Tag: energy transition

As the World Moves: reshaping Africa’s status quo, law as a lever for change

Drawing on more than a century of legal practice and a clear view of what is next, Deneys opened a new chapter earlier this year as an independent, full-service African law firm. Partnering with Africa Legal, the pioneering firm has showcased some of its people, practices, and pro bono work, now in a special digital magazine

Energising Africa's future: thousands of energy and infrastructure experts gather for AEF 2026

Starting in Cape Town today, the four-day Africa Energy Forum (AEF) 2026 will gather leading African lawyers, energy companies, government ministers, investors, financiers, and sector leaders to address ‘Building Africa’s Industrialised Future’

Powerful conversations, practical solutions: Africa Legal launches GC Forum Extractives: Zambia edition

Following the growth and success of the GC Forum Extractives held annually in Cape Town, Africa Legal has today revealed it is expanding its ‘insightful and highly relevant’ format into a series, with a first event to be held in Livingstone on 30 September 2026.

Ghana’s mining law aims to stop speculation but leaves communities in limbo: insights from lithium case study

Last month, the Parliament of Ghana ratified Aim-listed Atlantic Lithium’s mining lease for the flagship Ewoyaa project, ending a legal moratorium set out in Ghanaian law. Dr Clement Sefa‑Nyarko of King’s College, London examines the practical impact of the legal process and what Ghana should do moving forward with mining governance

South African court orders Eskom to disclose R70 billion coal and diesel contracts – why the ruling matters

On 23 March, the Supreme Court of Appeal ruled that Eskom must disclose its coal and diesel supply contracts, marking a significant shift toward transparency in South Africa’s electricity sector. Felix Dube of the University of Venda examines what this key decision does and doesn’t mean, and why it is important for society as a whole.

Africa seeks stronger voice as climate change litigation surge reshapes global energy policy

The African Energy Chamber has moved to intervene in a landmark advisory proceeding before the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights, as the rapid rise of climate litigation and key court rulings are reshaping how energy policy is defined and enforced worldwide,

South Africa’s power utility Eskom tried to block a gold mine from going solar - but lost in court

Last month, the High Court in Gauteng ruled on a case where Eskom had refused to allow a gold mine to run solar power lines across its own servitude. Angela van der Berg of the University of the Western Cape explores this key decision for mining houses and large companies that want to build their own renewable energy plants.

Timely conversations, powerful reflections, a space where ideas meet action: GC Forum Extractives 2026

On 11 February, the GC Forum Extractives was held in Cape Town, hosted by Africa Legal in partnership with several sponsors, and delivering a strategic dialogue platform for industry leaders who shape the future of Africa’s mining and energy industries.

Discovery Green looks to the future by adding renewable energy lawyer Mathaabe Scott

The Discovery Green platform was established in recent years by Discovery, a South African financial services organisation, with a mission to establish the country as a global renewable energy leader. It has now added lawyer Mathaabe Scott to its team

Anticipation builds for Africa Energy Forum 2026, as registration opens for a ‘turning point’ gathering of stakeholders

This year’s Africa Energy Forum, to be held in Dubai across 16-19 June under the theme “Building Africa’s Industrialised Future”, will capture a turning point in narrative and ambition, as the African energy conversation moves from policy to projects, from basic access to industrial-grade reliability and scale.

Etana Energy looks to a brighter future as it plugs in regulatory expert Vivienne Jonker as a Senior Legal Counsel

Etana Energy is a majority black-controlled clean electricity trader that supplies electricity generated by renewable energy projects to business customers in South Africa. Among several new hires across the wider business, it has now added talented corporate and public law expert Vivienne Jonker to its team

Burundi and Zambia: harnessing the transformative power of Africa’s high-demand critical minerals

Ahead of the 2026 Investing in African Mining Indaba, being held across 9-12 February in Cape Town under the theme “Stronger together: Progress through partnerships”, mining law experts Dr Ange Dorine Irakoze and Chilombo Malama of DLA Piper Africa discuss how African mining must adapt to benefit from the critical minerals boom

GC Forum Extractives: significant opportunities for Africa as the global mining landscape evolves

Ahead of the GC Forum Extractives to be held on 11 February in Cape Town, under the theme “Africa’s Critical Core | Minerals, Markets & Global Collaboration”, cross-border disputes expert Fraser Mitchell discusses how global changes and the green transition may impact future opportunities for resource-rich African nations

Africa’s critical minerals, geopolitics, and the vital role of the legal profession

Ahead of the GC Forum Extractives to be held on 11 February in Cape Town, under the theme “Africa’s Critical Core | Minerals, Markets & Global Collaboration”, Africa Legal co-founder and CEO Scott Cowan reflects on the critical role lawyers must play to ensure Africa’s generational opportunity translates into sustainable development

Eskom adds ‘trailblazer in renewable energy’ Khumoetsile Kotelo to help build its green energy business

Last year, South African state utility Eskom announced green energy plans, to diversify its coal-heavy energy mix and reduce emissions. It has now bolstered its legal capacity by bringing in Khumoetsile Kotelo as Head of Legal for Eskom Renewables,

Excitement builds for renowned GC Forum | Extractives, a day of “dynamic discussions” and engaging experts

Leading thought leaders and stakeholders will gather in Cape Town on 11 February for GC Forum | Extractives. Some key speakers and the agenda have been revealed for a vital day of learning, networking, and uncovering solutions to the challenges and opportunities facing the African mining and energy sectors

TotalEnergies: French court ruling boosts African cases against polluters

Some African countries have consumer protection laws that they could use to hold fossil fuel companies accountable for pretending to be green. Zunaida Moosa Wadiwala and Tracy-Lynn Field of the University of the Witwatersrand examine the impact of a recent French court case and what could be next for Africa

Africa is indispensable to global future; Marrakech Declaration adopts African ESG framework

At the second Morocco International Mining Congress & Exhibition (IMC 2025) in Marrakech this week, a new ESG framework ‘made by Africans, for Africans’ has been launched as a major step to reshape the continent’s mining landscape

Energy transition must not sideline development or deepen poverty, say African leaders at AOW

The 31st edition of Africa Oil Week is currently being held in Accra, Ghana. This week, political and business leaders have called for deeper regional energy integration, and for Africa’s vast natural resources to be harnessed responsibly to power growth, reduce poverty, and ensure prosperity for its people.

