Africa's energy ministers to meet
A high-level ministerial roundup will take centre stage at this year’s African Energy Week (AEW) 2026—taking place in Cape Town from 12–16 October—convening some of the continent’s most influential energy leaders at a defining moment for Africa’s oil, gas, and power sectors. As the growth of oil and gas meets faster changes in energy strategies, the meeting will focus on how projects are being carried out, changes in regulations, and infrastructure across borders that are changing Africa's energy future.
Confirmed ministers to date include Algeria’s Minister of Energy and Renewable Energies, Mourad Adjal; Ghana’s Minister for Energy and Green Transition, Dr John Abdulai Jinapor; Senegal’s Minister of Energy, Petroleum and Mines, Birame Soulèye Diop; Zambia’s Minister of Energy, Makozo Chikote; and Niger’s Minister of Petroleum, Hamadou Tinni.
Following a March OPEC+ decision to lift output to 977,000 barrels of oil per day (bpd), Algeria enters AEW 2026 amid a $60 billion sector transformation. The country is also advancing a 500-well exploration drive and accelerating its 1.48 GW "Project of the Century" solar rollout. Gas exports to Europe remain central to the country, supported by hydrogen corridor planning and refinery expansion aimed at boosting capacity to 50 million tonnes by 2029.
Following the licence extensions for Jubilee and TEN to 2040 and the late-2025 restart of the Tema Oil Refinery, Ghana is pushing a $3.5 billion upstream reinvestment plan while settling $500 million in gas arrears. A 1,200 MW state thermal plant and expanded gas processing at Atuabo anchor its gas-to-power shift, alongside a renewed upstream push in the Voltaian Basin.
Senegal’s delegation arrives on the back of strong production momentum, with the Sangomar oil field delivering 36.1 million barrels in 2025, outperforming forecasts, while the Greater Tortue Ahmeyim LNG development ramped up to 2.9 million tonnes per annum following first gas. Dakar is now prioritising domestic gas through refinery upgrades at the SAR refinery and preparations for Sangomar Phase 2 to push output beyond 100,000 bpd.
Zambia is redefining its power mix after drought-induced hydro shortfalls. New solar capacity—including the 200 MW Chisamba expansion and 136 MW Itimpi Phase 2—is part of a broader 2,500 MW diversification drive. The Cabinet has approved major regional fuel pipelines, while the Energy Single Licensing System fast-tracks approvals. Lusaka targets 10 GW of generation by 2030, with solar and wind rising to one-third of the supply.
Niger’s presence reflects its emergence as a serious oil exporter, with the fully operational 1,950-km Niger-Benin pipeline now moving up to 90,000 bpd to international markets. Alongside uranium expansion and renewed cooperation with Algeria on upstream assets, Niamey is advancing digital oversight reforms and reinforcing energy sovereignty amid evolving geopolitical dynamics.
“The participation of these distinguished ministers underscores the scale of opportunity unfolding across Africa’s energy landscape and the urgency of aligning policy with capital,” says NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber. “Their leadership reflects a continent moving decisively from strategy to execution, creating a platform where investors can engage directly with the policymakers shaping Africa’s next wave of oil, gas, and energy growth.”
