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African Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) Set to Surge in 2026 as Licensing Rounds Open New Opportunities

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According to the African Energy Chamber’s 2026 Outlook, Africa’s upstream sector is set for a transformative year as strategic M&A and investor-friendly licensing rounds create new opportunities for both indigenous and international players

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, November 5, 2025/APO Group/ –The African upstream sector is set for a dynamic year in 2026 as mergers and acquisitions (M&A) continue to reshape the continent’s energy landscape. According to the African Energy Chamber’s State of African Energy 2026 Outlook (https://EnergyChamber.org), African M&A activity is being driven by strategic realignments among global independents, international oil companies and indigenous operators, alongside a wave of licensing rounds offering new opportunities across both mature and frontier basins. These developments will be a major focus at next year’s African Energy Week (AEW) conference, where stakeholders are expected to explore how corporate transactions and licensing strategies are redefining Africa’s upstream sector.

 

Globally, upstream M&A totaled $51 billion in the first half of 2025, marking a decline from the second half of 2024. Market volatility, financial uncertainty and U.S. trade measures have prompted companies to adopt a more cautious approach, with deal-making concentrated in North America declining significantly. Internationally, deal volumes increased slightly but remained below historical norms, with corporate combinations driving transaction values while standalone asset sales slowed. Upstream firms are increasingly prioritizing capital returns to shareholders, focusing on bolt-on deals, joint exploration and development within their core regions.

In Africa, the M&A landscape is evolving rapidly. Global independent oil companies are divesting mature assets, creating space for local and regional players to expand. Over the past decade, Nigerian independents – including Seplat, Oando, First E&P, Amni, Conoil, Newcross, Aiteo, Neconde and Shoreline – have leveraged auctions and company acquisitions to build significant portfolios. The trend continued in 2024 and early 2025, with several high-profile divestments reshaping Nigeria’s upstream sector. Notable transactions include ExxonMobil’s sale of a 30% operated interest in Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited to Seplat Energy, Eni’s transfer of its onshore E&P subsidiary to Oando, and the divestment of TotalEnergies and Equinor ASA’s Nigerian assets to Chappal Energies Offshore.

March 2025 marked another milestone with Shell’s sale of its subsidiary, Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Ltd, to Renaissance – a consortium of five mostly indigenous Nigerian E&P companies. These deals highlight the growing role of local operators in onshore activities, while international players maintain a strategic presence in deepwater fields. Shell’s FID for the Bonga North deepwater project underscores renewed investor confidence, supported by Nigeria’s Petroleum Industry Act and streamlined divestment approvals.

The African oil and gas sector is set for significant consolidation in 2026, particularly among midsize and African independent companies

Elsewhere in Africa, international trading companies are also reshaping portfolios. Vitol’s $1.65 billion acquisition of Eni assets in Ivory Coast and the Republic of Congo strengthens its African footprint while securing LNG supply and trading synergies. Eni’s divestitures, part of a dual exploration model, retain operatorship while monetizing minority stakes to fund energy transition initiatives. Similarly, Shell’s acquisition of TotalEnergies’ 12.5% stake in Nigeria’s Bonga field for $510 million reflects a focus on high-return projects and supports its global production targets.

Licensing rounds across Africa are further fueling the M&A pipeline. Despite delays in Angola, Congo, Sierra Leone and Tanzania, early 2025 saw significant activity in Algeria and Libya. Algeria’s first bid round in a decade awarded five of six blocks, offering both new production sharing terms and improved royalty/tax arrangements. Libya’s first licensing round in 17 years, covering 22 blocks, introduced revised fiscal terms designed to attract investment. These developments signal a continued trend towards investor-friendly contracts across the continent, creating opportunities for both frontier and mature producers.

“The African oil and gas sector is set for significant consolidation in 2026, particularly among midsize and African independent companies. This trend is driven by a desire for a more efficient and competitive environment, which is ultimately beneficial for both the continent and the industry in the long term,” says NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber.

He adds that while cash remains the primary currency for most deals in Africa, an interesting development is the increasing use of stock-for-stock swaps.

“The current climate in African oil and gas can be characterized by an ‘eat or be eaten’ mentality, with many companies prepared to be aggressive and opportunistic in 2026 as momentum builds,” notes Ayuk.

