Connect with us

Business

African Energy Chamber (AEC) Delegation to Conduct Venezuela Working Visit as Energy Reforms Open New Frontiers in Gas, Oil and Tech

Published

on

African Energy Chamber

Taking place on August 3-5, the AEC will engage government leaders and industry stakeholders as the country advances energy reforms aimed at attracting a new wave of upstream capital into oil, natural gas and energy projects

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, July 29, 2026/APO Group/ –The African Energy Chamber (AEC) (https://EnergyChamber.org) will conduct a three-day working visit to Venezuela on August 3-5, 2026, reinforcing its support for the country’s energy sector reforms and advocating for increased international investment in oil, natural gas and associated infrastructure. Led by Executive Chairman NJ Ayuk, the AEC delegation will engage key industry leaders and government representatives to assess the country’s evolving investment landscape, identify opportunities for collaboration and support efforts to mobilize foreign capital as the country re-positions itself as a global energy supplier.

The visit comes as Venezuela enters one of its most decisive energy chapters yet, underpinned by regulatory reform, reengagement with foreign operators and a growing reserve base. At a time when global supply chains are increasingly volatile, the visit will showcase Venezuela’s capacity to become a central player in meeting growing international energy demand, while promoting new capital frontiers such as natural gas, AI and digital infrastructure.

Home to some of the world’s largest proven oil and gas reserves, Venezuela has the geological advantage to play a more prominent role in global markets – all it needs is investment. Recent reforms have created a stronger foundation for international capital expenditure, opening new pathways for operators and financiers, while renewed engagement with international companies has created opportunities for companies able to provide capital, technology and technical expertise. Changes to the country’s hydrocarbons framework have created greater flexibility for private participation and strengthened the commercial terms available for operators.

These efforts have already begun to yield results, setting the stage for accelerated production growth and project reactivation. Repsol plans to increase production from its Venezuelan assets while Eni is relaunching a heavy crude project in the Orinoco Belt. Chevron is cementing its presence in the country while ExxonMobil and ConocoPhillips have expressed interest in emerging Venezuelan opportunities. These moves point to a market poised for growth, underscoring the impact reform has played in reopening the sector.

We are exceptionally bullish on Venezuela’s natural gas potential

Natural gas represents a particularly significant opportunity. International companies are advancing projects capable of monetizing Venezuela’s offshore resources and strengthening regional energy supply. Shell is progressing the Dragon gas development, designed to deliver Venezuelan gas to Trinidad and Tobago, while bp is advancing the Cocuina-Manakin development. Repsol and Eni are also pursuing increased production from the Cardón IV project, demonstrating the growing commercial focus on Venezuela’s gas resources.

“Venezuela continues to be integral to global energy security. When foreign investment enters Venezuela’s energy sector, it unlocks vital supply needed to meet expanding global demand. The reforms underway send an important signal to the market. Continued progress on competitive terms, regulatory certainty and international collaboration can position Venezuela to attract the capital and technology required to increase production and deliver energy to markets that need it,” states Ayuk.

For the AEC, these developments represent the beginning of a much larger investment opportunity. Beyond exports and traditional industrial demand, Venezuela’s gas resources could support the expansion of reliable power infrastructure required by emerging industries. Rapid global growth in AI, cloud computing and data centers is increasing demand for secure, scalable electricity supply, creating a potential new market for gas-backed power development.

“We are exceptionally bullish on Venezuela’s natural gas potential. Developing gas reserves to power next-generation technology -including data centers and AI infrastructure – represents the next major investment frontier in the region,” Ayuk added.

Stepping into this picture, the AEC’s upcoming working visit builds on this momentum to showcase Venezuela’s energy story to a global audience. Backed by world-class resources, an improving investment climate and opportunities spanning upstream oil, natural gas infrastructure and digital technologies, Venezuela is positioning itself as a major global energy hub. Unlocking this potential will require greater investment to bring projects online, expand infrastructure and accelerate development.

