By Jacobs Botha,
The African Energy Chamber’s G20 Africa Energy Investment Forum, scheduled for November 21 in Johannesburg, is set to unpack the future of Africa’s oil and gas value chain, with key discussions focused on upstream growth, midstream infrastructure, and downstream refinery modernization. The event comes at a time when African countries are seeking fresh investment to expand exploration, strengthen energy security, and reposition their economies for the energy transition.
Two major fireside chats will headline the forum, offering insight into how African governments, national oil companies, and private-sector players are recalibrating their strategies amid shifting global energy dynamics.
Upstream Expansion and Diversification Under the Spotlight
One session will focus on the role of African independents in driving exploration and diversification. Recent years have seen several companies expand their upstream footprints and pursue critical-mineral opportunities linked to the global energy transition. Industry analysts say these moves reflect a broader trend of African firms seeking to secure new revenue sources amid volatile oil prices and shifting global energy policies.
The fireside chat, titled Strategy, Growth and Expansion: From Upstream to Energy Diversification, will examine the pressures, opportunities, and investment gaps shaping the continent’s oil and gas landscape.
According to NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber, “Africa’s oil and gas value chain holds vast untapped opportunities, but sustained growth will depend on capital, technology, and partnerships that enable long-term investment.”
South Africa Moves to Rebuild Its Refining Capacity
South Africa’s newly established South African National Petroleum Company (SANPC) will also feature prominently as the country attempts to tackle long-standing challenges in refining and fuel security. Years of underinvestment and refinery shutdowns have left South Africa heavily dependent on fuel imports, exposing the economy to global supply shocks.
SANPC has outlined plans to revive the SAPREF refinery, which has been offline since 2022, and restore the country’s Gas-to-Liquids (GTL) capacity. If implemented, these upgrades could significantly reduce South Africa’s reliance on imported fuel.
SANPC CEO Godfrey Moagi will lead a session titled Repositioning the National Champion: Refinery Modernization and De-Risking South Africa’s Supply Chain, which will provide updates on the country’s refinery strategy and its infrastructure development roadmap.
Ayuk noted that stabilizing South Africa’s fuel supply will require “modernized refineries, stronger midstream infrastructure, and global partners willing to commit to long-term upgrades.”
Growing International Interest in African Energy
With global investors showing renewed interest in African oil and gas prospects—from large offshore discoveries to critical-mineral projects—analysts expect the G20 Forum to offer important signals about where capital may flow in the coming years.
As several African countries introduce new policies to attract upstream exploration and expand refining capacity, the fireside discussions are expected to provide clarity for investors, national oil companies, and financial institutions assessing risks and opportunities across the continent.
