Ahead of the Invest in African Energies (IAE) forum 2025 in Paris, Ndubuisi Micheal Obineme, Managing Editor of The Energy Republic, talks to Sandra Jeque, International Conference Director, Energy Capital & Power, organizer of IAE Conference, about the main features and opportunities at this year’s IAE Conference taking place from 13 – 14 May 2025 at Les Salons Hoche in Paris, France.
In her words, Sandra revealed that Nigeria, Angola, Uganda, Sierra Leone, Libya, Liberia, Congo, Mauritania, and other African countries are gearing up to showcase in-country opportunities in both oil, gas, and renewable energies including hydrogen opportunities at this year’s IAE Conference.
Speaking further, she stated that The Invest in African Energy 2025 Forum in Paris will showcase Africa’s key upstream licensing opportunities, offering investors exclusive access to critical data and insights, alongside a comprehensive Licensing Rounds Report to guide strategic decision-making. Excerpts:
TER: The Invest in African Energies (IAE) is Africa’s premier forum, bringing together the most prominent industry stakeholders and players to explore the investment and business opportunities in Africa’s energy sector. How has IAE progressed over the years? What are the success stories recorded from the event so far?
Sandra: The 2025 Invest in African Energies (IAE) conference is in its third edition. Since its inception, the IAE conference has evolved into Africa’s premier energy investment platform, uniting stakeholders from across the globe to explore and capitalize on the continent’s energy potential.
Some of the key milestones and achievements from the IAE conference include expanding its global participation.
The conference has seen a significant increase in attendance from diverse markets, including Asia, the United States, and Europe. This reflects a growing interest from international players in African energy opportunities.
The second highlight will be the high profile of ministerial engagement at the IAE conference, which includes participation from African energy ministers and NOCs.
The IAE conference has facilitated strategic partnerships and agreements over the years, and it continues to increase.
TER: How are preparations going on to host the 3rd edition of IAE 2025 in Paris? What are the main conference features at the IAE 2025?
Sandra: The preparation for the IAE conference is going well and we are seeing an increase in participation from across the globe.
Notably, all our speakers aren’t only from the African continent, but also from Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and the USA.
IAE conference features are mainly focused on strategic investments. The conference serves as a dedicated forum connecting African energy markets with global investors, and emphasizing the importance of diversified energy investment to support Africa’s energy security and transition.
We’ll also have exclusive deal-making opportunities at the conference, and comprehensive engagement.
The conference will offer two days of intensive sessions that include B2B matchmaking, in-country spotlights, and networking receptions that will foster collaboration and knowledge exchange among stakeholders.
TER: Africa is signaling a major resurgence in investments, exploration activities, and infrastructural development. What insights do we hope to get from this year’s IAE event including key topics and licensing rounds to be discussed at IAE Conference 2025?
Sandra: In 2025, we’ve seen over 150 blocks across the continent, highlighting a renewed push for energy growth, and supported by regulatory reforms, improved transparency, and a focus on gas to align with the global energy transition goals.
These would lead to economic developments within the African continent, enhance energy security, and unlock the continent’s vast resource potential.
Now, countries with licensing rounds will be speaking at the Invest in Africa Energy Forum 2025.
The conference will also highlight natural gas as a central component of Africa’s energy transition strategies.
Countries like the Republic of Congo are promoting gas development to drive economic growth, enhance energy security, and support global shifts towards cleaner energy sources. There will be a delegation from the Republic of Congo, inclusive of the Minister, who will be attending The Invest in African Energy Conference to create new partnerships and collaboration with different organizations. They also have licensing rounds and new rounds that include deepwater and marginal fields.
Other countries that will attend IAE 2025 include Nigeria. As you know, Nigeria is emphasizing the utilization of its vast gas reserves to address domestic energy shortages and also support industrialization.
We will also have Sierra Leone. They have 56 offshore blocks open for direct negotiation with strong data support. They are open for business.
There is also a delegation from Libya this year at IAE 2025. They have 22 blocks and a licensing round. We will have a delegation from Libya as well as other African countries.
Uganda will also be present at the IAE 2025 in Paris. And they are planning a third licensing round for 2025/2026.
At IAE 2025, countries like Liberia, the Minister of Mines and Energy, and LPRA will be highlighting Liberia’s licensing rounds including the unexplored areas that are supported by high-quality seismic data to assist investors in assessing its potential. They will be present at IAE 2025.
We have Mauritania as well. The country’s Minister of Petroleum and Energy will be in attendance. The government is actively seeking investment to develop its oil and gas sector. They’re supported by favorable investment codes, such as tax incentives and protections for international investors, inclusive of the green hydrogen initiatives and projects that seek investments.
So we are looking forward to hearing more from Mauritania and getting interest from the investors as well.
