CAPE TOWN, South Africa, April 11, 2025/APO Group/ –The UAE’s investment footprint in Africa’s oil and gas sector has expanded with its recent entry into Mozambique’s Rovuma Basin. XRG, the international energy investment arm of Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, made headlines last month by entering Mozambique’s lucrative gas market, underscoring the UAE’s expanding influence in Africa’s energy sector. The move is a key part of the country’s strategy to strengthen its position as a major player in Africa’s energy landscape, highlighting its confidence in the region’s long-term growth potential.

XRG Expands into Mozambique, Egypt  

XRG’s acquisition of a 10% interest in the Area 4 concession in Mozambique’s offshore Rovuma Basin signifies more than just an expansion for the company – it reflects a broader geopolitical and economic vision that aligns with the UAE’s strategic interests. The basin is one of the world’s most significant natural gas reserves, with the potential to shape global LNG markets in the coming decades, driven by integrated gas developments with a production capacity exceeding 25 MTPA. The acquisition includes stakes in the operational Coral South FLNG and the planned Coral North FLNG and Rovuma LNG projects. XRG’s decision to invest in the region underscores its understanding of the growing demand for energy resources and the importance of securing diverse sources to ensure energy security.

In December 2024, XRG partnered with bp to establish a new regional gas platform and joint venture, Arcius Energy, focused on the development of gas assets in Egypt. The company aims to build a world-scale integrated gas and chemicals portfolio to meet rising global demand, leveraging Africa’s gas-rich hotspots to achieve this. Through these investments, the UAE is positioning itself as a leading partner in Africa’s energy future, which will likely continue to strengthen its economic and diplomatic ties with the continent.

UAE Becomes Africa’s Largest Investor

The UAE’s push into Africa’s oil and gas sector is part of a broader trend that has seen it emerge as Africa’s largest investor, surpassing even China. As reported by the Middle East Monitor, the UAE has overtaken China as the continent’s biggest source of foreign direct investment, with investments from Emirati companies totaling $110 billion between 2019 and 2023. This shift marks a significant milestone in the UAE’s strategy to diversify its investment portfolio and expand its influence across Africa, a continent rich in untapped potential and actively seeking foreign capital to drive its growth and development.

With investments spanning key sectors like infrastructure, energy and technology, the UAE has strategically positioned itself as an economic partner of choice for African nations. These investments include green hydrogen projects in Mauritania; Masdar’s $2-billion commitment to renewable energy in Africa through 2030; and the expansion of major players like Dubai’s DP World – which operates six African ports – and Abu Dhabi Ports, which has extended its presence into Guinea, Egypt and Angola. The UAE’s growing investment in Africa’s oil and gas industry aligns with the country’s broader goals of securing reliable energy supplies, diversifying its own energy portfolio and fostering long-term economic partnerships with African nations.

AEW 2025: A Platform for Gulf Investors

The UAE’s accelerated investments in Africa’s energy sector will take center stage at the upcoming African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energies 2025 in Cape Town. The conference will provide a platform for Emirati and Gulf investors to engage with key stakeholders, discuss strategies for expanding in Africa and explore new opportunities within the continent’s rapidly evolving energy sector. With a focus on oil, gas and clean energy, AEW 2025 will be a critical gathering for investors like XRG to showcase their projects, forge partnerships and deepen their involvement in Africa’s energy development.

AEW 2025 will also serve as a venue for African energy leaders to discuss the vital role of private investment in unlocking the continent’s energy potential. As a leading investor, the UAE’s growing influence in Africa’s oil and gas sector will be highlighted at the event, reinforcing its position as a key partner in driving investment, innovation and collaboration.

PARIS, France, April 10, 2025/APO Group/ –The upcoming Invest in African Energy (IAE) 2025 Forum will feature a high-level panel on Advancing Africa’s LNG Potential: Overcoming Infrastructure and Investment Challenges, sponsored by Perenco. As global demand for natural gas rises, Africa’s abundant reserves and strategic location position the continent as a key supplier – provided infrastructure, regulatory and financing hurdles can be addressed.

