The Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF), in collaboration with the African Energy Chamber (AEC), convened Ministerial and Technical Panels at the Africa Energy Week 2026, held in Cape Town, South Africa, on 13 October 2026.
“Africa’s natural gas ambitions must deliver both export revenues and development at home.” This message framed the joint work, titled “Balancing Africa’s Domestic Natural Gas Utilization and Export Ambitions,”.
H.E. Dr Philip Mshelbila, Secretary General of the GECF, opened the session alongside Mr NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber (AEC) and the Founder of African Energy Week (AEW), highlighting the strategic importance of natural gas in advancing Africa’s energy security, industrialization and sustainable economic development.
The Ministerial Panel, moderated by McKinsey’s Mr Oliver Onyekweli, featured H.E. El Hadji Abdourahmane Diouf, Senegal’s Minister of Energy and Petroleum, who outlined the country’s plans to develop a national gas network to supply power plants, strengthen domestic gas utilization and advance energy security and industrial development, while maximizing the economic value of its natural gas resources. Hon. Dr John Abdulai Jinapor, Ghana’s Minister of Energy and Green Transition, emphasized the importance of expanding domestic gas processing capacity and prioritizing natural gas supply for electricity generation to support economic growth and industrialization. Dr Mshelbila reinforced the complementary roles of domestic gas utilization and exports, underscoring the importance of balanced policies that translate Africa’s natural gas wealth into sustainable development and long-term prosperity.
The Technical Panel, moderated by Ms Eithne Treanor, featured H.E. Farid Ghezali, Secretary General of the African Petroleum Producers’ Organization (APPO), who highlighted financing opportunities through the planned Africa Energy Bank to support natural gas infrastructure, electricity generation and clean cooking initiatives. Mr Rashid Ali Abdallah, Executive Director of the African Energy Commission (AFREC), emphasized the importance of coordinated regional financing and integrated infrastructure planning to strengthen Africa’s energy connectivity and unlock investment opportunities. Mr Jaco Human, Executive Officer of the Industrial Gas Users Association of Southern Africa (IGUA-SA), underscored the need to aggregate industrial gas demand to facilitate reliable supplies, support infrastructure development and enhance industrial competitiveness across the continent.
The panel also featured Dr Abderrezak Benyoucef, Head of Energy Studies at OPEC, who highlighted the growing contribution of natural gas to Africa’s energy mix, and Dr Abubakar Abbas, GECF Senior Energy Forecast Analyst, who advocated an integrated African gas master plan.
The GECF reaffirmed its steadfast commitment to working closely with African partners to harness Africa’s vast natural gas wealth, drive industrialization, expand energy access and transform its resources into lasting prosperity for its people and future generations.