Energy Law and Electricity Regulation

South Africa loses nearly half its treated water to leaks, faulty meters, and unbilled connections - a crisis costing municipalities billions annually. Performance-based contracts offer a solution by tying contractor payment to measurable water loss reduction, but implementing them requires navigating complex procurement regulations and choosing the right contracting model.

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.

Namibia's renewable energy advantage positions it to transform green hydrogen production into a comprehensive industrial ecosystem. Can e-methanol serve as the catalyst for developing interconnected value chains spanning infrastructure, mineral beneficiation, and sustainable industries rather than remaining merely an export commodity?

Nigeria's 2026 Net Billing Regulations represent a transformative shift in the country's energy landscape, enabling businesses to transition from passive electricity consumers to active prosumers who can generate, consume, and sell solar power back to the grid. This regulatory framework introduces new opportunities and considerations for commercial entities looking to invest in renewable energy infrastructure. Understanding the legal and operational implications of these regulations is crucial for businesse

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 diesel refund scheme has long provided fiscal relief to mining operations, but its legislative framework struggles to accommodate modern contractual arrangements like wet contracts and joint ventures. Recent Supreme Court of Appeal judgments and 2022 amendments are reshaping how mining companies can access these vital refunds, though significant gaps remain between commercial reality and legal requirements.

Ghana and Nigeria are reshaping their natural resources sectors through new regulatory frameworks and fiscal terms. Ghana introduces methane monitoring standards and proposes mineral tenure reforms...

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.

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.