Shadow Governance Intel (www.shadowgovintel.com), the analytical arm of West Sands Advisory Limited, conducts in-depth research on power players and power plays that challenge the transparency of emerging markets. West Sands Advisory Limited (www.westsandsadvisory.com) is a UK-based business intelligence firm that leverages local source networks and in-country associates throughout the world to help our clients create opportunities, and reduce reputational risk.
Patronage and Power Players in Turkey’s Energy Sector In parallel with the rise to power of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his Justice and Development…
The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus’ (TRNC) energy sector is one of the least developed sectors in the country. Given the political and economic restrictions…
Over the past several decades, Ghana has emerged as a potentially highly attractive destination for foreign investment, boasting an abundance of raw materials and proven…
While the public sector continues to play a prominent role in Jordan, the privatization process it has successfully implemented for over two decades has seen…
On June 1, 2017, Italian oil major Eni officially signed off on its Coral South Liquefied Natural Gas (FLNG) project in Mozambique, almost 6 years…
On the last day of summer 2017, Russia’s Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev held a government session dedicated to the development of the country’s territories in…
In June 2017, Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and Russian energy behemoth Rosneft signed several cooperation, investment and production sharing agreements regarding hydrocarbon exploration, production, infrastructure,…
Recent reports highlight the steady deepening of relations between the UAE and Kazakhstan across several strategic sectors, most notably the energy sector. Both are resource…
Although Nigeria is Africa’s largest oil and gas producer, its petroleum sector has long suffered from frequent scandals, severe mismanagement and a lack of coherent…
Over the past 12 years, Turkish energy companies have moved into the Kurdish energy sector at great pace in line with the sector’s rapid expansion…
State owned Energy Power Industry of Serbia (EPS - Elektroprivreda Srbije) controls all domestic electricity production. The EPS was established after the disintegration of Yugoslavia…
In recent months, the government of Tanzania has tightened its control over its natural resources – and the mining sector in particular – through a…
A politically turbulent six-year period has impacted the Egyptian business environment, adding a new layer of political risks to investments made across the national economy.…
Nigeria is one of Turkey’s largest trading partners in Africa, and trade remains an integral component of Nigeria – Turkey bilateral relations. In 2014, trade…
Almost five weeks have passed since Saudi Arabia, its Gulf allies, and Egypt announced the start of a diplomatic boycott against Qatar—a fellow Arab monarchy…
Turkey is a vulnerable actor when it comes to energy supply. Its primary energy source is natural gas, 98 percent of which is exported. The…
Despite having a more diversified economy than its Gulf neighbours, oil and gas revenues only account for 11 percent of Iran’s GDP. Its oil &…
On 2nd May 2017, Nigeria’s House of Representatives rejected a motion requesting that the House compel international oil companies (IOCs) to relocate their headquarters to…
On 22 March 2017, Sinopec agreed a deal to buy out Chevron’s downstream businesses in South Africa and Botswana, in China’s first major investment into…
Romania’s energy sector is characterised by the influence that the state continues to exert. Despite initiating several privatisation processes following the collapse of the Soviet…