“I was privileged to attend the inauguration of Dr. George Elombi in October 2025 as Afreximbank President and Chairman, succeeding Professor Benedict Oramah. Since that day, I have watched a man of few words keep the promises he made not with grand speeches, but with practical action. At this crossroads in our history, Dr. Elombi understands that leadership is not about occupying the moment. It is about shaping the future,” states NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman, AEC.

A cornerstone of Dr. Elombi’s commitment to Africa’s energy sector is the establishment of the Africa Energy Bank (AEB) alongside the African Petroleum Producers Organization. Designed to finance large-scale energy and infrastructure projects across the continent, the AEB will use a corridor approach, prioritizing projects that deliver regional economic development across four pillars: export infrastructure, domestic infrastructure, clean cooking and power. The bank is expected to become operational within weeks and begin financing projects at the start of 2027.

Dr. Elombi’s work is reflected in a series of milestones reached by Afreximbank in recent months as the bank moves to advance intra-African trade, mobilize capital and bring new countries into its mission. In April 2026, South Africa acceded to the Establishment Agreement of the bank, marking the entry of one of the continent’s biggest economies into the bank’s membership. With the move, Afreximbank launched major financial interventions in the country, including a $8 billion Country Program designed to deepen economic growth. According to Dr. Elombi, South Africa’s membership builds on a strong pipeline of Afreximbank-led projects in the country, exceeding $6 billion and spanning healthcare, energy, manufacturing, financial services and mining.

Beyond South Africa, Afreximbank continues to advance financing for strategic projects across a myriad of sectors. Notable transactions include a $3.8 billion agreement with Gabon to support manganese and gold trading as well as energy development and rail infrastructure; a $25 million facility for Lilium Gold to support operations at the Boungou and Wahgnion mines in Burkino Faso; and a $1.75 billion syndicated receivables-purchase facility for Angola’s national oil company Sonangol. In Nigeria, the bank announced a $2.5 billion underwriting commitment – part of a $4 billion syndicated facility – for Dangote Petroleum and Petrochemicals as well as a $750 million reserve-based lending facility for Heirs Energies, supporting indigenous African energy capacity.

The bank was also responsible for the first-recorded Southern African energy sector transaction through the Africa Trade Gateway – a one-stop digital trade ecosystem developed by Afreximbank and the African Continental Free Trade Area. The transaction features a $5.3 million cross-border gasoil trade involving Zimbabwe. One of the most significant developments

Afreximbank’s mandate transcends energy. The bank continues to mobilize capital for infrastructure that can connect African markets, supporting continent-wide industrialization and job creation. In healthcare, the African Medical Center of Excellence in Ajuba, a landmark 170-bed specialty healthcare center developed by Afreximbank, has set a new standard in healthcare in the country. The facility treats more than 5,000 patients from over 20 countries, with plans to expand to 500 beds in the near-term.

“This is more than a list of transactions; it is a practical expression of economic sovereignty, financing African businesses, moving African commodities, developing African infrastructure and keeping more value on the continent,” Ayuk said. “Dr. Elombi is running his race. He is not chasing applause; he is building momentum. He knows that Africa’s future will be secured by institutions that are bold enough to invest, disciplined enough to deliver, and confident enough to believe in Africa’s own capacity.”

Against this backdrop, the Libya Energy & Economic Summit (LEES) 2027, taking place January 23–25 in Tripoli, will feature a dedicated Infrastructure and Integration Forum. The forum will examine how Libya can convert its growing resource base into productive domestic infrastructure and stronger regional ties.

As Libya seeks to process more hydrocarbons domestically and capture greater value from refined products, the country’s National Oil Corporation (NOC) is pursuing refinery modernization and expanded petrochemical manufacturing. That strategy is being reinforced by upstream expansion, including a more than $20 billion, 25-year Waha development deal with TotalEnergies and ConocoPhillips targeting up to 850,000 barrels per day (bpd) of additional capacity.

