Africa’s energy hub requires at least $1 billion in new investments to fully unlock its vast oil and gas resources, according to Suleiman Galadima, Convener of the International African Energy, Oil and Gas Summit (IAEOGS).
Galadima, who is also Chairman of African Peace Magazine (APM), said this in a statement on Monday ahead of the 4th IAEOGS, scheduled for October 6–9, 2025, in Windhoek, Namibia. The summit, themed “Getting it Right”, will focus on accelerating energy access, localizing value chains, and driving inclusive transitions.
He noted that Namibia has emerged as a frontier for oil and gas following offshore discoveries by Shell, TotalEnergies, and Galp in the Orange Basin. Despite commercial concerns affecting some finds, investor interest remains strong, with first oil production targeted before the decade ends.
Galadima recalled that Africa attracted over $120 billion in energy investments in 2024, including $75 billion for oil and gas projects. He added that the continent, with over 125 billion barrels of proven oil reserves and 620 trillion cubic feet of natural gas, remains one of the last frontiers for large-scale exploration.
“Yet, paradoxically, more than 600 million Africans still lack access to reliable electricity — a gap that presents both a moral and economic imperative for urgent investment,” he said.
The 2025 summit is expected to bring together global financiers, project developers, and top industry players, with endorsements from the Nigerian Ministry of Petroleum and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).