In a move set to strengthen bilateral cooperation in West Africa, Equatorial Guinea and Nigeria have signed an agreement for the construction of the Gulf of Guinea Gas Pipeline Project. A joint regional pipeline development, the project will transport gas from Nigeria to Equatorial Guinea. Under the terms of the deal, gas will be processed at Equatorial Guinea’s LNG processing facilities at Punta Europa on Bioko Island – owned by the state-owned EG LNG – signaling new opportunities for energy security on the back of bilateral collaboration.

The deal, signed by Presidents Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo and Bola Ahmed Tinubu this week, outlines plans for a pipeline, LNG facility feedstock and gas sales to power companies and industrial users, ensuring energy security and regional trade in West Africa

“This agreement marks a significant milestone in Equatorial Guinea’s GMH initiative, reinforcing our position as a regional leader in gas monetization. By partnering with Nigeria on the Gulf of Guinea Gas Pipeline, we are not only strengthening bilateral cooperation but also regional collaboration to ensure a secure and reliable supply of gas for our LNG facility at Punta Europa for years to come. This project will unlock immense economic value for both our nations, driving sustainable development and energy security across the region,” stated Antonio Oburu Ondo, Minister of Mines and Hydrocarbons of Equatorial Guinea.

The deal follows a slate of milestones achieved, all of which aim to enhance feedstock for Equatorial Guinea’s GMH at Punta Europa on Bioko Island. Commissioned in 2007, the facility was developed with the aim of monetizing gas resources in both domestic and regional fields. Initially, gas was processed from the Alba field, however, faced with natural declines, alternative sources are being developed. Specifically, energy producer Marathon Oil Corp. and energy major Chevron signed an agreement in 2023 with Equatorial Guinea to advance the next stages of the GMH.

The first phase was completed in 2021 with the tie-back of the Alen field to the facility, with first gas achieved that same year. The second phase of the expansion project will involve processing gas from the Alba field under new contractual terms while the third phase will bring a new gas field online by processing gas from the Noble Energy-operated Aseng field. These consecutive phases directly address production decline in Equatorial Guinea while further positioning Punta Europa as a world-class hub for the monetization of local gas.

Concurrently, Equatorial Guinea signed a bilateral trade agreement with Cameroon in 2024 to mobilize transborder wet gas fields. The countries agreed to jointly develop oil and gas projects along their shared maritime borders, including the Yoyo and Yolanda fields, the Etinde gas field, the Camen field and the Diega field.

The recent deal with Nigeria will further consolidate the Equatorial Guinea’s role as a regional infrastructure hub, boosting production and export capacity while monetizing stranded reserves in Nigeria.

As the voice of the African energy sector, the African Energy Chamber fully supports Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea in this transformative agreement, which promises to drive progress and prosperity across West Africa.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

Power Africa Coordinator Richard Nelson concluded a four-day visit to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) on Thursday, during which he announced a $15.5 million investment and engaged with key energy stakeholders to discuss Power Africa’s initiatives in-country. The visit underscores the U.S. commitment to supporting the DRC’s efforts to strengthen its energy sector and enhance sustainable electricity access.

A U.S. government-led partnership, Power Africa harnesses the collective resources of public and private sectors to double access to electricity in sub-Saharan Africa. Leveraging 12 U.S. government agencies, including the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the initiative brings to bear a wide range of tools and resources to support the power sector across sub-Saharan Africa. Through its Empower East and Central Africa (EECA) program, it is working closely with local stakeholders, including government agencies, private sector companies, and community organizations, to implement innovative solutions tailored to the DRC’s needs. These solutions are aimed at reducing the cost of energy generation, improving the viability of electricity utilities, and driving significant advancements in power infrastructure, energy access, and sustainability across the region.

“Power Africa is committed to working with leaders in the DRC energy sector to bring clean, reliable power to the people and businesses across the country. Together, we can incentivize increased investment, transparency, and well-functioning governance in the energy sector,” said Nelson.

During his visit, the Coordinator met with Teddy Lwamba, the Minister of Hydraulic Resources and Electricity, as well as Fabrice Lusinde, the Managing Director of the Société Nationale d’Electricité, to discuss how Power Africa will contribute to addressing the DRC’s energy challenges while promoting sustainable development. The Coordinator also met with senior executives from mining companies operating in southeastern DRC. These discussions provided valuable insights into the sector’s development plans and explored opportunities for Power Africa to bolster support for electricity generation projects in Lubumbashi.

Power Africa’s goal is to improve access to affordable and reliable electricity in sub-Saharan Africa, unlocking the potential for inclusive economic growth and prosperity, job creation, improved health, and environmental outcomes by adding 30,000 megawatts of new electricity generation capacity and 60 million new electricity connections for homes and businesses by 2030.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of U.S. Embassy in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The Zimbabwean authorities must immediately release human rights defenders who have been arbitrarily detained for over two weeks and drop charges against them, independent human rights experts* said today. 

