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African Exploration and Production (E&P) Above-Ground Attractiveness Strengthens amid Policy and Licensing Reforms

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African Energy Chamber

The African Energy Chamber’s State of African Energy Outlook highlights the impact of above-ground reforms and licensing on Africa’s E&P investment landscape

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, December 2, 2025/APO Group/ –With upstream capital expenditure set to reach $41 billion in 2026, Africa’s rising exploration and production (E&P) activity highlights the evolving landscape of above-ground attractiveness across the continent. According to the African Energy Chamber’s (AEC) (https://EnergyChamber.orgState of African Energy 2026 Outlook, African countries currently fall mostly in the mid-range of global attractiveness scores. However, a series of reforms, fiscal adjustments and strategic licensing initiatives are set to improve investor returns and deepen engagement across the continent.

Above-Ground Trends Shaping Investment

Political change, civil activism and shifting governance structures are creating new dynamics for African E&P. The waning of legacy European influence is being replaced by growing engagement from foreign powers, including China, Russia, the U.S. and Middle Eastern investors, impacting the diplomatic and investment landscape. Recent elections in South Africa, Senegal and Mozambique demonstrate how political flux can impact investor confidence and E&P operations.

Resource nationalism and local content requirements are also becoming more prominent. Governments are increasingly seeking to optimize national benefits from hydrocarbons through greater state participation, local ownership and employment measures. Countries such as Senegal, Mozambique, South Africa, Tanzania and Namibia are actively debating these policies. The evolving regulatory and social environment could empower civil society and labor unions, while environmental activities continue to scrutinize exploration in sensitive regions such as the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Namibia and South Africa.

Strategic Licensing and Renewed Investor Interest

Amid renewed interest in deepwater exploration, sub-Saharan African producers are driving competitive licensing rounds to attract international operators and national oil companies (NOCs). Bid rounds are ongoing or planned in Angola, the Republic of Congo, the DRC, Nigeria and Tanzania, with host countries offering more attractive fiscal and contractual terms. African governments are also increasingly flexible in dealing with a diverse investor base, ranging from local independents to international NOCs and financiers such as Middle Eastern banks, Asian export credit agencies and global trading firms.

Countries including Angola and Nigeria have implemented institutional, regulatory and contractual reforms aimed at unlocking upstream investment. Streamlined mergers and acquisitions approvals, clearer legislation and transparent licensing frameworks are critical to attracting cross-border capital. Emerging markets such as Ivory Coast, Kenya, Namibia and Senegal/Mauritania are under investor scrutiny as potential sites for strategic acquisitions and greenfield projects.

Focus on Gas Regulation and Industrialization

The continent offers compelling opportunities for investors who are prepared to engage in a transparent, regulated, and increasingly competitive E&P landscape

African governments are also prioritizing gas regulation to unlock lower-carbon growth opportunities. Clear frameworks for the gas value chain are expected to stimulate domestic industrialization, power access and international supply diversification. While pioneering projects such as Congo Floating LNG have advanced, other initiatives in Nigeria, South Africa and Tanzania have been delayed due to contractual and offtake uncertainties. Pending gas master plans and legislation in Angola, the Republic of Congo, Nigeria and South Africa will be pivotal in determining how much of Africa’s undeveloped gas potential can be mobilized for export and domestic consumption.

Spotlight on Key Country Developments

Angola has emerged as a leading host country for E&P investment in Africa. Its above-ground risk score has steadily improved since 2017, reflecting extensive regulatory and institutional reforms. Angola’s fiscal incentives, including terms for gas, marginal fields, and incremental production, have successfully attracted upstream investment, consolidating its status as a continental leader.

Ivory Coast maintains a pragmatic approach to foreign investment. Regardless of the outcome of the 2025 presidential election, authorities are expected to continue supporting upstream investors while emphasizing adherence to local content requirements, particularly for offshore developments.

Mozambique is witnessing a cautious restart of onshore LNG projects following the stabilization of post-election political challenges and improved security in Cabo Delgado. TotalEnergies’ Mozambique LNG project is set to resume construction in the second half of 2025, while Eni’s Coral North FLNG project remains on track. Despite progress offshore, onshore development may remain gradual due to lingering security risks.

Namibia is transitioning toward full producer status under President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah. The country has consolidated oil and gas oversight under the presidency and is establishing an independent hydrocarbon regulator. Proposed increases in NOC NAMCOR’s share and local content requirements aim to strengthen the sector but could slow project approvals during a critical development phase.

