Oil and gas service providers across Africa have formed a continental forum known as the African Local Content Organisation (ALCO), with the goal of collaborating among themselves to deliver complex projects, creating and retaining value in the multibillion dollar African energy sector and growing the economy.
The organisation was unveiled on Wednesday, August 13, Day 2 of the 2025 Namibia Oil and Gas Conference, at Windhoek, Namibia. Membership is open to national associations of service providers in the oil and gas and mining sectors across the African continent.
Chairman of the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN) and member of NCDMB Governing Council, Mr. Wole Ogunsanya, speaking at the conference
Chairman of the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN) and member of NCDMB Governing Council, Mr. Wole Ogunsanya, introduced the organisation and explained that the body would serve as the private sector arm of the African Petroleum Producers’ Organisation, (APPO), which comprises African governments engaged in oil and gas operations.
He underscored the pivotal and complimentary roles the private sector plays in building African local content, particularly in the development of competent human capacities, deployment of technologies and equipment, mobilization of private capital, and execution of projects.
Ogunsanya said the organisation would be launched officially at the 2026 African Union (AU) conference, in view of its strategic importance to continent’s economy.
Key to the group’s plan is to institute close partnership with APPO and the African Energy Bank (AEB). The Bank was recently set up by APPO to fund big ticket energy projects across the continent and bridge the funding gap impeding the development of key energy projects.
Members of the group, Ogunsanya said, are well positioned to execute key scopes of the projects that would be financed by the Energy Bank. This would guarantee value and spend retention in the continent, helping to catalyze the economy.
Other key objectives of the forum include facilitating exchange of knowledge and capacities among African energy service companies, enabling collaboration on projects, and growing Africa’s gross domestic product (GDP).
The PETAN Chair added: “Through the forum we can carry out benchmark studies, join forces to solve industry problems. It is also a forum where African energy service companies can link up and find partners across the continent. It would enable the exchange of equipment and partnership on major industry projects. As Namibia or any other African country develops energy projects, you can count on your African brothers to share our over 70 years’ knowledge and experience in the oil and gas industry.”
Fourteen African countries have already joined the organisation, he said, including Nigeria, Morocco, Senegal, Angola, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The PETAN chairman is serving as the interim chair of the African Local Content Organisation, while Ibrahim Talla from Senegal is the Secretary.
The new organisation has received endorsement from the Executive Secretary, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Felix Omatsola Ogbe, who described it as a key platform for advancing African local content.
Represented at the Namibian event by the Director, Corporate Services, Dr. Abdulmalik Halilu, the NCDMB boss referenced the vital roles the Board played in the establishment of the African Energy Bank, assuring that it would continue to promote African local content and extend every possible assistance to the ALCO.
The Surveyor General of the Federation (SGOF), Abudulganiyu Adebomehin, has issued a stern warning to states, emphasising that all illegal structures built along Nigeria’s shorelines will be demolished.
This is contained in a statement signed by Mr. Henry David, Head of Information and Public Relations, on Thursday, August 14, 2025, in Abuja.
Surveyor General of the Federation, Mr. Abuduganiyu Adebomehin
Adebomehin gave the warning during a visit by the executive teams of the Nigerian Institution of Surveyors (NIS) and the Association of Private Practising Surveyors of Nigeria (APPSN).
According to him, the demolition directive aligns with national urban planning laws and international maritime frameworks, particularly the Law of the Sea.
Additional roles and responsibilities have been attached to the Office of the Surveyor General of the Federation (OSGOF).
This follows its recent move under the direct oversight of the Presidency.
Adebomehin stated, “As part of the President’s directive, all requests for issuance of Certificates of Occupancy (C-of-Os), permits, and survey plans along the shoreline should be put on hold.
“This will be pending determination on merit for further processing by OSGOF.”
He further directed the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) to collate and submit all prior shoreline-related approvals issued to individuals or corporate entities to the OSGOF.
“Any documents previously submitted to other organisations or MDAs concerning shoreline matters should now be redirected to his office.”
The Surveyor General expressed concern over the continued duplication of OSGOF’s functions by some MDAs, in spite of the official pronouncement of its relocation to the Presidency.
He also criticised states that were still allocating land within shoreline areas without involving the OSGOF.
“The enforcement unit will demolish anything within the right of way (ROW); this is an executive order.
