Governments and Regulators

Hon. Gwede Mantashe

Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources

Republic of South Africa

Hon. Kgosientsho Ramokgopa

Minister of Electricity & Energy

Republic of South Africa​

Hon. Arthur Bertrand Piri

Ministre du Developpement de l`Energie et des Ressources

Central African Republic

The downstream oil industry forms an important sector in the country's economy with its annual petroleum tax revenue providing in excess of 50% of government indirect taxes. 

The downstream oil industry forms an important sector in the country’s economy with its annual petroleum tax revenue providing in excess of 50% of government indirect taxes. Oil-derived products supply over 90% of the country’s commercial energy needs. 

In 1997, consumption of petroleum products was in the region of 94,000 tons per annum. The allocation of this consumption per product is as follows (figures from the US Department of Energy): 

 The current energy mix consists of hydro-electric and thermal. Some diesel power and solar photovoltaic panels are also used. Total primary energy supply (2018) was 1,092 ktoe. Biomass: Traditional biomass use for heating and lighting is still prevalent. According to AFREC 2020 statistics, the biomass intensity of the Central African Republic is currently sustainable. No studies have been conducted as to possible biomass uptake in the country. The total final consumption (TFC) in 2018 showed that, biofuel & waste represent 91% followed by oil product and electricity respectively 8% and 1%. 

Hon. Mamadou Sangafowa-Coulibaly

Minister of Mines, Petroleum and Energy

Cote d'Ivoire​

Hon. Teddy Lwamba Mubba

Minister of Hydraulic Resources and Energy

Democratic Republic of Congo

The Democratic Republic of Congo is well endowed with forest area and carbon stocks in forest biomass represent the second largest in the tropical world. Crude Oil production is about 1,074 ktoe as mentioned in the AFREC’s 2020 energy balance. There is no oil refinery in the country and as a result, all refined products including jet fuel and gasoline have to be imported. The total primary energy supply in 2018 was 30,212ktoe .The country produces a modest amount of coal. Hydropower resources are abundant, and the main sources of hydroelectricity are the 2 Inga dams, 140 miles south-west of Kinshasa. Despite having the potential to generate an estimated 40,000-45,000 MW per year just in hydroelectric power. The country’s physical area would require thousands of kilometres of electricity lines to reach users, so the electrification rate is just slightly below 20%. 

Opportunities 

The GDRC has launched a program to develop the energy sector, with the aim of developing the hydroelectric sector and exploiting the power of the numerous rivers in the Congo Basin.  The GDRC welcomes developers to supply power, build the transmission lines, or sell the necessary equipment.  There is also a tremendous need for off-grid electric solutions.  Along with hydroelectric power, the GDRC seeks to build and rehabilitate several geothermal stations across the country.  Several solar investors have explored the DRC market and are in the process of signing MOUs with the government.  The GDRC seeks firms with financing and experience to collaborate with local and parastatal firms to build these power-generating facilities.  

A high priority is rehabilitating Inga I and II’s turbines and building the third phase of the Inga Dam.  The third phase of the dam would generate an estimated 4,400 megawatts, with the bulk of the power supporting copper mining and smelting operations in Haut-Katanga province, and exports to South Africa.  Approximately one third of the expected power would be designated for parastatal utility National Electricity Corporation – Société National d’Électricité (SNEL) - to power Kinshasa.  The GDRC envisions Inga III as a step towards the construction of “Grand Inga,” an eight-dam project that could generate as much as 40,000 megawatts, which could meet most of the African continent’s current energy needs. 

Hon Dr. Eng. Habtamu Itefa

Minister of Water and Energy

Ethiopia​

Hon. Nani Juwara

Minister of Petroleum and Energy

The Gambia

The Gambia is geologically situated within Mauritania, Senegal, Gambia, [Guinea] Bissau, and [Guinea] Conakry (MSGBC) Basin.  There are four offshore and two onshore oil blocks, and licensing to these blocks is conducted by The Ministry of Petroleum and Energy.  The ministry houses the Gambia National Petroleum Agency (GNPC) which is responsible for fuel storage and supply.  The Gambia depends on imported petroleum to meet its commercial energy needs, including the generation of electricity which relies on the importation of Heavy Fuel Oils (HFOs).  Permits to import HFOs are fully liberalized. The Ministry of Petroleum and Energy engages in direct negotiations and accepts proposals from oil companies that express interest in the country, rather than issuing tenders for companies to submit bids, a process it calls “expensive.” 

The total installed electricity capacity of The Gambia is just over 100 megawatts (MW) with actual generation levels at approximately 40MW and excess demand levels at 50 MW.  Nationwide, approximately 42 percent of Gambians have access to electricity, leaving significant room for growth in the energy market to bolster economic activity throughout the country.  The GOTG’s 2018 Electricity Roadmap coordinates the electricity sector stabilization efforts at the public and private sector levels.   

