South Africa’s State Energy Leaders to Drive Investment and Infrastructure Agenda at AEW 2026

South Africa’s state-owned energy and infrastructure companies are set to play a major role at African Energy Week (AEW) 2026, with senior executives from the Central Energy Fund (CEF), South African National Petroleum Company (SANPC), South African Nuclear Energy Corporation (NECSA) and Transnet joining the event’s growing public-sector delegation. Their participation will bring together the institutions responsible for developing the country’s energy resources, strengthening energy security and building the infrastructure required to connect South African projects to domestic and international markets.

At the center of this agenda is CEF, whose Group CEO Dr. Tshepo Mokoka will bring the perspective of one of South Africa’s most strategically important state-owned energy groups. Appointed permanently in July 2026 after serving as Acting Group CEO, Mokoka takes the helm as CEF seeks to strengthen its role in national energy security and economic development. The group’s current portfolio spans petroleum, gas, renewable energy and energy infrastructure, while its investment pipeline includes the proposed $1.1-billion-plus Saldanha LNG import terminal and gas-to-power project, being developed with Avendia Energy and currently advancing toward a terminal operator agreement with Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA).

CEF’s evolving role is complemented by the emergence of SANPC, with CEO Godfrey Moagi representing South Africa’s newly consolidated national petroleum company. Established through the integration of CEF subsidiaries including PetroSA, the Strategic Fuel Fund and iGas, SANPC is intended to strengthen the country’s participation across the petroleum value chain while supporting energy security and the development of domestic oil and gas resources. Its presence at AEW will offer investors and industry stakeholders a window into how South Africa is seeking to translate its petroleum resources and infrastructure into new commercial partnerships.

The country’s energy strategy extends beyond hydrocarbons, with NECSA Group CEO Loyiso Tyabashe bringing South Africa’s nuclear ambitions to the AEW platform. NECSA is advancing an Expression of Interest process to identify technology partners for a small modular reactor (SMR) demonstration project, with the objective of developing technology capable of producing electricity, process heat and medical isotopes. The initiative is aligned with South Africa’s Integrated Resource Plan 2025 and is intended not only to expand nuclear generation options but also to strengthen local industrial capabilities and position the country within the emerging global SMR supply chain. The program has already attracted significant international interest, with 54 potential partners from 12 countries attending a compulsory briefing in April.

Infrastructure leaders from Transnet will complete the public-sector picture, connecting South Africa’s energy ambitions to the ports and pipelines required to move fuels, commodities and industrial inputs. Mohammed Abdool, Chief Executive of TNPA, takes up his permanent role at a pivotal moment for South Africa’s ports, as the authority drives efforts to improve efficiency and position the country’s eight commercial ports as more competitive gateways for regional and international trade. The government has earmarked up to R250 billion for ports and logistics modernization, with upgrades planned across key gateways including Durban, Cape Town and Ngqura, while TNPA is pursuing infrastructure investment and private-sector partnerships, including a 20-year agreement to redevelop and operate a fresh produce terminal at Durban.

Transnet Pipelines Chief Executive Sibongiseni Khathi will add the downstream infrastructure perspective, representing the network responsible for transporting crude oil, refined petroleum products and gas across South Africa. As the country works to strengthen fuel security, expand gas infrastructure and improve the efficiency of its broader logistics system, pipeline capacity will remain critical to connecting supply with industrial and commercial demand.

“South Africa is at an important point in its energy development, with its state-owned companies playing a critical role in unlocking resources, strengthening infrastructure and creating new investment opportunities,” said NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber. “Bringing leaders from CEF, SANPC, NECSA and Transnet together at AEW 2026 gives investors a direct window into the projects, partnerships and strategic priorities shaping South Africa’s energy future, and creates a powerful platform for turning those priorities into bankable opportunities.”