[MEDIA STATEMENT] SOUTH AFRICA CALLS FOR STRONGER AFRICAN ENERGY COOPERATION AND INVESTMENT | CAPE TOWN | 14 OCTOBER 2026
35
South Africa has called for stronger energy cooperation, increased investment and expanded regional refining capacity to strengthen Africa’s energy security, accelerate industrialisation and create jobs. The call was made at the 8th Meeting of the African Petroleum Producers’ Organization (APPO) National Oil Companies (NOC) CEOs’ Forum, held in Cape Town on the sidelines of African Energy Week 2026.
MEDIA STATEMENT | SOUTH AFRICA CALLS FOR STRONGER AFRICAN ENERGY COOPERATION AND INVESTMENT
CAPE TOWN, 14 OCTOBER 2026 – South Africa has called for stronger energy cooperation, increased investment and expanded regional refining capacity to strengthen Africa’s energy security, accelerate industrialisation and create jobs.
The call was made at the 8th Meeting of the African Petroleum Producers’ Organization (APPO) National Oil Companies (NOC) CEOs’ Forum, held in Cape Town on the sidelines of African Energy Week 2026.
Addressing the Forum, the Director-General of the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources (DMPR), Mr Jacob Mbele, emphasised the need for African countries to translate their abundant oil and gas resources into tangible economic benefits for their people.
He highlighted the impact of global market volatility, geopolitical tensions and supply disruptions on fuel prices, investment and economic development. Despite the continent’s significant petroleum resources, Africa continues to face challenges in developing production projects, expanding infrastructure and securing financing.
Mr Mbele called for closer collaboration among governments, national oil companies, regulators and financial institutions to strengthen regional energy value chains and create a predictable regulatory environment that attracts investment.
For South Africa, opportunities in the Orange Basin and offshore gas exploration could contribute to strengthening domestic petroleum production and regional energy security. The Director-General highlighted the Upstream Petroleum Resources Development Act and the establishment of the South African National Petroleum Company (SANPC) as important components of efforts to promote exploration, production, investment and job creation.
He also stressed that meaningful public participation and community engagement are essential to responsible resource development and building public confidence.
The meeting also marked the assumption of the chairmanship of the APPO NOC CEOs’ Forum by Mr Godfrey Moagi, Group Chief Executive Officer of SANPC.
Mr Moagi identified three priorities for his tenure: expanding regional refining capacity, advancing bankable energy projects through the Africa Energy Bank, and increasing intra-African energy trade.
He called for a coordinated assessment of regional fuel demand, product specifications and existing refining capacity to identify opportunities for investment and cooperation. He further emphasised the need to develop a strong pipeline of viable projects to attract financing through African-led institutions.
Strengthening cooperation on gas corridors, shared storage infrastructure, energy interconnections and harmonised regulations was also identified as essential to facilitating cross-border trade and improving regional energy security.
Both leaders underscored the importance of moving beyond commitments towards practical implementation, investment and infrastructure development that deliver measurable benefits for African communities.
South Africa reaffirmed its commitment to working with APPO member states and national oil companies to advance responsible oil and gas development, strengthen regional cooperation and improve energy security across the continent.
ENDS.
Media enquiries:
Lerato Ntsoko - Lerato.ntsoko@dmpr.gov.za | mediadesk@dmpr.gov.za | 082 459 2788