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From Vision to Global Energy Leader: The African Energy Week (AEW) Story (By Ajong Mbapndah L)

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African Energy Week

In 2021, when the African Energy Chamber (AEC) announced the inaugural African Energy Week (AEW) in Cape Town, many raised skeptical eyebrows. The conventional wisdom was clear: world-class energy summits belonged in Dubai, Houston, or London – not in Africa. Yet, NJ Ayuk, the AEC’s Executive Chairman, saw a different story -one rooted in possibility and pride.

“Africa has the resources, the talent, and the vision to lead,” he often reminds audiences. What others dismissed as ambition; Ayuk embraced as a calling. He imagined corridors buzzing with dealmakers, innovators, and policymakers, all converging on the continent to shape its energy future.

From that first leap of faith, what started as a modest gathering has since blossomed into Africa’s largest energy event, now moving billions in potential deals and drawing the world’s attention to a continent redefining its energy destiny.

“They told us it couldn’t be done in Cape Town,” Ayuk recalls. “But with huge support from the City of Cape Town, the South African government, international oil companies, national oil companies, and even alternative energy firms, we proved Africa can host a world-class, continent-wide energy event. And we did it in the middle of a pandemic.”

The inaugural AEW was more than a conference – it was a declaration. Ministers from South Africa, Namibia, Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea, Angola, Mozambique, Libya, South Sudan, and beyond arrived with a united front: Africa would not be sidelined in global energy dialogue, especially discussions related to the global energy transition.

Gwede Mantashe, South Africa’s Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy, set the tone: “Natural gas will be part of the transition, and yet we are told that all fossil fuels are bad. Africa must position its oil and gas at the forefront of global energy… When we commit to net zero, we do so with the reality that energy can guarantee economic growth and industrialisation.”

It wasn’t just rhetoric. Deals were struck, partnerships formed, and a new platform for African energy diplomacy was born. By the time the event closed, the AEC knew it wasn’t a one-off. The AEW conference would return – bigger and bolder.

Billions in Play, Billions at Stake 

Fast forward to 2025, and AEW has evolved into the largest energy gathering on the continent. This year’s edition – scheduled for September 29 to October 3 in Cape Town – is expected to facilitate more than $25 billion in potential deals.

The transformation has been remarkable: African capital expenditure in the energy sector jumped 23% in 2024 to $47 billion, with projections climbing to $54 billion by 2030. Exploration spending alone exceeded $6 billion, while rig demand is forecast to rise to 46 rig years in 2025. Meanwhile, international eyes are turning toward the continent’s natural gas reserves, particularly in Nigeria, Mozambique, Mauritania, Senegal, and Tanzania, as the global energy landscape seeks new reliable sources.

“Africa is not only rich with resources but with opportunities,” Ayuk says. “Gas will be central to electrifying Africa, driving socio-economic growth, and ensuring a just transition.”

Key financing breakthroughs have been critical to this surge. The $5 billion Africa Energy Bank, spearheaded by APPO and Afreximbank, aims to close the funding gap left by retreating Western financiers. Likewise, the $100 million China-Africa energy fund, developed with Tima Networks, promises to back both fossil fuel and renewable projects. Add to this the U.S. Export-Import Bank’s $4.7 billion loan to Mozambique LNG, and the momentum becomes unmistakable.

What started as a modest gathering has since blossomed into Africa’s largest energy event, now moving billions in potential deals and drawing the world’s attention

“These are not abstract commitments – they’re real money, moving into real projects,” Ayuk stresses. Beyond figures, it’s about confidence: companies and governments are now taking Africa seriously as a reliable, competitive energy player.

From small beginnings in Cape Town, what started as a bold gamble has become a continental showcase, blending high-stakes deals with the lived ambition of a continent determined to shape its energy future. In every corridor of AEW, you can feel the pulse of possibility – billions in play, billions at stake, and a story still being written.

Diplomacy, Politics, and the Push for Sovereignty 

Behind the billions lies a deeper ideological battle. For Ayuk and the AEC, the issue isn’t just about drilling wells or signing MOUs; it’s about Africa’s sovereign right to develop its resources on its own terms.

“Drill, baby drill. Invest, baby invest,” Ayuk told audiences in Suriname, London, Brazil, Saudi Arabia, and China during a whirlwind of global engagements. The message is deliberately provocative, a counterweight to what he sees as paternalistic climate rhetoric from some in the West.

Equatorial Guinea’s Minister of Mines and Hydrocarbons, Gabriel Mbaga Obiang Lima, put it bluntly during AEW 2021: “It is unfathomable that I will go to Houston or Dubai to discuss problems about electricity in Africa because they will not understand. Africa is the least polluter.”

