South Africa Ramps Up Energy Investment Drive with Dedicated Roundtable at African Energy Week (AEW) 2025
This year's roundtable brings together a powerful lineup of speakers driving South Africa's energy future, including Shahrukh Mirza, VP LNG Development at ExxonMobil, Stefano Marani, CEO of Renergen Limited, and senior representatives from both the newly formed South African National Petroleum Company (SANPC) and the South African National Energy Development Institute.
South Africa's energy sector is undergoing a critical transformation: years of load-shedding and grid instability has prompted bold reforms aimed at liberalizing the energy market, fast-tracking private-sector participation and diversifying supply sources. As the government unbundles Eskom and opens transmission infrastructure to independent power producers, investor interest in South Africa's power and gas markets is growing sharply. Meanwhile, the Integrated Resource Plan and Renewable Energy Masterplan are paving the way for expanded solar, wind and battery storage deployment, backed by robust public-private collaboration.
The upstream oil and gas sector is also entering a pivotal new phase. The recently established SANPC is spearheading fresh exploration efforts and opening up acreage across frontier basins, including the Orange Basin – an area that has drawn renewed interest following a string of offshore discoveries in neighboring Namibia. Energy major Shell has secured approval for a five-well drilling campaign in the Northern Cape Ultra Deep block, while TotalEnergies is targeting a two-well wildcat campaign in South Africa's portion of the Orange Basin, slated for 2026. With upcoming licensing opportunities, transparent fiscal terms and enhanced data packages, South Africa is well-positioned to attract both new market entrants and experienced independents to its upstream sector.
In its gas monetization strategy, South Africa is advancing efforts to leverage domestic resources – including those under development by Renergen at the Virginia Gas Project – to support helium exports and the production of LNG for transport and industrial fuel use. The country's Gas Master Plan, currently under review, sets out a roadmap for critical infrastructure, including LNG terminals, pipeline expansions and strategic gas storage, aimed at enhancing long-term energy security. At the same time, public-private initiatives such as the green hydrogen corridor – linking the Northern Cape to key export hubs – are laying the groundwork for large-scale hydrogen production, backed by the region's exceptional solar and wind potential.
'As South Africa retools its regulatory environment and builds momentum behind energy diversification, AEW 2025 stands as the ideal venue to connect capital with opportunity. From the Orange Basin's high-impact prospects to scalable renewables and gas monetization, the country is open for business,' says Oré Onegbesan, Program Director, AEW.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.
AEW: Invest in African Energies:
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.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Zawya
22 minutes ago
- Zawya
Government-Private Sector-Civil Society Unite with Global Experts to Accelerate Green Transition Propelling Thailand Toward Low-Carbon Society
Driving Two Key Agendas to Strengthen Global Competitiveness BANGKOK, THAILAND - Media OutReach Newswire - 1 August 2025 - SCG organized the ESG Symposium 2025 under the concept "GREEN BREAKTHROUGH AMID THE PERFECT STORM – Accelerate with Green, Survive Together" at SCG Headquarters, Bang Sue. The event drew over 300 participants comprising key stakeholders driving Green Transition from government, private sector, civil society, and world-class experts who gathered to brainstorm and advance crucial collaboration for transitioning Thailand and the ASEAN region toward a fair and sustainable low-carbon society. The symposium facilitated policy and practical exchanges on two fundamental agendas that serve as critical keys to the transition, working together to reach conclusions for driving the low-carbon society forward: 1) Energy Transition aimed at elevating energy systems to align with Net Zero targets, and 2) Just Transition for SMEs creating opportunities for small and medium enterprises to genuinely access ESG mechanisms. The forum was honored by global leaders including Mr. Koji Sato – President and CEO, Toyota Motor Corporation, Mr. David McLachlan-Karr – Regional Director, UN Development Coordination Office (DCO), Asia-Pacific, and researchers from MIT including Dr. Sai Ravela – Principal Research Scientist, Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences (EAPS), MIT and Prof. Miho Mazereeuw – Director of MIT Climate Mission and Director of Urban Risk Lab, MIT, alongside Dr. Sethaput Suthiwartnarueput, Governor of the Bank of Thailand, who presented approaches for adaptation, building resilience, and enhancing Thailand's long-term competitiveness. ESG Symposium 2025 represents a collaborative platform where all sectors join forces to accelerate the creation of a sustainable regional future, connecting environmental objectives with economic opportunities and preparing ASEAN to address a rapidly changing world. Hashtag: #esgsymposium2025 #GreenBreakthroughAmidThePerfectStorm The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. Siam Cement Group (SCG)
Zawya
22 minutes ago
- Zawya
Youth in Oil & Gas Summit Founder Calls for Pragmatic Leadership to Empower Youth in Namibia
Justina Erastus, Founder of the Youth in Oil and Gas Summit in Namibia, called on the country's leaders to empower the youth across the industry by providing access to job experiences and skills training. Highlighting the need to provide youth with the chance to gain experience, she drew insight into the instrumental role youth play in the evolving oil and gas sector - not only as participants, but as the visionary leaders of tomorrow. Delivering opening remarks during the second edition of the Youth in Oil and Gas Summit in Namibia this July, Erastus explained that youth often face challenges gaining experience across the oil and gas sector, particularly in emerging markets such as Namibia. As such, the country's leaders have a vital role to play in ensuring accessibility. She said: 'Investing in young Namibians is investing in the promise of a brighter tomorrow. How else do we empower the youth without giving them chances? It is not about experience, if you don't have the experience, how will you gain it if the leaders do not give us a chance? Enough about the social media clickbait – we need to start hiring and training our youth.' The Youth in Oil and Gas Summit offered a platform for industry leaders, international companies and Namibian youth to connect. Erastus explained that the summit 'is a movement fueled by passion, true collaboration and the belief in our youth.' She added that the summit has evolved to become 'a national project that is designed to empower every young Namibian, so that they see themselves as innovators and decision makers. This summit is situated at the crossroads of policy, investment and talent development, giving Namibians the tools to leverage their networks, sharpen their skills and launch their various careers.' The summit comes as Namibia prepares for first oil production by 2029, led by industry players such as TotalEnergies, Shell, Chevron, Galp, Rhino Resources, ReconAfrica and more. This milestone is expected to spur the creation of a domestic fuel hub in Namibia, further bolstered by ongoing gas development at the Kudu field and onshore exploration in the Kavango basin. For Namibians, domestic oil and gas production offers the promise of fuel security, job creation and local business opportunities. 