West Africa News Desk — October 3, 2026 AM

Zach Martin

Good morning. Nigerian gas supply passes a milestone, Senegal's power cuts push the gas debate, and a former president is told not to come home. That's ahead this Saturday morning.

Emily Martin

You're listening to KMKT IR Hub Radio. I'm Emily Martin.

Zach Martin

And I'm Zach Martin, with the West Africa News Desk for Saturday, October 3, 2026. As always, this is information, not investment advice.

Emily Martin

KMKT IR Hub Radio. West Africa News Desk. We start in Nigeria. On Friday, Gas Minister Ekperikpe Ekpo said domestic gas supply has crossed 2 billion cubic feet per day, as the government pushes more supply to power plants and industry. He said production rose to 7.5 billion cubic feet a day from about 6.8 in 2023, and proven reserves rose to 215.19 trillion cubic feet from 208.83.

Zach Martin

Those are the minister's figures. So what's the plan from here?

Emily Martin

Targets of 10 billion cubic feet a day by 2027 and 12 by 2030. Ekpo said the OB3 pipeline is fully complete and being prepared for first gas. It can carry 2 billion cubic feet a day and is expected to unlock more than 500 million standard cubic feet per day for the domestic market. The Ajaokuta Kaduna Kano pipeline is about 95 percent complete. He also said 671 billion naira, about 434 million dollars, through the Midstream and Downstream Gas Infrastructure Fund attracted about 1.6 trillion naira in private investment, across 31 projects and 205 infrastructure assets.

Zach Martin

KMKT IR Hub Radio. West Africa News Desk. Staying in Nigeria, oil. Speaking Friday in Yenagoa, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources for Oil, Heineken Lokpobiri, said reforms have raised crude oil and condensate production by more than 80 percent since 2023. He said output was under one million barrels a day when the administration took office, and the latest NUPRC weekly report showed 1.824 million barrels a day, including condensate.

Emily Martin

Why did he stress condensate?

Zach Martin

Because he said condensate is not counted by OPEC, so that 1.824 million figure includes volumes outside the OPEC count. He also said Nigeria had fewer than 10 active drilling rigs before and now has more than 70. And he estimated onshore drilling at 25 to 30 million dollars per well, and deep offshore at 80 to 100 million. All of that is Lokpobiri's account.

Emily Martin

KMKT IR Hub Radio. West Africa News Desk. To Senegal, where Reuters reported Friday that Energy Minister El Hadji Abdourahmane Diouf said September's power cuts underscored the need to use gas for electricity. He said hot weather pushed demand to a higher than expected peak of 1,400 megawatts in August.

Zach Martin

Here's what I don't follow. If installed capacity is more than 2,300 megawatts, why the cuts?

Emily Martin

The minister said the system couldn't meet demand because of insufficient fuel supply and technology breakdowns. Senegal mainly runs on diesel and is moving toward gas. Diouf said around 340 kilometers of gas pipelines are expected to be built. He also said Senegal hasn't signed oil or gas contracts since 2017, and the ministry has redrawn its block map into smaller blocks. Of 113 offshore and onshore blocks, five will be evaluated by Eni and 104 will be presented to investors on a roadshow.

Zach Martin

KMKT IR Hub Radio. West Africa News Desk. Cameroon now. Reuters reports that, according to a presidential decree issued Friday, President Paul Biya authorised a 347.5 million euro loan, about 390.9 million dollars, from the World Bank's IBRD for the Douala Bangui Economic Corridor. That project would link Douala with Bangui, capital of the Central African Republic.

Emily Martin

Is that the only decree?

Zach Martin

No. A separate decree authorised the economy minister to sign a 212.35 million euro agreement, about 238.87 million dollars, with the Islamic Development Bank to rehabilitate the Douala Bafoussam highway. In August, the finance minister was authorised to borrow up to 930 billion CFA francs, about 1.67 billion dollars, at home and abroad. Reuters notes Cameroon has recently stepped up borrowing for infrastructure and budget shortfalls.

Emily Martin

KMKT IR Hub Radio. West Africa News Desk. In Guinea-Bissau, the military high command has blocked former President Umaro Sissoco Embaló from returning. APA reported a statement, number 07 slash ACM slash 2026, saying the conditions to guarantee his safety were not in place. The command said the decision rests on national security and public order, and that political demonstrations remain banned.

Zach Martin

When was he expected back?

Emily Martin

People Daily reports he had announced a return on October 4, after months in Morocco. He told Jeune Afrique, quote, I will be a candidate, in the presidential election scheduled for December 6. He was removed in a military takeover in November 2025. The authorities haven't said when the restrictions might be lifted.

Zach Martin

KMKT IR Hub Radio. West Africa News Desk. Finally, Ghana, where a nationwide teachers' strike began September 25. According to MyJoyOnline, Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu set out a roadmap, saying data on up to 29,000 promoted teachers has been received. The Ghana Education Service was directed to send the outstanding data to the Controller and Accountant General by 4 pm Monday, October 5.

Emily Martin

And will teachers see that money in September?

Zach Martin

No. The minister said September payroll was already processed, so the new grades would take effect from October, with any supplementary payment handled by the Controller's office. He also said government remains committed to a 20 percent rural deprived area allowance from January 2027, subject to validation. MyJoyOnline reports the unions want concrete action, including arrears on payslips, and documented commitments rather than verbal assurances.

Emily Martin

A quick recap. Nigeria's ministers described gas and oil gains. Senegal's minister tied September's blackouts to a case for gas. Cameroon authorised new loans for roads and trade. Guinea-Bissau's military blocked Embaló's return. And Ghana's strike now turns on Monday's 4 pm data deadline.

Zach Martin

That's the West Africa News Desk for Saturday morning, October 3, 2026. I'm Zach Martin.

Emily Martin

And I'm Emily Martin. You've been listening to KMKT IR Hub Radio. Have a good weekend.