Nigeria's Oil Producers Court Investors at African Energy Week 2026

Nigeria's leading upstream oil and gas companies will showcase new production projects and investment opportunities at African Energy Week (AEW) 2026 in Cape Town, as Africa steps up efforts to attract capital, expand oil and gas production and strengthen regional energy collaboration.

African Energy Week (AEW) is Africa's leading energy investment conference, where governments, financiers and energy companies meet to discuss projects, policies and financing across the continent

The conference will bring together indigenous producers, international energy companies, financiers and policymakers to discuss new field developments, gas monetisation, project financing and cross-border partnerships aimed at unlocking Africa's upstream potential.

An upstream company explores for and produces crude oil and natural gas before they are transported, refined or sold to consumers.

Nigeria's delegation reflects the country's evolving upstream industry. Following the transfer of several onshore and shallow-water assets from international oil companies to indigenous firms, local operators are increasingly investing in production, gas infrastructure and export facilities rather than simply acquiring assets.

Among the Nigerian companies participating are TotalEnergies, First E&P, Emadeb Energy, SunTrust Atlantic Energies, Lekoil, Energia, and Pan Ocean & Newcross.

TotalEnergies, represented by its Nigeria Managing Director and Country Chair, Matthieu Bouyer, and former Managing Director Adewale Fayemi, remains one of the few international energy companies maintaining significant investment in Nigeria's deepwater operations.

Indigenous producers are also expected to showcase recent milestones. First E&P, which produces about 57,000 barrels of oil per day, has expanded its portfolio through field development in the Niger Delta. Emadeb Energy achieved first oil from the Ibom Field in 2025, Nigeria's first new shallow-water offshore development in more than 15 years after investing over $100 million in the project.

SunTrust Atlantic Energies will present its experience operating the Umusadege field in OML 56, where it has produced more than 54 million barrels of crude since 2008. Lekoil is also expected to highlight the commissioning of Nigeria's first indigenous onshore crude export terminal in nearly five decades through its Otakikpo asset, alongside ongoing investments in gas-to-power infrastructure.

Energia and Pan Ocean & Newcross will join discussions on project financing, infrastructure expansion and strategies for sustaining upstream growth across the continent.

Investment drives industry growth

The participation of Nigerian operators comes as African countries compete for investment to develop oil and gas resources while improving energy security. Access to long-term financing has become increasingly important as producers seek to advance new exploration, production and gas projects.

For Nigeria, the conference provides an opportunity to showcase the growing capacity of indigenous operators to deliver large-scale upstream projects and attract investors looking for commercially viable opportunities across the continent. Successful partnerships could accelerate production growth, strengthen gas development, create jobs and increase export earnings, supporting the country's broader economic and energy objectives.

Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber, NJ Ayuk, said Nigerian companies are increasingly driving industry growth through new investments rather than relying solely on asset acquisitions.

"These operators are drilling new wells, building export terminals and financing offshore developments that did not exist five years ago. Nigeria's upstream sector is growing not only through asset transfers but through new investment and new production," he said.

The discussions at AEW 2026 are expected to focus on mobilising capital for upstream projects, strengthening regional partnerships and positioning African producers to play a bigger role in meeting global energy demand.