Energy
Sahara Group Urges Collaboration, Investments In Sustainable Energy In Africa
Africa requires enabling energy policies, effective regulatory frameworks, investments, and collaboration to meet soaring energy needs across the continent, Wale Ajibade, Executive Director, Sahara Group has said.
Addressing top energy operators, regulators, and government functionaries at the 2023 African Refiners and Distributors Association (ARDA) Week in Cape Town, Ajibade said the current level of global investments on renewable energy was inadequate to enable Africa embrace more alternative energy sources.
Ajibade who delivered a paper titled, “Meeting Africa’s Growing Energy Requirements in the Evolving Global Landscape,” said adequate policies were vital for African countries to address foreign investors’ concerns and limit investment risks exposures.
“Over the past two decades, global investment in renewable energy has grown rapidly. Yet less than three per cent of these investments come to Africa. Africa continues to receive only a small portion of the total global investment in renewable energy,” he said.
He said the continent needs to work together to transform inherent risks and inefficiencies in the system into opportunities for ramping up energy supply from multiple sources.
“Our individual differences as countries within this continent only serve to strengthen the brilliant and colorful fabric of our cultures. With boots on ground, in over 24 African countries, we as Sahara Group know more than most that what works in one location may not necessarily be what works in the other. We have always had to overcome our challenges and propel ourselves forward by ourselves and for ourselves as Africans,” he said.
He noted that despite the dearth of investments, Africa could still strive towards meeting the continent’s energy needs through collaboration and prioritizing “the African narrative for Africans by Africans”.
“Africa will meet its growing energy requirement in the evolving global landscape, but we will do it the African way. This will be done drawing on collaborations and best business practices, embracing our diversities in cultures but always steadfast in moving forward and bringing energy to life responsibly,” he said.
He added: “As we gradually transition to renewable energy, the conditions for solar power literally shine as bright as the sun on this continent. The potential for wind energy blows through our continent ceaselessly. Africa has amongst the largest untapped potential for hydropower development and as we all know we have just begun to scratch the surface of natural gas.”
Ajibade noted that some countries on the continent were already promoting several policies and regulations to ramp up capacity for renewables in Africa.
“Case in point – solar power: Nigeria’s photovoltaic power potential makes solar energy very feasible for both investors and consumers. Sahara Group is currently harnessing this potential through the implementation of large-scale and mini-grid solar projects,” he stated.
L-R:
Executive Director, Sahara Group, Wale Ajibade, Global Head, Afrexim Bank, Mr. Rene Awambeng, and Executive Secretary, African Refiners and Distributors Association (ARDA), Mr. Anibor Kragha at the ARDA Week 2023 in Cape Town, South Africa.
On the growing importance of gas as a transition fuel, Ajibade said Africa was already witnessing remarkable progress in this regard.
“There was a time when it was unfathomable that an African company would order and build the first ever African owned LPG vessels as well as lift gas in Africa and supply to counterparts in Africa. I’m proud to say that Sahara’s vessels namely MT Africa Gas, MT Sahara Gas, MT SAPET to name a few have lifted African gas and supplied it within the continent of Africa,” he said.
According to Ajibade, meeting Africa’s growing energy needs will also require a “just transition” fueled by developing and maximizing the potential of African crude oil production in a “more sustainable manner”.
“Oil will continue to be an important source of energy but needs to be cleaner to meet global standards. We must ensure the sustainable development of our hydrocarbon resources while reducing methane emissions and flaring to achieve energy security and sustainability at the same time. The increase in the use of CCUS technology presents an opportunity for the industry to be fully exploited for reliability, environmental sustainability, and Africa’s GDP expansion. If we are to build our own ‘Wakanda’, we’re going to have to do it responsibly,” he concluded.
Asharami Energy Limited (AEL), Sahara’s upstream Exploration and Production business, through its subsidiary, Enageed Resources Limited (ERL), has achieved 6 million Lost Time Injury (LTI)-free man-hours in its OML-148 operations.
A company statement made available to Biztellers describes the achievement as “reinforcing its commitment to operational excellence and safety leadership as Sahara Upstream targets 350,000 barrels of oil per day by 2030”.
It added that the LTI is a key indicator for workplace injuries that result in time away from work. The milestone reflects Asharami Energy’s ability to execute complex operations safely, in line with Sahara’s Beyond XXX vision, which builds on its 30-year legacy of responsible enterprise while marking its next chapter of impact, innovation and sustainable growth.