Nigeria is reinvigorating its licensing program with updated terms and incentives targeting specific terrains and resource types. The government plans its third licensing round in three years, signaling a departure from decades of limited acreage availability. Renewed interest in projects such as TotalEnergies’ Ubeta onshore gas development and Shell’s Bonga North deepwater FID highlights growing investor confidence in Nigeria’s upstream potential.

African Energy Week 2026

Africa’s E&P sector is at a pivotal moment. Strategic licensing, institutional reform and evolving fiscal frameworks are enhancing above-ground attractiveness, while political and social dynamics continue to shape the operating environment. As international investors seek opportunities across the continent’s hydrocarbon frontier, the upcoming African Energy Week conference – returning to Cape Town in 2026 – will explore how clear regulation, competitive fiscal terms and effective risk management will drive new investment and support Africa’s long-term energy ambitions.

“The continent offers compelling opportunities for investors who are prepared to engage in a transparent, regulated, and increasingly competitive E&P landscape,” states NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman, AEC. “Governments and operators must continue to balance national priorities with investor confidence to unlock Africa’s vast hydrocarbon potential.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

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Energy Capital & Power Establishes London Entity, Expanding Global Platform for Energy and Mining Events

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The move strengthens ECP’s presence in the UK and Europe, and its ability to connect African and South American markets with global investors

LONDON, United Kingdom, August 6, 2026/APO Group/ –International events company Energy Capital & Power (ECP) (www.EnergyCapitalPower.com) has officially established its UK entity in London, marking a milestone in the company’s growth strategy and reinforcing its ability to deliver world-class energy and mining events and campaigns in the UK and Europe.

By establishing a presence in a key hub like London – the pre-eminent energy and mining finance center – ECP actively shapes the global energy conversation. The expansion positions ECP to better serve clients, partners and investors seeking to develop business opportunities between Africa, Europe, the Americas and energy markets worldwide.

Opening our UK company brings ECP closer to key investors in the global energy finance capital

The milestone comes as ECP strengthens its reach through a series of investment platforms that connect global capital to energy and mining projects. These include the Venezuela Energy Week London Showcase on July 30 – with over 300 delegates registered – and the annual Invest in African Energy Forum, held in Paris as the premier event connecting global investors to Africa’s energy transformation.

ECP hosts high level summits and investor conferences in leading energy and minerals producing countries in Africa and South America, including: Venezuela Energy Week; Angola Oil & Gas; MSGBC Oil, Gas & Power; African Mining Week; Libya Energy & Economic Summit; Congo Energy & Investment Forum; South Sudan Oil & Power; and Caribbean Energy Week. The company has hosted investor forums and supported licensing round roadshows in Houston, London and Paris since 2016.

“Opening our UK company brings ECP closer to key investors in the global energy finance capital,” states CEO James Chester. “Having a permanent presence in London further cements our footprint in Europe, enabling us to fulfil our mission to bring minerals and energy investment to diverse global markets.”

With teams located across Africa, Europe and the Americas, ECP has long-facilitated strategic engagement, market intelligence and industry convening, uniting investors with leading energy and mining projects.

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

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Guyana’s Next Wave of Offshore Projects Sets the Stage for Caribbean Energy Week Launch

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The Caribbean Energy Week 2027 launch in Georgetown on September 1 will highlight the multi-billion-dollar developments driving Guyana toward 1.7 million bpd and creating new opportunities across the energy value chain

GEORGETOWN, Guyana, August 6, 2026/APO Group/ –Guyana’s rapidly expanding offshore development pipeline will take center stage when government officials, operators, investors and service providers gather in Georgetown on September 1 for the official launch of Caribbean Energy Week 2027. As the country advances a series of multi-billion-dollar developments across the Stabroek Block, the launch event will provide an early look at the projects, partnerships and investment opportunities expected to define Guyana’s next phase of growth.

 

With more than 30 discoveries made to date and multiple projects under construction or progressing through development, Guyana is targeting oil production of 1.3 million bpd by the end of 2027 and 1.7 million bpd by 2030, up from approximately 900,000-910,000 bpd today. As exploration success transitions into long-term production growth, opportunities are expanding across upstream development, offshore infrastructure, engineering, logistics and oilfield services.

Among the most significant near-term milestones is the Uaru development, ExxonMobil’s fifth sanctioned project offshore Guyana, which is expected to achieve first oil in 2026. The $12.7 billion development will produce up to 250,000 bpd from approximately 800 million barrels of recoverable resources across the Uaru, Mako and Snoek fields, utilizing up to 76 development wells and an FPSO with storage capacity of two million barrels.