 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

Energy

Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) Deepens Angolan Investment Drive as Angola Oil & Gas (AOG) 2026 Elite Sponsor

Published

on

With close to $1 billion invested in the country and a growing role in energy and infrastructure financing, the institution is positioning itself as a strategic financial partner for Angola

Multilateral finance institution the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) is expanding its role in Angola’s energy and infrastructure sectors, having invested close to $1 billion across the country’s power, rail, logistics and critical minerals industries. Reflecting its growing commitment to the market, the institution has joined the Angola Oil & Gas (AOG) Conference & Exhibition as an Elite Sponsor ahead of this September’s event in Luanda.

 

The sponsorship comes as AFC and Angola continue to strengthen their partnership. In 2025, Angola became a sovereign shareholder in AFC through a landmark $184.8 million equity investment commitment, reinforcing the institution’s role in mobilizing capital for strategic projects across the country. Angola’s Sovereign Wealth Fund also invested $25 million in AFC, further demonstrating the country’s confidence in the pan-African infrastructure financier.

That partnership is already translating into major transactions. In July 2026, AFC reached financial close on a $753 million financing package for the Lobito Corridor Railway Project, serving as Co-Financial Adviser alongside Eaglestone. The financing includes $553 million from the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation and $200 million from the Development Bank of Southern Africa and will support the rehabilitation, upgrade and long-term operation of the 1,300-km railway linking the Port of Lobito with the Democratic Republic of Congo border.

Beyond transport infrastructure, AFC is also supporting Angola’s upstream oil and gas industry. The Corporation invested $60 million as part of a $190 million debt facility backing Angolan independent Etu Energias’ acquisition of interests in offshore Blocks 14 and 14K. The transaction enabled Etu Energias to acquire a 20% stake in Block 14 and a 10% stake in Block 14K, doubling its net production at the time from approximately 9,000 to 19,000 barrels per day.

AFC’s participation at AOG 2026 reflects its expanding footprint in Angola and creates new opportunities to engage with project developers, operators and government stakeholders. As the country’s premier oil and gas event, AOG has established itself as the leading platform for advancing investment, financing and partnerships across Angola’s hydrocarbon value chain.

Taking place on September 9-10, with a pre-conference program on September 8, AOG 2026 will bring together government officials, financiers, operators, service companies and investors to examine the opportunities shaping Angola’s energy future. As an Elite Sponsor, AFC will showcase its expertise in structuring and mobilizing capital for large-scale African infrastructure and energy projects while reinforcing its long-term commitment to Angola’s economic development.

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

Continue Reading

Business

Sputnik Africa Joins African Energy Week 2026 as Media Partner

Published

on

Sputnik Africa joins African Energy Week 2026 as a Media Partner, expanding international coverage of Africa’s energy investment opportunities and partnerships

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, July 28, 2026/APO Group/ –Sputnik Africa has joined African Energy Week (AEW) 2026 as an official Media Partner, expanding the event’s international media reach ahead of the conference taking place on October 12-16 in Cape Town. The partnership strengthens global visibility for Africa’s premier energy investment platform.

As an official Media Partner, Sputnik Africa will help amplify discussions surrounding investment opportunities, policy developments and commercial partnerships emerging from the conference. The collaboration broadens AEW’s engagement with audiences across Africa and internationally while expanding coverage of major announcements, strategic dialogues and project developments taking place throughout the event.

The 2026 program features an expanded agenda focused on investment mobilization across the energy value chain. Town Hall sessions will examine fiscal reforms and regulatory competitiveness, while the Upstream E&P Forum will address frontier exploration, gas development and regional cooperation. dedicated finance, downstream and technology tracks will further explore infrastructure investment, AI adoptions and digital transformation.

Country spotlights will showcase licensing rounds, upstream opportunities and national reform programs from African producers seeking new investment. These sessions will provide international companies and financial institutions with direct access to policymakers and project developers while highlighting commercially attractive opportunities spanning hydrocarbons, power generation, infrastructure and emerging energy technologies.