“The Federal Government does not want any unapproved allocation around the shoreline.
“This is subject to the Law of the Sea, and there is a strong commitment to ensure compliance. The OSGOF has the right map,” he warned.
Adebomehin also commended the visiting surveyor bodies for their dedication to advancing the surveying profession in Nigeria and pledged continued collaboration toward shared goals.
Speaking during the visit, the Surveyor General of the NIS, Folakemi Odunewu, said the delegation came to congratulate Adebomehin on OSGOF’s transition to the Presidency and to present their demands.
“We have a seven-point agenda, which includes digital transformation of the National Secretariat, public relations and advocacy, and extending our engagements to other relevant stakeholders,” she said.
Odunewu added that their agenda also covered the re-agitation of the Survey Coordination Act and the development of additional professional excellence structures for NIS members.
She also highlighted a renewed push for the creation of a dedicated Ministry of Surveying and Geoinformatics.
Demonstrating strong unity, Global South Member States and Civil Society called for ambitious, legally binding global measures to curb plastic production, in a media briefing on Thursday, August 14, 2025, the closing day of the second part of the fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-5.2), held by the Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA).
The event brought together civil society organisations (CSOs) from across the Global South, including the Association de l’Education Environnementale pour les Futures Générations- Tunisia, C4 Center – Malaysia, and Acción Ecológica Mexico. It also featured distinguished delegates from Ethiopia and Fiji, including Hiwot Hailu, Chief of Staff at the Environmental Protection Authority of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, and Dr. Sivendra Michael, Permanent Secretary at Fiji’s Ministry of Environment and Climate Change.
Global South Member States and Civil Society during GAIA’s INC-5.2 Global South Media Briefing. Photo credit: GAIA / Camila Aguilera
This gathering took place against the backdrop of the Chair’s latest text, released on Wednesday, August 12, which was universally rejected by countries and civil society groups. The text leaves out a key article on reducing plastic production, going against the treaty’s mandate to address plastics across their full life cycle, amongst other pressing issues. This position shaped the demands voiced by the panelists during the media briefing.
Merrisa Naidoo, GAIA Africa’s Plastics Programme Manager, stressed that a flawed process cannot deliver good outcomes.
“Consensus is not democracy. It ignores the will of the vast majority of member states and, unfortunately, has to cater to the wish list of the petro-states and fossil fuel industry,” submitted Naidoo.
This sentiment was further emphasised by Semia Gharbi, Chairperson & Co-Founder, Association de l’Education Environnementale pour les Futures Générations, who stated that the article on health in the Chair’s text was deleted in the current version.
“We have to remind our delegates that we must protect the environment. With a growing plastic crisis, we cannot ignore science,” said Gharbi.
SiPeng Wong of C4 Center in Malaysia stated, “If we don’t control the amount of waste being produced, it will end up exported to my country and region. In Southeast Asia, the volume of waste that reaches our backyard is unmanageable”. SiPeng noted that Malaysia alone receives over 415 million kg of waste from Global North countries.
“Without reducing the generation of waste, we will end up having to manage it”.
Dr. Larisa de Orbe of Acción Ecológica México expressed that plastic pollution already exceeded the limits of what people and nature can handle.
“Our government must negotiate free from industry pressure in order to truly safeguard the health and well-being of current and future generations,” Orbe said.
During the briefing, Member State representatives addressed questions about the role of Global South leadership in the treaty process. They were asked whether the critical priorities of the Global South were reflected in the Chair’s latest draft text, their reactions to it, and how civil society can support efforts to uphold ambitious commitments.
Responding to the question, a delegate from Fiji, Dr. Sivendra Michael, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, Fiji Government, said, “The last iteration of the text, which came out yesterday, we know is a serious regression from the UNEA Mandate 5/14 given to us as governments. We all agreed at UNEA 5 that we would address the full lifecycle of plastic.”
Furthermore, he highlighted, “There are many metaphors that we use, but one is that we can’t continue mopping the floor without turning the tap. We need legally binding global measures to control production.”
A delegate from Ethiopia, Hiwot Hailu, Chief of Staff, Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, Environmental Protection Authority, commented on the supportive role played by civil society within the INC-5.2, calling them the engine of our negotiating process.
“We need civil society to continue to be a partner, providing pressure from the outside to ensure negotiations don’t lose sight of our shared goals, and to continue advocacy for a legally binding plastic treaty that protects people and our planet,” stated the delegate from Ethiopia.
The Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists (NAPE) has called for deeper oil and gas exploration, innovation, and strategic investment in human capital as it marks its 50th anniversary.
Speaking during the Golden Jubilee celebration on Thursday, August 14, 2025, in Lagos, NAPE President, Mr. Johnbosco Uche, described the milestone as “a generational legacy of excellence”.
NAPE President, Mr. Johnbosco Uche
He urged the government, industry stakeholders, and young professionals to collaborate in unlocking Nigeria’s vast untapped energy resources.
NAPE was founded in August 1975 by 10 pioneering geoscientists, and has grown into Africa’s largest professional body of petroleum geoscientists and related disciplines.
Over five decades, the association has played a central role in shaping Nigeria’s oil and gas landscape.
Highlighting NAPE’s legacy, Uche noted the association’s influence in establishing the marginal field bid framework, which paved the way for indigenous operators in the industry.
He also pointed to members’ involvement in nearly every major hydrocarbon discovery in the Niger Delta.
He added that NAPE had contributed to petroleum education through its University Assistance Programme and consistently shaped industry discourse via its annual conferences.
“What began with 10 men has become a legacy that spans boardrooms, drill sites, and classrooms,” Uche said.
Looking ahead, Uche stressed the critical role of natural gas in Nigeria’s energy future, calling it a “transitional fuel” amid global energy shifts.
“With an estimated 600 trillion cubic feet of untapped gas, he emphasised the need for deliberate exploration and sustainable development.
“Gas exploration must become intentional. This is the time to go deeper and think smarter,” he said, urging the government to create attractive fiscal and regulatory incentives.
He also advocated a return to “the basics of exploration” – emphasing high-quality seismic data, digital transformation, and adoption of technologies such as AI and machine learning.
Uche highlighted the sector’s aging workforce and called for structured efforts to groom the next generation of professionals.
He proposed robust internship schemes, mentorship programmes, sabbaticals, and the establishment of new centres of excellence for petroleum studies in both northern and southern Nigeria.
“Human capital is our most precious reservoir – it must be developed intentionally,” he said.
The NAPE president pledged to enhance the association’s role in shaping national energy policy.
“Our members are not just professionals, they are nation-builders,” he said.
Uche made a rallying call for unity and forward-thinking action across the industry.
“Let the next 50 years be built on this legacy – with boldness, wisdom, and collaboration,” he said.
Also speaking at the event, Commission Chief Executive of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Mr. Gbenga Komolafe, highlighted vast opportunities in new frontier basins.
He said this included onshore, shallow water, and deep offshore blocks, bolstered by Nigeria’s new licensing round regime.
He outlined transformative prospects in natural gas development, LNG projects, floating LNG (FLNG), and compressed natural gas (CNG) infrastructure, all aimed at boosting export capacity and enhancing domestic supply.
“Hydrocarbons still account for nearly 90 per cent of Nigeria’s foreign exchange and 70 per cent of government revenue, but the long-term sustainability of the sector lies in aligning growth with climate responsibility,” Komolafe said.
He reiterated the nation’s gas-centric transition strategy, anchored by key initiatives such as “The Decade of Gas: The Nigerian Gas Flare Commercialisation Programme (NGFCP) and The Presidential CNG Initiative”.
These programmes, he said, aim to eliminate routine gas flaring by 2030, and cut methane emissions by 60 per cent by 2031.
Komolafe stated that Nigeria’s gas reserves, currently the largest in Africa at 210.54 trillion cubic feet,provide a springboard to become a global energy hub.
He said Nigeria also holds 37.28 billion barrels of crude oil and produces approximately 1.8 million barrels of oil and eight billion standard cubic feet of gas daily.
“Our ambition is to increase production to three million barrels of oil and 12 billion cubic feet of gas per day,” he said.
Achieving this, he explained, will require sustained investment in frontier exploration, mature field development, and critical infrastructure to support a growing population and industrial needs.
Komolafe said NUPRC was implementing a robust Upstream Decarbonisation Framework and Blueprint.
He said this included emissions monitoring, carbon capture and storage, and access to climate finance through carbon markets.
“We are developing a carbon services ecosystem – comprising monitoring technologies, advisory services, and deployment tools – while ensuring environmental and asset integrity,” he said.
