Navitas assumes Block 1 CBK control
Navitas Petroleum has assumed operatorship of South Africa’s Block 1 CBK after regulatory approval, following Eco Atlantic’s farm-down of a 37.5 per cent working interest.
The 19,929-km² Orange Basin block, adjacent to Namibia, contains a confirmed gas discovery and significant prospective resources.
Eco received $4 million in cash and will be carried for up to $7.5 million of its work-program share.
The partners estimate more than 3.6 billion barrels of prospective oil resources and 4.5 trillion cubic feet of gas.
Navitas will lead exploration, including a work programme featuring two planned exploration wells..
Nigeria activates $300m renewables fund
The $300-million Nigeria Distributed Renewable Energy (DRE) Fund has reached its first close, securing initial capital commitments and entering operation.
Co-managed by the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) and Africa50, the fund will provide equity financing to local clean-energy developers.
It will support solar mini-grids, solar home systems, commercial and industrial power solutions, and energy storage.
Aligned with Mission 300, the initiative aims to mobilise private investment and expand reliable electricity access for Nigerian households and businesses, supporting the goal of connecting 300 million Africans to power by 2030.
Siemens eyes West Africa gas-to-power
Siemens Energy is expanding its focus on West Africa’s emerging gas-to-power market as countries seek to convert domestic gas resources into reliable electricity and industrial growth.
The company sold 194 gas turbines in fiscal 2025, while Gas Services order intake rose 42.9 per cent.
In Mauritania, a 230 MW gas-fired project is advancing, while Senegal is pursuing domestic gas conversion for existing thermal generation.
Siemens Energy is also developing distributed power solutions for African markets.
The shift highlights growing demand for turbines, grid infrastructure, engineering and long-term operations services across the region..
Nigeria boosts mining private ties
The Miners Association of Nigeria (MAN) and the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) have signed a strategic partnership to strengthen collaboration between the mining sector and organised private sector. NACCIMA will mobilise its national network of chambers and business associations to increase private-sector participation and support investment in mining.
The partnership will also provide businesses with opportunities to showcase projects, products and services, while connecting with policymakers, investors and industry stakeholders.
The agreement aims to promote value-chain development, investment and economic diversification across Nigeria’s minerals sector.
Invictus advances Zimbabwe gas
Invictus Energy is advancing Zimbabwe’s Cabora Bassa Basin toward commercial development following major gas-condensate discoveries and a production sharing agreement with the government.
The Mukuyu discovery is estimated to contain 4.2 trillion cubic feet of gas and 264 million barrels of condensate.
The company is preparing to drill the Musuma-1 well in November, targeting additional resources.
It is also pursuing gas-to-power projects, including a planned 12 MW pilot for Eureka Gold Mine, with potential expansion.
Regional gas monetisation and pipeline opportunities are also under development.
Nigeria rejoins World Energy Council
Nigeria has rejoined the World Energy Council as a Member Committee, restoring its participation after more than six decades.
The committee, inaugurated in Abuja on August 7, is chaired by Waltersmith Petroman Oil co-founder Abdulrazaq Isa, with Bala Wunti as chief executive.
Its board includes representatives from government, academia and the private sector. Nigeria returns with a significantly expanded indigenous energy industry and greater upstream ownership.
The committee will also contribute to global discussions on energy security, affordability, emissions reduction, energy access and Africa’s transition.
TotalEnergies, GIP in $1.8bn Africa deal
TotalEnergies has entered into a partnership agreement with Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP), a part of BlackRock, relating to TotalEnergies’ interests in some oil & gas infrastructure assets in Africa.
In exchange for a $1.8 billion capital contribution, TotalEnergies will pay GIP a throughput-based tariff over a period of up to 15 years.
“We are pleased to strengthen our relationship with GIP through this infrastructure agreement which crystallises the value of some of our midstream infrastructure assets in Africa,” said Jean-Pierre Sbraire, Chief Financial Officer of TotalEnergies.
RS supports NVIDIA Jetson Orin Nano 2
RS is supporting NVIDIA’s Jetson Orin Nano 2, an entry-level edge AI platform expected to launch in the first half of 2027.
Delivering 78 TOPS of AI performance, the compact system offers twice the inference performance of the Orin Nano Super while maintaining a 40W power envelope and using 40 per cent less power at equivalent performance.
With eight-core Arm CPU, 8GB memory and enhanced Tensor Cores, the platform targets robotics, drones, inspection and vision AI applications.
RS says the technology could help South African industries advance real-time AI, automation and intelligent machinery.