The Invest in African Energy (IAE) 2026 Forum in Paris gains strategic weight with the scheduled participation of Dr. Philip Mshelbila, the newly appointed Secretary General of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF). His insight comes at a pivotal juncture for African gas and LNG markets, where energy security concerns, investment flows and global demand dynamics are reshaping the continent’s role in the global energy landscape.

 

Dr. Mshelbila assumed office at the GECF on January 1, 2026, bringing over three decades of gas, LNG and energy value‑chain experience – including senior leadership roles at Nigeria LNG and Atlantic LNG – to the helm of the intergovernmental body that represents major gas producers worldwide.

In its Global Gas Outlook and related analyses, the GECF has projected that Africa could attract up to $115 billion in gas midstream investment between 2031 and 2040, driven largely by LNG and liquefaction spending. The continent is expected to account for nearly a quarter of global liquefaction investments by 2050, with major projects in Mozambique, Nigeria, Senegal-Mauritania and Gabon leading the charge. This frames Africa not only as a resource base for traditional markets, but as a strategic export hub in global gas supply chains.

Those projections align with the region’s real‑time evolution. New LNG developments such as Greater Tortue Ahmeyim on the Senegal–Mauritania maritime border have reached commercial milestones, while Mozambique’s Coral South FLNG and Nigeria’s Train 7 expansion at NLNG support infrastructure highlight growing activity. At the same time, assets in the Rovuma Basin, emerging fields in Tanzania and planned expansions in Egypt’s Zohr and offshore Mediterranean plays signal a broadening base of competitive gas resources across West, East and North Africa.

Beyond export potential, the continent’s domestic gas consumption continues to rise, driven by industrial demand, power generation needs and expanding LNG import infrastructure in markets such as South Africa and Ghana. According to recent market data, Africa’s gas consumption climbed to 183 billion cubic meters in 2025, reflecting year‑on‑year growth and underscoring gas’s growing role in the energy mix.

Mshelbila has also been vocal about the broader socioeconomic dimensions of gas development. He highlighted that more than 600 million Africans still lack access to electricity and an even larger number lack clean cooking solutions, noting that overall energy consumption on the continent must at least triple by 2050 to eliminate energy poverty. For investors, this underscores a dual opportunity: capitalizing on export‑oriented LNG projects while supporting solutions that address chronic domestic shortfalls.

The GECF’s engagement with global forums – from the G20 Energy Transition Working Group to continental leadership dialogues – reinforces its advocacy for gas as both a transitional and long‑term energy source that can support industrialization, electrification and lower‑emission outcomes relative to other fossil fuels.

At IAE 2026, Mshelbila’s participation will give investors a clearer view of how producer coordination, policy alignment and investment frameworks are evolving across Africa’s gas sector. As governments and international partners navigate security risks, financing constraints and regulatory complexities, these dynamics are increasingly shaping how projects move from discovery to development.

With the GECF playing a central role in global gas dialogue, Mshelbila’s perspective will also place African developments within the broader push to diversify global supply chains amid geopolitical shifts and rising demand in Europe and Asia – insights that are directly relevant for investors evaluating new opportunities across the gas value chain.

IAE 2026 (https://apo-opa.co/4bqyp4L) 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

LAGOS, Nigeria, March 16, 2026/APO Group/ —

• Capital will be deployed in Starsight’s existing West African operations to support growth, strengthen operations and scale energy solutions for commercial and industrial users.
• Majority of the funds will assist in improving power security in Nigeria, where the unstable grid and reliance on diesel self-generation remain key characteristics of the energy sector.
• The collaboration demonstrates BII’s confidence in Starsight’s long-term commitment to delivering reliable, affordable and sustainable power across the region.

 

Starsight Energy Africa Group (https://StarsightEnergy.com), a leading provider of clean energy solutions for commercial and industrial (C&I) customers across Sub-Saharan Africa, has secured USD15 million mezzanine debt funding from British International Investment (www.BII.co.uk), the UK’s development finance institution and impact investor.

The funding will drive clean energy growth in Starsight’s existing West African operations, with Nigeria earmarked to receive the majority of the funding. It will finance a substantial growth pipeline of renewable solar energy projects whilst also ensuring best-in-class service is maintained to existing clients including asset replacement.

The deployment of the funding within Starsight fits well with BII’s strategic objectives to support productive, sustainable and inclusive development. The collaboration between Starsight and BII also underscores a shared commitment to advancing sustainable infrastructure, supporting private sector growth, and driving measurable climate impact across West Africa.

It has been estimated that up to 40GW of electricity in Nigeria (https://apo-opa.co/4utGmik) is generated from diesel and petrol generators and Starsight’s funding round with BII is an important stride toward filling this vacuum with clean renewable energy for the C&I sector, says Paul van Zijl, Group CEO at Starsight.

