More haste, less speed in Malawi?
Malawi hopes to emulate its eastern African neighbours by making big hydrocarbons discoveries but progress is slow
Agricultural revenues are falling and opportunities to diversify the economy are few, so Malawi is seeking to entice explorers to establish the potential of the country's hydrocarbons reserves. It hasn't gone as well as hoped. Serious investment has not blossomed and the government's licensing strategy has attracted criticism. Efforts to woo companies to the sector started at least a decade ago and gathered momentum with the amendment of oil-sector regulations and the designation of six exploration blocks in 2009. Prospecting licences, or stakes in them, were awarded over subsequent years to several low-profile companies, including South Africa's SacOil, UK-registered Surestream and three co
Also in this section
1 November 2024
Ashgabat’s ambitions appear to mesh well with China’s growing appetite for gas
31 October 2024
The country is nearing a tipping point as its domestic needs continue to grow
30 October 2024
Attempts to control domestic fuel prices could threaten supply
29 October 2024
After some delay, the much-heralded sale of oil and gas companies’ mature upstream assets in sub-Saharan Africa has gained fresh momentum, with a clutch of deals reaching completion