BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 8. Azerbaijan's state
energy company SOCAR and Zimbabwe's parliament discussed
opportunities to expand cooperation in the energy sector, SOCAR
said.
SOCAR President Rovshan Najaf met with Jacob Francis
Nzwidamilimo Mudenda, Speaker of the National Assembly of Zimbabwe,
to discuss potential cooperation across various segments of the
energy industry, experience sharing and other issues of mutual
interest, the company said in a statement.
"During the meeting, SOCAR presented Azerbaijan's energy
strategy and the country's globally significant energy projects, as
well as the investment climate, highlighting the country's
political and economic stability and favorable conditions for
foreign investors. The company also briefed the Zimbabwean
delegation on SOCAR's transformation from a national oil and gas
company into an international energy group with diversified
operations and projects both in Azerbaijan and abroad," said
SOCAR.
Reportedly, the discussions also covered SOCAR's renewable
energy projects, decarbonization targets and broader sustainability
agenda.
The company said the meeting also focused on digital
transformation, noting that SOCAR is investing in data center
projects and artificial intelligence technologies. It added that
three of the company's facilities have been recognized as Digital
Lighthouses by the World Economic Forum.
SOCAR has been steadily expanding its presence in Africa as part
of its international growth strategy.
Last year, the company acquired a 10% stake in the Baleine
offshore oil and gas project in Côte d'Ivoire alongside Italy's
Eni. The project is positioned as Africa's first net-zero emissions
offshore oil and gas development, in line with SOCAR's
decarbonization and sustainable energy strategy.
SOCAR Trading has also identified Africa as one of its priority
regions for future expansion, alongside Southeast Asia, Pakistan,
Bangladesh and India, according to previous company statements.
