CAPE TOWN, South Africa, October 1, 2025 – Africa is moving beyond its traditional role as a raw material supplier and is positioning itself as a critical player in the global energy market, according to government leaders speaking on the opening day of African Energy Week (AEW) 2025: Invest in African Energies. The session spotlighted new national projects, reforms to attract investors, and the continent’s expanding role in shaping energy transition pathways.
Congo Pushes for “Energy Justice”
Anatole Collinet Makosso, Prime Minister of the Republic of Congo, emphasized that Africa’s abundant natural resources — oil, gas, solar, geothermal, and wind — must serve as the backbone of development.
“Without energy justice, energy transition is an illusion,” Makosso said. “To offer clean, affordable and reliable energy is not an option – it’s an imperative. Our need for development cannot be sacrificed. We need to support energy transition fully, but it must be based on our gas and petroleum resources.”
Makosso pointed to several major projects shaping Congo’s energy future, including:
Eni’s Congo LNG initiative
The newly licensed deepwater Nzombo block
The Banga Kayo gas monetization project
Perenco’s modernization and drilling works to extend field lifespans
“These initiatives are part of the national and continental strategy,” he stressed. “Africa must no longer be considered as a provider of raw materials – it must be considered as a critical energy player. This is the investment opportunity of the century.”
Makosso added that the continent’s goal is not only to attract capital but also to build a competitive, sovereign Africa that captures greater value from its resources.
Nigeria Targets Predictability and Growth
Nigeria’s Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, outlined reforms aimed at making the country more attractive to investors. A key measure has been an Executive Order signed earlier in 2025 to reduce production costs, a move that has already sparked renewed industry activity.
Recent developments include:
$5 billion in new investment from Shell in the Bonga North project
Planned investment in Bonga Southwest and other deepwater ventures
The transformation of NNPC into a commercially viable, investor-driven company
“Investors want predictability, efficiency and incentives, as well as alignment between stakeholders and industry,” Lokpobiri noted.
The minister also cited the success of asset divestments as proof of Nigeria’s rising role. “The companies that acquired IOC assets – Renaissance acquiring Shell’s onshore and shallow-water assets, Seplat acquiring ExxonMobil’s, Oando acquiring Eni’s – between the time the divestments were enabled and today, we have increased production by at least 200,000 barrels per day. That shows that divestment was the right decision,” he said.
Shaping Africa’s Energy Future
Lokpobiri argued that Africa must claim a larger share of global oil and gas capital expenditure while shifting from a net importer to a strategic value creator. He rejected calls for the continent to abandon fossil fuels, instead advocating for pragmatic transition strategies.
“No continent or country is slowing down,” he said. “What is needed is to reduce emissions, not abandon any form of energy, and what we need from the West is partnership.”
Africa as a Global Energy Powerhouse
Together, the messages from Congo and Nigeria reflect Africa’s determination to redefine its energy future. By prioritizing resource monetization, lowering investment barriers, and pursuing energy justice, the continent is taking steps to move beyond dependency and establish itself as a central pillar of the global energy arena.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.
SOURCE: African Energy Chamber
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