This insistence on localizing Africa’s energy debate has shaped AEW’s identity. It’s not just an exhibition floor; it’s a forum where African ministers, CEOs, financiers, and innovators sit at the same table, often hammering out positions ahead of global forums like COP27 and COP28.

The political climate is also shifting. Governments from Nigeria to Djibouti have rolled out reforms to improve ease of doing business in energy, a trend Ayuk credits for attracting fresh capital. “Political will is Africa’s biggest renewable resource,” he quips. “When leaders create enabling environments, investment follows.”

From Cape Town to the World 

AEW’s rise mirrors a broader recalibration of Africa’s role in the global energy conversation. It has become the annual moment when Africa presents not just its resources, but its vision for the future: a hybrid model blending oil, gas, renewables, and new technologies like hydrogen and carbon capture.

In 2025, AEW will debut the National Oil Company and International Oil Company Forum, designed to spark joint ventures, technology transfers, and regional integration. The event will also host panels on innovative financing – introducing African stakeholders to nontraditional capital sources and showcasing case studies from recent successes.

The scope is ambitious. Alongside the business of signing deals, AEW has evolved into a networking juggernaut. Side events bring together energy ministers and start-up founders; deal rooms hum with last-minute negotiations; and industry veterans swap war stories over Cape Town sunsets.

But Ayuk is quick to note the stakes are higher than ever. “Making energy poverty history by 2030 is not just a slogan; it’s a necessity,” he says. “Without affordable, reliable energy, Africa cannot industrialize, cannot create jobs, cannot compete.”

The AEC’s international footprint continues to expand, with high-profile events planned in Suriname, London, Saudi Arabia, Brazil, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and China in the first quarter alone. Each is an opportunity to “reframe the narrative” and secure allies.

It’s a far cry from the skepticism of 2021. Then, the idea of hosting Africa’s biggest energy event on African soil seemed audacious. Today, it’s the epicenter of a movement – one that blends the pragmatism of resource development with the urgency of economic transformation.

“We are not just talking about fossil fuels,” Ayuk reminds his critics. “We’re embracing renewables and innovative technologies that will power our future. But we’re doing it the African way – on our terms, with our resources, for our people.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

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Sierra Leone’s PDSL to Host Strategic Investor Roundtable at Paris Energy Forum

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March 24, 2026

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The Petroleum Directorate of Sierra Leone will lead a targeted roundtable at Invest in African Energy 2026, spotlighting upstream potential and cross-regional partnerships

PARIS, France, March 24, 2026/APO Group/ –The Petroleum Directorate of Sierra Leone (PDSL) is set to convene an investor roundtable at Invest in African Energy (IAE) Forum 2026 in Paris, underscoring growing interest in West and North African energy markets and the need for deeper capital engagement across exploration, renewable and offshore services. The session reflects a strategic effort by Sierra Leone to connect its emerging upstream prospects with established operators and project developers as the country moves to unlock the full potential of its emerging oil and gas industry.

 

Sierra Leone is increasingly positioning itself as a frontier oil and gas market with significant offshore potential, and part of the PDSL’s mandate is to catalyze investment interest in its offshore acreage through direct engagement with global capital. Recent data suggest the country holds estimated recoverable resources in the tens of billions of barrels, backed by discoveries and extensive multi‑client seismic datasets that prospective investors are evaluating. The PDSL is actively promoting licensing opportunities and drilling plans, emphasizing fiscal terms and exploration readiness to attract strategic partners.

 

A cornerstone of this strategy is the anticipated launch of the country’s sixth licensing round. Offering a rare early-entry opportunity into a largely untapped deepwater terrain with considerable upside, the upcoming bid round is backed by fresh 3D datasets which de-risk exploration and support new drilling campaigns. Just this month, GeoPartners announced that the final Pre-Stack Time Migration data for its recently acquired 3D multi-client seismic survey in the country was complete and is now available for licensing. The dataset provides a 3D window into the hydrocarbon potential of the underexplored northern Sierra Leone region.

 

Sierra Leone’s licensing drive comes as major operators advance exploration activities. In 2025, Eni signed a Reconnaissance Permit Agreement with the PDSL, securing rights to conduct reconnaissance and technical evaluation activities across offshore blocks G113, G129, G130, G131 and G132. The acreage covers 6,790 square kilometers within Sierra Leone’s territorial waters. Nigeria’s F.A. Oil Limited is pursuing drilling following its award of six offshore blocks through the country’s fifth licensing round in 2023. The company is currently seeking a farm-in partner to advance the project from exploration to production, offering a 40% stake in each of the G Blocks 53, 54, 55, 71, 72 and 73.

