U.S. Department of Energy Delegation to Strengthen Collaboration with Africa at AEW 2025

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) will be represented by a senior delegation at Africa Energy Week (AEW) 2025: Invest in African Energies, underscoring Washington’s growing commitment to supporting energy development and investment across the African continent. Confirmed participants include/ Josh Volz, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Europe, Eurasia, Africa and the Middle East; Andy Rapp, Senior Advisor to Secretary Wright; Dan Mahanty, Director of African and Middle Eastern Affairs; and Piper O’Keefe, Desk Officer for African Affairs.

Their presence at AEW 2025 comes at a pivotal moment for U.S.-Africa energy collaboration, as African countries pursue both traditional and clean energy projects to meet rising demand and support economic growth. The DOE delegation is expected to share insights on U.S. energy policy, investment opportunities and partnership frameworks designed to accelerate energy access and sustainable development.

Their involvement also signals potential policy support and financial collaboration for U.S. companies investing in African energy projects, while highlighting Washington’s broader strategy to strengthen transatlantic energy ties, promote clean energy transitions and expand LNG, power and renewable infrastructure. A growing part of this strategy is clean cooking. The DOE has intensified its focus on LPG as a safer, more efficient alternative to traditional fuels – offering tangible benefits for public health, reducing deforestation and cutting greenhouse gas emissions.

Building on this momentum, the Department’s active role in global forums such as the 16th Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM16) underscores U.S. commitment to scaling modern energy access worldwide. CEM16 spotlighted U.S.–African collaboration to accelerate universal clean cooking, positioning Africa to gain from technology transfer, financing and policy frameworks that support LPG and other advanced solutions. The DOE’s participation at AEW 2025 reinforces the continent’s opportunity to turn these initiatives into widespread, scalable impact across rural and urban communities.

“Secretary Wrights passion to combat energy poverty fits with the vision of the AEC. We also welcome his vision of not discriminating or demonizing our oil and gas industry. With US partnership, we can deal with above ground risk issues, produce the energy we need to industrialize, create jobs, and set our continent to build the data centers that will be needed to meet Africa’s AI challenge in the future. We need all forms of energy and financing to accomplish this,” says NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman, African Energy Chamber.

The delegation arrives against the backdrop of robust U.S. policy engagement in Africa’s infrastructure and upstream space. Under the Trump Administration, the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation has reaffirmed a $500-million commitment to fund the Lobito Corridor project, modernizing the Lobito Atlantic Railway and unlocking mineral supply chains across Angola, Zambia and the DRC. Earlier this year, U.S. EXIM re-approved $4.7 billion in financing for TotalEnergies’ Mozambique LNG project, signaling Washington’s willingness to back large-scale energy infrastructure. Africa’s upstream sector continues to see participation from U.S. majors such as ExxonMobil, Chevron, Marathon Oil and ConocoPhillips, alongside independents and service providers working to increase exploration, reduce emissions, and improve security of supply.

Minerals cooperation remains a cornerstone of U.S.–Africa relations. Negotiations between Washington and Kinshasa are advancing toward a strategic framework agreement to support joint investment, harmonize regulatory standards and develop value chains for cobalt, copper, lithium and other critical minerals essential to the global energy transition. These talks align with a broader U.S. strategy to stabilize the region while bolstering transparency and U.S. private-sector participation in DRC’s mining sector.

The DOE delegation is expected to engage directly with African public and private sector stakeholders during AEW 2025: Invest in African Energies, facilitating discussions on financing mechanisms, technical partnerships and policies to responsibly expand both hydrocarbons and renewables while creating jobs and regional economic growth. The engagement reinforces Africa’s position as a key focus for global energy investment and underscores the vital role that international collaboration will play in shaping the continent’s energy future.

AEW: Invest in African Energies is the platform of choice for project operators, financiers, technology providers and government, and has emerged as the official place to sign deals in African energy. Visit www.aecweek.com for more information about this exciting event. 

*AEW