Oil & Gas

Jassim Alshirawi, Secretary General of the International Energy Forum (IEF), is set to bring a global perspective to Africa’s energy ambitions as a confirmed speaker at African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energies 2025. Representing the world’s largest platform of energy ministers—covering over 90% of global oil and gas supply—Alshirawi’s involvement underscores Africa’s growing role in the international energy dialogue. His participation comes at a time when Qatar Petroleum has entered into three offshore exploration blocks in South Africa with TotalEnergies, signalling a renewed wave of global interest in Africa’s frontier energy markets.

The IEF, established over 30 years ago, serves as a neutral platform that promotes cooperation between energy producers and consumers. Its focus on energy security, data transparency, and facilitating the global energy transition aligns closely with Africa’s development goals. Alshirawi’s presence highlights the IEF’s support for Africa’s push to become a central figure in global energy supply chains, while advocating for policies that ensure equitable and inclusive development for resource-rich but energy-poor African nations.

AEW: Invest in African Energies 2025, organized by the African Energy Chamber, is fast becoming the continent’s most important venue for energy deal-making. The summit is expected to feature a strong focus on Africa’s unique energy transition—one centered around harnessing its abundant oil and gas reserves to address immediate development needs, while progressively investing in renewables and cleaner energy infrastructure. With over 600 million people still lacking electricity and nearly a billion without access to clean cooking, Africa’s pragmatic approach to the energy transition will take center stage at AEW.

As Africa’s energy landscape expands, established producers like Nigeria and Angola are ramping up activity, while new players such as Namibia, Uganda, Ivory Coast, and Zimbabwe push ahead with major discoveries. AEW 2025 will showcase this momentum, offering opportunities across the full energy value chain—from hydrocarbons to green hydrogen and renewables. Jassim Alshirawi’s insights are expected to help bridge Africa’s policy needs with global investment trends, reinforcing the continent’s position as both a vital supplier and a growth engine for the world’s evolving energy system.