African Energy Week 2025 to Spotlight 2026 Investment Trends and Challenges

With upstream capital expenditure in Africa expected to surge to $54 billion by 2030, the continent’s oil and gas sector is on the brink of a transformative decade.

African Energy Week (AEW) 2025, scheduled for September 29 to October 3 in Cape Town, will bring together top energy leaders to chart the course for Africa’s upstream future in 2026 and beyond.

The annual AEW: Invest in African Energies conference has become a focal point for dialogue around African energy development, and this year’s agenda signals a deep dive into upstream oil and gas market trends, opportunities, and the hurdles that stand in the way of sustainable growth.

Frontier Drilling, Mature Fields, and What’s Next

A centrepiece of the conference will be a high-level panel discussion titled “Frontier Plays Within Africa’s Mature Basins”, focusing on strategies to unlock more reserves from ageing fields. Key speakers include:

• Katrina Fisher, Managing Director, ExxonMobil Angola
• Layi Fatona, Chairman, Renaissance Africa Energy Company
• Osayande Igiehon, CEO, Heirs Energies

As mature fields continue to dominate production in countries like Angola and Nigeria, operators are turning to innovative approaches to boost yields and extend the life of existing assets. The panel will look at the potential of late-life fields and the growing practice of repurposing infrastructure to meet future demand.

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Before the panel discussion, Dan Pratt, Head of Upstream Solutions at S&P Global Commodity Insights, will deliver a detailed presentation on “What’s Next for African Upstream in 2026.” His insights will frame key investment trends, policy developments, and emerging markets across the continent.

In a separate fireside chat, Tony Attah, CEO of Renaissance Africa Energy, will reflect on the company’s current projects and unveil strategic priorities for 2026. With more independent and African-owned firms entering the market, Attah’s insights are expected to highlight the sector’s shift toward local content and regional ownership.

Major Investments on the Horizon

The momentum in upstream oil and gas is being driven by significant capital commitments from major players:

• ExxonMobil is doubling down on Angola’s offshore potential. In June 2025, the company signed a production sharing contract extension for Block 17, enabling continued development using existing infrastructure. The move builds on its 2024 Likember-01 discovery, made under Angola’s Incremental Production Initiative.
• Renaissance Africa Energy, a consortium of independent companies, is investing $15 billion across 32 oil and gas projects over the next five years. The company’s recent $1.3 billion acquisition of Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria underscores its ambition to dominate upstream operations in the Niger Delta and beyond.
• Heirs Energies has made rapid gains in Nigeria’s OML 17 block, doubling production to 50,000 barrels per day since acquiring the asset from Shell in 2021. With eyes set on expansion, the company is now exploring new opportunities in the Republic of Congo, a key oil-producing nation in Central Africa.

These investments reflect a growing confidence in Africa’s upstream potential, especially in frontier basins and underexplored regions.

Despite the optimism, challenges persist. Chief among them is access to financing for exploration and development, especially for African-led independents. Global energy transition goals are also pressuring operators to balance oil production with sustainability commitments.

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The AEW 2025 sessions aim to tackle these head-on by providing a platform for policymakers, investors, and producers to collaborate on innovative financing models, regulatory stability, and integrated infrastructure development.

The conference promises more than just discussion. Delegates can expect:

• Drilling forecasts and updates on upcoming licensing rounds
• Deep dives into regional upstream hotspots such as Nigeria, Angola, Namibia, and Mozambique
• Debates on local content, decarbonization strategies, and African-led project development

As Africa’s energy industry balances between legacy production and the new frontier of exploration, AEW 2025 is poised to define the roadmap for growth in 2026, bringing together key voices to drive investment, innovation, and inclusivity across the upstream value chain.