African Energy Week has always been about connecting Africa’s energy opportunities with global investors, technology leaders and strategic partners

As such, Sputnik’s participation reflects its growing presence across the continent through multilingual news coverage and regional broadcasting platforms. Publishing in English, French, Swahili and Amharic, the outlet covers diplomacy, business, infrastructure, technology and economic developments affecting African markets while expanding distribution through digital platforms, FM radio and institutional media partnerships.

In recent months, Sputnik Africa has expanded coverage of Russia-Africa economic cooperation, infrastructure investment, transport connectivity and energy collaboration. The platform has also reported extensively on discussions surrounding nuclear energy, industrial development, AI governance and broader Global South partnerships, reflecting growing international interest in Africa’s evolving economic landscape.

The organization has steadily expanded its physical footprint since establishing its first African editorial center in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in February 2025. The bureau serves as a production hub for English and Amharic programming while supporting locally produced reporting and strengthening the organization’s long-term presence on the continent.

Operational growth continued through the launch of FM broadcasting services in Ethiopia before expanding radio operations into additional African markets, including Burkina Faso. Sputnik Africa has also broadened institutional engagement through journalism training initiatives and educational partnerships, including collaboration with the University of Education, Winneba in Ghana under its SputnikPro program.

“African Energy Week has always been about connecting Africa’s energy opportunities with global investors, technology leaders and strategic partners. Sputnik Africa’s participation as a media partner expands the reach of those conversations, helping showcase the projects, policies and partnerships that are driving the continent’s energy future to audiences across Africa and beyond,” says NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman, African Energy Chamber.

The partnership between Sputnik Africa and AEW 2026 reinforces the conference’s commitment to engaging a broad international media network capable of showcasing Africa’s investment story to global audiences. By expanding coverage across multiple languages and regions, the collaboration supports greater visibility for investment opportunities, policy reforms and commercial partnerships shaping Africa’s evolving energy sector.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

Continue Reading

Business

Afreximbank’s largest ever bond issuance raises US$1.5 billion

Published

on

The transaction attracted strong demand from international investors across the UK, Europe, Asia and the United States, with the order book peaking at US$3.8 billion

CAIRO, Egypt, July 28, 2026/APO Group/ –African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) (https://www.Afreximbank.com/) has successfully priced a US$1.5 billion dual-tranche Reg S/144A senior unsecured benchmark Eurobond, marking its first US dollar public bond issuance since July 2021 and its largest bond issuance to date. The bond was issued in two tranches: US$750 million with a 5.5-year tenor, maturing in January 2032, and US$750 million with a 10-year tenor, maturing in July 2036.

This successful issuance shows the confidence that investors continue to place in Afreximbank and in Africa’s growth story

The transaction attracted strong demand from international investors across the UK, Europe, Asia and the United States, with the order book peaking at US$3.8 billion. The issuance was approximately two times oversubscribed, with demand evenly split across both tranches. Supported by the robust demand, Afreximbank tightened pricing by 37.5 basis points on each tranche, resulting in final yields of 6.25% for the 5.5-year tranche and 7.125% for the 10-year tranche.

This successful return to the US dollar public bond market follows the Bank’s issuances in alternative formats and currencies in recent years, including Samurai bond issuances in 2024 and 2025 and a Panda bond issuance in 2025.Commenting on the transaction, Chandi Mwenebungu, Afreximbank’s Managing Director, Treasury and Markets, and Group Treasurer said, “This successful issuance shows the confidence that investors continue to place in Afreximbank and in Africa’s growth story. For us, this is a clear sign that the market continues to believe in Afreximbank’s work and in Africa’s economic prospects. Our role remains to connect capital to the opportunities that will drive trade, industrialisation and growth across the continent.”

HSBC Bank plc acted as the Global Co-ordinator, while Standard Bank of South Africa Limited, Standard Chartered Bank, Commerzbank Aktiengesellschaft and MUFG Securities EMEA plc, acted as Joint Lead Managers and Joint Bookrunners. This transaction marks another milestone in Afreximbank’s funding journey and underscores the bank’s continued ability to access international capital markets on competitive terms while connecting global capital to Africa’s long-term growth story.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Afreximbank.

Continue Reading

Trending

Exit mobile version