24th World Petroleum Congress To Harp On Africa’s Future Energy Landscape

By Boris Esono Nwenfor

The World Petroleum Congress, the premier oil and gas conference in the world will from September 17 to 21, 2023, host the most senior government and industry leaders in the global energy industry aimed at shaping the future of Africa's energy landscape. The program for the 2023 event in Calgary is being managed by WPC Canada, which is the Canadian National Committee of the World Petroleum Council (WPC) organization composed of Canadian energy professionals.

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“This event is not just another conference; it is a strategic program that showcases the African Petroleum Producers Organization's global influence and commitment to sustainable energy solutions,” a communique from Africa Energy Futures stated.

“Join us on Sunday, September 17th at 8:00 AM at the iconic Stampede Park, where industry leaders, visionaries, and policymakers will gather to discuss Africa's energy potential. Be prepared to engage in captivating storytelling sessions that will unveil the untapped opportunities and challenges faced by the continent.”

The 24th World Petroleum Congress in Calgary will welcome an estimated 15,000 visitors, delegates, exhibitors and media from around the world and is centred on the theme: "Energy Transition – the Path to Net Zero."

Africa Energy Futures added: “This is your chance to be part of a movement that is shaping the energy landscape of Africa. Don't miss out on this unique opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals, exchange ideas, and forge partnerships that will drive Africa's energy future.”

The African Petroleum Producers Organization (APPO) has been designated a Supporting Organization for the 24th World Petroleum Congress and will be hosting the Africa Pavilion within the WPC Exhibition as well as the Africa Energy Futures Forum on the margins of the forthcoming 24th World Petroleum Congress (WPC) scheduled for 17th to 21st September 2023 in Calgary, Canada.

According to APPO in a recent press release, coming on the heels of the unveiling of a new corporate identity and evolution of the World Petroleum Council into WPC Energy, this is a signpost to APPO’s increasing role of advocacy, engagement with global organizations and regional industry promotion for Africa’s fossil energy growth and global energy stability and security,

For the first time in the 36-year history of the African Petroleum Producers Organization (APPO), APPO is partnering with the World Petroleum Congress to create a platform for African Countries, National Oil Companies, Independent Petroleum Producers, and the entire energy business value chain to expand the frontiers of business through strategic partnerships, investments, technical and economic cooperation as well as showcase APPO’s activities on the African continent, the statement said

This is in furtherance of APPO’s mandate of fostering fruitful collaboration and partnerships while promoting energy security, sustainable development and economic diversification in Africa as well as aligning APPO’s mission and goals with the energy programmes of several international organizations including the African Development Bank, the World Petroleum Council, the World Energy Council, the African Union, the United Nations.

Highlights of Africa’s Presence at the 24th World Petroleum Congress:

Africa Pavilion at the 24th World Petroleum Congress

• Africa Energy Business Roundtable-VIP Breakfast: 20th September 2023. The theme of the VIP breakfast is “Unveiling the Enhanced Competitive Business and Investment Environment in the African Fossil Energy Industry Landscape.”

An invitation only Meeting for CEOs of National Oil Companies and Ministries from New African Energy Markets with CEOs of Regional and International Financial Institutions, International Law Firms, Business Consulting and Financial Advisory Services Firms, Industry Associations, National and International Chambers of Commerce.

• Africa Energy Futures Forum: 21st September 2023. The theme for the Forum is “Financing the Emerging Decarbonized Fossil Energy Industry in Africa”.
• Strategic engagement with the Alberta Province, industry associations such as the Canadian Gas Association; the Canada Association of Petroleum Producers, ENSERVA, Canada Global Energy Forum, Calgary Chamber of Commerce, to achieve the net benefit of enabling Canadian investments and strategic economic cooperation in the Africa Fossil Energy Industry.

The African Energy Futures Forum is a Pan African, thought leadership and strategic platform created to amplify advocacy and activate action in issues affecting the growth of regional energy markets and engage the global energy finance community to deepen the level of financing and evolve creative and innovative paradigms to energy finance even as the region seeks to ameliorate the investment environment to enable cross border transactions, foreign direct investments and generate increased volumes in mergers and acquisitions, green energy projects all aimed towards achieving a quantum leap for energy security and affordability in Africa.

Highlights Of the Africa Energy Futures Forum: – VIP Breakfast: The Africa Energy Finance Leadership Breakfast. An Invitation Only Event for Africa Oil Ministers, CEOs of IOCs and NOCs, and Energy Business Titans in the global markets. – Plenary Sessions and Panels – Ministerial Session – Country and Corporate Spotlight Sessions – The Project Pitch Platform.

According to Rystad Energy - "Energy Addition for Africa" - Sub-Saharan Africa holds 140 billion barrels of oil equivalent, of which only one-third is developed and two-thirds of undeveloped resources are natural gas. New investment in oil and gas exploration and production is necessary, not only to maximize recent discoveries along Africa's 40,000-km coastline but also to meet rising energy demand globally and stabilize price hikes.

With over 600 million without access to electricity and over 900 million without access to clean cooking solutions, Africa cannot afford to leave its oil and gas in the ground, energy actors like NJ  Ayuk of the African Energy Chamber argue.  Faced with an energy crisis, Europe has once again turned to coal, and yet Africa continues to be told to abandon its oil and gas, Ayuk argues.

Many African countries are also unhappy that developed countries have exploited their gas and are now seeking new sources because of soaring prices and supply constraints following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Africa has major gas reserves in countries including Nigeria, Mozambique and Senegal but many are still largely unexploited.

About the World Petroleum Congress

The World Petroleum Congress, otherwise known as the “Olympics” of the petroleum industry gathers industry and government leaders from across the world to address all aspects of the industry from technological advances in upstream, midstream, and downstream operations to the role of natural gas and renewables, management of the industry and its social, economic, and environmental impact.

The World Petroleum Congress is led by the World Petroleum Council which is an organization of nearly 65 member countries from around the world. Including both OPEC and Non-OPEC countries with the representation of National Oil Companies (NOCs) as well as International Oil Companies (IOCs). Headquartered in London, since 1933, the World Petroleum Council represents over 96% of global oil and gas production and consumption.