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This year’s African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energies conference offered a strategic glimpse into some of the continent’s leading energy markets, with a series of fireside chats delving into opportunities, challenges and recommendations for advancing projects. A highlight was a discussion with Erik Prince, Founder of Blackwater, who underscored the importance of collaborative security measures in Africa, stressing public-private partnerships to safeguard energy assets. As the continent moves to attract fresh investment in strategic projects, the AEW: Invest in African Energies 2025 fireside chats served as a launchpad for future investments.

Towards Increased Production

With goals to enhance fuel security in Africa, many countries have adopted bold production goals that have opened new pathways for global investors. Discussions at AEW: Invest in African Energies 2025 shed light into investment opportunities, laying the foundation for deals and project advancements in 2026 and beyond.

With goals to reach two million barrels per day (bpd), Nigeria offers significant investment opportunities for international companies and independents. Companies to the likes of Renaissance Africa Energy and Seplat are already advancing projects, with priority areas including gas development and LNG. Renaissance Africa Energy is seeking partners to help grow its portfolio in the country, announced by CEO, Tony Attah. Seplat Energy is also advancing projects, with the company’s CEO Roger Brown reporting that the company is moving closer to finalizing commercial terms on a Nigerian gas project.

Ghana also strives to produce more. With over 17 oil and gas projects scheduled for development by 2027, the country is leveraging its hydrocarbons as a catalyst for economic growth. Ghana’s Minister of Energy and Green Transition, John Abdulai Jinapor, highlighted that “What we have achieved so far can serve as a model for other economies.”

An established oil producer, Angola aims to increase production, with its upcoming licensing round introducing new opportunities for operators. According to the ANPG’s Executive Administrator Alcides Andrade, the country plans to award 60 concessions by year-end, signaling an accelerated licensing drive to boost exploration activity. This exploration driven is being led by the national oil company Sonangol, who has committed to working with companies to unlock new deposits. At AEW: Invest in African Energies 2025, Osvaldo Inácio, Sonangol board member, revealed the company is preparing to drill its exploration well in Block 24 of the Kwanza Basin in December.

Gas Driven Growth

With over 620 trillion cubic feet of proven gas resources, Africa is making strides towards monetizing its resources and unlocking greater returns from the industry. This has introduced significant opportunities for investors. Fireside chats held at AEW: Invest in African Energies 2025 underscored the role of gas in Africa, offering companies unique insight into projects, investment gaps and partnership prospects.

On the back of first oil production in 2024 and first LNG production in 2025, Senegal is gearing up for the next phases of its hydrocarbon agenda. The country is moving towards Greater Tortue Ahmeyim phase two, with leading operators exploring additional prospects offshore. Speaking in a fireside chat at AEW: Invest in African Energies 2025, Senegal’s Minister of Energy, Birame Soulèye Diop, and Kosmos Energy CEO Andrew Inglis underscored the role of gas in the country. Birame said: “We would like to produce more for the country so that we can access resources for electricity. With gas, there are a lot of opportunities.”

Energean's CEO, Mathios Rigas, drew insight into the challenges of developing Africa's gas resources, emphasized the importance of supplying gas to local markets. The company is deepening its focus on the Egyptian gas sector, with plans to optimize offshore concessions and integrate its three existing licenses: Abu Qir, North El Amriya and North Idku. According to Rigas, gas offers strong avenues for economic development in Africa.

Africa’s Frontier Markets

As a largely frontier market, Guinea-Bissau is actively promoting exploration opportunities across its offshore basins. During AEW: Invest in African Energies 2025, APUS Energy CEO Eyas Alhomouz and PetroGuin’s Celedónio Vieira highlighted Guinea-Bissau’s world-class frontier geology, rapid drilling timelines and active exploration. Apus Energy is currently seeking partners for its Sinapa and Esperança licenses, acquired from Petronor in 2023. The farm-in coincides with the Atum-1X well, the first deepwater well drilled offshore Guinea-Bissau since 2007.

Meanwhile, targeting first oil production by 2029, Namibia is accelerating exploration and production projects, with developments such as the TotalEnergies-led Venus and Galp-led Mopane advancing. At AEW: Invest in African Energies 2025, Rhino Resources CEO Travis Smithard also confirmed a gas-condensate discovery at Volans-1X, marking a promising new find in its exploration portfolio. Northern Ocean CEO Arne Jacobsen has highlighted that Namibia’s offshore program is moving from exploration into appraisal, emphasizing that long-term value and local content depend on sustained, multi-well programs over the next 3-4 years.