'I see a future where Namibia is 100% electrified, thanks to our oil and gas resources. I see a Namibia where we are a leading oil producing country, fueling industrial growth and driving regional integration. To every young person here – seize this moment,' added Erastus. Namibia's emerging oil and gas industry offers a range of opportunities across the entire value chain. As a sector largely in its infancy stage, the oil and gas industry requires significant levels of investment, innovation and technology. It is within this scenario that the youth have a vital role to play. 'Oil and gas is not an industry that is exclusively for the petrochemical, engineer or geophysicist. It is a long, interconnected value chain that calls for logistics experts, catering companies, waste managers, asset custodians, communicators and even creatives. There is room for every passion every skill and every dream,' stated Erastus. As such, Erastus called for a rethinking when it comes to youth in the Namibian oil and gas sector. The country has a unique opportunity to implement bold policies, prioritize inclusivity and empower the youth before the industry has even developed. For Namibia's youth, Erastus underscored the need to think, not only of opportunity today, but how the youth can transform the industry of tomorrow. 'Let us think of ourselves not only as participants but as the visionary leaders of tomorrow. We should be leaders that uplift our communities and choose integrity over convenience. Leaders who rewrite the narrative of possibility. Let us create a future that is prosperous, safe and enabling, not just for ourselves but for the generations yet to come,' Erastus concluded. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.
Zawya
22 minutes ago
- Zawya
African Energy Chamber (AEC) Advocates for Namibia's Youth-Led Energy Future
Namibia's emerging oil and gas sector is set to become a cornerstone of national economic development, with youth empowerment, skills training, infrastructure readiness and policy reform forming key pillars of its long-term strategy. Speaking at the second edition of the Youth in Oil and Gas Summit held in Walvis Bay, NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber (AEC) ( discussed the importance of inclusive participation in the energy sector, calling for stronger public-private collaboration to ensure Namibia's resources deliver impact for local communities. As Namibia prepares for first oil from major offshore discoveries in the Orange Basin – led by global energy players such as TotalEnergies, Shell, Galp and Chevron – the summit spotlighted the need for foundational capacity building, including STEM education, vocational training and investment in youth entrepreneurship. The event, spearheaded by Justina Erastus, and supported by key national institutions such as Petrofund, emphasized local ownership and workforce integration as the industry scales up. 'A future that speaks to the hearts and minds of all Namibians is a future that speaks to the hearts of every Africa,' Ayuk stated, adding, 'When we see what you are building for your country, we know the future is bright.' According to the AEC, Namibia's anticipated offshore production will require robust support infrastructure ranging from marine services and logistics hubs to data centers and grid-connected baseload power. Ayuk highlighted that energy demand linked to digital infrastructure – including AI, cloud computing and data storage – would require consistent, large-scale electricity generation. This positions Namibia's oil and natural gas sector as a potential anchor for industrial development. While acknowledging global climate priorities, the AEC emphasized that Namibia and other African nations must have the right to leverage their natural resources to combat energy poverty. With Africa contributing less than 3% to global greenhouse gas emissions, the Chamber maintained that international climate policies must account for the continent's development needs. 'There are forces around the globe telling us that climate change is the problem. But how do you think Europe became what it is? How do you think America became what it is? How do you think Asia became what it is? They use oil. They use coal. They make billions for themselves. And right now, they tell you in this country, you don't deserve the right to use your oil. We don't agree with that,' Ayuk stated. Institutional partners such as Petrofund were recognized for their role in providing scholarships and technical training for Namibians, especially women and youth. Petrofund's investment in vocational education and postgraduate studies has directly supported the country's efforts to create a skilled workforce ready to meet industry demand. Ayuk also called on industry players, government and academia to create synergy around youth capacity building. He urged energy companies operating in Namibia to commit to meaningful local content policies and to make space for young professionals in both technical and leadership roles. 'We've got to figure out how to make industries more accommodating to young women. Globally, we've seen less than 70% women in the oil and gas industry. That's not enough,' Ayuk added. The summit also underscored the importance of regulatory and policy coherence to support industrial growth. The AEC reaffirmed its support for ongoing efforts by Namibia's Upstream Petroleum Unit to align national frameworks with global best practices, while tailoring them to the country's unique socioeconomic landscape. Namibia's growing energy ecosystem, including downstream infrastructure, local fabrication capacity and training institutions, stands to benefit from strategic investments aligned with long-term goals. The AEC maintains that a balanced, pragmatic approach to energy – one that includes both hydrocarbons and renewables – will allow Namibia to transition sustainably while building wealth and creating jobs. 'It starts with you. It starts with what role you want to play. And the role you have to play that shaped the future. You represent that,' Ayuk concluded. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.
