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Independent hydrocarbon producer Perenco has confirmed its participation as a Gold Partner at African Energy Week (AEW) 2026, taking place in Cape Town from October 12–16. The event is timely with the company expanding its upstream portfolio while advancing local content and workforce development initiatives across Africa, supporting a regional agenda to strengthen energy security and accelerate industrialization.

In Egypt, the company recently secured regulatory approval for its exploration contract covering the Al-Fayrouz onshore basin, enabling new exploration for crude oil and natural gas. The project supports Egypt's strategy to increase domestic oil and gas production, strengthen energy security and reinforce its position as a regional gas hub.

Natural gas monetization also remains central to Perenco's African strategy. In July 2026, the company, together with Cameroon's Société Nationale des Hydrocarbures, announced plans to redirect natural gas from the Sanaga South and Ebome fields from export markets to domestic consumption. The initiative supports Cameroon's ambition to connect eight million households to electricity and increase clean cooking adoption to 40% by 2030 through greater utilization of domestic gas resources.

The Republic of Congo continues to represent one of Perenco's fastest-growing portfolios. In May 2026, the company completed a successful five-well infill drilling campaign at the Tchibouela East field, delivering an additional 6,000 barrels of oil per day (bpd) following the completion of drilling activities at the end of 2025.

The milestone followed the successful installation of the $200 million Kombi 2 platform at the Kombi-Likalala-Libondo II field in February 2026. The platform will support additional well drilling campaigns aimed at expanding production and contribution to Congo's target of increasing crude oil production to 500,000 bpd by 2030.

Perenco is also supporting Chad’s long-term hydrocarbon development strategy, with the company recently completing a 12-well drilling campaign at the Badila Field. Meanwhile, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the company achieved a historic offshore oil discovery - reported as the country's first offshore exploration success in nearly 30 years.

Beyond upstream development, Perenco continues to invest in local content and workforce development. In April 2026, Perenco Cameroon, Perenco Gabon and the UCAC-ICAM Institute in Douala launched an Industry 4.0 laboratory, providing students with access to advanced automation, digital simulation and smart production technologies while helping develop the skilled workforce required to support Central Africa's expanding industrial sector.
As Africa seeks to maximize the value of its estimated 125.3 billion barrels of crude oil and 620 trillion cubic feet of natural gas, investment by independent operators such as Perenco will remain critical to expanding production, strengthening energy security and accelerating industrialization.

"Perenco's expanding portfolio across Africa demonstrates the critical role independent operators play in unlocking Africa's energy potential. Through exploration, production growth, gas monetization and local capacity building, the company is supporting the continent's long-term energy security while creating lasting economic value," stated NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber.

At AEW 2026, Perenco executives will showcase the company's investment strategy, provide updates on ongoing exploration and production campaigns, and engage with industry leaders on the role independent operators are playing in shaping Africa's next phase of upstream growth.