Leste Aihevba, Chief Technical Officer, Asharami Energy, said: “Operational excellence begins with protecting our people, stakeholders, and communities. As we advance towards producing 350,000 barrels of oil per day, this culture will remain fundamental to how we safely deliver projects, increase production, and bring energy to life responsibly.”
He added: “Each LTI-free man-hour represents thousands of safe decisions, disciplined actions, and shared accountability in pursuit of our Goal Zero safety culture. That culture will continue to guide our journey as we unlock new growth opportunities. Zero is Possible.”
Representing the PSC partners, Nigerian Upstream Investment Management Services (NUIMS), Vincent Uwadileke, Asset Manager PSC Asset B, congratulated ERL, describing the achievement as a testament to discipline, vigilance, and HSSE excellence. He urged the team to build on the milestone and strive towards 7 million LTI-free man-hours next year.
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Ade Odunsi, Executive Director, Sahara Upstream, described the achievement as proof of Sahara’s safety-first transformation agenda. “At Sahara, sustainable growth can only be achieved when safety is embedded in every decision, process, and operation. Reaching 6 million LTI-free man-hours demonstrates the strength of our safety culture and operational discipline.”
Odunsi commended employees, contractors, regulators, host communities, and partners. “This didn’t happen by accident; it happened because every single day, people chose to do things the right and safer way. That must remain our standard because everything else is built on safety,” he added.
The event featured the unveiling of the Six Million Man-Hours LTI-Free Safety Plaque, led by Temitope Shonubi, Adedeji Odunsi and Moroti Adedoyin-Adeyinka, Executive Directors of Sahara, alongside NUIMS representatives Vincent Uwadileke and Jeffery Jaiyeola, Deputy Asset Manager (Technical) PSC Asset B, and Leste Aihevba.
Shonubi said: “The upstream business is unique. As you take out, you have less left, which is why our responsibility is not just to produce, but to do so safely and sustainably. We must move from technical production to being techno-commercial, ensuring every investment creates sustainable value and is executed using HSSE best practices. The better days must always be ahead.”
Bethel Obioma, Head, Corporate Communications, Sahara, highlighted communication’s role in sustaining safety culture. “Safety becomes truly impactful when it is understood, embraced, and practiced by everyone. At Sahara, consistent communication keeps safety top of mind, reinforces accountability, and helps transform safety from a requirement into a shared responsibility.”
The milestone reinforces Asharami Energy’s position as a responsible energy partner and Sahara’s commitment to safe, sustainable operations, with safety remaining a defining pillar of the Sahara’s Beyond XXX vision.
The Federal Government has approved a special production-linked tax credit for Shell Plc’s Bonga Southwest Aparo deepwater oil project in a fresh move aimed at unlocking billions of dollars in investment and accelerating Nigeria’s crude oil production.
According to a Bloomberg report on Tuesday, President Bola Tinubu approved fiscal terms granting Shell and its partners a tax rebate of $11.50 for every barrel of crude oil produced from the project, more than double the standard incentive currently available under Nigeria’s fiscal framework.
The report, citing people familiar with the matter who spoke on condition of anonymity because the information is not yet public, said the incentive is expected to help move the long-delayed Bonga Southwest Aparo project towards a Final Investment Decision.
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The sources also disclosed that the same production-linked tax credit would be extended to other international oil companies developing new deepwater projects in Nigeria and would remain in force until at least 2029.
The report read, “Nigeria granted Shell Plc a production-linked tax credit for a deepwater project, an incentive that will be offered to other oil majors as Africa’s biggest producer seeks to boost production, according to people familiar with the matter.
“Terms approved by President Bola Tinubu to push the Bonga Southwest Aparo project toward a final investment decision give Shell and its partners a rebate of $11.50 per barrel of crude produced, said the people who asked not to be identified because the information is not public. That’s more than double the standard amount.”
The development marks another step in the Federal Government’s efforts to restore investor confidence in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry after years of declining investment caused by oil theft, pipeline vandalism, insecurity, ageing infrastructure and regulatory uncertainty.
The Bonga Southwest Aparo project is one of Nigeria’s largest undeveloped deepwater oil fields and is projected to attract about $20bn in foreign direct investment.
