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Fico visits Trump in Mar-a-Lago, Slovakia signs nuclear deal with US

Fico's government is pursuing close cooperation with the US on a new reactor at the site of the existing Jaslovské Bohunice nuclear power plant.

Iraq kicks off drilling at Akkas following contract overhaul

Iraq has commenced well-drilling operations at the Akkas gas field in Anbar Governorate

Serbia’s NIS restarts Pancevo refinery after US sanctions waiver

Serbia’s majority Russian-owned oil company NIS has restarted oil processing at its Pancevo refinery on January 18 after securing a temporary waiver from US sanctions.

Egyptian Kemet signs $500mn deal with China’s Suzhou to build 5GW solar manufacturing complex

Egyptian President El-Sisi directs government to prioritize settlement of foreign oil and gas debts

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi has directed the government to maintain its commitment to settling dues owed to oil and gas companies operating in Egypt

China’s electricity consumption surpasses 10 trillion kWh for the first time, outpacing US and EU combined

China’s annual electricity consumption surpassed 10 trillion kilowatt-hours for the first time in 2025, according to government data released this week, underscoring the country’s accelerating industrial output and surging demand.

Russia and China dominate global nuclear power construction

Russia and China have emerged as the dominant forces in the global nuclear energy market, with state-backed companies accounting for over 90% of nuclear power plants under construction since 2016.

Sudan’s Giad Group to launch first EV production in Q1 2026

Sudan backs Trump-led mediation initiative on Nile water dispute

OUTLOOK 2026 Ghana

Ghana is in a markedly stronger position than during the 2022–23 balance-of-payments and debt crisis. The IMF projects real GDP growth of about 4.8% in 2026, underpinned by firmer exports and easing inflation.

Tajikistan hedging its Rogun bet, exploring solar options

Is Dushanbe making tacit admission that mega-dam project may not pay off?

Albania aims to be energy independent by 2028

PM Edi Rama tells Dubai summit Albania plans to become fully energy independent as it expands solar and wind generation to reduce its reliance on hydropower and electricity imports.

Angola’s Lobito refinery 23% complete

Angola’s $3.8bn Lobito refinery is now expected to be completed in July 2027, with the project currently 23% complete, according to Quantum Commodity Intelligence.

Hungary’s MOL nears deal to acquire majority stake in Serbia’s NIS

Hungarian oil and gas group MOL is expected to sign a key agreement in the coming days in talks to acquire a majority stake in Serbia’s Russian-owned oil company NIS.

Trump hails “fantastic” phone call with Venezuela's Rodríguez as Machado visit looms

US President Donald Trump said he has held a lengthy telephone conversation with Venezuela's interim president Delcy Rodríguez, lavishing praise on the Chavista administrator as a "terrific person" with whom he is working "very well."

Africa’s green hydrogen projects stall as offtake gaps persist, warns EIC

Africa’s green hydrogen ambitions are slowing as most projects lack binding offtake agreements and critical infrastructure. The EIC finds only two small plants operating despite $194bn in planned investments.

Iran's Oil Minister dismisses Trump threats as oil sector continues operations

Iranian Oil Minister Mohsen Paknejad dismisses Trump threats saying Iran continues oil operations despite US president's boasting, as Tehran pursues Venezuelan oil debts dating back three to four years.

Vickery closes acquisition of Appalachia player Tribune

Vickery Energy Partners, which is a portfolio company of Quantum Capital Group, announced last week that it had closed its acquisition of Tribune Resources.

Canada’s CNRL seeks to buy Alberta gas assets from Tourmaline

Canadian Natural Resources Ltd (CNRL) is seeking to acquire a portfolio of natural gas properties in Alberta from Tourmaline Oil.

Russia’s falling power demand highlights growing stagnation

It’s a classic proxy for economic growth: Russia’s demand for power in 2025 turned negative for the first time in four years underscoring a self-inflicted economic slowdown that threatens to turn into a recession this year.

Kazakhstan appeals to US, Europe to stop drone attacks on its Black Sea oil shipping

Officials feel country unfairly bearing brunt of a battlefront in the Russo-Ukrainian War.

SABIC avoids $4bn in future losses with decision to divest from assets outside of Saudi Arabia

Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC) has said that its decision to divest from numerous assets outside Saudi Arabia has helped stem the potential loss of $4bn in the future.

COMMENT: Instability in Iran bigger threat to global oil markets than Venezuela

The mass demonstrations rocking Iran presents a far more serious risk to global oil markets than the US decapitation of Venezuela, according to note by Kieran Tompkins, Senior Climate and Commodities Economist at Capital Economics.

Venezuela moves to overturn Citgo sale order

Venezuela, its state oil company PDVSA and related entities have asked the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit to set aside a Delaware judge’s order approving the sale of PDV Holding.

Gambian president appoints Cany Jobe to lead petroleum regulator

Cany Jobe, an experienced oil and gas industry executive, has been appointed by Gambian President Adama Barrow as the new Director General of the Petroleum Commission of The Gambia.