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Africa’s energy sector is experiencing rapid growth, with new discoveries being made across frontier markets, enhanced production by established producers and new drilling campaigns offering the promise of play-opening finds. These trends are expected to strengthen the continent’s position in global oil markets, while unlocking significant opportunities for economic development and domestic market resilience.

At the African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energies conference – taking place September 29 to October 3 in Cape Town – a lineup of government and multilateral speakers is expected to lead discussions on the impact major exploration and production campaigns in Africa will have on global markets. As the premier event for the African energy sector, AEW: Invest in African Energies 2025 is a strategic platform to consolidate Africa’s position as a major global hydrocarbons supplier.

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.

Following major offshore discoveries made in recent years, new oil producers are emerging across Africa. Namibia is on track to become an oil producer by 2029 with the anticipated start of production at the Venus and Mopane fields – situated in the offshore Orange Basin. The country is witnessing a surge in upstream investment as a result of these projects, and as such, has emerged as the next big oil play. Similarly, Senegal – which became an oil and gas producer in 2024 with the start of the Sangomar and Greater Tortue Ahmeyim projects – is realigning itself as a global supplier.

In tandem, established producers such as Equatorial Guinea are accelerating exploration campaigns, striving to enhance production. At AEW: Invest in African Energies 2025, speakers from Namibia, Senegal and Equatorial Guinea are expected to outline the role offshore projects have and will continue to play in global supply chains. Speakers include:

• Maggy Shino, Petroleum Commissioner at Namibia’s Ministry of Mines & Energy
• Pape Momar Lo, Director General, Réseau Gazier du Sénégal
• Leoncio Amada Nzé, Member in Charge of Hydrocarbons, Equatorial Guinea Economic Council

Meanwhile, Africa is rapidly positioning itself as not only a global oil supplier but a rising consumer and industrial stronghold. According to the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) World Oil Outlook 2025, the continent is on track to triple domestic crude consumption by 2050, with expansions in refining capacity and strengthened cross-border synergies boosting continental trade.

Africa’s oil demand is projected to climb from 1.8 million bpd in 2024 to 4.5 million bpd by 2050, largely due to local refining demand. This is expected to have a major impact on global trade flows, with African exports to Europe forecast to drop to 2.3 million bpd by 2050 and trade with the United States and Canada set to fall to 100,000 bpd by 2045. At AEW: Invest in African Energies 2025, speakers from OPEC and WPC Energy will shed light into these trends. Speakers include:

• Huda Almwasawy, Head of Data Service Department, OPEC
• Sulaiman Saad, Senior Oil Demand Analyst, OPEC
• Pedro Miras, President, WPC Energy

“Rising demand and anticipated production growth in Africa’s oil and gas sector is expected to unlock a wealth of opportunities for countries continent-wide. Major projects stand to not only cement the continent’s position in global supply chains, but significantly enhance domestic fuel security, regional trade and industrial growth. AEW: Invest in African Energies 2025 offers a strategic platform to discuss Africa’s emerging hydrocarbon suppliers,” states Tomás Gerbasio, VP Commercial and Strategic Engagement, African Energy Chamber.