Summit Pillars:
The Agenda, Structure, Activities & Outcomes
Proposed Agenda
Extraordinary Ministerial Programme
Monday
13:00-17:00
Ministerial Programme
The Extraordinary Ministerial Meeting is a convening of 20+ Ministers to set a regional roadmap to catalyse strategic partnerships, attract foreign investments, and drive sustainable development in the continent’s energy sector.
The meeting aims to harness collective efforts of African leadership to address the critical challenges and opportunities in the oil and gas industry. The meeting will serve as a platform for dialogue, collaboration, and the formation of actionable plans to propel Africa towards energy security and economic prosperity.
Leadership team and speakers: Convened by: His Excellency Olusegun Obasanjo, Former President of Fed. Republic Nigeria
- Chaired by: Hon. Minister Matthew Opoku Prempeh, Minister of Energy, Republic of Ghana
Strategy Day 1
09:00 – 09:05
Opening Welcome
Event MC – Housekeeping and Welcome
09:05 – 09:25
Opening Keynote: Presidential Keynote: Empowering Africa’s Future: Unleashing the Potential of Oil and Gas for Sustainable Development
09:25 – 09:45
Keynote address: Minister Welcome
In the dynamic landscape of global energy, Africa stands at the intersection of tradition and transformation. As the world undergoes a profound energy transition, African nations possess a unique opportunity to leverage their abundant oil and gas resources to drive sustainable development.
09:45 – 10:00
Keynote: African Energy Sovereignty:
Whilst the world benefits from the historical extraction of African resources for industrialisation, Africa itself has yet to still beneficiate from its vast natural resource endowment. Whilst many countries race to net zero having benefited from the continent’s resources, Africa is still a low carbon emitter at 3% of global emissions. In this session His Excellency Chief Olusegun Obasanjo sets out his perspective on why Africa can and will continue to exploit fossil fuels for the economic development of Africa and its need for energy security.
10:05 – 10:45
Fireside Chat: Unlocking Africa’s Potential: Oil and Gas Monetization for Industrialization and Socio-Economic Development
The “Unlocking Africa’s Potential” conference session focuses on the strategic imperative for African nations to effectively monetize their oil and gas resources to drive industrialization, economic diversification, and socio-economic development. By exploring innovative approaches to resource monetization and highlighting successful case studies, this session aims to catalyze dialogue and action towards maximizing the socio-economic benefits of Africa’s natural wealth.
10:45 – 11:15
Coffee Break
11:15 – 11:35
Keynote: Exploration and Production trends and future outlooks:
Assessing recent exploration activities and discoveries in Africa’s upstream sector. In this session analysts overview the past 12–18-month outcomes of drilling programs, exploration outcomes and trends for the West Africa region. The outcomes of the session will guide the program as to where we can focus as an industry to maximize the prospectivity and above ground competitiveness of West Africa.
11.35 – 11:50
Nigeria National Showcase:
A keynote from NUPRC about the future licencing outlook for the Federal Republic of Nigeria
11:50 – 12:30
Ministerial Panel: Leadership debate presenting the strategic vision of African leadership from a domestic and regional perspective across the Oil, Gas and Renewables space, how is leadership planning for an integrated energy mix that includes oil, gas and renewables.
As the energy transition looms, we explore how Africa can expedite production to serve as a supply base of choice for international demand, and we also look at how the continent can utilize its vast natural resources to power economies and stabilize energy security for industrialization. Whilst the world races to net zero, how can the sub region utilize its resources. A country-by-country insight to strategies to provide energy access for all.
12:30 – 13:00
Panel Debate: West Africa Operators Spotlight:
The “West Africa Operators Spotlight” conference session aims to provide a comprehensive overview of key operators and projects shaping the upstream oil and gas sector in West Africa. Focused on highlighting recent developments, challenges, and opportunities, this session will offer valuable insights to understanding how operators are planning their future activities.
13:00 – 14:00
Lunch
14:00 – 14:45
Farm in Africa: Technical and Commercial Presentations: Farm in opportunities in the African Upstream
Operators working across West Africa discuss and outline new venture strategies for the region. In this session we uncover some of the best opportunities in market 2024 as well as farm in strategies from operators looking to invest in their West Africa portfolios.
14:45 – 15:30
Panel Debate: “Setting the strategy” – The key drivers in operators future exploration outlooks:
The “Setting the strategy” session provides a platform for oil and gas operators to demystify the primary drivers shaping their exploration outlooks in the current dynamic energy landscape. By delving into the strategic considerations, technological innovations, and market trends influencing exploration decision-making, this session offers valuable insights into the future direction of upstream exploration activities.
15:30 – 16:00
Coffee Break
16:00 – 16:40
Government Promotion strategies: Open door Versus Licence rounds, who is doing what?
The industry has seen a migration away from the traditional licence round model with more countries offering direct negotiations. In this session four concessionaires discuss their licencing models for acreage and open assets.
