After AEW, Global Investors are Setting Their Sights on Africa’s Energy Future
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Following the conclusion of African Energy Week (AEW) in Cape Town earlier this month, where exploration, infrastructure and energy security dominated the agenda, several global players stepped forward more assertively in support of deepening their engagement with Africa’s energy sector. With geopolitical competition reshaping global energy flows, Africa’s role as a supplier of hydrocarbons, LNG and transition minerals has taken on new significance – positioning the continent as a critical arena for energy security, supply diversification and investment competition among major powers.
The United States: Driving Upstream Exploration and Infrastructure
At AEW, U.S. Senator Ted Cruz called for a revitalized American energy presence in Africa, emphasizing exploration, production and midstream infrastructure as the foundation for future engagement, reinforced by a dedicated U.S.-Africa Roundtable. U.S. companies such as ExxonMobil, Kosmos Energy and Chevron are expanding their exploration portfolios in West and East Africa – including deepwater projects in Namibia, Mozambique and Equatorial Guinea.
The U.S. approach reflects a broader strategy to diversify global energy supplies and counterbalance rival influences, particularly from China and Russia. Washington is leveraging private capital alongside technical partnerships, focusing on high-return exploration and LNG development opportunities under a pro-oil administration and a commercially driven diplomatic strategy.
Looking ahead to Invest in African Energy (IAE) 2026 in Paris – a key forum where African governments, investors and industry leaders converge to negotiate new projects and structure strategic partnerships – heightened American participation is expected. Delegations are likely to spotlight new acreage bids, innovative project financing models and joint venture opportunities with African national oil companies.
Russia: Expanding Energy Diplomacy through Technology Transfer
Russia, meanwhile, is advancing a more holistic African energy agenda. During a Russia-Africa Roundtable at AEW, Russian officials underscored partnerships with Equatorial Guinea and the Republic of the Congo, as well as ongoing collaboration through Rosatom, which is leading the country’s nuclear engagement on the continent. Rosatom is working with Rwanda to establish a nuclear science and technology center and has signed cooperation agreements with Mali and Guinea-Conakry.
Floating nuclear power units, small modular reactors and integrated gas infrastructure form the backbone of Russia’s energy offering. By pairing commercial energy solutions with technology transfer, Moscow aims to help African nations meet growing domestic demand while deepening political and trade ties. At IAE 2026 in Paris, Russia is expected to pursue further cooperation agreements in nuclear and gas-to-power development, reinforcing the country’s ambition to secure a lasting role across Africa’s energy value chain.
The UAE: Deploying Sovereign Capital for Scale and Integration
The United Arab Emirates is taking a long-term approach to Africa’s energy and infrastructure development. Emirati sovereign wealth funds, development agencies and energy majors are expanding their footprint across oil and gas, solar, hydrogen and integrated energy logistics. At AEW, Sharif Al Olama, Under-Secretary for Energy and Petroleum Affairs at the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, invited African nations and energy companies to join the Global Energy Efficiency Alliance, an initiative launched by the UAE to double energy efficiency rates and accelerate the transition to clean energy. Through companies such as ADNOC, Masdar and AMEA Power, the UAE is financing large-scale solar and hydrogen projects across North and West Africa.
More broadly, the UAE has emerged as Africa’s largest external investor, channeling significant capital into clean energy, industrial infrastructure and energy transition initiatives. In Paris, UAE companies are expected to present integrated energy solutions spanning upstream production, renewables, offtake and transmission – underpinned by sovereign capital and long-term regional partnerships.