Igniting Africa`s Energy Revolution

When I plan an event, the most important thing for me is to look at the platform from the perspective of the network and the delegate and ask myself, why would I want to come, why do I want to be associated with that brand, and what do I want out of it? Whenever we commit to anything as human beings we must get a return on our time, investment and outlay, we want to work with a trusted brand, and AOW:Energy is exactly that, a platform of trust that delivers on value and provides huge opportunity for investors, it has always achieved that and continues to do so in 2025 and beyond.

Events should not be vanity affairs, filled with photo opportunities and handshakes that lead nowhere, or exhibitions for visitors to collect freebies. As organizers, we must serve both the industry and the regions in which we operate for growth and to serve real opportunity. If events exist only for organizers to make money, the program loses its meaning and value. This is why I want to build an AOW:Energy around the needs of the continent and the industry; to really give you what you want, the continent we all want and to reach our full potential and to serve our global private sector to support our upstream development – Simple, provide deals, networking and opportunity from mergers, acquisitions and geological insights. My aim is to blend the commercial aspects of the industry with the subsurface to drive outcome. AOW:Energy therefore is committed to providing Governments with access to investor trends, investors with deal origination and geologists with exclusive insights into the subsurface. As we move as a community into Q2 2025, it’s important to look at key industry developments and align them with the program we are building for AOW:Energy 2025.

Countries on the move: I am really excited about what I am reading about His Excellency Antonio Ondo and Equatorial Guinea:

Equatorial Guinea is making bold moves with its licensing rounds and regulatory competitiveness. Having worked closely with H.E. Antonio Ondo and hosted him at multiple events, I have seen first-hand his unwavering commitment to upstream development. His leadership is focused, and his energy is undeniable, so when Equatorial Guinea announced the relaunch of its open-door licensing process, the industry had to take notice. The country boasts strong geology and production potential, and now, with a more attractive regulatory framework, it is poised for a new wave of investment. The focus on investor confidence and fiscal strength will be key, and it’s encouraging to see Equatorial Guinea leading the charge.

Away from Governments on the move, our close partners and friends Tower Resources are also making waves according to SP Angels recent write up:

Listening to the market, it’s clear that our sector is built around trends and how the network moves. This is why it’s exciting to see companies strategically shaping their portfolios, as Tower Resources is doing in Namibia and Cameroon. The momentum behind Tower Resources is commendable, and recent reports highlight its acquisition of an additional 5% interest in Namibia’s offshore PEL96 license, alongside plans to drill the NJOM-3 well offshore Cameroon. These moves demonstrate the power of leadership in shaping the future of upstream investment. At AOW:Energy, we are committed to celebrating and facilitating more of these deals.

Gabon continues to be a strong exploration destination, with Panoro Energy’s ILX well on the Dussafu Marin Permit expected to deliver results in Q1 2025. If successful, this could be a game-changer for Gabon’s upstream sector. Our goal at AOW: Energy is to position the event as the place where these opportunities translate into tangible business outcomes.

Frontier markets are performing with some great news from another long standing partner of AOW:Energy ONHYM and the Kingdom of Morocco:

In Morocco, the partnership between ONHYM - National Office of Hydrocarbons and Mines and Predator Oil & Gas is another sign of positive momentum. Over recent months, we’ve had insightful discussions with ONHYM, and I believe Morocco is on the cusp of an exciting period. With forward-thinking leadership and an investor-friendly environment, Morocco is quickly establishing itself as a prime hydrocarbon investment destination. The Guercif announcement only strengthens this position.

And exciting times ahead for Libya and its news surrounding a licence round:

Libya’s National Oil Corporation (NOC) is also making headlines with its ambitious licensing plans. Identifying 22 blocks for licensing across onshore and offshore regions, Libya is positioning itself for a surge in upstream activity. The country has immense production potential, and if it achieves its target of 2 million barrels per day, the economic impact will be transformative. We’ve seen similar ambitions with Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) , Ghana National Petroleum Corporation , and ANPG Angola , and it’s clear that nations across Africa are prioritizing not just exploration but increased production and resource monetization. At AOW: Energy, we are fully committed to supporting these governments as they navigate this next phase of growth.

And to the traders, a new wave of investment and participation:

The rise of trading companies in Africa’s energy landscape is another trend shaping the industry. Reports of Vitol’s major deal with ENI, estimated between $2.5 billion and $2.8 billion, highlight how investment dynamics are shifting. With projects in Côte d’Ivoire and Congo Brazzaville, this deal underscores how new investors and partners are bringing fresh capital and perspectives to the region. Ghana, which is hosting AOW:Energy this year, stands to benefit from similar investment flows, especially with a new government focused on economic growth through natural resource development.

Reflecting on all of this, it’s clear that Africa is at a defining moment for oil and gas. From Equatorial Guinea, Namibia, Gabon, and Morocco to Libya, Ghana, Nigeria, and beyond, the level of activity signals a new era of opportunity. Going back to my original point, events must serve a real purpose. Investors and operators are looking for development, portfolio growth, and deal flow, and African leadership is responding by creating investor-friendly frameworks. This is why AOW: Energy is on the right path, because we understand that stakeholders don’t want talk shops, they want platforms that drive real business outcomes.

As we approach 2025, AOW:Energy will continue to be the premier event for showcasing opportunities, connecting decision-makers, and supporting the advancement of Africa’s upstream sector. The momentum is here, and now is the time to be part of Africa’s energy future.

Enquire now to learn more about how you can be a part of the most significant event for the regional upstream - Click here: AOW Energy