Connect with us

Energy

Africa, Venezuela Move to Formalize Global South Energy Cooperation

Published

on

African Energy Chamber

A working visit to Caracas by the African Energy Chamber this week aims to strengthen hydrocarbon collaboration, expand focus on gas and petrochemicals and advance technical training partnerships

CARACAS, Venezuela, February 24, 2026/APO Group/ –The African Energy Chamber (AEC) (https://EnergyChamber.org) this week advanced a structured program of cooperation with Venezuela during a high-level working visit aimed at aligning both regions on hydrocarbon development, trade expansion and capacity building.

The visit opened with meetings with the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela’s Vice Minister for Africa, Yuri Pimentel, where discussions focused on formalizing stronger South–South collaboration across upstream investment, gas monetization and downstream industrial development. As major hydrocarbon regions navigating similar developmental pressures, both sides emphasized a shared priority: using oil and gas resources to confront energy poverty and accelerate industrialization.

Rather than treating hydrocarbons as transitional resources, discussions framed them as essential economic drivers. Both parties emphasized that oil, along with the development of natural gas and petrochemicals, represents the next phase of value creation – critical for supporting electrification, powering domestic industries and enabling broader economic development.

Our focus is practical: strengthen cooperation, expand gas and petrochemical value chains and invest in the skills required to develop our resources responsibly and competitively

The Chamber encouraged greater participation of African energy companies in Venezuela’s upstream and downstream sectors, while supporting Venezuelan engagement across African markets. The objective is not transactional engagement, but longer-term institutional alignment that strengthens intra-Global South investment flows.

Another key outcome of the visit was the advancement of structured human capital partnerships. During meetings with Universidad Venezolana de los Hidrocarburos, discussions moved beyond general cooperation and toward concrete training pathways for African professionals. The parties committed to organizing training programs for Africans and executives in oil and gas, supported by ongoing discussions with stakeholders in Namibia, Equatorial Guinea, Nigeria, Zimbabwe and Senegal. Programs under discussion include technical training in both onshore and offshore hydrocarbon operations, alongside executive-level capacity building aimed at strengthening operational and regulatory expertise across African energy markets.

Venezuela’s decades of experience in complex onshore heavy-oil production and offshore development present relevant case studies for African producers expanding their own resource bases. The Chamber committed to facilitating frameworks that support long-term training exchanges and institutional collaboration. By prioritizing technical depth and executive-level capacity building, the partnership aims to ensure that resource development is matched by domestic expertise – reinforcing local content objectives across African energy markets.

“This working visit demonstrates that Africa and Venezuela are aligned not only in resources, but in vision,” said NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the AEC. “Energy poverty remains one of the greatest barriers to economic growth across the Global South. Our focus is practical: strengthen cooperation, expand gas and petrochemical value chains and invest in the skills required to develop our resources responsibly and competitively.”

As Africa scales upstream production and accelerates gas commercialization, partnerships grounded in technical exchange and industrial expansion are becoming increasingly strategic. The working visit signals a shift toward structured South–South energy alignment – one that links resource development, industrial policy and human capital under a unified development framework.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

Business

Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) Leadership Roundtable Brings Gas Producer Coordination to Paris

Published

on

As African gas producers navigate rising domestic demand, global LNG competition and a renewed push for investment, the GECF Leadership Roundtable at the Invest in African Energy 2027 Forum will examine how greater coordination can support project development, market access and long-term gas monetization

PARIS, France, November 3, 2026/APO Group/ –Africa’s gas industry is entering a period in which cooperation between producing countries could become increasingly important. Demand is rising, LNG markets are being reshaped by geopolitical disruptions and new supply, while major gas developments across the continent continue to compete for capital.

 




  

Against this backdrop, the GECF Leadership Roundtable at the Invest in African Energy (IAE) Forum 2027 in Paris will bring the perspectives of gas-producing countries into a discussion focused on the commercial and strategic priorities shaping the sector.