Meanwhile, the National Development Agency has signed 13 agreements with Chinese companies for projects at the 1,000-hectare Magroun Industrial Zone, covering industrial chemicals, advancing manufacturing and construction materials. The Ministry of Industry’s 100-Day Plan is supporting the country’s wider development push through infrastructure and digital reforms aimed at improving industrial investment.

Gas provides another major infrastructure opportunity set to be showcased at LEES 2027. Eni’s $8 billion Structures A&E project is designed to move offshore gas to the Mellitah treatment plant, with infrastructure targeting 750 million cubic feet per day (mmscf/d) in 2027. The project follows the successful start-up of the Sabratha Compression Project in June 2026. Led by Eni in partnership with the NOC – through the Mellitah Oil & Gas joint venture – the project has an overall compression capacity of 440 mmscf/d.

On the maritime side, the $2.7 billion Misurata Port expansion is set to transform the facility into a major Mediterranean logistics hub, with planned capacity of 4 million containers annually and 8,400 direct jobs. The project also incorporates local supplier development, linking maritime expansion with efforts to build domestic supply chains.

Beyond domestic infrastructure Libya is strengthening its connections to regional neighbors. The country is advancing negotiations with Egypt for an 800-km Tobruk-Alexandria crude pipeline, estimated at $1.5 billion–$2 billion and targeting initial capacity of 150,000–250,000 bpd. The NOC is also working to maximize the 11-billion-cubic-meter annual capacity of the GreenStream pipeline, connecting coastal facilities in Libya to European markets via Sicily.

Taken together, these projects show an increasingly integrated Libyan investment agenda – connecting upstream production with downstream industry, gas infrastructure, logistics and cross-border energy markets. LEES 2027’s Infrastructure and Integration Forum will bring those investment opportunities together in one platform, highlighting the NOC and Ministry-led push to build the infrastructure required for Libya’s next phase of economic growth.

For more information about LEES 2027, please visit https://LibyaSummit.com/​.

SPE Libya’s Young Professionals network provides early-career members with opportunities for technical and professional development and links them into the wider SPE community. Ali Abu Ikhzam, founder and Young Professionals Chair of the SPE Libya Section, has also contributed to SPE’s international Young Professionals network and technical publications, with his work covering areas including digitalization and automation.

University-based SPE student chapters provide another route into the profession, giving students opportunities to engage with technical subjects, industry professionals and the wider petroleum engineering community. Such networks can provide an early connection between university training and the technical requirements of Libya’s upstream sector.

The focus on workforce development comes as Libya seeks to attract fresh investment into exploration. The National Oil Corporation’s general bidding round offered 22 exploration blocks, including 11 offshore blocks, as part of an effort to increase exploration activity and develop the country’s oil and gas reserves. The NOC said the round was designed to attract international companies into exploration and drilling while creating opportunities for local businesses and employment. The round has since concluded with international companies awarded investment opportunities.

These issues will feature at the Libya Energy & Economic Summit (LEES) 2027, where SPE International – Libya Section is an official supporting organization. The summit will take place in Tripoli from January 23–25, with SPE hosting a Technical Conference as part of the event’s program. The summit’s Knowledge Hub will also address upstream technologies, operational excellence, workforce development and project execution.

SPE Libya is also involved in the Energy JEEL initiative, a Ministry of Oil and Gas-led program focused on developing young Libyans through energy-related training and knowledge sharing. The initiative has trained more than 900 young people and is intended to build a pipeline of engineers, technicians and other energy professionals as Libya develops its oil, gas and broader energy sectors.

Youth development will also form part of LEES 2027’s In-Country Value Forum on January 24. The program is set to examine youth and women in energy, AI, workforce development and pathways for the next generation of Libyan energy professionals.

For SPE members, the summit provides access to operators, service companies, policymakers and international technical specialists in one setting. For students and young professionals, it also offers exposure to the projects, technologies and industry contacts that will become increasingly relevant as Libya develops new exploration opportunities and invests in existing assets.

LEES 2027 takes place in Tripoli from January 23–25. For more information visit https://LibyaSummit.com. To sponsor or participate as a delegate, contact sales@energycapitalpower.com.