Energy & Mining
From The Report: Cote d'Ivoire 2022
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As the country returns to robust economic growth and its population expands, electricity demand is set to rise. At the same time, new offshore discoveries promise a brighter future for the hydrocarbons sector, while the renewables segment will be instrumental in helping Côte d’Ivoire achieve its clean energy goals and improve access in remote areas. Against this backdrop, demand for projects across the sector looks set to continue at a steady pace. Côte d’Ivoire’s mining sector is well positioned to continue its expansion, as a surge in exploration activity is taking place. As only a small fraction of the country’s mining area has been explored to date, there is significant growth potential in the years ahead. The government’s commitment to the sector bodes well for the future, while debate about updating the mining code show a receptiveness to industry and community concerns. Moving forwards, sustainability and awareness of mining’s impact on the environment will remain key priorities.

This chapter includes an interview with John van Zuylen, CEO, African Solar Industry Association.

Articles from this Chapter

Overview

In the pipeline: Boosted by new oil and gas discoveries, the sector has seen a steady stream of projects in both hydrocarbons and renewables
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Côte d’Ivoire’s robust economic growth in the years since the country regained political stability in 2011 has resulted in a surge in energy consumption, particularly in urban areas. As of 2020 the electricity sector was the third largest in Africa in terms of installed capacity, and total energy consumption increased by 14.2% between 2011 and 2020. While the Covid-19 pandemic brought challenges for the sector, energy demand is likely to remain strong moving forwards. Ensuring that energy supply…

Interview

Brighter days: John van Zuylen, CEO, African Solar Industry Association, on new energy solutions for the continent
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Interview:John van Zuylen What is the investment potential for solar energy projects in Côte d’Ivoire? JOHN VAN ZUYLEN: Côte d’Ivoire currently produces roughly two-thirds of its electricity from fossil fuels, and the remainder comes from hydropower. Solar energy currently represents a very small fraction of the energy mix: there are no large-scale projects connecting solar electricity directly to the grid, but several companies and individuals – mostly in off-grid areas – rely…

Analysis

Capacity boost: A new oil and gas discovery in the Gulf of Guinea is expected to increase the country’s reserves significantly
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In September 2021 Côte d’Ivoire announced the country’s first large-scale oil and gas discovery in two decades. The discovery was made by Italy’s Eni in Block CI-101 on the Baleine prospect, some 60 km off the coast on the Gulf of Guinea. According to initial estimates, the discovery is thought to total 1.5bn-2bn barrels of oil and 1.8trn-2.4trn cu feet of natural gas. This would significantly increase the country’s reserves, which as of 2019 stood at 100m barrels of oil and 1trn cu feet…

Analysis

In short supply: An EU ban on seaborne imports of Russian oil has implications for emerging markets and the rollout of renewable energies
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Emerging markets are exploring opportunities to help meet the EU’s energy demand following the bloc’s announcement to ban seaborne imports of oil from Russia. The move, announced in May 2022 and set to be implemented by the end of the year, forms part of the sanctions crafted in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Roughly 90% of the EU’s oil imports from Russia arrive on seaborne tankers, with the rest coming through the Druzhba pipeline. The exemption for pipeline…

Overview

Good prospects: Minerals production has continued to increase, and exploration work suggests the sector has significant untapped potential
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With potentially significant untapped resources and the government committed to making mining a key pillar of growth for the economy, Côte d’Ivoire’s extractive minerals sector looks set for robust growth. Gold, nickel, bauxite, diamonds, manganese, columbite and tantalite are already in production, and Côte d’Ivoire’s miners are ready to become key players in the country’s drive towards economic diversification. Under the National Development Plan (Plan National de Développement, PND)…

Analysis

Code of conduct: Efforts are being made to strengthen the mining industry’s regulatory framework on both the national and regional level
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As mining investment continues to increase across the region, many West African countries have introduced regulations to ensure that mining operators take into account the needs of local communities and the potential impact on the environment. The UEMOA community mining code was adopted in 2003 with the aim of protecting these interests. In 2014 Côte d’Ivoire introduced its own mining code to ensure that mining operators within the country respect the local environment, and the new law replaced…