On a continental level, Komolafe emphasised regional collaboration through the African Petroleum Regulatory Forum (AFRIPERF), which promotes regulatory harmonisation, cross-border financing, and energy infrastructure interoperability.
He said that NUPRC was also working with the Africa Energy Bank to channel transition capital into high-impact projects across the continent.
Komolafe reported strong investor interest, with Nigeria’s rig count rising from eight in 2021 to 43 presently, with projections to hit 50 by year-end.
“This momentum signals a bold new chapter for Nigeria – one defined by resilience, ambition, and opportunity,” said.
The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has flagged inefficiencies and overlapping regulations as major obstacles to growth in Nigeria’s upstream oil and gas sector.
Other challenges are opaque fiscal structures and weak investor confidence.
Gbenga Komolafe, the Chief Executive of NUPRC
NUPRC Chief Executive, Mr. Gbenga Komolafe, outlined these challenges at the Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists (NAPE) golden jubilee lecture on Thursday, August 14, 2025, in Lagos.
Komolafe spoke on: “Evolution of Oil and Gas Regulation in Nigeria: Opportunities, Achievements, and Regulatory Strategies for Upstream Resource Optimisation”.
He said that lengthy approvals and uncompetitive regulations hinder resource exploitation.
He traced sector development to the Petroleum Act of 1969, which initially provided structure but became outdated over the decades.
This, he said, changed with the 2021 Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), which brought new governance, fiscal reforms, and institutional realignment.
According to him, the PIA shifted Nigeria from static regulation to dynamic, investor-focused governance anchored on transparency and global competitiveness.
The Act also created NUPRC as a forward-thinking regulator tasked with positioning Nigeria as a world-class upstream oil and gas jurisdiction.
Komolafe commended NAPE at 50, describing it as a pillar of geoscientific excellence and a vital bridge between academia, government, and the energy sector.
The anniversary theme, ‘NAPE @ 50: Pioneering the Future of Energy in Africa,’ reflects a drive to build a resilient and innovative energy future.
Under his leadership, NUPRC has issued 19 PIA-aligned regulations, matching global standards and fostering a stable environment for investors.
He said the Commission has also launched a Regulatory Action Plan (RAP) within its 2023–2033 Strategic Plan to remove bottlenecks and speed up licensing.
The RAP seeks to regain Nigeria’s upstream investment share, which fell from 44 per cent in 2014 to 30 per cent in 2022.
Komolafe noted that NUPRC has integrated data intelligence and digital tools into upstream operations to boost efficiency and investment decisions.
He said the revitalised National Data Repository—Africa’s largest petroleum data bank—offers high-quality geoscientific data, advanced seismic analysis, and improved exploration de-risking.
Recent bid rounds, including the 57 Petroleum Prospecting Licences in 2022 and the 2024 Licensing Round, were marked by transparency and competitiveness.
“Fiscal reforms, such as competitive royalties and tax incentives, have further enhanced project viability,” Komolafe added.
Through the Project One Million Barrels Initiative, launched in 2024, Nigeria targets raising output from 1.46 million to 2.5 million barrels per day by 2026.
Current production, he noted, averages between 1.7 million and 1.83 million barrels per day.
Security measures include approving 37 new evacuation routes and partnering with security agencies to curb crude theft.
The Domestic Crude Supply Obligation policy ensures steady refinery feedstock, strengthening domestic supply chains and resilience.
On development, Komolafe said the Host Community Development Trust, managed via the HostComply platform, promotes transparency and reduces conflicts in host communities.
He added that NUPRC’s digital transformation aims to streamline regulation, enhance investor clarity, and deliver smarter, faster oversight.
The Lagos State Government has convened a stakeholders’ engagement on a pilot Public-Private Partnership (PPP) initiative for the Lagos Water Corporation (LWC), to explore innovative and technology-driven approach to improving water service delivery.
The meeting with the theme, “Attracting Investment for Improved Water Supply in Lagos State through Public-Private Partnership,” was held on Thursday, August 14, 2025, in Lagos.
Dignitaries at the stakeholders’ engagement on a pilot Public-Private Partnership (PPP) initiative for the Lagos Water Corporation (LWC)
The two-day event was organised by the LWC with the support of WaterAid Nigeria.
