Natural gas is not only a cleaner alternative to coal but also a reliable energy source that can support various sectors, including manufacturing, agriculture, and transportation.

The first agreement was signed between Egypt’s Ministry of Electricity and a consortium of the UAE’s TAQA and France’s Voltalia for the development of a 3.2 GW renewable energy project, which will feature 2.1 GW of solar and 1.1 GW of wind capacity. The project would be located around 130 kilometers south-east of Cairo, near the 545 MW Zarafana wind project, and could be commissioned by 2028.

Supplies from the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries increased by 370,000 barrels a day to 29.9 million a day in October, according to a Bloomberg survey. The gain was tempered by reductions in Iraq, Iran and Saudi Arabia.

Energy poverty remains a critical issue in sub-Saharan Africa, where approximately 600 million people lack reliable electricity.

Many African countries have large natural gas reserves, especially in places like Mozambique and Tanzania, where major discoveries have been made in recent years.

The recent Russian Energy Week has opened new avenues for collaboration between Russia and African nations, emphasizing the potential benefits for the continent's energy landscape.

Africa's oil and gas industry holds immense potential, with several countries emerging as key players in both production and future exploration.

China was ready to step up cooperation with Africa in industry, agriculture, infrastructure, trade and investment, Xi told delegates from more than 50 African nations gathered in Beijing for the three-yearly Forum on China-Africa Cooperation Summit.

"Africa's vast potential to drive forward climate solutions is being thwarted by an epidemic of underinvestment,"

In addition to creating a working group to support plans to design, construct and commission the new units at Kozloduy, the two countries will also "explore collaboration on research and training programmes and developing Bulgaria's nuclear supply chain resilience".

The US was the supplier of 56% of the total, with some 14% coming from Russia and 10% from Algeria. Notably, around 7% was also originating from Qatar and 4% from Nigeria.

Two more countries - Zimbabwe and Ethiopia - have signed agreements with Russia to cooperate on the peaceful use of nuclear technology on the sidelines of the Russia-Africa Economic and Humanitarian Forum, which has been taking place in St Petersburg.

The El Dabaa NPP will comprise four units with generation III+ VVER-1200 pressurised water reactors. The NPP is being constructed in accordance with and contracts that entered into force in 2017. The $30bn project is mainly financed through a $25bn Russian loan.

Africa’s ability to leapfrog traditional power systems and adopt renewables on a massive scale is not a fantasy. In-depth studies from Wärtsilä have demonstrated that with the adequate support of flexible power technologies, ambitious renewable energy objectives in Africa are not only achievable, they also represent the soundest and cheapest strategy for the successful electrification of the continent.

They reaffirmed their readiness to continue working together on the global energy market, including within the OPEC Plus and the Gas Exporting Countries Forum.