeredzi and African Energy staff .

Guinea’s military government has received a significant fillip as mining giant Rio Tinto and Chinese steelmaker Baowu made further commitments to the Simandou megaproject – in the process offering hope to Interim President Mamady Doumbouya that exports could eventually start from the long-stalled scheme, as his regime moves slowly on the promised transition back to democracy, write Marc Howard and Our Conakry Correspondent.