Bigger and Better-Continental, Global Giants Brace Up For Epic African Energy Week 2023

By Ajong Mbapndah L & Prince Kurupati

The African Energy revolution continues its slow but steady course with leading African and global stakeholders warming up for the African Energy Week 2023(AEW) in Cape Town South Africa. From humble and challenging beginnings,   the AEW has metamorphosed into Africa’s premier energy forum with unique depths and insights that succinctly blend the  African voice on challenges, potentials, progress and limitless opportunities that abound in the African energy sector .

Established in 2021 under the premise to make energy poverty history by 2030, African Energy Week (AEW) is the African Energy Chamber’s annual event, uniting African energy leaders, global investors and executives from across the public and private sector for four days of intense dialogue on the future of the African energy industry.

The interactive conference, exhibition and networking event, panel discussions, investor forums, industry summits and one-on-one meeting opportunities are tailored to bolster key discussions that will reshape the trajectory of the continent’s energy development.

Under the theme The African Energy Renaissance: Prioritizing Energy Poverty, People, the Planet, Industrialization, and Free Markets, AEW 2023 returns bigger and better than ever before, serving as the official meeting place for Africa’s energy elite. At the forefront of the African energy industry, AEW promotes the role Africa plays in global energy matters, centered around African-led dialogue and decision making. Covering the entire energy sector and value chain, AEW represents the only conference on the continent representative of the entire sector.

Running from 16 to 20 October in Cape Town, South Africa, expected to grace this year’s event are influential energy industry experts, industry leaders, government officials, leading stakeholders in the energy industry as well as heads of state. Those who have already confirmed their attendance include the outgoing Senegalese president Macky Sall and Namibian President Hage Gottfried Geingob. On the attendee list  as well  Ministers of Energy and related services- from  Senegal  Aissatou Sophie Gladima ,the Minister of Petroleum and Energies, Uganda - Ruth Nankabirwa the Minister of Energy & Mineral Development, Mauritania -Nany O Chrougha the Minister of Petroleum, Mines and Energy, Algeria -Mohamed Arkab, South Sudan -Puot Kang Chol, The Gambia -Abdoulie Jobe the Minister of Petroleum and Energy, Libya - Mohamed Oun the Minister of Oil and Gas, Republic of Congo -Bruno Jean Richard Itoua the Minister of Hydrocarbons, Guinea Conakry -Aly Seydouba Soumah  Minister of Energy, Hydropower and Hydrocarbons, Djibouti- Yonis Ali Guedi the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Benin  Samou Seidou Adambi the Minister of Energy, Ghana -Matthew Opoku Prempeh the Minister of Energy, Equatorial Guinea - Antonio Oburu Ondo the Minister of Mines and Hydrocarbons and current OPEC President, Egypt -Tarek El-Molla the Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Namibia -Tom Alweendo the Minister of Mines and Energy.

The ringing endorsement and presence of heads of state at AEW 2023 speaks to the growing stock of the event and the seriousness with which African leaders now view the energy debate and stakes for the continent. Creamer Media reports that while “investments in fossil fuels including in oil and gas by developed countries including G20 members have increased by 16% to $693 billion in 2021, penetration in Africa has been and continues to be restrained by energy transition-related policies implemented by some of these countries”.

Amongst the lengthy and growing list of endorsements are corporate giants like TotalEnergies Leading the delegation of TotalEnergies to AEW will be Vice President for Exploration Africa Emmanuelle Garinet. Vice President Garinet is expected to showcase some of TotalEnergies’ biggest achievements on the continent, its current projects and the role of oil and gas exploration in Africa’s energy future.

Commenting on the endorsement of TotalEnergies, NJ Ayuk the Executive Chairman of AEC said, “TotalEnergies has been responsible for much of Africa’s upstream success, working closely with various national oil companies and partners to unlock the true potential of African oil and gas. From projects in East Africa to exploration campaigns in Southern Africa, the energy major represents an important partner for African oil and gas producers. During AEW 2023, we look forward to hearing the insights provided by Garinet and hope to see a suite of new deals signed by the major that will unlock a new era of exploration and production in Africa.”

The theme of AEW 2023 is in consonance with the vision and sterling leadership of the African Energy Chamber in chatting a new path forward for African energy landscape. This year’s discussions, knowledge sharing and networking opportunities will largely focus on how the continent’s vast oil and gas reserves can be exploited to address the continent’s energy challenges and help in achieving the objective of eradicating energy poverty by 2030, says NJ Ayuk.

Looking at the role of oil and gas as key resources in the African energy calculus, Memoona Tawfiq of the Centurion Law Group – Energy Transition Centre says the future looks very bright for Africa if its resources can be exploited for the benefit of locals. “Africa boasts vast reserves estimated at 125.3 billion barrels of crude oil and 620 trillion cubic feet of proven gas. Tapping into this immense potential is of paramount importance to meet the continent’s growing energy demands,” says Tawfiq.