 

As these development unfold, the upcoming roundtable at IAE 2026 offers a unique opportunity for operators and policymakers to engage potential investors. The IAE 2026 Forum has become a strategic bridge between African upstream opportunities and global investors, with sessions like the PDSL roundtable designed to foster deeper dialogue and provide clarity on project pipelines and investment prerequisites. Discussions are expected to cover mechanisms for de‑risking exploration activity, optimizing fiscal and contractual frameworks and identifying synergies between hydrocarbon investment and renewable energy commitments.

 

For investors seeking differentiated exposure to African energy markets, the Sierra Leone roundtable represents both a focused exploration of frontier oil potential and a broader conversation about regional infrastructure, partnerships and the evolving demands of energy capital in the years ahead.

 

IAE 2026 (www.Invest-Africa-Energy.com) is an exclusive forum designed to connect African energy markets with global investors, serving as a key platform for deal-making in the lead-up to African Energy Week. Scheduled for April 22–23, 2026, in Paris, the event will provide delegates with two days of in-depth engagement with industry experts, project developers, investors and policymakers. For more information, visit www.Invest-Africa-Energy.com. To sponsor or register as a delegate, please contact sales@energycapitalpower.com

 

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

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Cape Town Prepares for African Mining Week 2026 as Draft Program Reveals Continent’s Mineral Drive

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March 24, 2026

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African Mining Week returns for its 2026 edition with an expanded three-day program, bringing together African mining leaders and global partners to shape the future of the continent’s mining sector

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, March 24, 2026/APO Group/ –Global economic trends – from record-breaking commodity prices to intensifying geopolitical competition for resources – are reshaping the strategic importance of Africa’s mineral wealth. As global countries race to secure supply chains for energy transition metals – which are expected to triple by 2030 – Africa is positioning its 30% share of the world’s critical minerals as a key pillar of economic growth. African governments are modernizing mining codes, developing industrial corridors and investing in mineral processing facilities to support local beneficiation, job creation, workforce development and regional mineral markets.

 

Against this backdrop, the upcoming African Mining Week (AMW) Conference & Exhibition – Africa’s premier gathering for mining stakeholders – has launched the draft program for its 2026 edition {https://apo-opa.co/3NneKLj}. Scheduled to take place October 14–16 in Cape Town, the event provides a platform where policymakers, global investors, project operators, technology providers, academia and mining service companies examine Africa’s mining opportunities, challenges and long-term strategic direction.

Under the theme ‘Mining the Future: Unearthing Africa’s Full Mineral Value’, the three-day, multi-track agenda reflects the growing urgency among African markets to strengthen value addition across the mining value chain.

Regional Cooperation and Policy Alignment in Focus

A key feature of the agenda is the Ministerial Forum, where African mining ministers will provide updates on regulatory reforms and policy alignment initiatives aimed at unlocking greater value from the continent’s mineral resources. Discussions will examine how harmonized regulatory frameworks and regional cooperation can accelerate investment flows and strengthen Africa’s position in global mineral supply chains.

The inclusion of regional policy integration reflects a growing continental push to leverage frameworks such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to enhance cross-border mineral cooperation and trade.

We are acting to enhance regional integration through frameworks such as the African Mining Vision and the Africa Mineral Strategy Group

“Africa’s integration is not only a political objective but a strategic economic vision,” stated Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, Ghana’s Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, in remarks reported by Energy Capital & Power – organizers of AMW – in February 2026. “Our natural resources require coordinated policies. Isolated legal frameworks cannot fully unlock their value. Through integration and initiatives such as the ECOWAS [Economic Community of West African States] Mining Code and the African Mining Vision, we can build a stronger and more competitive mineral economy.”

Nigeria’s Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Henry Alake, echoed this emphasis on regional cooperation and beneficiation.

“We are acting to enhance regional integration through frameworks such as the African Mining Vision and the Africa Mineral Strategy Group,” he stated. “We must develop mineral corridors that connect resources, infrastructure and markets across the continent. Our goal is not to simply export raw materials, but to develop industrial hubs that create jobs and value across borders.”

Connecting Global Investors with African Opportunities

Strategic roundtables and Country Focus sessions form a key part of the AMW 2026 program, connecting African mining jurisdictions with international partners from the U.S, Europe, the Middle East and China. These sessions will provide African stakeholders with a platform to showcase exploration opportunities and project pipelines across the mining value chain.

Meanwhile, technical workshops and the exhibition floor at AMW 2026 will provide a platform for equipment manufacturers, technology providers and engineering firms to showcase innovations designed to enhance operational performance across mining operations.