Speaking at the event, the Special Adviser, Ministry for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Rotimi Akodu, described the initiative as a critical step in addressing the state’s growing water demand, driven by rapid urbanisation and population growth.
Akodu said the initiative reflected the state’s recognition that achieving universal access to potable water required both substantial capital investment and operational efficiency-elements that could be enhanced through strategic PPP.
The Permanent Secretary, Office of Drainage Services and Water Resources, Mr. Mahamood Adegbite, noted that the state had made commendable progress in expanding water infrastructure.
Adegbite, however, said the scale of current challenges, from aging facilities to the impact of climate change, demands innovative partnerships that prioritise sustainability, resilience, and accountability.
According to him, the government’s vision is clear – to guarantee uninterrupted access to clean and safe water for all Lagosians.
He added that the partnership model would ensure enhanced infrastructure to serve future generations.
“We urge stakeholders to support and embrace this new structure for the greater good of our citizens,” Adegbite said.
Also, the Permanent Secretary, Office of Environmntal Services, Dr Omobolaji Gaji, said that shortage in funding and reduction in foreign supports had made it compelling for the governments to be innovative in funding the water sector.
“Therefore, there is no better time to partner with the private sector to bring in funding and to improve water services than now,” Gaji said.
Speaking at the event, the Managing Director of Lagos Water Corporation, Mr. Mukhtaar Tijani, reiterated the government’s vision to transform the water sector into a modern, efficient, and sustainable system.
Tijani said the government envisioned a system capable of meeting the current and future needs of residents, supporting economic growth, and aligning with global best practices in water resource management.
He noted that the PPP framework offered a unique opportunity to combine public oversight with private sector innovation, operational efficiency, and investment capacity, to boost production, reduce water losses, and ensure efficient distribution to underserved communities.
According to him, the PPP initiative is not an attempt to privatise water resources, but rather a strategic collaboration to improve service quality, expand coverage, and ensure the financial viability of operations.
“The decision to pilot the model through selected mini and micro waterworks is guided by the need to leverage private sector expertise, innovation, and funding,” he said.
Reeling out the overview of the Pilot Public-Private Partnership for the LWC, Tijani described the initiative as a crucial step in the state’s broader strategy to modernise public utilities, safeguard public health, and stimulate economic growth.
He assured the state’s committed to transparent procurement processes and robust regulatory oversight to safeguard public interest and foster a commercially attractive investment climate.
He commended WaterAid Nigeria for its commitment to supporting the Lagos Water Corporation to improve urban water supply in Lagos State.
In her remarks, the Country Director of WaterAid Nigeria, Evelyn Mere, called on the government to scale up the Akilo water scheme management model that is aimed at achieving sustainable urban water supply.
Mere said that PPP remained a feasible panacea to improve urban water supply in Lagos to ensure residents have access to affordable and quality potable water.
She commended Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu for assenting to the WASH policy in February 2024.
She dsclosed that Akilo waterworks, which is being rehabilitated by WaterAid Nigeria, would be inaugurated in September.
The country director charged the state government to use Akilo as a model to resuscitate others.
Stakeholders at the meeting lauded the state government’s strategic drive to provide essential water resources and its openness in involving communities and private partners in decision-making.
A coalition of water justice organisations has taken a swipe at the management of the Lagos Water Corporation (LWC) on its planned stakeholder engagement on the pilot Public Private Partnership (PPP) in the water sector.
A statement signed by the Managing Director of the LWC, Muktaar Tijani, and dated August 8, 2025, had stated that the event which has a theme: “Attracting Investments for Improved Water Supply in Lagos through Public Private Partnership”, intends to create awareness and gather support for the sustainability of the initiative.
Managing Director of the Lagos Water Corporation (LWC), Muktaar Tijani
In response to the announcement, three civil society organisations – the Renevlyn Development Initiative (RDI), the Environmental Defenders Network (EDEN) and the Citizens Free Service Forum (CFSF) – said that the engagement rides against the popular opinion expressed by Lagos citizens who have firmly rejected privatisation in any form and want public sector solutions to the water challenges in the state.
The groups particularly frowned at what they described as “the stubborn push for privatisation of Lagos water resources” built with public funds, at a time that countries that experimented with the privatisation of water are remunicipalizing.
RDI Executive Director, Philip Jakpor, said: “We have stated time and again that the major challenge militating against access to water in Lagos is the unwillingness of the state government to listen to popular opinion which has rejected privatisation and firmly supports public sector solutions to the Lagos water crisis.
