Energy Law and Electricity Regulation

Ghana and Nigeria are witnessing a transformative period in their energy and natural resources sectors, marked by major capital investments, regulatory reforms, and infrastructure development. From petroleum hub agreements and seismic exploration to utility-scale solar projects and mining law amendments, both nations are strategically positioning themselves to convert resource endowment into sustained industrial capacity.

South Africa's data centre boom presents a critical infrastructure challenge: can aging water systems and fragile utilities support decades of operation while protecting constitutional water rights? As communities mobilize against new developments and Eskom grapples with surplus capacity, the decisions made today will determine whether digital growth strengthens or strains the nation's resources.

This piece is angled from the position that platforms for cooperation & collaboration already exist for resilience sustainability in facing climate challenges for Africa. The mission is therefore to highlight some hidden pillars that need three “As”- Activation, Advocacy and Action.

The Polluter Pays Principle raises a fundamental question of environmental justice in Nigeria: who should bear the cost when pollution damages the environment and the lives of affected communities? This article examines the principle's application in Nigeria's oil and gas sector, exploring the critical distinction between financial compensation...

Nigeria's electricity regulator has taken control of Kaduna Electricity Distribution Plc by dissolving its board and appointing interim directors. This unprecedented intervention raises critical questions about the boundaries between regulatory oversight and corporate ownership, and what it means for shareholders, creditors, and the future of privately-owned electricity distribution companies in Nigeria.

British American Tobacco faces significant penalties from Nigeria's Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission for alleged violations of consumer protection regulations. The case raises important questions about corporate compliance with local consumer laws and the enforcement powers of regulatory bodies in protecting market competition.

On 9 July 2026, the Western Cape Division of the High Court handed down judgment in Van Zyl and Others v Minister of Water and Sanitation and Others (Van Zyl Judgment), reviewing and setting aside the decision by the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) to issue a water use licence (WUL) to the Cederberg Municipality (the Municipality).

The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (“NUPRC” or “Commission”) formally announced the commencement of the 2025 Licensing Round, which began on 1st December 2025. The round offers 50 oil and gas blocks spanning frontier, onshore, shallow-water, and deep-water acreages. The blocks are located across Nigeria’s sedimentary basins, namely the Niger Delta Basin, Chad Basin, Benue Trough, Anambra Basin, and Dahomey (Benin) Basin.

This week, East Africa continues to attract significant attention from investors and development partners, with major initiatives shaping the region's economic and industrial trajectory.

South African municipalities are losing over 46% of treated water through non-revenue water (NRW), a crisis driven by infrastructure decay, metering failures, and weak governance. Performance-based contracts (PBCs) offer a promising solution by tying private-sector payment to measurable water savings, yet regulatory complexity and risk allocation challenges have prevented their widespread adoption. This analysis examines the legal and procurement barriers that municipalities face when attempting to implemen

South Africa's data centre boom presents a critical infrastructure challenge: can aging water systems and fragile utilities support decades of operation while protecting constitutional water rights? As communities mobilize against new developments and Eskom grapples with surplus capacity, the decisions made today will determine whether digital growth strengthens or strains the nation's resources.

Advocaat Law Practice presents its comprehensive monthly roundup of significant developments, regulatory changes, and emerging trends shaping the energy and infrastructure sectors. This curated update examines key policy shifts, project announcements, and legal frameworks affecting stakeholders across the industry landscape.