According to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, the project is expected to produce about 150,000 barrels of crude oil per day when it comes on stream, significantly boosting Nigeria’s oil production capacity.
Responding to enquiries, a spokesperson for Shell said the company was continuing work towards developing the project. The spokesperson said, “Shell continues to progress the Bonga Southwest Aparo project toward development and will communicate material updates through official channels.”
Officials of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited and the Office of the President’s Special Adviser on Energy did not respond to requests for comment on the development, according to the report.
The latest incentive forms part of a broader package of reforms introduced by the Tinubu administration since assuming office in May 2023 to revive Nigeria’s struggling petroleum sector.
Over the past three years, the Federal Government has issued several executive orders designed to improve the country’s competitiveness, attract fresh investment, and unlock stalled oil and gas projects.
One of the earlier executive orders limited production tax credits to 20 per cent of a licence holder’s annual tax liability to offset operating costs, a level the government said compared favourably with global industry standards.
Stakeholders anticipate that the enhanced tax credit could improve the commercial viability of expensive deepwater developments, where production costs are significantly higher than those of onshore assets.
The report also noted that the government’s efforts to increase crude oil production are beginning to yield results.
Figures released on Sunday by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission showed that Nigeria’s crude oil production rose to an average of 1.56 million barrels per day in June, representing the country’s highest monthly output since April 2020.
The increase reflects improved security around critical oil infrastructure, renewed investment in upstream operations and government reforms aimed at restoring production levels.
However, the report said concerns remain among investors over the durability of the fiscal incentives because executive orders can be challenged in court or amended by future administrations.
To address those concerns, Shell reportedly requested that the Federal Government publish the tax-credit order in the Official Gazette, a move that would strengthen its legal standing and provide greater certainty for investors.
Internal government documents seen by Bloomberg indicated that officials have already begun the process of gazetting the order.
Nigeria has struggled for years to attract fresh investment into its upstream petroleum sector as multinational oil companies delayed or suspended major projects due to fiscal uncertainty, insecurity, and rising operating costs. Several deepwater developments have remained stalled despite the enactment of the Petroleum Industry Act in 2021.
The Tinubu administration has since prioritised reforms aimed at reversing the investment decline through executive orders, tax incentives and regulatory reforms.
The government hopes that unlocking projects such as Bonga Southwest Aparo will not only raise crude oil production but also generate billions of dollars in foreign investment, create jobs, and strengthen government revenues.
As part of a strategy to draw more fresh investments into Nigeria’s upstream sector, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has presented Petroleum Prospecting Licences (PPL) to successful bidders from the concluded 2022/2023 Mini Bid Round and the Nigeria 2024 Licensing Round.
The PPL were presented to the successful bidders, by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), during the 25th Nigeria Oil and Gas Energy Week Conference and Exhibition in Abuja on Wednesday.
Among the companies presented with licences were Broron Energy Limited, which received PPL 2009; Petroli Energy Marketing and Supply Limited, awarded PPL 269; Sahara Deepwater Resources Limited, which secured PPLs 270 and 271; and Tulcan Energy E&P Company, awarded PPL 2008.
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Companies whose representatives were not present will have their execution ceremonies scheduled shortly at mutually convenient dates.
In total, the exercise covers 12 successful awardees across 19 Petroleum Prospecting Licences, comprising a balanced portfolio of deep offshore, shallow water and continental shelf acreages, reflecting the diversity of opportunities offered through the licensing rounds.
According to the NUPRC, the awards represent another significant milestone in Nigeria’s continuing efforts to deepen investment in the upstream petroleum sector, accelerate exploration activities, expand the nation’s hydrocarbon reserves, and create long-term value for the Nigerian economy.
The latest developments come as Nigeria intensifies efforts to raise crude oil production above two million barrels per day and attract fresh capital into its oil and gas industry following years of declining investments, ageing infrastructure, oil theft and project delays.
Since the implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), the Federal Government and industry regulators have introduced fiscal incentives and regulatory reforms to improve competitiveness and restore investor confidence in the country’s upstream petroleum sector.
Industry are optimistic that the award of new exploration licences, could signal renewed momentum for Nigeria’s deepwater segment, which has long been regarded as critical to achieving sustainable crude oil production growth and boosting government revenues.
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