16:40 – 17:10
Presentations: Balancing the West African Energy Mix
Balancing the West African Energy Mix is critical to both recovering lucrative assets and also harnessing renewable energy resources for energy access in the region. We explore the complementary roles of renewable energy and oil and gas in the regions energy transition and identify renewable energy and fossil fuels are not mutually exclusive for future energy security. By highlighting the synergies between these two energy sources and examining strategies for integrating them into a balanced energy mix, this session aims to facilitate dialogue and collaboration towards a sustainable and resilient energy future for Africa.
- Renewable energy deployment
- The complementary role of Oil and Gas
- Regional infrastructure to support energy distribution and access.
End Day 1
Strategy Day 2
Stage 1
08:45 – 09:00
Opening Remarks
Event MC – Housekeeping and Welcome
09:00 – 09:45
Technical Basin Presentation: Gulf of Guinea Basin Insights – Technical Session
Over course of this session two governments will discuss and showcasing lucrative investment opportunities in exploration, development, and production projects. We will hear from operators and explorationists about the geology and basin insights of some of the most compelling discoveries
09:45 – 10:25
Government to Private Sector Dialogue: Fostering Strong Policy and Regulation in the West African Oil and Gas Sector: A Dialogue Between Governments and Private Sector Operators:
This Hard-talk dialogue will bring together government and private sector policy experts to discuss the critical importance of strong policy and regulation. By facilitating an open dialogue, we aim to highlight the challenges and bottlenecks that face by both public and private sector from a governance and policy perspective. Across the debate we will explore solutions to hurdles that can be reformed to increase deal flow.
10:25 – 10:45
Resource commercialisation: How can Africa compete?
Africa has world-class discovered resources. However, commercialising its vast volumes has yet to be realised compared to other regions. To be competitive in attracting investments, governments need to remove barriers to developments. Fiscal attractiveness, infrastructure deficits and limited domestic markets, particularly for gas, challenge operators’ willingness to invest.
Fireside Chat with Speakers:
10:45 – 11:30
Technical Basin Presentation: Basin to Basin: Deep dive into four of the most compelling basins Southwestern Africa.
Keynote: Update on the D.R.C Licence Round Off + Onshore
Basin wide insights to provide a comprehensive subsurface overview for screening. Understand more about the broad coverage of key basins across Namibia, Congo and Angola.
11:30 – 12:15
Panel: Next Generation upstream technology:
International Contractors and Service Companies highlight breakthrough technologies for efficient and cost-effective offshore exploration and production.
Showcasing and discussing advancements in:
- Seismic imaging, reservoir characterization, and predictive modelling.
- Digitalization, data analytics, cloud solutions and AI in the offshore projects
- Advancements in subsea processing, robotics, and subsea technologies
- Floating Production, Storage, and Offloading (FPSO) systems.
12:15-13:15
Lunch Break
13:15 – 13:45
Local Content: The role of local business in fabrication and international project participation:
How can governments work to develop the right local content policy to ensure more local indigenous companies are taking part in the regional oil and gas sector. From fabrication to seeing a rise in local indigenous operators, how can more African businesses participate in the local oil and gas sector through robust local content policy and clear regulatory frameworks:
Setting roadmaps for modern local content:
- Standardization and certification
- Training and knowledge transfer
- Monitoring and evaluation
- Capacity building
- Access to capital
Speakers:
13:45-14:30
Finance and Energy: Financing the Future Energy Mix in West Africa
The Financing the Future Energy Mix session is a deep dive into the critical role of international investment institutions in financing projects across a diverse and sustainable energy mix in West Africa.
By exploring financing mechanisms, investment opportunities, and market trends, this debate unpacks the thinking behind leading financial institutions and what they consider when screening investment opportunities in Africa. What are the key decision investors are taking when they explore mobilizing capital into the regional energy sector. How can industry set up to make themselves more attractive to investors and what are investors considering given the energy transition, an accelerated move towards clean and resilient energy infrastructure in Africa.
14:30 – 15:00
Coffee Break
15:00 – 15:40
The blocks and the rocks: A quick fire set of presentations for National Oil Companies and Regulators around the priority blocks country to country. 5 x 10-minute sessions setting out the high prospectivity of some of the most exciting blocks across the region:
15:40 – 16:10
Unlocking the power of Natural Gas: how can the region monetize its natural gas resource.
Our Natural Gas session aims to explore innovative strategies and opportunities from governments and operators as to how the continent can harness the full economic potential of natural gas across the continent. The world has seen the impacts of conflict and the demand it places on new supply bases. We also know that Africa can utilize its gas potential to secure energy access, but how are governments and private sector tapping into this vital resource:
- What are the current market trends surrounding global gas demand
- What is Africa’s position in the global gas market and potential export opportunities
- How can Africa utilize gas a regional fuel source for power
- What are the potential infrastructure options for Africa. We explore developing domestic markets for natural gas or exporting via LNG.
16.10 – 16:50
Technical Basin Presentation: Basin to Basin: Deep dive into the MSGBC
Basin wide insights to provide a comprehensive subsurface overview for screening. Understand more about the broad coverage of key basins across Mauritania, Senegal Guinea Bissau, Guinea Conakry. We also explore the analogues between the Guyana Basin and the prospectivity of the region
16:50 – 17:30
NOC and Regulator Debate address: Positioning for the Energy Transition.