“Partnering with BII marks a significant milestone for the Starsight Energy Africa Group. This funding strengthens our ability to scale more rapidly in Nigeria and Ghana (https://apo-opa.co/4sQSB7a), delivering reliable, clean energy solutions that support economic growth and improve energy resilience for our clients,” says Van Zijl.

“BII’s mission is to support sustainable socio-economic development in emerging markets. Their decision to partner with us is an endorsement of the role we play in increasing energy access within these markets, delivering affordable, low-carbon solutions while simultaneously uplifting the communities in which we operate,” adds Van Zijl.

British Deputy High Commissioner in Lagos, Jonny Baxter said: “The UK remains committed to supporting Nigeria’s transition to clean, reliable, and affordable energy. This investment by BII reflects that commitment in action. By expanding access to dependable renewable power for businesses across Nigeria, it will help unlock growth, strengthen energy resilience, and reduce dependence on costly and polluting diesel and petrol self-generation. It represents a practical step toward a greener, more sustainable future for both our countries.”

Benson Adenuga, West Africa Regional Director and Head of Office, Nigeria, at BII, says: “Nigeria’s businesses need dependable and affordable power to grow. We identified Starsight’s strong track record, combined with its clean energy model, as a strong fit with BII’s mandate. Starsight’s commercial and industrial solar solutions directly address this challenge by reducing dependence on refined petroleum products and improving reliability. By backing scalable distributed renewable platforms like Starsight, BII is supporting clean energy expansion in West Africa and demonstrating confidence in the region’s potential for sustainable, inclusive growth.”

Michael Chuchu, Group Commercial Director at Starsight, says that the BII funding will unlock new capacity in countries where energy stability has historically been a barrier to growth.

“Nigeria remains our second-largest market and a core focus area for expansion. For our West African customers, this investment tangibly proves that Starsight is here to support their operations and provide energy certainty through environmentally responsible solutions.

“With BII’s support, we’re set to pursue the next chapter of our growth journey,” Chuchu concludes.

PARIS, France, March 16, 2026/APO Group/ –Europe is facing renewed gas supply pressure. Disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz and ongoing EU efforts to reduce reliance on Russian gas have exposed vulnerabilities in global LNG markets, driving up spot prices. In this context, Africa’s growing LNG export capacity – particularly via floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG) technology – offers a timely, cost-efficient solution to bridge supply gaps, deliver volumes quickly, and attract international investment. The Invest in African Energy (IAE) Forum, taking place in Paris next month, provides investors direct access to projects, operators and policymakers – making it the premier platform for engaging with Africa’s LNG sector.

 

FLNG integrates liquefaction facilities on mobile offshore vessels, bypassing the need for large onshore infrastructure and long construction timelines. These modular assets can be deployed rapidly, cutting years off project schedules and reducing upfront capital intensity compared with conventional LNG plants. Africa’s offshore gas basins – abundant but historically underdeveloped – are ideal candidates for FLNG deployment, allowing producers to deliver export volumes to global buyers at pace with demand.

 

The Republic of Congo offers a compelling case study. Operated by Italian energy major Eni, the Congo LNG project has leveraged sequential FLNG units to build export capacity quickly. The first unit, Tango FLNG, began operations in late 2023, followed by Nguya FLNG in late 2025, bringing total liquefaction capacity to roughly 3 million tons per year, or about 4.5 billion cubic meters of gas annually. Phase 2 exports from Nguya began in early 2026 ahead of schedule, highlighting the speed and flexibility FLNG offers compared with traditional onshore facilities. Congo’s Minister of Hydrocarbons, Bruno Jean-Richard Itoua, has been confirmed to speak at IAE 2026 and is expected to showcase the country’s rapidly expanding LNG capabilities.

 

Beyond Congo, other African FLNG initiatives are gaining momentum. Mozambique’s Coral South FLNG has shipped over 100 LNG cargoes to European markets since 2022. Its follow-on project, Coral North, backed by major international financing, is expected to nearly double Mozambique’s offshore LNG capacity in the coming years.

 

For investors and policymakers, FLNG’s appeal extends beyond speed. Floating infrastructure minimizes onshore footprint, lowers permitting risk, simplifies logistics in deepwater settings, and allows phased capacity growth tied to field development. This reduces project risk, improves economics and aligns capacity expansions with offtake agreements.

 

The IAE 2026 Forum enables stakeholders to access active projects, negotiate partnerships and commit capital to development-ready LNG supply chains. As Europe seeks to diversify its gas import portfolio in response to geopolitical risk, Africa’s FLNG capacity represents both a strategic energy solution and a compelling investment frontier for 2026 and beyond.

 

IAE 2026 (https://apo-opa.co/4rzl8gj) 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