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The African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energies 2025 conference – hosted from September 29 to October 3 in Cape Town – marked a defining moment for the continent’s energy transformation. From major oil and gas project announcements to groundbreaking renewable investments and regional power cooperation agreements, the event showcased Africa’s shift from ambition to action, positioning the continent at the forefront of global energy growth. As the event gears up for its 2026 edition, AEW: Invest in African Energies continues to cement its position as the premier dealmaking platform for the African energy sector.

Equatorial Guinea Announces 2026 Licensing Round

Equatorial Guinea announced that its 2026 licensing round will be launched in April 2026 during a dedicated Equatorial Guinea Exploration Drive at AEW: Invest in African Energies. The session shared exclusive insight into the upcoming bid round, including available acreage, the anticipated timeline and amendments to fiscals and PSCs.

Country Spotlights Showcase Strategic Opportunities

Africa’s investment opportunities were on display, with a series of country spotlights offering in-depth insight into various markets across the continent. From upstream oil and gas to local content initiatives to power projects, renewable energy prospects, mining and infrastructure, the sessions connected potential investors with bankable projects. Featured countries included Equatorial Guinea, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Gabon, Angola, the Republic of Congo, South Africa, Algeria, Uganda, Senegal, Nigeria, Namibia, the MSGBC region and Egypt.

Leading Voices Drive Dialogue

Leading voices from the African and global energy sectors participated at AEW: Invest in African Energies 2025. Representing government, public institutions, private sector leaders and global associations, speakers tackled the most pressing challenges and opportunities prevalent across the African energy sector today. Ministers from the Republic of Congo, Nigeria, Egypt, Senegal, South Africa, Ghana, Equatorial Guinea, Venezuela and more participated, reflecting the event’s prominence as a meeting place for industry leaders.

African Energy Award Winners Announced

Ten awards were presented during the African Energy Awards and Gala Dinner. Lifetime Achievement Awards were given to François Perrodo (Perenco), Adriano Mongini (Azule Energy), Katrina Fisher (ExxonMobil), Sebastião Gaspar Martins (Sonangol), Haitham Al Ghais (OPEC) and Wale Tinubu (Oando). Other winners included ExxonMobil, Technip Energies, Levene Energies, Woodside Energy, Azule Energy, Vitol, ConocoPhillips, the Greater Tortue Ahmeyim project and Nigeria’s Ministry of Petroleum.

The Return of the JET Concert

The Just Energy Transition (JET) Concert returned to AEW: Invest in African Energies, bringing together music, art and Africa’s energy transition in a vibrant celebration. The event featured performances from celebrated African artists, including Fazil, Crowd Kontroller, DJ Dollar, Young Stunna, Uncles Waffles and Fireboy, entertaining a diverse audience of leaders, delegates and youth.

ExxonMobil Announces STEM Africa Winner

AEW: Invest in African Energies 2025 hosted the ExxonMobil Foundation’s STEM Africa Regional Finals, where Namibia claimed first place with a waste-to-energy innovation, followed by Nigeria, Angola and Mozambique. The initiative marked the culmination of a year-long program of quizzes and innovation camps.

AEW Exhibition: Showcasing Innovation and Future Tech

The AEW 2025: Invest in African Energies Exhibition brought together over 100 exhibitors from across Africa’s energy sector, showcasing cutting-edge technologies, innovative solutions and emerging opportunities. Attendees explored a dynamic environment where leading companies presented their latest projects in upstream, downstream, renewables and energy services. By combining innovation, insights and engagement, the AEW 2025 exhibition reinforced its role as a pivotal platform driving investment, partnerships and Africa’s energy transition forward.