We also have South Africa. The South African National Petroleum Company, SANPC. They will unveil the new entity and its vision for unlocking South Africa’s energy potential.
We have Gabon. The Minister of Gabon will also be at IAE 2025 and they will showcase the country’s revitalized oil and gas sector, fueled by new offshore discoveries and production increases.
Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has a relatively new Minister and they are looking ahead to update their hydrocarbons code to make it more friendly to investors. So definitely opportunities for open conversations as they will be at the conference.
At this year’s IAE, we will also highlight several key trends and developments across the energy, oil, and gas sectors, such as deepwater exploration.
Countries like Namibia are attracting significant investment in deepwater exploration. We will have a delegation from Namibia participating, inclusive of indigenous operators from Nigeria. The rise of indigenous operators is reshaping the upstream landscape. Companies like Oando have expanded their operations through strategic acquisitions.
The discussions at IAE 2025 will provide valuable insights into Africa’s evolving energy landscape, and opportunities will present themselves for investors and stakeholders.
TER: What are the challenges affecting the African energy sector in this era of energy transition? How important is the IAE event for Africa’s energy sector growth and development?
Sandra: IAE is critical in aligning Africa’s energy ambitions with global transition trends, while also ensuring the continent’s unique needs, especially energy access and industrialization. These remain at the forefront of the IAE conference for this year.
Some of the challenges affecting the African energy sector in this energy transition era include financing gaps. Many African energy projects face difficulty in securing capital.
Infrastructure deficits which included limited infrastructure such as pipelines, power grids and processing of facilities hinder energy access and project scalability.
I would also include regulatory uncertainty and outdated policies in some countries can deter investments and delay project development.
But of course, with all these government and intergovernmental institutions that will be present at the IAE conference, inclusive of the IOCs and NOCs, discussions around regulatory uncertainty, will present themselves at the forum.
The other one will be technology and skill shortages, there are part of the challenges affecting the African energy transition era.
The IAE event is a catalyst for Africa’s energy growth because it is an investment conference.
IAE serves as a key platform for attracting international capital and forging partnerships across oil, gas, and renewable sectors.
IAE is also showcasing opportunities, highlighting specific in-country offers, such as the development in Congo and licensing rounds in Sierra Leone, and Liberia, which would make it easier for investors to identify viable opportunities.
IAE is also promoting gas as a transitional fuel. With Africa’s vast gas reserves, the conference supports the narrative of gas as a bridge fuel in Africa’s path to cleaner energy.
TER: What’s your perspective on the key drivers to accelerate the African energy sector growth opportunities in 2025 and beyond?
Sandra: I would say natural gas as a transition fuel would also be the key driver to accelerate the African energy sector. Gas offers a clean alternative to coal and oil, and it is abundant across the African continent.
Countries like Nigeria, Senegal, and Congo are using gas in power generation.
LNG exports can drive both industrialization and revenue.
With over 600 million Africans lacking electricity, off-grid and utility-scale, renewable products would remain central to the development of Africa.
Technology and innovation as well as Public-Private Sector Partnerships (PPP) between governments and private investors are also critical to drive Africa’s growth and development.
TER: What are the benefits and opportunities delegates will get from this year’s IAE in Paris?
Sandra: IAE 2025 will serve as a vital platform for dialogue between African government and international investors, promoting policy alignment and fostering partnerships that drive sustainable energy developments across the continent.
By participating in IAE 2025, delegates will be positioned at the forefront of Africa’s energy transformation.
At this year’s IAE forum, we’ll highlight specific in-country projects and licensing rounds, offering delegates a chance to explore and invest in Africa’s most promising energy projects, which include oil, gas, and renewable energy.
My message to global investors would be ‘Grab Africa and move with it’. This is your moment to partner, invest, and lead in building a sustainable and profitable energy future for the continent—and the world.
TER: What are Energy Capital and Power’s main focus areas to support Africa’s energy sector development in 2025 and beyond?
Sandra: At Energy Capital and Power (ECP), we will continue to play a leading role in facilitating investment across Africa’s energy landscape, not only through high-impact events like Invest in Africa Energy Forum in Paris, but also through our other events in Africa such as our Aongola oil and gas conference, Libya Energy & Economic Summit, Congo Energy and Investment Forum and Africa Mining Week in Cape Town to name a few but also through a comprehensive, year-round strategy built around connectivity, collaboration, and capacity-building.
Energy Capital and Power (ECP) commitment extends beyond hosting conferences, it is deepening its impact by developing dedicated platforms within the organization through strategic introductions between investors, government, and project developers.
We support project development and execution from early-stage concept to raising capital and operationalization.
We foster transparent communication channels between public and private sector stakeholders.
In short, ECP doesn’t just host conversations. It builds the bridges that turn them into action.