Production capacity will expand further through the Whiptail development, ExxonMobil’s sixth sanctioned project in Guyana. Targeting first oil in late 2027 or early 2028, the $12.7 billion project will unlock approximately 850 million barrels across the Whiptail, Pinktail and Tilapia fields through up to 72 development wells. Designed to produce 250,000 bpd, the development will utilize the Jaguar FPSO currently under construction by SBM Offshore.

Looking beyond the current construction pipeline, Guyana is already advancing the projects expected to sustain production growth toward its 2030 target. The Hammerhead development, approved in 2025, is expected to commence production in 2029 with capacity of 150,000 bpd, while the proposed Longtail development would combine the Longtail, Tripletail and Turbot discoveries into one of the country’s largest integrated offshore developments, with planned production of 1.5 billion cubic feet of gas per day and 290,000 bpd of condensate.

These projects illustrate the scale of Guyana’s long-term development pipeline and the breadth of opportunities emerging across the energy value chain. Beyond offshore production, continued investment will be required across subsea systems, floating production infrastructure, drilling, marine logistics, engineering services, gas infrastructure and local content development as successive projects move toward execution.

Caribbean Energy Week 2027 will host its in-country launch at the Guyana Marriott Hotel in Georgetown on September 1, 2026, bringing together government officials, investors, operators and industry stakeholders for an early look at the opportunities, priorities and partnerships that will shape the region’s energy future. To register, please visit https://apo-opa.co/4cql5i3

 

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

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South Sudan Oil & Power Returns as South Sudan’s Premier Investment Platform

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Returning for its seventh edition on November 24-25, South Sudan Oil & Power 2026 will bring together government, investors, operators and energy leaders to advance partnerships that unlock South Sudan’s energy potential and support nationwide economic development

JUBA, South Sudan, August 5, 2026/APO Group/ –South Sudan Oil & Power (SSOP) will return to Juba on November 24-25, 2026, reaffirming its position as the country’s official energy investment event and premier meeting place for stakeholders shaping South Sudan’s energy future. Fully endorsed by the Ministry of Petroleum, the seventh edition will convene senior government representatives, investors, international and national oil companies, financiers, service providers and development partners to advance investment across South Sudan’s energy sector.

Held under the theme “Resource Renaissance – Energy-Fueled Growth for a New Generation,” SSOP 2026 marks the return of the country’s flagship energy investment event at a pivotal moment for the industry. As South Sudan works to maximize the value of its natural resources, strengthen energy and export infrastructure and expand economic opportunities beyond the upstream sector, the conference will serve as a platform for securing the partnerships and investment needed to support long-term industrial growth, energy security and national development.

 

South Sudan’s oil sector is entering a new phase of recovery and investment, with production gains, renewed operational activity and infrastructure restoration driving momentum across the market. Operators are advancing field optimization and rehabilitation programs, with Greater Pioneer Operating Company recently recording its highest production in two decades at more than 60,000 barrels per day, while Sudd Petroleum Operating Company is pursuing production growth at Block 5A. Dar Petroleum Operating Company continues to expand activity across its producing assets. In March 2026, the company announced a discovery at the Al-Nahla field, improving production flows from Blocks 3 and 7.

 

Exploration represents another growth frontier for the country. While South Sudan holds up to 3.5 billion barrels of estimated reserves, approximately 90% of these resources remain undeveloped. The government seeks to raise these numbers by attracting investment across the entire oil value chain and facilitating greater exports.

 

With oil remaining the backbone of South Sudan’s economy, the government is prioritizing investment that sustains production growth, strengthens export resilience, develops local content and unlocks greater value across the energy value chain. SSOP 2026 will provide investors with direct access to South Sudan’s key energy stakeholders, including the Ministry of Petroleum, national oil company Nilepet and the country’s leading operators, while fostering engagement with African energy institutions and national oil companies, including South Africa’s South African National Petroleum Company, alongside the broader international investment community.

 

Building on the success of previous editions, SSOP has established itself as South Sudan’s leading platform for commercial engagement and strategic dialogue. The 2023 edition welcomed more than 600 delegates from 24 countries, including six government ministers, and resulted in five strategic agreements spanning upstream exploration, drilling capacity expansion, mining cooperation and regional energy collaboration. Bringing together stakeholders from across East Africa alongside partners from the U.S., China, Saudi Arabia, Canada, Egypt, Turkey and Norway, the conference reinforced South Sudan’s role as a regional investment destination and demonstrated its ability to translate dialogue into tangible commercial outcomes.

 

As South Sudan advances its long-term development agenda, SSOP 2026 will serve as a catalyst for new investment, strategic partnerships and regional cooperation. By bringing together government leaders, operators, investors and technology providers, the conference will help unlock the capital and expertise needed to transform South Sudan’s resource potential into lasting economic value.

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

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