The United States is stepping up efforts to become Africa’s key energy partner, U.S. Senator Ted Cruz said on Wednesday, urging closer cooperation between Washington and African nations to unlock the continent’s energy potential through private investment.
Speaking at the African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energies conference in Cape Town, Cruz said the U.S. must act as a “strong and committed partner” to Africa, describing the continent as a strategic ally and an emerging powerhouse for global energy.
“Africa is a strategic partner,” he said. “The U.S. is Africa’s partnership alternative to communist China, and we’re here today to create that robust alternative. We’re changing the paradigm. U.S. Africa policy now revolves around investment-led commercial diplomacy.”
Cruz drew parallels between Texas, his home state, and Africa, noting how energy development had transformed the U.S. economy. “As a Texan, I understand the immense benefit that comes with being blessed with abundant resources,” he said. “Texas is rightly known as the energy capital of the world. I believe the United States should be a strong and committed partner in Africa’s energy future.”
His comments come as Washington seeks to strengthen commercial ties with African producers amid competition from China and Gulf nations. While Beijing has spent two decades building energy and infrastructure partnerships across Africa, U.S. officials are increasingly promoting private investment and what they describe as transparent, mutually beneficial cooperation.
“Together the U.S. and Africa can secure a safer, freer and more prosperous energy future,” Cruz said.
DOE backs U.S. strategy
Cruz’s remarks were reinforced by senior U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) officials, who outlined a broader strategy to boost investor confidence and increase American engagement in African energy markets.
“Energy addition is a priority for the DOE, and nowhere can it be more impactful than here in Africa,” said Andrew Rapp, Senior Advisor at the DOE. “This is our goal as an agency and it has support from the highest levels of the administration.”
Josh Volz, the DOE’s Deputy Assistant Secretary for Europe, Eurasia, Africa and the Middle East, said the U.S. respects African countries’ right to decide their energy paths. “International governments should not stand in the way of how African nations determine their energy futures,” he said. “We are eager to hear how best we can, from a U.S. perspective, partner with Africa.”
Volz added that the U.S. private sector has already invested around $65 billion across the continent, backed by a $2.5 billion financing pledge made under the Trump administration to support African energy expansion.
Natural gas takes center stage
The U.S. push focuses heavily on natural gas and LPG as drivers of energy access and economic growth. Earlier this year, U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright reaffirmed Washington’s commitment to supporting African energy independence and expanding clean cooking solutions.
“Africa needs massively more energy. Africans will do that. Africans will deliver that. The United States is thrilled to partner with you in that endeavor,” Wright said. “We want to be your partners in technology and providing capital and partnering in any way we can to pursue that goal.”
American companies are leading some of Africa’s largest energy projects. In March, EXIM approved a $4.7 billion loan for the Mozambique LNG project, expected to produce 13.1 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) of liquefied natural gas. ExxonMobil plans to invest $1.5 billion in Nigeria’s Usan deepwater oil field and is targeting a final investment decision on the $30 billion Rovuma LNG project in Mozambique by 2026.
Meanwhile, Kosmos Energy remains a key investor in West Africa’s gas sector, with stakes in the $4.8 billion Greater Tortue Ahmeyim LNG project offshore Mauritania and Senegal, projected to produce up to 5 MTPA, and ongoing exploration in Equatorial Guinea.
Washington’s renewed engagement marks a clear shift toward investment-led diplomacy, seeking to balance China’s influence and build lasting partnerships based on trade, technology, and trust.
Source: African Energy Chamber.