“The so-called stakeholder engagement being planned by the management of LWC is not a gathering of the real stakeholders who reject the attempt of the Lagos government to be stampeded into accepting a new form of colonialism “
EDEN Executive Director, Barrister Chima Williams, said: “By coming up with the so-called stakeholder engagement to endorse the PPP plan in the water sector it would seem that the Lagos State Government is stubbornly determined to push through privatisation despite glaring evidence of the failure of water privatisation across the globe including in the UK which the Lagos government used to cite as a model of successful water privatisation.”
CFSF Executive Director, Comrade Sani Baba said: “It is disturbing that the LWC is not sensitive to the implications of pressing ahead with the planned privatisation of utilities built with public funds. It is adding insult to injury to want labour and civil society to endorse the handover of such utilities to for profit only entities. It is unacceptable.”
The groups said the stakeholder engagement is a one-way discussion with predetermined outcomes hence Lagosians should not expect anything meaningful from it.
They insisted that the solution to the Lagos water crisis is for the Lagos government to jetisson privatisation and instead prioritise sustainable funding of the water sector and for expertise, adopt the Public Public Partnership (PuP) which has worked in other parts of the world.
The Executive Governor of Enugu State, Peter Mbah, has attributed the financing of numerous infrastructure projects embarked by the state government to the oil subsidy removal policy of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration.
He made this declaration at the Government House, Enugu, during a courtesy visit by a delegation of federal government led by Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, as part of activities lined up for the two-day Citizens’ Engagement Series in the South East geo-political zone, on Thursday, August 14, 2025.
Gov Peter Mbah of Enugu State
“For us in Enugu, we are able to accomplish all we promised our people during the campaign, thanks to the bold decision taken by President Bola Tinubu, which has freed up resources needed to execute humongous capital projects,” said the Governor, while listing ongoing projects in the state, which include the construction of 7,000 classrooms, 3,300 hospital beds and 2,000-hectare of 260 farm estates across the 260 wards of the state.
Governor Mbah also pledged more support for the policies of the federal government, saying they are in the best interest of the people of the state.
Speaking, Mohammed Idris said that in Nigeria’s march towards development and prosperity, no region will be left behind.
“The Tinubu administration is committed to ensuring that no region is left behind in Nigeria’s development drive,” said the Minister, adding, “What we are seeing in Enugu – modern roads, upgraded schools, improved public facilities, is proof that President Tinubu’s policies are translating into real benefits for the people.”
In what looks like a landmark victory for civil society and coastal communities, the Western Cape High Court has set aside the South African government’s decision to grant environmental authorisation for offshore drilling in Block 5/6/7, along the South-West Coast. Judge Mangcu-Lockwood delivered her judgment on Wednesday, August 13, 2025.
Following an intense legal challenge by The Green Connection and Natural Justice that exposed serious flaws in how the environmental and social risks were evaluated, the court has now returned the matter to the Department of Minerals and Petroleum, requiring fresh assessments, additional information, and public participation. While the authorisation was initially granted to TotalEnergies EP South Africa (Teepsa), but Total intends to transfer the environmental authorisation to Shell, for Shell to conduct the drilling.
An offshore drilling rig at sea
Shahil Singh, Legal Advisor to The Green Connection, said the court found the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) failed to fully examine the consequences of a major oil spill on local and neighbouring coastal communities, ignored coastal protection laws, and omitted critical climate and fairness considerations.
“A critical omission, the Oil Spill and Blowout Contingency Plans were withheld from the public until after approval, denying communities the chance to comment on emergency preparedness. Total and Shell will now need to undertake additional studies, make these plans publicly available, and properly assess both coastal and cross-border risks before any decision is taken.
“This is a significant win for transparency, precaution, and for the rights of coastal communities and small-scale fishers who refuse to be sidelined in decisions that affect their livelihoods and the future of our oceans,” says Singh.
The Green Connection’s Strategic Lead, Liziwe McDaid, says that this case is an important victory for all South Africans and even our neighbours who may be affected because it sends a clear message about what should be expected when a proposed project carries serious environmental and social risks.