Solar energy company Sun King shines brighter by adding Godson Iwuozo as Legal Manager

Sun King is the world’s leading off-grid solar company, bringing power to more than 24 million homes in 46 countries over the past 15 years. Now they’ve upgraded their legal capacity with the hiring of talented Nigerian lawyer Godson Iwuozo

African leaders must heed historic ‘World Court’ opinion and take action to address climate crisis

In a landmark decision yesterday afternoon, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled UN Member States have an obligation to protect the environment from climate change, and if they breach such obligations they incur legal responsibility and may be required to make full reparations in certain circumstances

Africa’s mineral wealth can be a strategic lever in the global energy transition, says new report

Africa holds an estimated 30% of the world’s critical mineral reserves. Ahead of Africa Minerals Week, a new report outlines how now is the time for Africa to lead global energy transition

Africa Legal Joins African Energy Week 2025 as Media Partner, Elevating Legal Voices in Africa’s Energy Transition

Africa Legal is proud to announce its role as an official media partner for African Energy Week 2025, the continent’s leading energy event, in Cape Town from 29 September to 3 October.

Challenging (mis)perceptions and accelerating economic growth

Veronica Bolton Smith, CEO of Critical Minerals Africa Group, has more than 20 years’ experience in Africa-focused trade, investment, and development. She discusses her drive to empower African nations to better harness their own resources.

Harnessing Africa's potential to become the global leader in energy transition

Partnering with Africa Legal, Webber Wentzel’s expert energy and mining sector teams have launched a new thought leadership guide examining key issues, challenges, and opportunities for those vital sectors in Africa.

Cradle to grave solutions for Africa’s key role in global energy transition

As the Africa Energy Forum comes to South Africa for the first time, Jonathan Veeran, Mzukisi Kota and Mlungisi Mahlangu discuss the nexus between Africa’s mining and energy sectors

Powering Progress: Why Business and Human Rights Must Be at the Heart of Africa’s Energy Future

Africa is poised to become one of the most dynamic frontiers for energy investment. Ahead of the Africa Energy Forum 2025, Webber Wentzel partners Pooja Dela and Dylan Cron explore how Business and Human Rights principles have become a core driver

Africa is the future for energy transition, and more (LIDW25 briefs)

London International Disputes Week has brought together leading figures from across the global dispute resolution community. After a member-hosted event on African projects, we spoke with Amaechi Nsofor, Head of Africa Business Group at Grant Thornton

Tailoring a green legal practice (LIDW25 briefs)

London International Disputes Week has brought together leading figures from across the global dispute resolution community. On Wednesday, we spoke with Nigerian practitioner Adeniji A Oni

Lights, Arbitration, Action: South African perspectives on Africa’s energy transition

Webber Wentzel is a leading legal adviser for the energy sector in Sub-Saharan Africa. Ahead of next month’s Africa Energy Forum, partners Garyn Rapson and Anél De Meyer discuss arbitration’s vital role in Africa’s evolving energy landscape

New US Secretary of Energy Chris Wright to share vision and address US-Africa energy partnership at Powering Africa Summit

The 10th Powering Africa Summit will take place in Washington, DC on 6-7 March 2025, gathering US government stakeholders and speakers from 20 African nations alongside investors, financiers, and technology providers to collaborate and drive energy development across the African continent.

Inseparable: the bond between energy and mining will drive future change

Webber Wentzel is a leading legal adviser for the mining sector in Sub-Saharan Africa. Ahead of Mining Indaba, their team discuss how the mining industry will play a key role in achieving energy transition

A cleaner future: 5 leading African mining projects driving the energy transition

Real-world solutions to real-world problems

It’s essential for law firms to contribute to the space they’re working in and not just have answers for hypothetical situations. In this podcast, Africa Legal host Craig Sisterson chats to Eric Gumbo about providing real-world solutions to clients.

Harnessing synergies to drive innovation

Leading energy and infrastructure lawyer Deji Adegoke was recently appointed head of White & Case’s Africa practice. He chatted to Craig Sisterson about the continent’s bright future in a fast-changing world.

Pushing the transition agenda

Global events like Covid and the war in Ukraine have buffeted the world’s marketplace in recent years. Energy experts Ian Herbert and Norman Wisely chatted with Craig Sisterson about the evolving role of oil and gas companies in the economic recovery.

Nigeria’s renewed hope for a high energy future

A number of recent developments in Nigeria’s energy space have generated excitement about what the future holds for this sector. Africa Legal spoke to Dr Tominiyi Owolabi to get a better grasp on the current situation.

Model contracts’ roles in the energy transition

Energy development in Africa and the energy transition is a hot topic at the moment, and model contracts have an important role to play. Namibia’s Shakwa Nyambe will be sharing his expertise on this topic with an international audience at the AIEN Model Contracts Workshop this week.