BUSINESS
RD CONGO – Invest in African Energy Forum Paris: The exploration potential of DRC exposed
Minister Ntubuanga to highlight Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) exploration potential at Invest in African Energy Paris. Following the allocation of exploration and production licences in three blocks to Symbion Power, Winds Energy & Production and Alfajiri Energy as part of a licensing cycle comprising 27 onshore blocks in 2022, DRC’s upstream market has become increasingly attractive to leading E&P players.
Representing one of the last borders for oil and gas, the country is seeking foreign investment and private sector participation to unlock the full potential of the terrestrial market. To date, exploration activities led by companies such as Atlantic Ocean and Cohydro and production campaigns led by Perenco have been instrumental in growing the country’s energy market. However, the country is considering further opening up the onshore market, which is clear evidence of the government’s commitment to stimulating socio-economic growth through oil and gas.
Currently, exploration and production is concentrated in the Congo Basin and along the four main lakes bordering Tanzania, Burundi, Rwanda and Uganda. Thus, the DRC’s new approach to energy optimisation through increased exploration has opened up massive opportunities for upstream global companies and added value for local populations and economies through the skills development and job creation. In this context, H.E. Ntubuanga continues to make great strides to ensure the participation of global actors.
During the Forum, the Minister will provide an overview of opportunities for oil and gas stakeholders in the DRC. Committed to maximizing potential oil and gas reserves while leading a fair and inclusive energy transition, the Minister will play an important role in investment, opening a new era of energy sector growth for the DRC.
Conversations in the DRC will focus on opportunities for exploration and investment in the DRC’s open areas. While only 19 per cent of Congolese are currently connected to electricity, increasing exploration and development of the country’s vast oil and gas reserves is crucial to achieving the government’s 30 per cent energy access target by 2024. Perenco produces in the DRC and is doing well, and we want to see more companies producing oil and natural gas in the DRC,” said ACS Executive Chairman NJ Ayuk, adding: We look forward to a critical look at the opportunities available in the DRC and see the country’s energy industry as a key driver for making energy poverty an ancient history in Africa by 2030.”
The presidency of Togo has announced that the project to exploit the manganese mine of Nayega, located in the Savanes region in the north of the country, is entering its operational phase. According to a statement issued on June 10, 2025, production is scheduled to start at the end of June 2025, with an initial volume of 4,000 tons per month, which should gradually double to reach 8,000 tons per month.
Keras Resources is the technical partner retained by the Togolese government to carry out this project. A statement from Keras, relayed by the presidency, details that the company signed a cooperation agreement in 2023 with the Togolese state, owner of the mine through the Togolese Manganese Company (STM). Under the terms of this agreement, Keras will receive a remuneration of 1.5% of the mine’s gross revenue for three years for its advisory services, as well as 6% for brokering services.
The reserves of the Nayega mine are estimated at 8.5 million tonnes, which would allow exploitation over a period of 11 years. The authorities of Lomé welcome the expected contribution of the mine to the national budget, a benefit that should be strengthened by the rigorous management of the generated revenues, as indicated by our colleagues from Agence Afrique.
With a growing global demand for manganese, particularly in steel alloys and renewable energy technologies, Togo is seeking to assert itself as an essential supplier of this strategic ore. This positioning could play a catalytic role for the national economy, always according to information from the Africa Agency.
Source: senego / Photo credit: Republicoftogo.com
The Gabonese government decided on Friday to ban the import of broilers in order to promote national poultry production and ensure food security, according to the final communiqué of the council of ministers chaired by the head of state, Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema.
The ban will be effective from 1 January 2027, thus leaving a period of 18 months (1 year and 6 months) for actors in the sector to structure themselves, invest and prepare to meet national demand.
“This measure aims to restore domestic poultry production, boost agricultural investment, reduce food dependency and strengthen the trade balance,” the government hopes. Gabon also hopes to foster “the emergence of a network of rural jobs, the rise in quality of products consumed locally and the creation of an economic ecosystem around this sector”.
The government has also planned a detailed operational plan to be presented within 45 days by the ministers responsible for economy and trade.
Libreville dreams of reducing its dependence on poultry imports and strengthening the country’s food security. In addition, the promotion of local poultry farming should have a positive impact on rural areas, generating jobs and contributing to the development of a vibrant poultry ecosystem.
Imported frozen chicken is the most consumed food in Gabon because of its low price and packaging ready to be thrown into a pot.
“The star of the freezer” is how Gabonese people refer to frozen chicken because it is often the only food, if not the default food, found in the freezers of Gabonese families.
Frozen chicken and meat are generally imported from Latin America and Europe. Their massive presence on the market has destroyed local production.
The Council of Ministers also announced a ban on exporting crude manganese from 1 January 2029. The objective is to promote local industrial development, create jobs and maximize the value of this resource, of which Gabon is the world’s second largest producer.
Sources: gabonactu.com
Mauritania is in the spotlight. On Thursday, May 29, 2025, Sidi Ould Tah was elected president of the African Development Bank (AfDB), at the annual meeting of the institution held in Abidjan. He succeeds Akinwumi Adesina of Nigeria, in office since 2015.
His election came after a hard-fought duel against Samuel Munzele Maimbo of Zambia, who finished in second place. The election, which was marked by major geopolitical and economic issues, took place against a background of high expectations regarding governance and development financing on the continent.
The Senegalese Amadou Hott, long perceived as one of the favorites, finishes in third place, followed by the South African Bajabulile Swazi Tshabalala. Despite significant diplomatic support, notably for Hott, the momentum in favour of Sidi Ould Tah has prevailed in the last few rounds.
Former minister and general manager of the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA), Sidi Ould Tah is recognized for his experience and strategic vision. He will officially take office on 1 September 2025.
Photo credit: Forbes Africa
