Member Corner
Cape Town, South Africa | 13 October 2026 - H.E. Dr Philip Mshelbila, Secretary General of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF), delivered his keynote address at the Opening Ceremony of African Energy Week (AEW) 2026, organised by the African Energy Chamber under the theme “Invest in African Energies: Affordable and Abundant Energy Additions.”
Addressing African energy leaders, H.E. Dr Mshelbila underscored the role of natural gas in advancing Africa’s energy security, industrialization, economic resilience and sustainable development. The Secretary General highlighted that Africa accounts for less than 6% of global energy consumption despite being home to nearly 20% of the world's population.
Emphasising that natural gas is not merely a transition fuel but a transformation fuel for Africa, he outlined five strategic priorities to unlock the continent’s gas potential: sustained upstream investment, infrastructure development and regional interconnectivity, domestic value addition, innovative financing and strengthened regional and international cooperation.
H.E. Dr Mshelbila further stressed the importance of expanding access to affordable and reliable energy, supporting power generation and industrial development, strengthening food security through fertilizer production and promoting cleaner cooking solutions.
Concluding his address, the Secretary General emphasized that Africa’s energy future must be shaped to translate the continent’s abundant resources into tangible prosperity for its people.
With nine African countries among its 20 Member and Observer Countries, the GECF reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Africa’s energy aspirations through cooperation, knowledge exchange, investment dialogue and strategic partnerships.