News

-- AEW 2026: “Invest in African Energies: Affordable and Abundant Energy Additions” runs Oct. 12-16 in Cape Town --

S&P Global Energy, the leading independent provider of information, analytics, and benchmark prices for the commodities and energy markets, and a division of S&P Global, will return to African Energy Week (AEW) as a 2026 Emerald Sponsor. The sponsorship reinforces its strategic participation with the African Energy Chamber (AEC) and commitment to supporting informed energy investment across Africa.

Now in its sixth year, AEW serves as the premier platform for investment and dialogue in Africa’s energy sector. S&P Global Energy has been a strategic participant of the AEC since February 2025, seeking to aid the continent's energy transformation with essential intelligence.

“Through this deepening relationship, S&P Global Energy welcomes the opportunity to contribute world-class data, analysis, and market intelligence to help stakeholders make informed decisions,” said Christian Nilsson, Chief Commercial Officer, S&P Global Energy. “Our collaboration reflects a shared vision to promote sustainable development, energy access, and investment throughout Africa.”

S&P Global Energy will provide strategic insights helping to shape Africa’s energy future. Key presenters include Christian Nilsson (Chief Commercial Officer), Dr. Atul Arya (Chief Energy Strategist), Daniel Pratt (Head of Upstream Solutions), Rahul Kapoor (Vice President and Head of Shipping & Metals Analysis) and Daniel Evans (Head of Fuels and Refining Analysis). 

This engagement aligns with a new cycle of upstream investment, natural gas monetization, and infrastructure-led development in Africa. S&P Global Energy analysts forecast African upstream oil production will reach 11. 4 million barrels of oil equivalent (boe) per day this year, supported by about $48 billion in capital expenditures, accounting for roughly 10% of the global conventional capex spend. This forecast highlights Africa as home to some of the world’s largest oil and gas projects contributing to both rapidly growing domestic needs and international markets.

Among the key outlooks S&P Global Energy will present:

Frontier Exploration:

Africa’s frontiers remain pivotal for global exploration, particularly the liquids-prone Atlantic Margin play. In 2025, two-thirds of the deepwater acreage captured globally by the major international oil companies was in Africa, with recent new entries across multiple countries from Sierra Leone to South Africa. Over 10 billion boe have been discovered in Africa since the start of 2021, 80% from frontier/immature basins.

High Impact Markets:

While the exploration focus is on Africa's frontiers, the mature oil producing areas continue to deliver. Nigeria leads the way in terms of remaining recoverable resources, while Angola is leveraging infrastructure-led exploration to maintain production at one million barrels per day (b/d) into 2027. Algeria continues to be the largest hydrocarbon producer when both natural gas and liquids are considered, and Libya aspires to break the 2.0 million b/d level once again.

Downstream Growth: 

Refined oil products demand is projected to rise from roughly 4.4 million b/d today over 6 million b/d by 2050, with the risk skewed towards higher demand. Despite major projects such as the Dangote refinery in Nigeria, imports are expected to increase, underscoring the need for investment in robust, secure supply chains.

Natural Gas & LNG developments remain central to Africa's energy landscape as African governments seek to commercialize major offshore discoveries in Tanzania, Mozambique, South Africa, Namibia, Angola, Mauritania, Senegal and Egypt.

LNG Momentum & Exports:

The start-up of the Greater Tortue Ahmeyim LNG project offshore Senegal and Mauritania has further accelerated West Africa's export ambitions, while advancements made at Mozambique LNG and Rovuma LNG strengthen East Africa's gas outlook.

Power Sector Challenges: 

Africa's power sector requires urgent funding. Despite persistent infrastructure and grid constraints, natural gas will account for about 37% of Africa’s power generation by 2050. Capital allocation to renewables remains heavily constrained, as the continent historically receives less than 2% of global renewable energy investment. The large investment gaps impact local electrification initiatives; some 600-million people across the African continent do not have reliable access to electricity.  

Power Demand: 

Electricity demand is projected to grow at an average annual rate of nearly 4% through 2030.

S&P Global Energy Platts will also bring important market insight to AEW’s discussions through its global and regional oil and refined products price assessments. Through independent price assessments – including a suite of benchmark references serving buyers and sellers in the expanding West African fuel markets -- Platts provides critical transparency to physical markets globally.

“Having S&P Global Energy participate as an Emerald Sponsor reinforces the growing importance of data-driven investment in shaping Africa’s energy future,” said NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman, AEC. “As investors look toward Africa’s upstream, LNG, refining, and power sectors, S&P Global Energy brings the analytical expertise needed to support informed deal-making and long-term capital deployment.”

For more information about AEW 2026, visit www.aecweek.com.

For more information on S&P Global Energy, visit this link.