Woman human rights defender Namatai Kwekweza, teacher and labour rights defender Robson Chere, the Secretary-General of Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ), along with local councilor for Harare Ward 5, Samuel Gwenzi, were forcibly removed from a departing flight at Harare Airport on 31 July 2024. Unidentified men escorted the three to a high security zone within the airport and held them incommunicado for eight hours. During this time, the three were reportedly subjected to enforced disappearance, torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, including waterboarding. Additionally, they were severely threatened against protesting in advance of or during the Southern African Development Community (SADC) summit scheduled for 17 to 19 August 2024 in Harare. 

“The enforced disappearance, incommunicado detention and torture, followed by the arbitrary detention of these human rights defenders is inexcusable, and not only violates international human rights law but also makes a mockery of the safeguards contained in Zimbabwe’s own Constitution,” the experts said. 

At around 9PM on 31 July 2024, the human rights defenders were handed over to the Zimbabwe Republic Police at Harare Central Police Station, when they were informed, for the first time, that they were facing charges of “disorderly conduct” under section 41 of the Criminal Law Codification and Reform Act. These charges relate to their alleged participation in a demonstration calling for the release of a detained opposition politician. Namatai Kwekweza was apparently not even in Zimbabwe at the time of the demonstration in question. 

The experts said, “These baseless charges are being used as a fig-leaf to target human rights defenders and opposition voices for calling for greater democracy, human rights and accountability in Zimbabwe. At a time when Zimbabwe is preparing to host the SADC summit, whose values include institutions that are “democratic, legitimate, and effective”, it is unconscionable that these human rights defenders working to strengthen such institutions remain arbitrarily detained.” 

The release of the human rights defenders on bail has been opposed by the prosecutor and a further bail hearing has been scheduled for tomorrow, 16 August 2024. The experts have been in touch with the Government of Zimbabwe on the issue. 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).

Salome Agbaroji, the 2023/2024 U.S. National Youth Poet Laureate visited Nigeria from July 21 to 29 as part of the U.S. Department of State’s Arts Envoy Program. Agbaroji is a celebrated Nigerian American poet, who has performed spoken word poetry at the White House, the United Nations, and the Golden Globes Pre-Show, among many other prestigious stages.

During her visit to Nigeria, Agbaroji, a first year Harvard University student, traveled to Enugu to connect with her roots and immerse herself in the local arts and culture scene. She visited the Center for Memories, a repository of the rich history and culture of the Igbo people, hosted a poetry workshop at the University of Nigeria’s Window on America, and headlined an evening of discussions and networking with the creative community in Enugu.

In Lagos, Agbaroji conducted workshops for young poets and spoken word artists, visited the University of Lagos to meet creative arts professors and students, and hosted a poetry slam competition for high school students. To conclude her visit, Agbaroji joined Nigerian spoken word artist and 2022 Lagos International Poetry Festival Slam Champion Deborah Johnson for a moderated conversation about their work in the creative industry. The event featured poem recitations and an open mic session, where Agbaroji and other artists shared their work.

Audiences in Lagos and Enugu, including high school and university students, arts professors, emerging and established poets and artists, found Agbaroji’s work relatable, engaging, and enjoyable. Agbaroji’s desire to share her talents in poetry through mentorships and workshops resulted in meaningful connections and cultural exchange with the Nigerian literary community. The activities in both cities inspired young students to envision a future in the creative arts through poetry.

Reflecting on her visit, Agbaroji expressed appreciation for being able to connect with Nigeria’s vibrant art scene through the U.S. Arts Envoy Program. “I’m thankful to have had the opportunity to visit Nigeria for the first time through the Arts Envoy program. Watching a participant start a poem during our workshop, collaborate with others, and then perform it live at our open mic night was incredibly uplifting,” Agbaroji added.

U.S. Consulate Public Affairs Officer Julie McKay highlighted the importance of cultural exchanges like Agbaroji’s visit to Nigeria and their ability to bring Americans and Nigerians together to share ideas and expertise, promote mutual understanding and freedom of expression. “One of the most empowering opportunities we can offer young people is a platform where their voices can be heard,” McKay said. “Poetry is an inspiring platform for youth to express their creativity and sense of self.”

The Public Diplomacy Section of the U.S. Mission in Nigeria supports programs that bring American cultural leaders to Nigeria to meet, exchange ideas and collaborate with their Nigerian counterparts. Through these people-to-people connections, the U.S. Mission hopes to foster a deeper relationship between the people of Nigeria and the United States.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of U.S. Embassy and Consulate in Nigeria.