Amanze Chinonye
More than 10,000 delegates are expected in Cape Town from October 12 to 16 for African Energy Week (AEW) 2026, where African governments, energy companies and international investors will discuss financing, partnerships and developments across the continent’s energy sector, Prime Business Africa reports.
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The five-day conference and exhibition will take place at the Cape Town International Convention Centre. Organisers expect this year’s edition to be the largest since the event began in 2021.
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NJ Ayuk, executive chairman of the African Energy Chamber, which organises the conference, said discussions would focus on project financing, commercial partnerships and investment across the energy value chain.
“Ten thousand people are coming to Cape Town not simply to talk about Africa’s energy future, but to build it – to finance projects, form partnerships, sign deals and move investment forward,” Ayuk said.
Ministers and senior officials from countries including South Africa, Senegal, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Ghana, Namibia and Niger are expected to attend. Participating governments will outline sector priorities and present investment opportunities.
Country-focused sessions are expected to cover Nigeria’s efforts to increase oil production, Namibia’s plans to develop offshore discoveries, Mozambique’s liquefied natural gas expansion and energy projects in Congo, Senegal, Equatorial Guinea, Ghana, Algeria and Angola.
The programme will address oil and gas exploration and production, energy finance, downstream petroleum, electricity generation and emerging technologies. Discussions will also examine the implications of artificial intelligence, data centres and digital infrastructure for energy demand and investment.
Representatives from the United States, Europe, Japan, Russia, Venezuela, the Caribbean and Asia are expected to join executives from energy companies including ExxonMobil, TotalEnergies, BP, Chevron and ConocoPhillips. Technology and services firms, including SLB, Technip Energies and Halliburton, are also expected to participate.
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African Energy Week has expanded since its inaugural edition in Cape Town in 2021. Pan African Visions reported that attendance rose from approximately 1,700 delegates in the first year to nearly 7,000 participants in 2024. The projected attendance of more than 10,000 this year has not yet been confirmed.
The conference comes as African countries seek investment to develop oil and gas resources, expand electricity generation and improve access to reliable power. Governments are also pursuing renewable energy and supporting infrastructure, amid competing priorities involving energy security, industrial development, financing costs and emissions reduction.
The extent to which the event generates new investment will depend on whether discussions and proposed agreements translate into financed projects and completed developments. The conference runs until October 16.
Amanze Chinonye is a Staff Correspondent at Prime Business Africa, a rising star in the literary world, weaving captivating stories that transport readers to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria and the rest of Africa. With a unique voice that blends with the newspaper's tradition and style, Chinonye's writing is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, culture, and social justice. Through her words, Chinonye paints vivid portraits of everyday African life, from the bustling markets of Nigeria's Lagos to the quiet villages of South Africa's countryside . With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of Nigerian society, Chinonye's writing is both a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and a powerful call to action for a brighter future. As a writer, Chinonye is a true storyteller, using her dexterity to educate, inspire, and uplift readers around the world.