By combining high-level policy dialogue with technical expertise and investment matchmaking, AMW 2026 positions itself as a critical marketplace where Africa’s mineral potential converges with global capital, technology and strategic partnerships – helping shape the next phase of growth for the continent’s mining sector.

AMW serves as a premier platform for exploring the full spectrum of mining opportunities across Africa. The event is held alongside the African Energy Week: Invest in African Energies 2026 conference from October 12-16 in Cape Town. Sponsors, exhibitors and delegates can learn more by contacting sales@energycapitalpower.com.

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

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Tony Elumelu Foundation Selects Seven North African Entrepreneurs in 2026 Cohort

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March 24, 2026

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Seven North African entrepreneurs in technology, education, professional services and agriculture selected from 265,000 applications at historic Abuja ceremony

Hope is not just a feeling — it is a system we can build

ABUJA, Nigeria, March 24, 2026/APO Group/ —
  • 7 North African entrepreneurs selected from Morocco, Tunisia and Egypt
  • 51% of the 2026 cohort are women, all selected purely on merit, without any quota in place
  • 3,200 total entrepreneurs selected from 265,000+ applications across 54 African countries
  • USD 5,000 in non-refundable seed capital for each selected entrepreneur
  • Selection conducted independently by Ernst & Young

 

The Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) (www.TonyElumeluFoundation.org), the leading philanthropy empowering young African entrepreneurs, announced on Sunday, 22 March 2026 the 12th cohort of the TEF Entrepreneurship Programme at a ceremony held at the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja. The announcement was made by Founder Tony O. Elumelu, C.F.R.

 

Among the 3,200 entrepreneurs selected from 265,000 applications received from all 54 African countries: seven from North Africa. Three from Tunisia, two from Morocco, two from Egypt. Spanning technology, education, professional services and agribusiness, they represent a generation of North African founders building businesses that address the urgent needs of their communities. Their selection, which was conducted independently by Ernst & Young, places them among the most rigorously assessed young entrepreneurs on the continent.

 

This year’s cohort carries a historic signal: 51 percent of the 2026 entrepreneurs are women. They were selected purely on merit, without quota. Across hundreds of thousands of applications, women distinguished themselves through the strength of their ideas, the clarity of their business models and the ambition of their vision.

 

In 2026, the Foundation is empowering a total of 3,200 entrepreneurs across all its entrepreneurship programmes:

 

  • 1,751 entrepreneurs through Heirs Holdings Group: Heirs Energies, Transcorp Power, Transcorp Hotels, and United Capital;
  • 1,049 entrepreneurs in partnership with the European Commission, OACPS, BMZ and GIZ;
  • 100 entrepreneurs in partnership with Sèmè City Development Agency;
  • 100 entrepreneurs in partnership with DEG, the German Development Agency;
  • 100 entrepreneurs in partnership with the IKEA Foundation, UNICEF’s Generation Unlimited and the Dutch Government; and
  • 100 entrepreneurs in partnership with UNDP and the Rwandan Ministry of Youth and Arts.

 

 

Each selected Tony Elumelu Entrepreneur will receive USD 5,000 in non-refundable seed capital, access to world-class business management training on TEFConnect, one-on-one mentorship, and entry into a powerful network of investors, partners and fellow entrepreneurs.

 

In his annual letter (https://apo-opa.co/4uOFepM), “A Story of Hope,” Tony O. Elumelu, C.F.R., Founder of the Tony Elumelu Foundation, shared a powerful message to the new cohort:

 

“For a long time, I believed luck was something that simply happened to you. Then I came to understand: luck can be engineered. Opportunity can be democratised. Hope is not just a feeling — it is a system we can build.” — Tony O. Elumelu, C.F.R., Founder, Tony Elumelu Foundation — 2026 Annual Letter

 

The Tony Elumelu Foundation has empowered over 2.5 million young Africans with access to business management training on TEFConnect (https://TEFConnect.com), and disbursed over USD 100 million in seed capital to more than 24,000 selected entrepreneurs.

 

Collectively, these entrepreneurs have generated USD 4.2 billion in revenue and created more than 1.5 million direct and indirect jobs. Through its support for African entrepreneurs, TEF has lifted 2.1 million Africans above the poverty line and positively impacted more than 4 million African households, with 46% of supported entrepreneurs being African women. Eighty percent of TEF-supported businesses survive and scale, against a global average of ten to twenty percent.

 

 

The announcement ceremony was broadcast live in English (https://apo-opa.co/3PWLiML), French (https://apo-opa.co/3PWLiML), Portuguese (https://apo-opa.co/4t4Y7Da) and Arabic (https://apo-opa.co/4bYHlQl).

 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Tony Elumelu Foundation.

 

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