West Africa Gas Deal: ECOWAS leaders signed the $25bn Nigeria–Morocco Atlantic Gas Pipeline agreement in Freetown, setting the legal framework for a ~6,000km line across 13 countries, targeting 30 bcm/year with construction due in 2028 and a Casablanca project company. Nigeria Upstream Push: Nigeria opened bidding for 50 oil and gas blocks under the 2026 licensing round, aiming to unlock ~2bn barrels of additional reserves and attract $10bn+ in investment via a digital, more transparent process. South Africa Gas Cliff: South Africa faces declining Mozambique Pande–Temane gas after 2028, threatening supply to Sasol’s Secunda and Sasolburg complexes and raising job-risk concerns. Red Sea Energy Shock: Houthis declared a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia and warned shipping to/at Saudi ports could be targeted, adding pressure to already strained tanker routes and oil prices. Togo Solar Monitoring: Togo’s AT2ER seeks a consultant to monitor and evaluate its Awandjelo 42MWp solar project in Kara, funded by BOAD, with a July 31 submission deadline. Energy Policy Finance: South Africa signed a $1.5bn World Bank development policy loan to back reforms in electricity, freight/logistics, and water/sanitation. Climate Reporting Gap: ECA urged Africa to link energy and digital connectivity to industrial growth, while media leaders warned climate coverage still often treats it as a niche, event-driven beat.