In early June 2026, the oil market faced one of the largest supply shocks in recent history. The Strait of Hormuz had effectively been blocked for more than three months, while more than 10 million barrels per day of Middle Eastern supply had disappeared from the market, according to estimates reported by Bloomberg at the time. Yet physical Brent had fallen back below $100, far from scenarios envisaging $200 a barrel.
Energy companies have growing volumes of data on their facilities, supply chains and markets. Yet this greater visibility does not make trade-offs simpler. A change in gas availability, an input cost or demand can simultaneously alter production plans, maintenance operations, cash requirements and emissions targets.
The Middle Eastern crisis brings renewed attention to a question often overshadowed by crude oil volumes: where is the capacity to turn crude into usable fuels? Nigeria’s Dangote refinery has become an important international supplier as supply and trade-flow disruptions tighten petroleum-product markets. Its role suggests Africa can help diversify refining geography, but the continent’s expansion projects remain exposed to supply, financing and execution obstacles.
Morocco has positioned itself among the first North African countries to structure a national green hydrogen strategy. Its solar and wind development, the “Morocco Offer” and the presence of consuming industries such as OCP Group underpin this ambition. But project announcements do not yet mean investments have been decided or exportable volumes will soon be available. Costs, water, infrastructure and offtake contracts remain decisive conditions.
Research published in Nature Climate Change urges governments to direct low-carbon hydrogen toward uses where it can cut emissions at lower cost. Comparing ten high-emitting sectors around 2035, researchers identify steelmaking, refining and ammonia production as priority applications. Conversely, hydrogen in road and rail vehicles appears less competitive than direct electrification under the assumptions studied.
Namibia wants to change the relationship between mining investors and national resources. President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah is calling on foreign companies to build processing and manufacturing facilities in the country, so minerals are no longer exported raw before being bought back as processed products. The direction is clear: access to subsurface resources must contribute more to industrialization, employment and local skills.
Fortuna Mining’s latest drilling results at Diamba Sud broaden exploration prospects for the Senegalese gold project without, by themselves, changing its economic status. The campaign intersected several mineralized intervals beyond Southern Arc’s currently modeled outlines, while drilling began at Bambadji, a recently acquired neighboring license. Laboratory assays from this second area are still awaited.
The Lamu, Hoima and Tanga projects could exceed current demand for refined products in East Africa. Their viability will depend on supplies, logistics, target markets and actual utilization.
In Germany, businesses are questioning the cost and pace of the energy transition. The debate pits two priorities against each other: preserving industrial competitiveness and accelerating low-carbon investment without weakening climate goals.
Plasma pyrolysis breaks methane down into hydrogen and solid carbon without directly forming CO₂ in the reaction. A consultancy estimates that this niche market could grow rapidly, but electricity consumption, costs and the commercial value of the carbon remain decisive uncertainties.
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