LUSAKA, Zambia – Petrodex has pledged major investments in Zambia’s energy sector, vowing to double its regional power trading capacity and expand renewable energy projects, including the landmark Serenje solar farm.
By Gerald C. Koinyeneh, [email protected]
Speaking at the 2025 Energy Forum for Africa in Lusaka, Mr. Monie Captan, Petrodex’s Deputy CEO for West Africa, said Zambia’s sweeping energy reforms are reshaping the country’s future.
“Zambia stands at a crossroads,” Captan told the gathering, which included President Hakainde Hichilema, senior government officials, diplomats, and energy leaders. “The bold reforms underway—especially the opening of the market to private participation—are creating a new pathway forward.”
Petrodex, a global energy trading and infrastructure giant, has already been trading over 200 megawatts of power daily across Mozambique, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The company plans to increase that figure to 400 megawatts within 18 months, helping to meet Zambia’s rising industrial demand and strengthen the Southern African Power Pool.
In Zambia, Petrodex operates through its subsidiary, Petrodex Energy Trading Zambia, which directly supplies power to commercial and industrial clients. Captan revealed that a similar model is being rolled out in Zimbabwe to support the mining and industrial sectors.
On renewables, Petrodex is advancing the Serenje solar project in Central Province with partner Solarcentury Africa. The first 25-megawatt phase came online in July 2025, with a second 35-megawatt phase under construction. Once fully expanded, the facility will deliver 118 megawatts of clean energy to the national grid.
“This initiative is fully aligned with President Hichilema’s goal of adding 1,000 megawatts of solar power to the grid by 2025,” Captan said. He added that the company is developing a further 400 megawatts of solar projects across the country.
Captan stressed that Petrodex views Zambia as a long-term partner, not just a market. “With government, industry, and communities, we can unlock Zambia’s immense energy and mining potential—driving progress not only for this nation but for Africa as a whole,” he said.
Bringing Decades of Energy and Diplomatic Leadership
Captan, a leading figure in Liberia’s energy and diplomacy sectors, made a major leap from public service to the corporate world with his appointment earlier this year as Deputy CEO for West Africa at Petrodex, a global energy trading and infrastructure company headquartered in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Captan’s extensive background in utility management, energy transition planning, regulatory reforms, and project implementation makes him a strategic asset to Petrodex as the company expands its global footprint in the energy sector.
Before joining Petrodex, Captan played a pivotal role in reforming Liberia’s energy sector. As CEO of the Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC), he spearheaded initiatives that strengthened the nation’s power infrastructure, improved electricity distribution, and facilitated key international partnerships.
Speaking at the 2025 Energy Forum for Africa in Lusaka, Mr. Monie Captan, Petrodex’s Deputy CEO for West Africa, said Zambia’s sweeping energy reforms are reshaping the country’s future.
He also served as head of the Millennium Challenge Account–Liberia, overseeing the implementation of the U.S.-funded Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Compact Grant, which focused on revitalizing Liberia’s electricity sector and improving road maintenance.
Beyond energy, Captan has held prominent roles in government and the private sector. He served as Liberia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of Presidential Affairs, shaping foreign policy and strengthening diplomatic ties. He also served as President of the Liberia Chamber of Commerce (LCC), where he promoted private sector growth and investment opportunities.
His professional portfolio also includes leadership in telecommunications—having served as CEO of a major GSM company in Liberia—and academia, where he was an Associate Professor of International Relations at the University of Liberia.
Founded in 2021, Petrodex has rapidly grown into a major global energy player, providing solutions in trading, logistics, financial services, project management, asset management, and infrastructure development. Operating across oil and gas, energy, chemicals, and mineral products, the company leverages its expertise to manage supply chains across complex geographies.
