Environmental sustainability is non-negotiable while resource extraction. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Organised by the Petroleum Authority of Uganda (PAU), the third Civil Society Organisation (CSO) Conference on Oil and Gas saw key stakeholders pledge enhanced collaboration and mutual understanding to advance best practice in business and human rights in Uganda’s extractive industry 

Ernest Rubondo, executive director of the PAU, said, "We’ve made significant progress thanks to stakeholder alignment across most activities. However, differences have emerged – particularly around business, social, and human rights perspectives. It’s crucial that even in disagreement, we foster constructive engagement that promotes learning without hindering Uganda’s socio-economic development."

"As we advance in resource extraction, human rights, environmental sustainability, and equitable benefit sharing are non-negotiable. Our development strategy must integrate social safeguards, uphold dignity, and promote justice, especially for communities in project areas," said Frank Mugisha, Ag. Commissioner for the Petroleum Department at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development (MEMD).

TotalEnergies’ general manager, Philippe Groueix, highlighted the company's agricultural programmes to support local communities as they undertake the Tilenga Project.

“At TotalEnergies, we remain committed to a culture of active listening, learning and continuous improvement. We are not here to meet minimum standards – but to strive to set new benchmarks in the responsible energy development of the Tilenga Project,” he said.

John Bosco Habomugisha, deputy managing director of EACOP, said, “We value the role of civil society in promoting accountability and compliance. EACOP is committed to strengthening collaboration – on worker rights, grievance mechanisms, gender-responsive policies, and Business and Human Rights awareness.”

'Innovate, Invest, Implement: Revolutionised Financing for Sustainable Energy Sector Growth in Africa. (Image source: African Energy Chamber)

The Africa Energy Technology (AET) conference is all set to open tomorrow for the next three days in Accra, Ghana

This year the event will be driven by the theme 'Innovate, Invest, Implement: Revolutionised Financing for Sustainable Energy Sector Growth in Africa', with special focus on technology innovation and new financial mechanisms for diverse investments. 

Africa’s oil and gas players are currently seeking to boost production, with Angola planning to sustain output above one million barrels per day (bpd), Nigeria targeting 2.5 million bpd while Libya strives for 2 million bpd. Alongside, gas-rich nations across the continent aim to increase LNG output. The Republic of Congo targets 3 million tons per annum (mtpa) with the start of Congo LNG phase two in 2025; Mozambique is advancing its Rovuma Basin projects; while Senegal and Mauritania eye 5 mtpa at the Greater Tortue Ahmeyim project, following first production in 2024.

The AET 2025 conference will also address the importance of energy mix, with technology driving energy efficiency and sustainability.

Flare Gas Utilisation: The Importance of Mid-Scale Integrated Gas Commercialisation Solutions. (Image source: Energy Capital & Power)

Africa has been paying a hefty price for a long time now as it lacks the right infrastructure to advance the practice of gas flaring 

During a session at Invest in African Energy 2025 titled 'Flare Gas Utilisation: The Importance of Mid-Scale Integrated Gas Commercialisation Solutions', Nmesoma Okereke, sales manager and flare gas recovery specialist at Neuman & Esser, emphasised on addressing the challenge with scalable gas monetisation strategies.

“The most important reason for gas flaring is a lack of infrastructure, but also cost inefficiencies,” said Okereke. “In the past, it was more economically feasible to flare gas than develop or commercialize the gas. That is no longer the case with the rise of innovative gas solutions.”

Three of the world’s top nine gas-flaring countries are in Africa, said Okereke, collectively responsible for an estimated 60% of the continent’s gas flaring. Nigeria alone flared roughly 193 bn cu/ft of gas in 2024, while producing 2.5 trillion cu/ft of gas. Leveraging that wasted gas can generate as much as US$1bn, making a huge difference in a country where around 40% of the population is yet to experience the benefits of electricity.

Nigeria’s case study illustrates the dual challenge of wasted resources and unmet energy demand. According to Okereke, Nigeria needs five times its current domestic gas supply to reach its goal of 30 GW of power by 2030.

With flaring becoming less economically justifiable due to emerging technologies and modular gas utilisation options, Okereke emphasised the need to shift toward mid-scale integrated solutions that can bridge the infrastructure gap and bring gas to market more quickly and efficiently.

The event will delve into regional success stories. (Image source: EAECS)

The East Africa Energy Cooperation Summit (EA-ECS), taking place 29-30 January in Arusha, Tanzania, will be uniting the region's energy independent poiwer producers (IPPs) and engineering, procurement, construction and financing contract (EPCF) stakeholders to discuss the region's investment potential and innovations taking place in the industry

The event will delve into the success stories, including the Ethiopia-Kenya electricity highway, highlighting the role of cross-border collaboration for economic and social development.

Led by Ministers from across the EAC and large-scale energy users, over two days, the Arusha Summit will deep dive into opportunities for the private sector, advocating for a diversified energy mix to maintain grid stability to support major industrial growth, as well as C&I generation.

“Energy is a pillar for development and growth and is crucial for the functioning of the economies of the EAC Partner States. The East Africa Energy Cooperation Summit will serve as the ideal platform for advancing projects and bringing tangible changes in the industry,” said Andrea Malueth, deputy secretary general (Infrastructure, Productive, Social & Political Sectors), East African Community Secretariat.

“Ten years from now, the EAC’s middle classes will have more job stability, more opportunities, and more disposable income than ever before. New railways, industries, ports, and tourism will position the region as the number one investment destination globally, taking the title back from both parts of Asia and Latin America,” said Elisa Palmioli, producer, EnergyNet, which is organising the event.