By CAPE TOWN — Against a backdrop of shifting global energy markets, geopolitical tensions, and persistent supply chain volatility, South Africa has issued a compelling call for deeper continental collaboration, increased investment, and expanded regional refining capacity.
The appeal was delivered by the Director-General of the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources (DMPR), Mr. Jacob Mbele, during 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, the high-level gathering focused squarely on translating Africa’s rich resource endowment into concrete economic development and job creation.
Navigating Global Volatility Through Regional Integration
Addressing industry leaders, Mr. Mbele underscored the vulnerability of African economies to external shocks, pointing to global market volatility and supply disruptions that directly impact domestic fuel prices and broader economic progress.
Despite holding vast oil and gas reserves, the continent continues to grapple with structural hurdles in advancing production projects, expanding critical infrastructure, and securing necessary financing.
To counter these challenges, South Africa emphasized the necessity of forging a united front. Mr. Mbele called for closer cooperation among governments, national oil companies, regulatory bodies, and financial institutions. Building robust regional energy value chains and establishing predictable, investor-friendly regulatory environments are vital to unlocking the continent’s true economic potential.
Unlocking Domestic Potential and Responsible Development
For South Africa, the pathway to enhanced domestic production and regional energy security lies in major exploration frontiers, notably the Orange Basin and offshore gas fields. Mr. Mbele highlighted key legislative and institutional milestones designed to catalyse this growth, including the Upstream Petroleum Resources Development Act and the foundational establishment of the South African National Petroleum Company (SANPC). These frameworks are engineered to spur exploration, attract investments, and create sustainable employment.
Crucially, the DMPR noted that resource extraction must go hand-in-hand with social accountability. He stressed that meaningful public participation and transparent community engagement remain indispensable for responsible resource development and maintaining public trust.
A New Leadership Agenda for SANPC
The forum also marked a pivotal leadership transition, with Mr. Godfrey Moagi, Group Chief Executive Officer of the SANPC, officially assuming the chairmanship of the APPO NOC CEOs’ Forum.
Outlining his strategic priorities for his tenure, Mr. Moagi zeroed in on three critical pillars:
- Expanding Regional Refining Capacity: Conducting a coordinated assessment of regional fuel demand, product specifications, and existing refining capabilities to pinpoint strategic investment and cooperative opportunities.
- Advancing Bankable Projects: Developing a robust pipeline of viable energy projects capable of securing financing through African-led institutions, such as the Africa Energy Bank.
- Boosting Intra-African Trade: Strengthening cooperation across gas corridors, shared storage infrastructure, cross-border energy interconnections, and harmonized regulations to facilitate seamless trade and bolster collective energy security.
Moving from Commitments to Action
As African energy stakeholders chart the course forward, the overriding consensus from Cape Town is clear: the time for theoretical frameworks has passed. Both South African and APPO leadership underscored the urgent necessity of moving beyond mere commitments toward practical infrastructure development and implementation that yield measurable, tangible benefits for African communities.
South Africa concluded the forum by reaffirming its steadfast commitment to working alongside APPO member states and national oil companies. By advancing responsible oil and gas development, fostering regional synergy, and reinforcing energy security, the nation aims to help anchor a more resilient, self-reliant economic future for the entire continent.
