Member Corner
HE Dr Philip Mshelbila, Secretary General of the GECF, participated in the Ministerial Dialogue on the Impact of the Middle East Conflict on Africa’s Energy Sector, organized by the African Union Commission on 8 May 2026. In his intervention, HE the Secretary General emphasized that the current Middle East crisis should be understood not merely as a temporary disruption, but as another major stress test for Africa’s energy and economic systems. While Africa’s direct dependence on Middle Eastern natural gas supplies remains relatively limited, the continent remains highly exposed to global market volatility through rising energy, fertilizer, food, and transportation costs. HE Dr. Mshelbila underscored the urgent need to strengthen Africa’s resilience through a development pathway that advances both energy addition and energy transition simultaneously. In this context, natural gas can play a vital role by supporting reliable power generation, industrial development, fertilizer production, clean cooking, and broader economic transformation. The Secretary General also highlighted the importance of regional integration, infrastructure development, investment mobilization, and stronger local value creation to enhance Africa’s long-term energy security and economic resilience. Building on its strong and growing cooperation with African partners, including the African Union AU and AFREC, the GECF stands ready to continue supporting Africa’s efforts toward sustainable development, energy access, and resilient energy systems.