Opportunities 

There are several opportunities in the energy market with energy listed as a priority sector in the National Development Plan (2018 – 2022).  It seeks to increase installed capacity from 102 to 250 MW by 2025. The World Bank, the African Development Bank and the Islamic Development Bank are each financing projects in The Gambian energy market.  Due to capacity and supply-side constraints in the local industry, virtually all projects funded require procurement of foreign equipment and expertise.  Training of generator technicians at NAWEC is another area where there are opportunities to invest in the energy sector.  These two areas present opportunities in the short term (within the year). 

The renewable energy sector provides significant areas of entry for US businesses.  Currently, all equipment used in the budding solar industry is sourced from China.  However, there is increasing demand for higher quality equipment, which can provide entry opportunities for US exporters.  The renewable energy sector and fast-track power through Heavy Fuel Oils (HFOs) present several opportunities in the medium term. 

Hon Herbert Krapa

Minister of State for Energy, Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources

Ghana​

Hon. Djami Diallo

Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development

Guinea-Conakry

According to AFREC 2020 energy balance, the main primary energy sources that make up the energy mix in Guinea are biomass, and oil while electricity is mainly generated from hydro-electricity sources and fossil thermal sources. With 77% biomass (mostly charcoal) has the largest contribution in primary energy consumption in Guinea. More than 84% of households have access to biomass. All petroleum products consumed in Guinea are imported. Guinea also imports small quantities of LPG; its relatively high price can only be afforded by the wealthiest of buyers. 

The mining industry is the most energy consuming sector in Guinea, as it consumes a majority of the hydrocarbon imports. The industrial sector is the largest electricity consumer, with a share of 48% of national consumption. Other sectors, like household and communication and public sectors, amount to about 46% and 6% respectively of electricity available. The total primary energy supply in 2018 was 5,028ktoe. Despite the high predominance of fuel woods (wood and charcoal) in the energy balance of the country, its actual potential remains unknown. 

Opportunities 

The Guinean government is assessing ways to repair its dilapidated energy grid and may seek new avenues to access petroleum products for its power plants to diversify its energy sources. 

The National Petroleum Agency (SONAP) is also seeking investments in offshore oil & gas exploration in Guinea. 

Hon. H.E Engr. Malam Sambu

Minister of Natural Resources

Guinea Bissau​

Hon. Viriato Luis Soares Cassama

Minister of Environment, Biodiversity & Climate Action

Guinea Bissau​

Hon. Yema Mimi Sobba-Stephens

Deputy Minister of Environment and Climate Change

Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone is moving with great resolve and determination on the road of development and prosperity under the Medium-Term National Development Plan (MTNDP). In line with the MTNDP, the oil and gas sector will play an essential role in transforming Sierra Leone, driving the country's economic development and growth. 

AFREC’s energy balance 2020 show that the total primary energy supply in Sierra Leone was 3134.1 ktoe. Traditional biomass accounts for an estimated 85% of total energy used. Modern energy services, electricity, petroleum products, including LPG, and non-biomass renewable, represent only a small percentage of energy used. Overall, Sierra Leone imports more energy than it outputs and consumes more energy than it produces. There are no indigenous sources of coal or natural gas. There is no oil refinery in Sierra Leone. All petroleum products are currently imported. 

The government has demonstrated a strong commitment to expanding the energy sector despite many major challenges over the past years. The enactment of relevant legislative reforms laid the foundation for the restructuring of the sector, creating the Electricity and Water Regulatory Commission (EWRC) in 2014; unbundling the former National Power Authority (NPA) into the Electricity Generation and Transmission Company (EGTC) and the Electricity Distribution and Supply Authority (EDSA) in 2015; and enabling the development of Independent Power Producers (IPP) projects. The EWRC focuses mainly on the regulatory aspects of the sector and sets tariffs for consumers and tariffs between EGTC and IPPs, while the EGTC focuses on electricity generation and transmission. EDSA holds a monopoly as the single buyer from IPPs and the single seller to consumers. 

Other initiatives undertaken by the government include the establishment of a Rural Renewable Energy Project to support increased access to rural energy resources, a Rural Electricity Board and Rural Electricity Fund to promote and make electrification widely available in all regions, and a Renewable Energy Empowerment Project to develop a knowledge base of existing renewable energy policies. Additionally, the Côte d’Ivoire-Liberia-Sierra Leone-Guinea (CLSG) interconnector project, under the West African Power Pool (WAPP) program, aims to provide an increased supply of electricity to these countries to meet the growing demand and will create an incentive for hydropower potentials that exist in Sierra Leone. 