AEW 2026, set to convene industry leaders, policymakers and investors, will serve as a critical forum for discussing these M&A and licensing trends. Delegates can expect in-depth sessions on the strategic implications of asset divestments, the rise of indigenous operators and the impact of evolving licensing frameworks. With Africa’s upstream sector attracting increasing interest from international investors and regional players, AEW 2026 is positioned to highlight the continent’s growing role in global energy markets and the opportunities emerging from ongoing corporate realignments.

Click here (https://apo-opa.co/4ok3k89) to download the African Energy Chamber’s State of African Energy Outlook 2026.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

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Venezuela Energy Week Confirms 19 August Date for Houston Industry Showcase

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Officially supported by Venezuela’s Ministry of Hydrocarbons and national oil company PDVSA, the Houston Industry Showcase will take place on 19 August, convening U.S. energy leaders ahead of Venezuela Energy Week 2027 in Caracas

HOUSTON, United States of America, August 10, 2026/APO Group/ –The organizers of Venezuela Energy Week (VEW) have confirmed that the Houston Industry Showcase will take place on 19 August 2026 at The Post Oak Hotel. Officially supported by Venezuela’s Ministry of Hydrocarbons and national oil company PDVSA, the event will bring together U.S. energy companies, investors and policymakers to explore commercial opportunities ahead of Venezuela Energy Week 2027 in Caracas in February.

The showcase will feature Minister of Hydrocarbons Paula Henao as a keynote speaker, providing an update on Venezuela’s energy priorities, investment agenda and opportunities for international partnership. Her participation underscores the country’s commitment to strengthening engagement with global industry as it seeks to expand production and unlock new upstream investment.

Bringing together exploration and production companies, independent operators, oilfield service providers, engineering firms, technology companies and financial institutions, the Houston Industry Showcase will examine opportunities across exploration, production optimization, infrastructure rehabilitation and field development.

As Venezuela works to increase oil and gas production, demand is expected to grow for the technical expertise of U.S. service providers in drilling, well intervention, completion services, production optimization, artificial lift, digital oilfield technologies and infrastructure rehabilitation. Houston-based industry leaders – including SLB, Halliburton, Baker Hughes, Weatherford and a broad network of EPC contractors, equipment manufacturers and specialized service companies – are well positioned to support the modernization of mature fields, improve operational efficiency and deliver the technologies and services needed for future upstream projects.

The Houston event follows a successful Industry Showcase in London, which brought together international investors, operators and energy service companies to explore Venezuela’s evolving investment landscape. Building on that momentum, the Houston edition will deepen engagement with the U.S. energy industry and strengthen commercial dialogue ahead of Venezuela Energy Week 2027.

Venezuela Energy Week – the country’s largest energy investment platform to date – has been confirmed for 22–25 February 2027 in Caracas. Organized by Energy Capital & Power, the event will bring together government leaders, investors and industry stakeholders from across the global energy value chain.

To register for the Houston Industry Showcase on August 19, visit https://apo-opa.co/4g0TncR. To learn more about delegate, sponsorship and partnership opportunities for the showcase or to secure your place at Venezuela Energy Week 2027 in Caracas, contact info@venezuelaenergyweek.com.

Supporting Venezuela’s Earthquake Recovery
Our thoughts are with the people and communities affected by the recent earthquakes in Venezuela. As the country begins the long process of recovery, we encourage members of the global energy community to support relief and reconstruction efforts through the CAF Recovery and Reconstruction Fund for Venezuela, which channels contributions from individuals, companies and organizations to emergency assistance, essential services and long-term rebuilding efforts.

To learn more or make a contribution, please visit the CAF Recovery and Reconstruction Fund for Venezuela (https://apo-opa.co/4hkvteE).

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

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Islamic Development Bank Institute (IsDBI) Secures New Patent for Smart Stabilization System from Intellectual Property Office of Singapore

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The Smart Stabilization System is a pioneering digital market infrastructure designed to stabilize asset markets by intelligently managing supply-demand gaps and mitigating excessive volatility

JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia, August 10, 2026/APO Group/ –The Islamic Development Bank Institute (IsDBI) (https://IsDBInstitute.org) is pleased to announce that the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS) has granted a new patent for its innovative Smart Stabilization System.

