The recently released State of African Energy 2026 Outlook from the African Energy Chamber highlights that oil and gas continue to form the backbone of Africa’s energy systems. Established producers such as Algeria, Nigeria, Angola and Libya continue to anchor continental supply, but face increasing pressure to secure sustained capital injections, infrastructure upgrades and ongoing maintenance to prevent output declines.

The report further notes that access to financing will be the critical factor determining whether recent oil and gas discoveries in countries including Namibia, Côte d'Ivoire, Senegal, Mozambique and Mauritania are ultimately developed into commercially viable and material production. Thami Ngubeni spoke to Verner Ayukegba, Senior Vice President at the African Energy Chamber.