CAPE TOWN, South Africa, March 12, 2025/APO Group/ –Africa’s energy sector continues to show resilience and dynamism, with capital expenditure (CapEx) on oil and gas projects remaining a key driver of growth. According to the African Energy Chamber’s (EnergyChamber.org/) State of African Energy 2025 Outlook Report, investment remains strong in 2025, with total CapEx estimated at $43 billion, while long-term projections indicate an increase to $54 billion by 2030 – reinforcing Africa’s position as a critical player in the global energy market. As African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energies 2025 prepares to convene key industry players in Cape Town, these investment trends will be central to discussions on accelerating project development, securing capital and ensuring Africa’s energy industry remains competitive on the global stage.

According to the report, West and North Africa continue to lead CapEx spending, with West Africa contributing over 50% of the continent’s total expenditure from 2023 through the decade. Established oil producers such as Nigeria and Angola remain dominant, while emerging players like Mauritania and Senegal are attracting increasing investment. The continent’s rich liquid hydrocarbon resources continue to draw the majority of capital, accounting for over 60% of total hydrocarbon investment through 2030. However, natural gas is gaining momentum, with its share of CapEx rising to over 40% by the end of the decade. This shift underscores a major theme of AEW: Invest in African Energies 2025, positioning Africa as a competitive global gas hub while reaffirming oil’s role as a pillar of economic growth and energy security.

Looking ahead, onshore projects are expected to attract the majority of investment, accounting for 56% of total CapEx by 2030, driven by lower unit costs and increasing interest in onshore natural gas monetization. This trend is reflected in drilling activity, with onshore drilling remaining dominant – comprising 80% of the 1,060 wells drilled in 2024 – while offshore rig demand continues to rise, reaching an estimated 46 rig years in 2025. At AEW: Invest in African Energies, industry leaders will explore how these shifting investment patterns can accelerate energy security and infrastructure expansion across the continent.

Exploration is also on the upswing, with over 150 wells completed in 2024 and heightened activity in southern Africa, particularly in Namibia’s Orange Basin. Africa is emerging as a leader in global high-impact drilling, with exploration spending surpassing $6 billion in 2024, largely driven by major discoveries in Namibia and continued investment in North and West Africa. This momentum is expected to continue as multiple licensing rounds are planned across the continent, with Nigeria, Angola, the Republic of Congo, Libya, Algeria, Tanzania and Liberia among the countries opening new blocks for development. With exploration serving as a key catalyst for new investments, AEW 2025 will serve as a critical platform for showcasing frontier opportunities and securing new project financing.

Africa’s mergers and acquisitions (M&A) landscape remains dynamic, following a significant rebound in 2024 and driven by global energy majors rationalizing their portfolios. Regional players and national oil companies (NOCs) are taking on a more prominent role, acquiring assets from majors and expanding their footprint in key markets like Angola and Nigeria. West Africa continues to dominate M&A activity in terms of deal value, followed closely by North Africa. Meanwhile, Middle Eastern and Asian NOCs are ramping up their investment in African assets, further diversifying the investor landscape. As consolidation reshapes Africa’s energy sector, AEW 2025 will provide a vital forum for dealmaking, fostering new partnerships and strengthening the role of African players in the global market.

As the African energy sector evolves, the upcoming AEW: Invest in African Energies 2025 will serve as a critical platform to drive investment discussions and facilitate deal-making. With global energy markets shifting and Africa’s vast oil and gas resources remaining underutilized, the continent presents a compelling case for increased foreign direct investment. AEW 2025 will provide the platform for stakeholders to explore opportunities, forge new partnerships and position Africa at the forefront of the global energy transition.

“Africa’s energy sector is entering a new era of growth, driven by strategic investments and a commitment to monetizing our vast resources. With $43 billion in capital expenditure projected for 2025, the continent is proving that it is open for business and ready to compete on the global stage. AEW 2025 will be the premier platform to drive these investment discussions and ensure Africa’s energy industry remains resilient and dynamic,” said Ore Onagbesan, Program Director for the African Energy Chamber.

AEW: Invest in African Energies is the platform of choice for project operators, financiers, technology providers and government, and has emerged as the official place to sign deals in African energy. Visit www.AECWeek.com for more information about this exciting event.

APO Group (www.APO-opa.com), the leading pan-African media relations and communications consultancy, is pleased to announce the promotion of Papa Chimere Diop to Director of Strategic Growth & Market Development at Group level. This appointment, effective from 1 March 2025, highlights APO Group’s commitment to strengthening its commercial leadership and driving expansion across Africa.

Chimere, who previously served as Senior Sales Director and later Senior Growth Director, has been instrumental in shaping APO Group’s business development strategies. His transition into this role reflects the company’s dedication to empowering its top talent while reinforcing its leadership in the African communications industry.

Bas Wijne, CEO of APO Group, said, “As a key driver of APO Group’s commercial success, Chimere has consistently secured high-impact opportunities and built strong client relationships across the continent. His promotion to a Group-level role is a natural progression in our strategy to deepen partnerships, enhance market intelligence, and accelerate sustainable growth in key regions. His leadership will be vital as we continue to expand our footprint across Africa.”

In his new role, Chimere will focus on identifying strategic opportunities, strengthening client engagement with senior decision-makers, and driving sustainable revenue growth. He will also lead initiatives to expand APO Group’s presence in high-growth industries and regions, deepen relationships with senior executives to unlock new opportunities, and utilise market intelligence to reinforce the company’s leadership in Francophone and Lusophone Africa. Additionally, he will represent APO Group at major industry events, enhancing the company’s thought leadership and brand visibility across the African communications landscape.

