Accra, Ghana | 1-3 September 2026. The Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) reinforced its commitment to Africa’s energy future through the participation of HE Dr Philip Mshelbila, Secretary General, at #AfricaOilWeek 2026 in Accra, Ghana. Across high-level sessions and engagements with senior African and International energy leaders, the Secretary General underscored a clear message: Africa must harness its natural gas resources to develop Africa.
The Secretary General highlighted that with the substantial natural gas resources across the continent, Africa has an important opportunity to use its gas to strengthen energy security, expand access to reliable and affordable energy, promote domestic value addition, support industrialization and advance sustainable economic development, while continuing to participate in regional and global energy markets.
With nine African countries among its 20 Member and Observer Countries, the GECF continues to deepen its engagement across the continent through policy dialogue, knowledge sharing and institutional cooperation.
In this context, HE Dr Philip Mshelbila, Secretary General of the GECF, met with Hon. Gwede Mantashe, Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources of South Africa, on the sidelines of Africa Oil Week. Discussions focused on strengthening GECF cooperation with South Africa, an esteemed Dialogue Partner of the Forum, and advancing shared interests, including natural gas market developments and Africa’s energy future.
H.E. Dr Mshelbila also shared a panel with Mr Andrea Stegher, President of the International Gas Union (IGU), and continued the ongoing dialogue between the GECF and IGU on subjects of mutual interest, including natural gas market dynamics, evolving trends and the broader factors shaping the global gas industry.
The GECF’s participation in Africa Oil Week also provided an important platform to advance engagement with key African energy-producing countries, strengthen strategic partnerships and explore opportunities for deeper institutional cooperation.