African policymakers, financiers, and energy executives have called for accelerated investment, regulatory stability, and urgent infrastructure upgrades at the G20 Africa Energy Investment Forum in Johannesburg.
The forum, organized by the African Energy Chamber, sets the stage for the upcoming Invest in African Energies (IAE) Summit in Paris on April 22-23, 2026, where many participants are expected to turn discussions into concrete deals and partnerships.
Across sessions, speakers emphasized that Africa’s energy transition depends on large-scale financing, reliable transport and power networks, and industrial capacity. South Africa, in particular, highlighted plans to revive refining capacity under the South African National Petroleum Corporation, addressing the majority of refineries currently offline.
The government is also fast-tracking its gas strategy, including LNG import terminals, pipeline rehabilitation, and accelerated licensing, as declining imports from Mozambique heighten the urgency of securing alternative sources and domestic reserves.
Officials stressed that Africa’s energy future requires investment models treating African states as equal partners, with a focus on value addition for critical minerals and building transmission capacity to unlock industrial growth. Structural weaknesses in LPG supply chains, inefficient rail transport, and aging infrastructure were highlighted as key constraints that must be resolved to stabilize domestic markets and prevent supply shocks.
Forum participants urged pension funds, sovereign investors, and African financial institutions to play a larger role in financing energy, manufacturing, and logistics projects. The discussions underscored the need for predictable regulatory environments and well-prepared project pipelines to attract institutional investment at scale.
The Johannesburg forum positions Africa for a deal-focused engagement at the IAE Summit in Paris, where gas, refining, clean cooking, and LPG infrastructure will be central themes. Delegates will explore how domestic and international capital can be mobilized to address grid, transport, and permitting constraints while driving industrial growth across the continent.
The IAE 2026 Summit will provide two days of in-depth engagement between industry experts, project developers, investors, and policymakers, serving as a key platform for deal-making ahead of African Energy Week.