What are the challenges of the modern NOC and Regulators to ensure investment continues to flow into the national upstream and assets are not unrealised in the global norths drive toward the energy transition. What strategies are being implemented and what is the opportunity for National Oil Companies to stay competitive in terms of investment attraction in an ever-changing global energy dynamic.
End Day 2
18:30-To close
Strategy Day 3
Stage 1 – Renewable Energy
Securing regional energy supply for universal access to power
08:45 – 09:00
Opening Remarks
Event MC – Housekeeping and Welcome
09:00 – 09:45
Keynote Address: The Ghana Energy Transition and Investment Plan:
Keynote Synopsis: Our first keynote is delivering by our host nation the Republic of Ghana. In this keynote we hear from the Government of Ghana on President Nana Akufo-Addo vision for the nations roadmap to achieve net-zero by 2060.
09:45 – 10:25
The current and future renewable energy scenario in Africa
This session begins with a 10-minute keynote setting out the current energy scenario in West Africa. We then go onto explore the vast renewable energy potential across West Africa. Through presentations and update we examine the region’s natural resources, infrastructure updates and project outlooks to understand the opportunity and scalability of renewable energy solutions in West Africa:
10:25 – 10:45
Case Studies and Project insights: Geothermal Energy
Session Synopsis: In this session we begin with a deep dive into one of Africa`s most compelling Geothermal projects to explore the roadmap to success. Following this we will undertake a 3-person panel to explore the feasibility of geothermal energy development in Africa. Geothermal energy has the potential to significantly reduce dependency on fossil fuels and provide an alternative to fossil fuel dependency. Through expert debate we will get key insights into the technical, economic, and environmental considerations of harnessing geothermal resources in Africa.
10:45 – 11:30
The Finance Session: Unlocking Capital
Session Synopsis: It is widely accepted the world has access to the technology required for the energy transition. However, the challenges surrounding the associated risk with investing in the African energy sector persists. In this session we blend a discussion surrounding regulation, policy, and finance to remove bottlenecks faced by financiers when considering energy projects in Africa. We explore investor Perspectives and look at investment criteria, whilst also debating how we de-risk projects, adapt new financing models and ensuring countries are competitive from a regulatory and policy perspective.
11:30 – 12:15
Case Studies and Project insights: Solar Energy Development in West Africa
Session Synopsis: Solar Energy development globally has moved forward significantly in the past decade with PV technology becoming far more affordable and accessible. The future potential of the African solar market is unprecedented. It is estimated that the continent recorded new installed capacity of 3.7 GW in 2023 meaning Africa’s installed solar capacity now stands at 16 GW. The potential of solar in Africa shouldn’t be misunderstood, the solar market could be a game changer regarding energy access, however, the target of deploying 100 GW of solar power by 2030 to satisfy the continent’s demand will need some $100 billion
12:15-13:15
Lunch Break
13:15 – 13:45
Case Studies and Project insights: The Future of Hydrogen Energy in Africa
Session Synopsis: The global Hydrogen debate has picked up pace internationally with many citing Hydrogen as a potential answer to energy development in the energy transition. That said, this debate uncovers how Hydrogen can play a role in powering off grid communities, powering industry and reducing the energy deficit across the continent. We look at the opportunity and the financing solutions that could catalyse this emerging industry.
13:45-14:30
Developing scalable infrastructure and finance for African energy infrastructure:
Session Synopsis: Despite huge demand for power and over half the region’s population living without access to reliable power, it is the infrastructure that can cause prohibitive environments for investors. With a little national grid and transmission infrastructure it remains to be seen how large-scale projects can break ground with little means to distribute the power. We explore current and future projects that could change the investment opportunity for global investors and project developers in the context of modern and scalable infrastructure. Grid integration and development is critical to the continent energy success and our panel of experts uncover both the challenges and solutions of grid development and modernization, smart grid, and mini grid technologies as well as energy storage solutions to enhance the addition of more power to communities across the region.
14:30 – 15:00
15:00 – 15:40
A focus on Mining: African Critical Minerals.
Session Synopsis: The global demand for critical minerals is delve into the significance of West African critical minerals in driving the global energy transition. From the demand of DRC cobalt which is used in lithium-ion batteries and energy storage systems, to the vast reserves of bauxite in Sierra Leone and coltan in Nigeria, West Africa has a significant role to play in the development of Critical minerals for the global transition. Our speakers will outline the importance of these minerals in renewable energy technologies and go on to explain the opportunity for mining these minerals in their country. What are the strategies for sustainable development, value addition and monetization of these minerals in the global transition towards a low-carbon economy.
15:40 – 16:10
Project update:
In this session the Ivoirian Government will update the industry on the Atinkou Combined-Cycle Power Project, a 390MW gas-fired, combined-cycle power plant in Jacqueville, Ivory Coast. As the region grapples with the ongoing challenge of energy security for both households and industrialization, the Atinkou power plant offer a clear roadmap and success story to domestic energy security in the region.
End Day 3