OPEC Secretary General Haitham al-Ghais at Africa Energy Week in 2022
Letter from Paris: Do not underestimate ‘Afripec’
Make no mistake, Africa has a crucial and increasingly important role within OPEC, even given its relatively small production volumes and the departure of Angola
The importance of Africa to OPEC was in clear evidence at the Invest in African Energy event in Paris in May. OPEC Secretary General Haitham al-Ghais sent out a strong message around the crucial partnership that was backed up by a team of experts talking up the role of hydrocarbons in Africa’s long-term future. The conclusion is clear: Africa will likely rinse every last drop of oil from its continent for production and continue consuming when others become too squeamish because of climate goals. Ghais did not mince his words. “OPEC is here today in Paris in full force because we are an integral part of Africa, and Africa is an integral part of OPEC.” By 2045, the continent’s oil demand is
Also in this section
2 April 2026
Alongside a rapid continued build-out of renewables, China’s latest five-year plan stresses the value of domestic hydrocarbon production for energy security and calls for increased Russian gas imports
2 April 2026
The government is taking important steps to revive domestic production, lift investment and benefit from the geopolitical crisis even if more needs to be done in the longer term
1 April 2026
Golden Pass’s startup offers QatarEnergy a timely boost but may also force a difficult choice between honouring disrupted contracts and capitalising on soaring spot LNG prices
1 April 2026
It is not a case of if or when, but the length and magnitude of economic damage from elevated oil prices
