The African Continent - 17 February 2026

This daily brief provides a concise, intelligence-driven overview of key political, security, energy, and economic developments shaping the regional and international landscape. It synthesizes verified reporting and strategic signals to highlight emerging trends, policy shifts, and risk indicators relevant to decision-makers, analysts, and stakeholders. The brief is designed for rapid consumption while preserving analytical depth, enabling timely situational awareness and informed assessment of evolving dynamics.

ALGERIA

• The Mauritanian Minister of Energy and Petroleum, accompanied by a senior delegation, visited Algeria’s electricity system operator to discuss transmission grid development, equipment supply, engineer and student training, and experience sharing. Both sides emphasized contributing to African energy security.

• Interior Minister Said Sayoud received French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez in Algiers to discuss bilateral security and local governance cooperation. The meeting was conducted by the two governments.

• During visits to Niger and Burkina Faso, Energy Minister Mohamed Arkab discussed the Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline, oil exploration, gold mining, and solar energy projects. The government stated it aims to strengthen a “win-win” cooperation model in energy and mining across Africa.

• President Abdelmadjid Tebboune announced that the Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline will resume in Niger after Ramadan. The project, to be managed by Sonatrach, is positioned in competition with the Nigeria–Morocco pipeline.

• Chief of Staff General Saïd Chanegriha received Italian Army Chief General Carmine Masiello to discuss strengthening military cooperation. The talks focused on defense coordination.

LIBYA

• The government signed a $20 billion agreement through Waha Oil Company with TotalEnergies and ConocoPhillips to increase production to 850,000 barrels per day within 25 years.

• The Paris Court of Appeal rejected a Kuwaiti Al-Kharafi claim to seize frozen Libyan Investment Authority assets in France. The ruling favored the LIA in a €900 million dispute.

• Chief of General Staff Salahuddin El-Nimrosh met Turkish officials in Ankara to expand joint training, capacity building, and technical military cooperation.

• Zueitina Oil Company held discussions with US-based BlueVee Energy on technical cooperation for gas processing solutions under the Gas Cap Blowdown project at Field 103D. The meeting addressed H₂S management, gas separation processes, and the application of technologies in line with international standards.

GABON

• The government approved the development of the Grand N’Gongui field in Ogooué-Maritime, moving the project into production. Operated by Assala Gabon, the field is expected to produce around 10,000 barrels per day to offset declining national output.

• Under a cooperation agreement with South Africa, both sides agreed to deepen geological surveys and sustainably develop strategic minerals. The agreement aims to enhance the economic contribution of iron ore, manganese, and gold resources.

ZAMBIA

• The government plans to expand the transmission network from 12,700 km to 17,700 km in line with its target of reaching 10,000 MW generation capacity by 2030. The objective is to reduce hydropower dependence and strengthen renewable integration and supply security.

NIGERIA

• BUA Group Chairman Abdul Samad Rabiu signed an MoU in the UAE with AD Ports Group and MAIR Group for sugar refining, agro-industrial projects, and integrated logistics solutions. The agreement aims to position Khalifa Port as a global export hub for Nigerian agricultural products.

• TGI Group signed a joint venture agreement with India-based Reliance Consumer Products Limited to produce and distribute affordable FMCG products. The partnership aims to expand manufacturing capacity and employment across Nigeria and West Africa.

• Dangote Group signed a $400 million equipment agreement with China’s XCMG to accelerate refinery expansion, targeting an increase from 650,000 barrels per day to 1.4 million barrels per day. The program also includes expanded polypropylene, urea, and LAB production.

• China’s Ministry of Commerce-affiliated Trade Development Bureau became a strategic partner of the 2026 West Africa Industrialization, Manufacturing and Trade Summit. Bilateral trade exceeding $22.3 billion in the first 10 months of 2025, up 30%, is expected to shift toward industrial production and long-term investment.

• Banklink Africa and Deap Capital signed an MoU to establish the Critical Mineral Finance Corporation. The institution aims to mobilize long-term capital for mining investments in Nigeria and across Africa.

• Israeli firm Reguard Security showcased defense systems in Abuja following ISWAP drone attacks. The company proposed cooperation in drone detection, cybersecurity, and military training.

• Abuja-based defense technology startup Terrahaptix secured an additional $22 million investment led by Lux Capital to scale drone systems and expand production capacity to 40,000 units annually. The company plans to build a new defense mega factory.

KENYA

• President William Ruto called for an extraordinary EAC summit in Arusha on 7 March due to an $89.37 million budget shortfall. Arrears have disrupted institutional operations.

• KETRACO commissioned the 69 km 132kV Sondu–Homa Bay transmission line to strengthen grid capacity. The line aims to reduce pressure on an overloaded 81 MW system facing 120 MW demand.