Opportunities 

Sierra Leone offers investment opportunities in several segments of the energy industry including wind energy, solar energy, hydro, and bioenergy. The Government of Sierra Leone is also seeking infrastructure investment to support expansion of energy distribution and transmission networks. Sierra Leone has good access to natural resources necessary for energy production such as access to viable wind speeds and sunshine for renewable wind and solar projects. The country is also well positioned to support hydro-electric power with high rainfall levels at 2500mm/year. The many rivers with numerous waterfalls and the abundant sunlight for solar energy create considerable capabilities for power generation. U.S. firms command exceptional energy generation expertise and produce high-quality power equipment. This expertise and these products are of priority in the region and are in considerable demand. 

Hon. Dr Ruth Nankabirwa Ssentamu

Minister of Energy and Mineral Development

Uganda

Uganda has seen significant investment in the oil sector. In January 2024 Uganda launched its first oil drilling programme, its petroleum agency said, a key milestone as the country races to meet its target of first oil output in 2025. 

The Ugandan government expects that the oil sector development will require several billion dollars of infrastructure investment to build and support a refinery, two central processing facilities, and the 1,445 km EACOP pipeline — the world’s longest heated pipeline. At peak, Uganda plans to produce about 230,000 barrels of crude oil per day. The country’s crude reserves are estimated at 6.5 billion barrels, of which 1.4 billion barrels are recoverable. 

Approximately 1.4 billion of Uganda’s 6.5 billion barrels of proven oil reserves, located mostly on its western border with the DRC, are estimated to be economically recoverable.  

International oil companies are increasingly looking for service subcontractors including engineers, housing construction, road infrastructure design and construction, environmental hazard controls, and vocational training services. The Kingfisher field is part of a $10bn scheme to develop Uganda’s oil reserves under Lake Albert in the west of the country and build a vast pipeline to ship the crude to international markets via an Indian Ocean port in Tanzania. 

Rashid Abdallah

Executive Director

African Energy Commission (AFREC)

Mr. Rashid Ali Abdallah is the Executive Director of African Energy Commission (AFREC) of the African Union, a position he has held since November 2018. Under his leadership, the AFREC has gone through significant transformation both in staff development and continental reach of its flagship programmes, doubling its impact in supporting the African Union Member States.   

Under Mr. Abdallah, AFREC has expanded its initiatives from mainly energy information system to ensuring energy security by expanding its programmes to include renewable energies, enhancing energy efficiency, modernizing African bioenergy, supporting energy transition, promoting clean cooking services in Africa and advancing comprehensive capacity building for African energy sector among others.  

Before taking up the Executive Director role at AFREC, Mr. Abdallah served as the Principle Policy Officer and later Head of the Energy Division at the African Union Commission.   

H.E. Dr. Omar Farouk Ibrahim

Secretary General

African Petroleum Producers' Organization (APPO)

Ousman Moussa

Directeur Général du Développement de l'Energie

CAR

Dr. Gatluak Ruon Jal

Senior Advisor to Minister & Lead Foreign Affairs,

Ethiopia

Egbert Faibille Jnr

CEO, Petroleum Commission, Ghana

Ghana Petroleum Commission

Egbert holds a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) from the University of Ghana, Legon. 
Mr. Faibille Jnr worked with the GNPC during which period he was seconded to the West African Gas Pipeline Project (WAGP) as the Ghana Country Communication Representative of the project.
He subsequently joined the British American Tobacco (BAT) as Corporate & Regulatory Affairs Manager.
He was called to the Bar in October, 2004.
Egbert holds an LLM in Oil and Gas Law from the University of Aberdeen, and a Certificate in Strategic Management of Regulatory and Enforcement Agencies from the John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University.
Mr Faibille Jnr was appointed as Chief Executive Officer of the Petroleum Commission in August, 2017.
He is a member of the Board of the Petroleum Commission and chairs the Local Content Committee. 

Joseph Dadzie

Chief Executive Officer

Ghana National Petroleum Corporation

Freddy Gama

Director of Bureau of Studies

Guinea Bissau

Pierre Lamah

Executive Secretary, National Designated Authority of the Green Climate Fund

Guinea Conakry

Daniel Kiptoo

Director General

Energy & Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA), Kenya

Maggy Shino

Petroleum Commissioner

Ministry of Mines and Energy Ministry of Mines and Energy

Pinehas Mutota

Executive Economic and Market Regulation

Electricity Control Board, Namibia

John Uwajumogu

Special Adviser to the President on Industry,Trade & Investment

Nigeria

Amb. Nicholas Agbo Ella

Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources

Nigeria

Eng. Ziria Waako

Chief Executive Officer

Electricity Regulatory Authority

Jean Madzongwe

Transaction Director

Southern African Power Pool

Kaman Sadji Diallo

Directeur Général, FAPGAZ

Republic of Guinea