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CEF Joins AEW as Platinum Sponsor as South Africa Eyes Multi-Resource Energy Strategy
South Africa's state-owned Central Energy Fund (CEF) has joined the African Energy Week (AEW) 2026 Conference and Exhibition as a Platinum Sponsor, underscoring its commitment to advancing energy security and regional integration across Southern Africa. As one of the country’s leading energy holding companies, CEF's participation at AEW 2026 follows its successful launch of the South African National Petroleum Company (SANPC) in 2025 and the ongoing expansion of its investment footprint across the full energy value chain.
CEF's portfolio remains anchored by its role in managing South Africa's strategic energy assets and promoting investment across upstream, midstream and downstream sectors. In May 2025, CEF successfully launched SANPC, completing the merger of three of its subsidiaries (PetroSA, iGas and the Strategic Fuel Fund) to create an integrated national petroleum company. The transition transferred 402 employees in the first phase and committed R5 billion in funding to support SANPC's operationalization.
Beyond its oversight of SANPC, CEF continues to drive strategic investments in regional gas infrastructure and renewable energy. The company maintains a key ownership stake in Rompco, administrator of the 865-km gas transmission pipeline connecting Mozambique's Temane-Pande gas fields to South Africa's industrial centers. CEF has also expanded its renewable energy portfolio, holding a 15% stake in the 100 MW Redstone Solar Thermal Power Plant and Molten Salt Energy Storage System, one of Africa's largest concentrated solar power developments.
CEF operates through a diversified portfolio of subsidiaries spanning the full energy value chain. The Petroleum Agency South Africa (PASA) regulates upstream exploration and production, while the African Exploration Mining and Finance Corporation (AEMFC) supplies coal to power generation. With a healthy balance sheet projected to fund operations through 2030 and a targeted net profit of R398 million by the same year, CEF is expected to expand its role as an incubator for strategic energy projects across the region.
“CEF's continued leadership in advancing South Africa's energy security and regional integration demonstrates the critical role that African state-owned energy companies play in driving investment and development,” said NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber. “From the successful launch of SANPC to strategic gas infrastructure investments and renewable energy projects, CEF is helping build the foundation for a more secure and diversified energy future across Southern Africa.”
As a Platinum Sponsor of AEW 2026, CEF is expected to play a central role in discussions surrounding energy security, state enterprise transformation, gas infrastructure development and Africa's evolving energy transition. The event will convene industry leaders, investors and policymakers in Cape Town from October 12-16 to shape the future of African energy development.
AEW: Invest in African Energies is the platform of choice for project operators, financiers, technology providers and government, and has emerged as the official place to sign deals in African energy. Visit www.aecweek.com for more information about this exciting event.