Africa: Energy and Natural Resources

South Africa's artisanal and small-scale mining sector is undergoing significant transformation through progressive policy and legislative reforms aimed at formalisation and legitimisation. How do recent developments, including the 2022 ASM Policy and the 2025 Draft Mineral Resources Development Bill, seek to balance broader participation in mining with environmental safeguards while distinguishing lawful small-scale operations from illegal mining activities?

This update highlights recent regulatory and market developments in Nigeria's power sector, including Lagos State's ongoing transition towards a cost-reflective electricity market and the key implications for electricity sector participants.

Nigeria's oil and gas sector faces significant regulatory updates with the introduction of the Decommissioning and Abandonment Regulations 2026. What are the key changes that operators and stakeholders need to understand to ensure compliance with these new requirements? This analysis examines the notable regulatory shifts that will impact decommissioning obligations and abandonment procedures in the Nigerian energy industry.