20 July 2026, Brazzaville, The Republic of the Congo - H.E. Dr. Philip Mshelbila, the Secretary General of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) and H.E. Eng. Farid Ghezali, the Secretary General of the African Petroleum Producers’ Organization (APPO) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening the institutional framework for the GECF–APPO energy dialogue and cooperation between the two sister organizations.
Since its establishment in 1987, the African Petroleum Producers Organization (APPO) has served as Africa's principal intergovernmental platform and institutional home for fostering cooperation among Africa’s petroleum producing countries. Today, APPO stands as a distinguished African energy organization, held in high esteem by the GECF for its important contribution to advancing regional cooperation and promoting the collective interests of Africa's petroleum producing countries.
The signing ceremony took place at the headquarters of the APPO Secretariat in Brazzaville under the auspices of H.E. Mr. Stev Simplice Onanga, Minister of Hydrocarbons of the Republic of the Congo, whose presence underscored the Republic of the Congo's keen efforts in advancing regional and international energy cooperation. The Republic of the Congo occupies a distinguished place in Africa's energy landscape as one of the continent's leading petroleum producing countries and the host of the APPO Secretariat.
The MoU establishes a comprehensive framework for cooperation in areas of mutual interest, that includes market analysis, natural gas promotion, sustainability, research, capacity building, technical cooperation, the organization of joint seminars and expert meetings.
In his remarks, the Minister of Hydrocarbons of the Republic of Congo, H.E. Stev Simplice Onanga welcomed the signing of the Memorandum and commended both organizations for reinforcing cooperation between global and African energy producers. He reaffirmed the Republic of the Congo's commitment to strengthening international partnerships that contribute to sustainable energy development, investment and energy security.
During the ceremony, the Secretary General of the GECF emphasized the importance of close collaboration between international energy organizations. He noted that natural gas will continue to play a critical role in enhancing energy security, expanding access to affordable and reliable energy, supporting an orderly, balanced and just energy transition. The Secretary General of APPO praised the leading role played by GECF as a platform for dialogue between the world’s leading gas producers. He described the MoU as an important milestone in strengthening the longstanding relationship between the APPO and the GECF.