 

The patent was granted on 10 July 2026 under Singapore Patent No. 10202250873B for the invention titled “A Computer Network Stabilization System and Method.” The patent application was filed on 1 September 2022 and was formally granted following a comprehensive review process.

This achievement reflects our commitment to translating pioneering research into practical solutions that contribute to economic resilience and sustainable development

The Smart Stabilization System is a pioneering digital market infrastructure designed to stabilize asset markets by intelligently managing supply-demand gaps and mitigating excessive volatility. Leveraging sophisticated algorithms and advanced simulation models, the system is designed to anticipate supply and demand imbalances and implement programmable stabilization measures before they escalate into market disruptions.

Unlike traditional stabilization mechanisms that rely on capital reserves, buffer funds, or external interventions, the Smart Stabilization System introduces a next-generation framework for achieving autonomous market stabilization through proactive and programmed stabilization mechanisms. By incorporating distributed ledger technology and cryptographic trust mechanisms, the platform enhances transparency, trust, and operational resilience for digital asset and commodity markets.

The successful patent grant reflects IsDBI’s growing contribution to technological innovation and its commitment to developing knowledge-based solutions that address contemporary economic and development challenges.

Since filing the patent application back in 2022, the Institute has continued to advance the Smart Stabilization System through ongoing development and testing, aimed to expand its practical applications and support future capitalization opportunities. These advancements have positioned the system as a potentially transformative solution for enhancing stability and resilience in increasingly digital and interconnected economies.

Commenting on this occasion, Dr. Sami Al-Suwailem, Acting Director General of IsDBI, said, “The grant of this patent by the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore further strengthens the Institute’s position as a leader in developing innovative knowledge-based solutions that leverage modern technologies to address complex development challenges. This achievement reflects our commitment to translating pioneering research into practical solutions that contribute to economic resilience and sustainable development.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Islamic Development Bank Institute (IsDBI).

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Liberia to Preview Next Oil & Gas Licensing Round Strategy at Houston Investor Day

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The Liberia Petroleum Regulatory Authority will host operators, investors and partners in Houston on August 19 to preview future licensing opportunities and showcase the exploration potential of its offshore basins

HOUSTON, United States of America, August 7, 2026/APO Group/ –The Liberia Petroleum Regulatory Authority (LPRA) will present its strategy for the country’s next offshore licensing round at Liberia Investor Day Houston on August 19, bringing together international exploration companies, investors, service providers and energy leaders to discuss the next phase of Liberia’s upstream development.

Hosted in partnership with Energy Capital & Power, the event will provide a platform for the LPRA, led by Director General Hon. Marilyn T. Logan, to outline Liberia’s regulatory framework, investment priorities and plans to attract new participation across the country’s offshore sector. Discussions will focus on upcoming licensing opportunities, exploration prospects and the subsurface data supporting future investment decisions.

Liberia’s offshore sector is entering a new phase of exploration activity, with renewed international participation and a growing pipeline of opportunities. Following the award and ratification of eight Production Sharing Contracts in 2025, Liberia has re-established itself as a frontier exploration destination, with international operators advancing work programs designed to further evaluate the country’s petroleum potential. TotalEnergies is progressing exploration activities that include offshore geochemical surveys, 3D seismic acquisition and seabed mapping, while Oranto Petroleum has also signed contracts to explore Liberia’s offshore.

At the Liberia Investor Day Houston, the LPRA will provide industry stakeholders with insight into the priorities shaping the next licensing round, including the anticipated process, qualification requirements, available acreage and access to technical data. The engagement will give prospective investors a clearer view of Liberia’s exploration landscape and the opportunities emerging across its offshore basins.

The event will also facilitate direct dialogue between LPRA and the global upstream community, connecting companies with policymakers and industry stakeholders involved in shaping Liberia’s next chapter of petroleum development.

As exploration companies continue to seek new frontier opportunities, Liberia Investor Day Houston will highlight the role of regulatory certainty, data availability and strategic partnerships in unlocking long-term investment across Liberia’s offshore sector.

Registration is now open for attendees. Companies interested in Liberia’s emerging offshore opportunities are invited to join LPRA, investors and upstream leaders in Houston for insights into the country’s licensing strategy and exploration outlook. For more information contact info@energycapitalpower.com.

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

 

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