The UK’s Chancellor of the Exchequer will urge partners to act now to boost energy supply and lock in long-term energy security, when she meets G7 Finance Ministers, Energy Ministers and Central Bank Governors with the Energy Secretary on today.

Africa continues to face significant implications from the ongoing Gulf war, with Brent prices fluctuating from $81 per barrel on March 3 to $112 on March 12 and back down to $98 on March 25.

But escalating crude prices bring challenges beyond imports, with African economies which rely heavily on diesel-fired power generation now faced with both unreliable supplies and heightened fuel costs. This challenge is most felt by small to medium-sized enterprises (SME), which now face a punishing rise in power costs at a time when margins are already under pressure. In this environment, coal-fired power generation deserves renewed attention.

With reserves estimated in the hundreds of billions of tons, Africa’s coal market stands to offer the fiscal relief many African SMEs require. As geopolitical tensions continue to mount across the Gulf and prices face even greater fluctuation in the near-term, the question is no longer whether coal-fired power generation is politically fashionable, but how African economies can utilize the resource to stabilize power costs, preserve foreign exchange and support business continuity. Prices at the pump have escalated in recent weeks, leaving diesel-reliant businesses faced with even greater fiscal pressure.

SXSW London has announced the 2026 Festival Conference Agenda with industry leading sessions, themes and speakers spanning technology, business, health and culture.

Parastatal regulatory agency the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) will participate at this year’s African Energy Week (AEW) 2026 as an official Local Content Partner, reinforcing its leadership in advancing indigenous capacity across Africa’s energy sector.

A light bulb is not something most people would associate with governance.

Roam has announced that electric vehicle drivers using its rapid charging points at the Hilton Heathrow Terminal 5 car park will now benefit from free parking for the first 40 minutes while charging.