“I am honoured to take on this expanded role at APO Group, building on the momentum we have created over the years,” said Chimere. “Our team is a reflection of Africa itself—rich in cultural and geographic diversity, with deep expertise and an extensive understanding of the continent’s media and business landscape. As we continue to be the trusted communications partner for leading organisations across Africa, we also welcome fresh perspectives and creative contributions that can help drive meaningful growth and reinforce our presence in all African markets.”

With this strategic appointment, APO Group continues to solidify its leadership in the African communications industry. Clients, partners, and industry stakeholders are encouraged to engage with APO Group to explore new collaboration opportunities.

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, March 11, 2025/APO Group/ –African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energies, the premier platform for Africa’s energy sector, marks its fifth anniversary in 2025, celebrating a legacy of driving investment, fostering partnerships and advancing the continent’s energy future. Since its inception, AEW has established itself as the continent’s leading energy event, bringing together industry leaders, policymakers, investors and global stakeholders to catalyze development across Africa’s oil, gas and renewable sectors.

Over the past five years, AEW has facilitated multi-billion-dollar deals, shaped policy discussions and strengthened regional cooperation. Its inaugural edition in 2021 set a strong foundation, attracting 1,700 delegates, including ministers, global energy executives and financial institutions. The event reinforced Africa’s appeal to investors while establishing AEW’s strategic goal of eradicating energy poverty by 2030. The event introduced key features such as the African Energy Awards, panel discussions and forums covering the entire energy sector across four venues. Country spotlight sessions provided market insights, while the African Energy Chamber, alongside African energy ministers and a representative from the German government, launched the African Green Energy Dialogue Initiative to accelerate investment in Africa’s green energy space.

The 2022 edition of AEW kicked off with opening remarks from esteemed African leaders including the presidents of Uganda and Mozambique, Minister of Hydrocarbons from the Republic of Congo, as well as prominent industry figures from APPO, the European Commission, the International Energy Forum and the private sector. AEW 2022 provided a platform for high-level discussions on investment opportunities, energy policy and strategies for driving Africa’s energy transition. In addition to insightful discussions and networking opportunities, AEW 2022 introduced the Just Energy Transition Concert, blending music and culture with energy dialogue to promote investment, development and wider participation across the energy industry.

AEW 2023 saw an unprecedented level of participation, with opening remarks from the presidents of Namibia, Senegal and Uganda, alongside energy ministers from South Africa, South Sudan, Uganda, Equatorial Guinea, the Republic of Congo, Ghana and Mozambique. Representatives from OPEC, APPO, GECF, and key global partners from Russia, the U.S., Europe, and Saudi Arabia further reinforced the event’s strategic importance. Afreximbank played a central role, hosting a dedicated deal room and supporting Africa’s growing M&A activity. Key agreements signed included Afreximbank’s $75 million financing deal with Torxen Energy Resources for Nigeria’s PPL 241, a hydrogen exploration agreement between The Gambia and H2 Gambia Limited, and a $60 million term loan for Alphaden Energy & Oilfield Limited to develop a gas facility in Nigeria. Additionally, the African Energy Chamber partnered with the Black Impact Foundation to promote global opportunities for the Black community. The African Farmout Forum connected investors with available blocks, accelerating exploration and partnerships across Africa’s oil and gas sector.

In 2024, AEW underscored its role as a catalyst for deal-making and sectoral development. Afreximbank committed over $120 million in financial facilities to support Africa’s oil and gas sector, while the Republic of Congo’s Société nationale des pétroles du Congo partnered with the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan to modernize the CORAF refinery and the African Farmout Forum returned to highlight available block opportunities for partnership and investment. The event featured a distinguished lineup of speakers and delegations, including energy ministers from South Africa, Namibia, the Republic of Congo, Gabon, Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea and Angola; OPEC and APPO secretary generals; and top executives from Eni, bp, Chevron, TotalEnergies and other leading energy companies.

The fifth edition of AEW promises an even greater focus on investment opportunities and project developments, including 2025/2026 licensing rounds, multi-phase LNG facilities, new refining capacity, drilling and appraisal programs and cross-border pipeline infrastructure. All flagship features will return, including the Big Five Stages of Premium Industry Content, the African Farmout Forum, the Deal Room, the OPEC-Africa Roundtable and more. With capital-intensive projects requiring global financing, AEW 2025 will serve as the premier platform to connect investors with Africa’s most promising energy opportunities.

By bringing together key stakeholders, AEW has enhanced Africa’s global competitiveness, enabled cross-border partnerships and fostered policy dialogue that advances sustainable energy development. As the conference celebrates five years of impact, its role in shaping the future of Africa’s energy sector remains stronger than ever, ensuring that the continent’s vast energy resources continue to drive sustainable development and economic transformation.

“The five-year milestone is a testament to AEW’s commitment to shaping the future of Africa’s energy sector. As the continent continues to navigate the complexities of energy development, AEW remains a vital platform for stakeholders to engage and drive progress across the continent,” says NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber, adding “As AEW celebrates five years of impact, its influence on the continent’s energy landscape remains unparalleled. The conference has consistently demonstrated its ability to drive sustainable energy development, ensuring that Africa’s vast energy resources are harnessed to drive economic transformation and sustainable development.”

AEW: Invest in African Energies is the platform of choice for project operators, financiers, technology providers and government, and has emerged as the official place to sign deals in African energy. Visit www.AECweek.com for more information about this exciting event.