At the opening of Caribbean Energy Week in Paramaribo on Tuesday, ministers and regional officials highlighted the need to convert discoveries into production while attracting investment, building local capacity and fostering regional cooperation – positioning the Caribbean as one of the world’s fastest-growing hydrocarbon frontiers.

“The world’s energy transition is being outpaced by the growth in total energy demand. There’s a role for both fossil fuels and renewables in meeting global energy demand,” said Trinidad and Tobago Energy Minister Ernesto Kesar. “The reality is that the region’s reliance on oil and gas will persist for the foreseeable future.”

Exploration Push Gains Momentum

With major discoveries in Guyana – where Stabroek Block output now tops 900,000 barrels per day – and Suriname’s flagship GranMorgu project, exploration will be crucial to sustaining growth as companies expand beyond initial developments to build a long-term production base.

“Suriname, Guyana, Trinidad, soon Grenada and Jamaica – you’re going to have to drill. It’s not a bad word,” said NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber. “I urge you to be unapologetic when it comes to drilling.”

Ayuk linked the push for energy expansion to broader energy security concerns. “The crisis going on today in the Middle East reminds us why energy is important, and why energy security is more important today than ever.”

Suriname Moves to Unlock Investment

Host nation Suriname is emerging as a focal point, with the government moving to accelerate project development and attract capital ahead of first production.

“Our discoveries have placed us on the global energy map. The world’s leading energy companies are here, and investing in a promising future,” said Foreign Affairs Minister Melvin Bouva.

Bouva announced that the government is advancing two new investment frameworks to improve investor certainty and streamline project development. A working group has already finalized the concepts and is preparing them for presentation. “The message is clear: Suriname is open for partnerships, for innovation and for business.”

Oil and Gas Minister Patrick Brunings confirmed that timelines for first production remain on track. “We will have our first oil in 2028 and by 2030, our first gas – with our second oil development expected a few years after that,” he said. “This is the time to strike the right partnerships. A lot of attention is on Suriname.”

Transition Without Sacrificing Growth

While governments support decarbonization, high costs and slow renewable deployment are ensuring oil and gas remain a core pillar of the Caribbean’s energy strategy. Kesar said transition strategies must be realistic, balancing decarbonization goals with immediate energy and economic needs.

“Energy transition means mapping the way to diversify our energy platform – it doesn’t necessarily mean exchanging one for the other,” said CARICOM Secretary General Dr. Carla Barnett.

She noted that the Caribbean’s mix of hydrocarbons, renewables and emerging carbon markets presents opportunities for investment and collaboration, particularly as global capital looks for new energy plays.

From Barrels to Broader Economic Impact

Beyond production targets, policymakers emphasized that long-term success will depend on translating oil revenues into wider economic development.

“The real success of the energy sector will not be measured in barrels, but in businesses created, skills developed and partnerships built,” Bouva said.

Local content and workforce development were recurring themes, with governments pushing for stronger private sector participation and clearer regulatory frameworks. “We need to find out what is needed in terms of a skilled workforce and goods and services,” Brunings stated.

Held in Cape Town in February 2026, AGES brought together investors, policymakers, project developers and delivery partners from across Africa and internationally. The post‑event report captures how the platform has evolved into a curated investment marketplace, enabling deeper engagement, targeted deal‑making and early transaction momentum.

According to the report, AGES 2026 facilitated 44 curated project pitches, representing an estimated $1.7 billion investment pipeline, alongside 677 confirmed matchmaking meetings between investors and project developers. Participation spanned 40 countries, with 124 investors from 72 organisations, reflecting growing confidence in the platform as a space for serious investment engagement.

“AGES has evolved into a true marketplace—a place where serious conversations begin and momentum is created,” says Iain Banner, Chairman of Go Green Africa.

Market signals point to execution as the new benchmark

Insights gathered through on‑site surveys and programme discussions reveal a market increasingly focused on delivery. Delegates consistently prioritised the expansion of bankable project pipelines, stronger blended finance mechanisms, and more effective pathways to deploy capital pledged for Africa’s green transition.