The session comes as Africa continues to expand its role in global LNG markets. The GECF forecasts LNG exports from the continent to reach about 110 billion cubic meters (bcm), or 80 million tons per annum (mtpa), by 2030, rising to 215 bcm, or 160 mtpa, by 2050. The outlook spans producers including Algeria, Angola, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Mozambique, Mauritania, Senegal and Nigeria, while GECF projections point to growing LNG trade with Asia and within African markets.

Recent developments have reinforced the strategic value of that supply base. Tanzania’s long-delayed $42 billion LNG project has gained renewed attention as disruptions to Middle Eastern gas supplies have increased the value of diversified LNG sources, while ExxonMobil is advancing preparations for Mozambique’s Rovuma LNG project after years of delay.

For African producers, however, expanding exports is only one part of the equation. Domestic gas demand is rising at the same time that governments are seeking to use gas to improve electricity supply, support industrial development and create new revenue streams. That creates a need to balance export projects with domestic offtake, pipeline infrastructure, gas processing and gas-to-power development.

Coordination between producing countries can help address some of these challenges. Sharing experience on fiscal frameworks, project development, infrastructure and market access can help governments compete for investment while strengthening the case for regional gas infrastructure and cross-border trade.

The global market is also becoming more competitive. Reuters reported this month that gas and LNG infrastructure investment is expanding across multiple regions, with Asia accounting for the largest share of planned LNG import capacity. At the same time, disruptions to Middle Eastern supply have reinforced concerns around security of supply and increased the strategic importance of alternative producers. That creates an opening for African gas producers, but converting that opportunity into projects will require capital, infrastructure and credible long-term markets.

The GECF Leadership Roundtable at IAE 2027, taking place in Paris from May 11-13, will provide a senior-level setting to examine those issues alongside the investors and project developers needed to advance them. The wider forum is designed to connect African energy markets with global capital, with a focus on projects spanning gas, LNG, infrastructure and power.

For African gas producers, the question is how effectively its resources can be developed, connected to markets and converted into reliable energy and industrial growth. The Paris roundtable will put producer coordination at the center of that investment conversation.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.

 

 




 

Continue Reading

Business

Joint Statement: Afreximbank and African Petroleum Producers’ Organisation (APPO) formally establish Africa Energy Bank

Published

on

The creation of the Africa Energy Bank reaffirms African governments’ determination to secure their own energy future

ABUJA, Nigeria, October 31, 2026/APO Group/ –African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) (www.Afreximbank.com) and the African Petroleum Producers’ Organisation (APPO) have formally announced the establishment of the Africa Energy Bank (AEB). The announcement was made during the AEB’s inaugural general meeting held in Abuja, Nigeria, on 31 October 2026.
 




 

The creation of the Africa Energy Bank reaffirms African governments’ determination to secure their own energy future. This move is in recognition that significant investments in energy generation and transmission was required to accelerating industrial growth and to leveraging the tremendous opportunities from the emerging technologies, particularly artificial intelligence (AI).

The Bank is being established at a time when the continent’s energy investment needs are estimated at US$200 billion. Traditional providers of short- and long-term financing to Africa’s energy sector are withdrawing funding from fossil fuels, even as oil and gas remain vital to the continent’s energy systems. The Africa Energy Bank aims to bridge this financing gap while supporting a just energy transition for African countries.

With an authorised capital of US$5 billion, the AEB will support projects across the energy value chain, including exploration and production, transportation, processing, refining, and distribution. These investments are intended to strengthen productive capacity, reduce reliance on imported petroleum products, and promote intra-African trade in energy goods. The Bank’s mandate also includes promoting robust African participation in the continent’s energy sector to ensure that Africa’s energy future is shaped by Africans.

The AEB will operate as an independent, supranational pan-African financial institution. It will seek to attract investments from governments, national oil companies, financial institutions, and private investors to support energy development across the continent.

Resolutions passed at the first general assembly included the appointment of the Bank’s inaugural President, Mr Helmy Ghazi, and the formation of its first Board of Directors, comprising members from the public and private sectors as well as leading policy institutions from across the continent.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Afreximbank.

