South African Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe said non-governmental organisations funded by US philanthropic groups are stifling economic development. Environmental groups have blocked exploration activity by Shell and other companies searching for hydrocarbons in South African waters through legal action. TotalEnergies SE is planning to look for resources off the west coast, after making earlier discoveries.
African leaders have said they need to develop their natural resources, while rich nations — responsible for the biggest share of emissions — are dictating their agenda to de-carbonise. Mantashe said US funding was behind the nonprofits opposed to oil exploration, adding that many organisations are funded by the Ford Foundation and George Soros Foundation.