The report finds that the principal constraint facing the sector is no longer the availability of capital, but the structure, readiness and coordination of investable opportunities, a theme reinforced across plenaries, roundtables and workshops.

Depth of engagement driving momentum beyond the event

Unlike traditional conference formats, AGES 2026 focused on engagement models designed to enable depth and scrutiny. These included investor roundtables, curated project pitches, focused technical workshops and site visits, allowing participants to test assumptions, address risk and ground discussions in real‑world delivery contexts.

This approach resonated strongly with project developers. “AGES 2026 struck an exceptional balance between visibility and community. The opportunity to pitch our project was a clear highlight, alongside equally valuable networking with investors and partners,” said Mark Williams‑Wynn, EWaste Africa.

Investor and ecosystem participants echoed the value of this depth of engagement. Jean Craven, CEO of Sedna said “AGES 2026 exceeded my expectations. The one‑on‑one matchmaking delivered over 80% fruitful investor conversations and strong leads we’re actively pursuing.” Faye O’Connor, Vice President and Ambassador for Nature‑Based Solutions at One Carbon World added “AGES 2026 was energising and inspiring, full of momentum and purpose‑driven leadership. The carefully curated and inclusive format enabled the practical connections and conversations needed to drive real action.”

A platform designed for continuity

Rather than functioning as a one‑off convening, the post‑event report highlights how partnerships and discussions initiated at AGES 2026 are continuing beyond the summit itself, reinforcing the platform’s role in supporting ongoing collaboration, investment progression and accountability.

“The discussions at AGES are increasingly focused on execution rather than ambition,” the report concludes, pointing to a market ready to act but calling for stronger coordination, delivery frameworks and follow‑through to translate intent into results.

The full AGES 2026 Post‑Event Report is available at: https://apo-opa.co/4tgMeKm

Titled ‘Leveraging Global M&As to Secure Investment’, the panel will bring together global investors, mining companies, African policymakers and industry stakeholders to examine how strategic transactions can sustain investor confidence and accelerate capital flows into Africa’s mining sector. The session will discuss how M&As can support the development of the continent’s $8.5 trillion worth of untapped mineral resources, while strengthening Africa’s role in global critical minerals supply chains.

Rising Critical Minerals Demand Accelerates Africa’s M&As Activity

As global demand for critical minerals increases – expected to triple by 2030 – M&As across Africa’s mining sector are accelerating as investors from the U.S, Europe, China and the UAE pursue strategic acquisitions, joint ventures and equity partnerships to strengthen their mineral supply chains. Inbound M&A deal values into Africa increased by 40% in 2025, with several African mining jurisdictions – including the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Mali, Ivory Coast, South Africa and Zambia – emerging as hotspots for these strategic investments.

In February 2026, Exxaro Resources completed a R10.6 billion acquisition of manganese assets in South Africa from Ntsimbintle Holdings and OM Holdings. The acquisition strengthens Exxaro’s strategy to diversify into battery minerals and steelmaking inputs while supporting South Africa’s agenda to attract fresh investments to maintain its position as the world’s leading manganese producer.

Similarly, China’s Baowu Resources increased its stake in the Simandou Iron Ore Project in Guinea-Conakry to 51%, strengthening China’s access to one of the world’s largest untapped iron ore deposits. The investment also supports Guinea-Conakry’s Simandou 2040 economic growth strategy, which aims to leverage mining development to stimulate infrastructure expansion and broader economic growth.

Abu Dhabi-based International Resources Holding (IRH) acquired a 56% stake in tin miner Alphamin Resources for approximately $367 million, securing a majority position in a major tin operation in the DRC. In Zambia, IRH’s investment in Mopani Copper Mines as part of a $1 billion recapitalization is reviving operations, supporting Zambia’s 8% rise in copper output in 2025, while driving the country’s 2031 target to increase output to three million tons per annum.

These transactions not only signal growing investment flows into Africa but also underscore the continent’s strategic role in securing global supply chains. M&As are proving pivotal in driving the continent’s job creation, infrastructure development and broader economic growth agenda. Against this backdrop, the AMW panel will offer stakeholders a platform to examine the evolving M&A landscape and uncover opportunities for new investment partnerships.

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.