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ExxonMobil Named Emerald Sponsor at AEW 2026 as Africa Megaproject Strategy Accelerates
Energy major ExxonMobil has been confirmed as an Emerald Sponsor for this year’s African Energy Week (AEW) 2026, taking place in Cape Town from October 12–16, reinforcing its long-term commitment to Africa’s evolving oil, gas and LNG landscape. The announcement comes as the company deepens its strategic focus on large-scale upstream and gas monetization projects across multiple high-impact African markets.
The sponsorship aligns with ExxonMobil’s broader portfolio transformation, which has seen the company exit mature, lower-margin assets in favor of capital-intensive developments capable of delivering stronger long-term returns. Africa is now positioned as a central pillar in ExxonMobil’s global growth strategy, alongside key assets in Guyana and the U.S.
At the heart of this shift is the revival of the Rovuma LNG project in Mozambique, a $30 billion megadevelopment located in Area 4 of the Rovuma Basin. Following the lifting of force majeure in late 2025, ExxonMobil and its partners are advancing toward a mid-2026 final investment decision, with construction expected to follow shortly thereafter.
Designed with a production capacity of 18 million tons per annum (mtpa), Rovuma LNG is set to become one of the largest LNG projects on the continent. The development is expected to play a critical role in supporting ExxonMobil’s ambition to exceed 40 mtpa in global LNG output while maintaining a lower emissions intensity profile.
In Angola, ExxonMobil continues to expand its deepwater footprint through Block 15 redevelopment work, new Namibe Basin exploration campaigns and a frontier acreage agreement with TotalEnergies. The company plans to invest up to $15 billion in Angola assets by 2030, while advancing subsea upgrades, AI-enabled offshore technologies and extended production agreements across key offshore blocks.
In Nigeria, ExxonMobil is executing a parallel deepwater expansion strategy, anchored by an initial $10 billion investment aimed at revitalizing offshore production. This forms part of a wider long-term roadmap that could scale up to $24 billion, reflecting renewed confidence in Nigeria’s regulatory environment and deepwater resource potential.
Key production gains are expected from the Usan and Erha fields through targeted infill drilling campaigns, while the Owowo project represents a major future development opportunity. Collectively, these assets are projected to increase ExxonMobil’s net production in Nigeria to approximately 250,000 barrels per day by 2030.
Beyond its core producing hubs, ExxonMobil is also strengthening its frontier exploration portfolio through new agreements in Gabon and expanded offshore gas exploration in Egypt. These initiatives are designed to secure long-term resource replacement and ensure a steady pipeline of future developments aligned with the company’s global production targets.
The company is also positioning itself within emerging gas-to-power markets, particularly in South Africa, where rising demand for flexible generation capacity is creating new opportunities for LNG supply integration. ExxonMobil’s regional strategy includes leveraging its global LNG portfolio to support future power projects and enhance energy security.
ExxonMobil’s participation at AEW 2026 is set to place a spotlight on project execution, technology deployment and regional gas monetization strategies. As an Emerald Sponsor, the company will be positioned to engage with policymakers, investors and industry stakeholders to advance discussions around large-scale energy infrastructure and cross-border collaboration.
“ExxonMobil’s role as an Emerald Sponsor at African Energy Week 2026 sends a powerful signal that Africa remains central to global energy investment decisions. Their participation reflects confidence in the continent’s ability to deliver large-scale, bankable oil and gas projects at a critical moment for energy security. This level of engagement helps accelerate the partnerships and capital flows needed to unlock Africa’s full hydrocarbon potential,” says NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman, African Energy Chamber.