 




 

Continue Reading

Business

5 Investment Opportunities Putting Congo Energy & Investment Forum (CEIF) 2027 on the Map for Central Africa

Published

on

CEIF 2027 connects investors with Congo’s energy projects and local partners, while providing entry points for commercial opportunities across Central Africa

BRAZZAVILLE, Republic of the Congo, November 2, 2026/APO Group/ –The Republic of Congo’s expanding oil and gas developments are creating new opportunities for investment, engineering contracts and commercial partnerships across the energy value chain. With offshore discoveries, mature-field redevelopment and three million tons per year of LNG capacity, the country is entering a new phase of energy development that requires capital, technology and international partnerships.

 




 
 

The Congo Energy & Investment Forum (CEIF) 2027, taking place June 1-3 in Brazzaville, will serve as the official platform connecting Central African energy decision-makers, operators, investors and service companies. Organized by Energy Capital & Power in collaboration with the Ministry of Hydrocarbons, the forum will bring together public- and private-sector stakeholders to advance investment discussions, facilitate partnerships and connect companies with emerging opportunities across the region.

Connect With Central Africa’s Energy Decision-Makers

CEIF 2027 will provide a platform to engage directly with Congolese authorities, regulators, national energy companies and policymakers shaping the region’s energy investment landscape. Taking place in partnership with the Ministry of Hydrocarbons, the event offers a bridge between the country’s policymakers and public- and private-sector companies. Conversations with decision-makers can help investors understand national development priorities, gain insight into the regulatory environment and identify opportunities for market entry or expansion.

Capitalize on Congo’s Upstream Investment and Production Ambitions

As Congo targets production growth toward 500,000 barrels per day, operators are pursuing new exploration and mature-field redevelopment to increase output. TotalEnergies’ 2026 Moho G discovery could unlock an estimated 100 million barrels of recoverable resources alongside the existing Moho F development, illustrating the potential to connect new discoveries to established offshore infrastructure. Meanwhile, Perenco and Trident Energy are pursuing development and redevelopment opportunities across mature assets, including well reactivation and infrastructure upgrades.

These activities could create opportunities for drilling contractors, engineering firms and production technology providers. CEIF 2027 offers a platform to explore project requirements and investment opportunities across Congo’s upstream sector.

Unlock Opportunities Across LNG, Gas and Power Infrastructure

With LNG exports established and liquefaction capacity reaching three million tons per year in 2026, Congo is looking towards its next phase of gas development. This will depend on sustaining feedgas supplies, connecting additional resources and expanding infrastructure.

Beyond LNG, Congo’s plans to expand electricity generation and improve transmission and distribution infrastructure present opportunities for power developers, equipment suppliers and investors. These priorities create potential opportunities for upstream operators, engineering companies, technology providers and investors interested in gas processing, power generation and distribution. CEIF provides a platform to advance these priorities.

Showcase Solutions and Build Commercial Partnerships at the Exhibition

The CEIF 2027 exhibition will provide a platform for companies to showcase their technologies, equipment and services directly to energy operators, policymakers, investors and potential clients across Central Africa.

Exhibitors will have opportunities to demonstrate solutions, engage with local service providers and identify potential partnerships across drilling, engineering, infrastructure and energy technology. For companies seeking to enter or expand in the region, the exhibition offers a direct route to building commercial relationships, exploring procurement opportunities and positioning their services for upcoming projects.

Access New Projects and Financing Opportunities

Turning project opportunities into investments requires clarity on development priorities, infrastructure requirements and financing structures. CEIF’s discussions will give participants an opportunity to assess the projects shaping Congo’s energy sector and engage with potential commercial and institutional counterparts.

Investors, lenders and project developers can use these exchanges to identify areas where financing, technical expertise or new investment structures may help advance projects across oil and gas, power generation and downstream industries.

Organized by Energy Capital & Power in collaboration with the Ministry of Hydrocarbons, CEIF 2027 will enable candid dialogue, facilitating new investments and deals in the country’s energy sector. For more information, visit www.congoenergyinvestment.com.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.

 




 

Continue Reading

Trending

Exit mobile version