• The government announced plans to establish a mega-scale green hydrogen plant near Mombasa powered by geothermal, wind, and solar energy. The project aims to boost zero-carbon fuel production for domestic use and export.

• President William Ruto announced he will visit Turkana amid controversy over the 85% cost recovery cap granted to Gulf Energy at the South Lokichar oil field. The issue will be reviewed in parliament until 24 February.

SOUTH AFRICA

• Revego Africa Energy Fund raised 1 billion rand, bringing total assets to 3 billion rand to expand renewable energy investments. Funds will support a 150 MW solar plant and five wind projects.

• CSIR introduced a broadband underwater data communication system developed for Armscor. The system achieved speeds above 240 kbps and transmission up to 500 meters.

• BluEnergy Trading, a subsidiary of Blu Label Unlimited, received a multi-year energy trading license from NERSA. The license aims to facilitate renewable energy transactions between municipalities and private producers.

EGYPT

• Petroleum Minister Karim Badawi approved a 10 billion Egyptian pound investment budget for Alexandria Petroleum Company for FY 2026/27. Funds will support refinery upgrades and efficiency improvements.

• The government and the European Union signed a €90 million grant agreement to support renewable energy and grid investments, alongside an additional €35 million grant for the green ammonia project in Ain Sokhna.

• President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi reviewed electricity supply security ahead of summer, with plans to add 3,000 MW of solar and 600 MW of battery storage capacity. Renewable energy is targeted to reach 42% of the mix by 2030.

• Petrosannan approved its FY 2026/27 plan to increase production, including drilling six new wells in the Western Desert and strengthening gas recovery and cybersecurity cooperation.

• ABL was appointed to provide marine warranty survey services for Phase 4 of the Kamose gas field development. The project includes three platforms and 11 km of flowlines.

• Discussions with IFC covered six refinery projects exceeding $4 billion and mining sector reforms to enhance value addition.

• Almarasem Development announced plans to open the $120 million, 600-key Lake Residence project in New Cairo between late 2026 and early 2027.

• Renewable installed capacity increased 5.8% to 9.1 GW in the second fiscal quarter. The expansion reduced 3,182 tons of carbon emissions and saved 1.342 million tons of oil equivalent.

• A summit between Egypt and France is planned in April in Cairo to address regional crises including Sudan and Libya.

• Egypt and Kenya agreed to strengthen coordination on trade, energy, and Nile Basin projects, with Cairo proposing financing for a Kenyan dam project.

SOMALIA

• The government initiated the transition to issue East African Community passports to Somali citizens following design approval. The move aims to strengthen regional free movement.

• Defense Minister Ahmed Moallim Fiqi met Chinese Ambassador Wang Yu to discuss security cooperation and support for restructuring the Somali National Army. Both sides reaffirmed strategic partnership.

ANGOLA

• The Angola Oil and Gas Conference was launched, with projections of $70 billion in upstream investment in the coming years. Projects such as Agogo and Kaminho are expected to support production growth.

• ANPG extended its low-carbon partnership with Chevron and INGA for two years, covering carbon market regulation and biofuel initiatives.

SENEGAL

• Production at the Sangomar field reached 36.1 million barrels in 2025, exceeding the 30.53 million barrel target. Total output since June 2024 reached 53 million barrels.

• Fortuna Mining applied for an operating license for the $283 million Diamba Sud Gold Project, targeting average annual production of 147,000 ounces.

TANZANIA

• The government and mining companies initiated talks on strategies to increase the sector’s contribution to national income from 16% to 50%. Mining Minister Anthony Mavunde prioritized boosting mineral revenues and financing development projects.

NAMIBIA

• In December 2025, private sector credit stock rose 0.7% month-on-month to 122.3 billion Namibian dollars, while annual growth slowed to 4.4%. Bank liquidity declined to $5.16 billion due to reduced diamond sales revenues.

LIBERIA

• The government announced a target to increase iron ore production to approximately 30 million tons in 2026, supported by ArcelorMittal expansion and infrastructure upgrades.

CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC

• Former Prime Minister Firmin Ngrebada’s political influence was gradually curtailed by President Faustin-Archange Touadéra. Ngrebada lost his parliamentary seat in December 2025 elections.

GHANA

• Ghana and Lebanon agreed in Accra to strengthen security cooperation against cybercrime, drug trafficking, and money laundering. Both sides emphasized intelligence sharing and coordinated operations.

ETHIOPIA

• President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan conducted an official visit to Addis Ababa at the invitation of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. The visit coincided with the 100th anniversary of diplomatic relations and aimed to deepen economic and political cooperation.