“Our country’s laws demand full, open, and honest assessment, not partial studies, not secrecy, and not ignoring inconvenient truths. For the West Coast’s small-scale fishers, tourism operators, and coastal residents, it means the law is on their side in demanding protection of the ocean they depend on. For the public, it shows that environmental rights, including the right to have the environment protected for present and future generations, have real force in court. And for our neighbours, it means that the transboundary impacts of the project must be assessed.”
Natural Justice, Defending Rights Programme Manager, Melissa Groenink-Groves, says, “This judgment is a victory in the growing opposition to oil and gas exploration in our country. Recently, a number of oil and gas projects have been given Environmental Authorisation, but this judgment again confirms that companies must follow due process, undertake comprehensive assessments and provide communities with an opportunity to have their voices heard, in respect of all relevant information. It confirms that our fight for our environmental rights is strong, and that we must continue for the future for our children.
“Where necessary, we will continue to turn to our courts to not only stop the takers who parade under the guise of growth and development, but to ensure that impacts of oil and gas exploration and production are properly scrutinised and that our people and our resources are not exploited.”
In addition to setting aside the environmental authorisation, the court ordered that a fresh decision be made. Before any approval can be reconsidered, Total must submit new or amended assessments that fully examine the socio-economic impacts of a well blowout on coastal communities, the project’s full lifecycle climate impacts, all factors required under the Integrated Coastal Management Act, potential cross-border impacts on Namibia, and detailed oil spill response plans. The new information must also be subject to public consultation before a decision is taken.
Director at Cullinan & Associates, Lesai Seema, says, “We welcome this judgment which builds on the landmark judgments in the litigation to stop Shell conducting seismic surveys off the Wild Coast and aligns South African law with international law. The judgment makes it clear that the granting of an environmental authorisation for offshore oil and gas exploitation will be unlawful if the decision-maker does not carefully consider a range of factors necessary to safeguard the long-term collective interests of people and other living organisms who depend on the coastal and marine environment.
“The Cullinan’s team are proud to have represented Natural Justice and The Green Connection and are grateful to our outstanding team of advocates, Matthew Chaskalson SC, Ian Learmonth and Jane Blomkamp.”
Veteran journalists and media experts from across Africa have shared concrete strategies and practical recommendations on how the media can strengthen reportage on natural resources, environment, climate change, and science (NECS) issues.
The journalists, who had gathered in Kumasi on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, for the Second Biennial Media Forum on Natural Resources, Environment, Climate Change and Science (BiM-NECS 2), made a strong case for sustained, in-depth, and community-focused NECS reporting that moves beyond surface-level coverage.
A cross section of the participants at BiM NECS 2 in Kumasi
Speaking from their own experiences in newsrooms and on the field during a panel discussion session, the participating journalistsfrom Ghana, Kenya, and Nigeria, stressed the need for people-centred storytelling, sustained coverage, better collaboration, and stronger data use in NECs focused journalism.
People centred stories and long-term coverage not episodic
Joining the discussion virtually, CEO of the Kenyan Editors Guild,Rosalia Omungo, stressed that impactful storytelling begins with placing people at the centre. “We must tell stories with individuals as the central character,” she said. “If the stories are for a community, then we highlight their challenges, what is at stake, and how government is intervening. Speak about who needs to act and the conflicts within the community, these make stories come alive.”
Madam Omungo also urged journalists to follow the money, pointing out that conflicts often have financial drivers, such as corporate interests in mining. She advised that environmental reporting should also focus on how communities cope with climate change, adding that they should break down complex data into simple, relatable terms, and use striking visuals to make stories memorable.
From Nigeria, Editor-in-Chief of EnviroNews Nigeria, Michael Ohioze Simire, who also joined virtually, called for sustained long-term coverage rather than episodic reporting tied to crises or commemorative days. “Environmental reporting should not be limited to floods or World Environment Day. Journalists should also specialise in the field and take advantage of available training, especially online to improve their capacity,” he said.
Localise global climate issues
News Editor and Head of Science and Environment Desk at JoyNews, Kofi Adu Domfeh, remindedreporters on the NECS beat, of the need to localise global issues like climate change to make them relevant to specific audiences, whether in coastal, forest, or inland communities. He urged them to follow the international climate change agenda to sharpen their reportage in that area.
“You need to track developments in the UN climate change arena, especially Ghana’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). “Many Ghanaians don’t know what’s happening in that space,” he said. “Too often, what is discussed globally is not shared locally, yet it shows if our leaders are delivering. By 2030, we won’t meet our targets if we rely only on foreign funding. Our budget must invest in climate resilience across sectors.”