Namibian President Hage Geingob who will deliver the opening keynote address at AEW 2023 is expected to outline his country’s vision and the dynamic growth of the oil and gas sector alongside its promising advances in green hydrogen development. The recent oil discoveries in Namibia are poised to transform the nation into a significant player in the global energy landscape. According to the AEC, “between 2022 and 2023, the country’s oil and gas fields witnessed five discoveries – Venus 1X in PEL 56, made by TotalEnergies EP Namibia and its associates, and Graff-1, Jonker-1X, La Rona-1, and Lesedi-1X in PEL 39, jointly made by Shell Namibia Upstream BV and its collaborators”.

President Macky Sall from Senegal is expected to discuss how his nation has embarked on a journey to diversify its energy resources with an emphasis on renewable energy projects. From the address, all event attendees are expected to learn important lessons they can take back home and implement for the good of the continent as a whole. In his vision to address energy poverty, President Sall has spearheaded significant initiatives like the Senergy 2 solar project, which aims to produce 200 MW of solar energy. Additionally, Senegal’s collaboration with international partners has seen the successful development of the 158 MW Taiba N’Diaye wind farm, positioning the nation as a regional leader in renewable energy integration.

Apart from the oil and gas dialogue, the event attendees will also get a chance to listen and learn more about Botswana’s coal-to-liquids project and how it can be implemented in other countries. The Republic of Botswana implemented the coal-to-liquids project in 2022 to the tune of $2.5 billion through a private-public partnership. The 30-year project was implemented to reduce Botswana’s dependence on imported fuel and harness its vast coal reserves. Projections are all positive as the plant is expected to produce an estimated 12,000 barrels of diesel and gasoline per day. As the coal is first turned into liquid, the project not only addresses energy security but also demonstrates Botswana’s commitment to industrialise its economy while navigating environmental considerations.

CEO of Botswana Oil Meshack Tshekedi is expected to present Botswana’s coal to liquids project report. Commenting on this, NJ Ayuk said, “As a dynamic player in Africa’s energy landscape, Botswana Oil’s proactive engagement in the development of the energy sector is truly commendable. The company’s commitment to innovation and partnerships aligns perfectly with the Chamber’s vision for the continent’s energy future”.

A novelty at the AEW 2023 will be will be a concurrent forum on Critical Minerals Africa (CMA) where governments and the private sector will engage on a bilateral and multilateral level, to advance critical minerals production and processing, and plan strategic roadmaps for minerals and energy security.  This African critical minerals dealmaking space, standing at the intersection of energy and mining, will link global consumers and producers, bringing capital and buyers to African projects.

“In holding the conferences in Cape Town during the same week, the organisers (of AEW and CMA) will bring together the most diverse and significant group of global investors, energy and mining professionals, project operators, and government leaders at a pivotal moment for the global resources sectors. Between the two events, over 5,000 delegates will be hosted in Cape Town, “says the African Energy Chamber.

Commenting on the dual hosting of the AEW and CMA events in Cape Town during the same week, NJ Ayuk said, “The world of energy, mining and investment will meet this October in Cape Town. We expect delegations from all over Africa, the Middle East, Asia, Europe, and the Americas to converge in Cape Town to announce policies and sign deals that advance energy security and resource beneficiation for Africans, and secure supply chains for all. The union of African Energy Week and Critical Minerals Africa advances our mission of ending energy poverty by 2030”.

Running on the sidelines of the main AEW event will be a parallel technical program that will provide a “platform for knowledge sharing, collaboration and improved dialogue via a series of presentations, case studies and high-level panel discussions”. The technical program will see attendees hearing presentations on Uganda’s Kingfisher Conventional Oil and Tilenga Developments; Kenya’s onshore exploration developments in the Lamu and South Lokichar basins; and Zimbabwe’s multi-well drilling campaign in the Muzarabani prospect. With up to 60% of sub-Saharan Africa’s recoverable reserves lying in deepwater regions, the presentations will be insightful and helpful to those looking to exploit resources in deepwater regions.

For this year’s event, AEW has partnered with the Flock Eventing Platform to ensure the event goes smoothly. Flock Eventing Platform has a track record of executing successful events in 36 countries worldwide. By partnering with Flock Eventing Platform, NJ Ayuk said it’s a testament to how AEW is determined to deliver “world-class energy events”. Flock Eventing Platform has promised more than just business for all attendees.

Flock Eventing Platform has also partnered with various international media outlets including CNBC Africa. CNBC Africa will be the official media partner of AEW 2023. For the entire event, CNBC Africa will provide real-time coverage of AEW. The continent will therefore stay updated on all the mega deals that will be signed by African governments, energy companies, global financiers, and technology providers.

The AEW 2023 will not be only business as a zest of fun will jump start the event with the Just Energy Transition Concert. As the sun sets over Cape Town on October 15, attendees will gather at the scenic Cabo Beach Club, anticipating an extraordinary experience that bridges the gap between energy dialogue and the rich musical heritage of Africa.