Moderated by Jacqueline Chinwe, Global Future Energy Leader, the panel brings together influential voices from the LNG value chain. Confirmed speakers include Julius Rone, Managing Director of UTM Offshore; Mario Bello, Head of Sub-Saharan Africa at Eni; Dominique Gadelle, Vice President, Upstream & LNG at TechnipEnergies; and Denis Chatelan, Head of Business Development at Perenco. These leaders will share strategies to accelerate LNG development, including de-risking investments, leveraging blended finance models and strengthening regulatory frameworks to ensure commercial viability.

IAE 2025 (http://apo-opa.co/4lq1VMj) is an exclusive forum designed to facilitate investment between African energy markets and global investors. Taking place May 13-14, 2025 in Paris, the event offers delegates two days of intensive engagement with industry experts, project developers, investors and policymakers. For more information, please visit www.Invest-Africa-Energy.com. To sponsor or participate as a delegate, please contact sales@energycapitalpower.com.

Africa’s natural gas resources – particularly in countries like Nigeria, Mozambique, Senegal, Mauritania and the Republic of the Congo – are attracting growing international interest. Natural gas is expected to account for 40% of Africa’s oil and gas capital expenditures by the end of the decade, according to the African Energy Chamber’s State of African Energy 2025 Outlook Report. In West Africa, major projects such as Phase 2 of the Greater Tortue Ahmeyim development and the Yakaar-Teranga Gas Project in Senegal are set to significantly boost LNG production and regional gas-to-power capacity, while Eni’s Congo LNG project in the Republic of the Congo is leveraging FLNG technology to fast-track exports and monetize offshore reserves.

With major LNG projects advancing across the continent, investment momentum continues to build. Floating LNG solutions – such as UTM Offshore’s facility in Nigeria and Perenco’s Cap Lopez terminal in Gabon – are offering scalable, capital-efficient models for deployment. In Mozambique, Eni is expanding on the success of its Coral South FLNG by developing a second floating facility, Coral North. Meanwhile, gas-to-power initiatives hold strong potential to address chronic energy shortages, contributing to both energy security and the transition to a more sustainable, lower-carbon energy mix. The panel will explore how to align Africa’s export ambitions with domestic industrialization and energy access goals, driving inclusive economic growth while contributing to global energy security and environmental objectives.

The Mining in Motion 2025 Summit is pleased to announce the participation of Hon. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Ghana as a keynote speaker.

Held under the theme Sustainable Mining & Local Growth – Leveraging Resources for Global Impact, the summit brings together Ghana’s policymakers, gold mining stakeholders and international investors to explore strategies for unlocking Ghana’s full mining potential.

Minister Buah’s participation will be instrumental in highlighting opportunities across Ghana’s gold mining value chain, discussing regulatory reforms designed to attract new investments and promoting local content development. The event will showcase Ghana’s initiatives to formalize and strengthen the artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) sector.

Under the leadership of Hon. Bauh, Ghana’s Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has driven the growth of the ASGM sector and its contribution to economic growth and community development. The sector employs over one million people and has generated $5 billion in gold export revenue in 2024, strengthening the mining sector’s contribution to revenue generation.

In partnership with the World Bank, the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources is implementing the Ghana Landscape Restoration and Small-Scale Mining Project to empower District Mining Committees and formalize the ASGM sector. Additionally, Ghana is establishing a Gold Board to improve access to finance and markets for small-scale miners. The Cooperative Mining Policy of 2024 further strengthens the sector by fostering community mining cooperatives and enhancing their technical and financial capacity.

Minister Buah will use the summit as a platform to position Ghana as a model for ASGM formalization and sustainable sector growth. Beyond panel discussions, he will also participate in exclusive networking sessions and high-level meetings with global investors, exploration and production firms, government representatives and key mining stakeholders. These engagements will facilitate deal signings and partnerships aimed at accelerating the expansion of Ghana’s mining sector.

Stay informed about the latest advancements, network with industry leaders, and engage in critical discussions on key issues impacting ASGM and medium to large scale mining in Ghana. Secure your spot at the Mining in Motion 2025 Summit by visiting www.MiningInMotionSummit.com. For sponsorship opportunities or delegate participation, contact Sales@ashantigreeninitiative.org.