Kofi added that responsibility also rests with us as individuals: “We can contribute through simple actions like planting trees, reducing our plastic use, and making environmentally responsible choices. Even planting one tree each year, perhaps on your birthday, can make a difference. Let’s stay informed about policy directions, get actively involved, and do our part in building resilience.”
Pair the numbers with real people’s experiences and stop extractive story telling
Communications Officer at Proforest and former Metro TV reporter, Naana Nkansah Agyekum, advised journalists to embrace data-driven storytelling: “let the statistics and research guide us, then bring them to life through the human-interest angle. Pair the numbers with real people’s experiences and perspectives so the story resonates on both factual and emotional levels.”
She further advised them on the importance of understanding the landscape. “Know the trends, stay updated on new developments, and be familiar with the laws that govern the issues you cover. When you know what the law says, you are better equipped to hold leaders accountable.”
When it comes to reporting in the face of challenges such as intimidation, Naana noted that much depends on the media house one works with. “Some will defend their journalists, others won’t,” she observed, adding: “But if you focus on powerful, community-based stories about sustainability and the struggles of ordinary Ghanaians, those are the stories that win global recognition and the rewards that come with it.”
The former Ashanti Regional President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) and Regional Manager of the Ghanaian Times, Kingsley Hope, called for an end to “extractive storytelling”- the reporting that ignores the perspectives of affected communities. Instead, he urged colleagues to centre their work on people’s lived experiences, local coping strategies, and solutions that resonate with the audience.
Kingsley called for strengthened collaboration among journalists, researchers, and scientists to produce accurate, data-driven stories. Such collaboration will enable “journalists access the right information, so we can break down complexities and tell the stories as they should be told,” he said, and reminded participants that restoring ecosystems is directly linked to human well-being.
Highlight the politics of climate change and carve a niche
One journalist expressed concern about the impact of the current dominance of political news in the media, saying, “it draws bigger audiences and advertising revenue, and is crowding out critical coverage of NECS issues.”
But another stressed: “Politics obviously sells. But climate change and environmental stories can also sell if we package them well. So, if politics is the priority of our newsrooms, let’s highlight the political aspects of climate stories, because politics is about development, and climate issues are developmental issues.”
The journalists acknowledged the important role of newsroom leadership in sustaining NECS coverage. They suggested the creation of NECS desks, even if reporters share the beat with other assignments, to ensure consistent reporting. “Yes, your editor may want you to be covering other beats. But define something for yourself within the NECS space. And playing in this same space is not only about being a ‘local journalist,’ but being a strategic journalist of global repute.”
Other non-media participants shared the importance of journalists carving out a niche for themselves. They argued that carving out a niche such as a beat on “natural resource politics” or “environmental commerce,” not only builds expertise but also opens professional opportunities.
Concluding messages
They called for a national collaborative strategy involving public institutions, academia and civil society to protect and support journalists covering sustainability related issues, especially in situations where they are assaulted in the course of their work.
In their collective takeaway, the journalists agreed that: environmental reporting in Ghana needs to be sustained, investigative, data-driven, and people-centred if it is to have lasting impact. “The stories that change lives, win recognition, and create opportunities are those that tell the everyday struggles and resilience of ordinary people,” one participant concluded.
And the panel’s collective message was clear: impactful NECS reporting demands people-focused storytelling, sustained coverage, stronger collaborations, data literacy, global awareness, and personal commitment to environmental stewardship.
About BiM NECS 2
BiM NECS 2 was organised by the Media Platform on Environment and Climate Change (MPEC), in partnership with the Afro-Sino Centre of International Relations (ASCIR) and The Steminist Foundation Ghana, and supported by Proforest Africa Regional Office in Accra and Tropenbos Ghana. It was on the theme: “Ecosystem Restoration: The Politics, the Science, the Human, and the Economy.”
Aside media personnel, other participants at the Forum were from the EPA, Forestry Commission, UENR, KNUST, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and civil society groups.
Launched in June 2023, the Biennial Forum serves as a platform for media practitioners in Ghana and across Africa to reflect, debate, and share experiences on their role in the governance of NECS issues. It fosters community, promotes peer-to-peer learning, and deepens understanding of emerging trends and ideas.
