African policymakers, financiers and energy executives have issued a united call to accelerate infrastructure-led growth, diversify energy systems and unlock new investment flows, following high-level discussions at the G20 Africa Energy Investment Forum in Johannesburg.
The forum, organised by the African Energy Chamber, set the tone for the upcoming Invest in African Energies (IAE) Summit in Paris, scheduled for 22–23 April 2026, where stakeholders are expected to convert these priorities into concrete partnerships and deals.
Throughout the sessions, speakers underscored that Africa’s energy transition cannot advance without substantial financing, stronger industrial capacity and dependable transport and power networks. The Johannesburg gathering effectively served as a launchpad for deeper, project-specific investment engagements expected to take centre stage in Paris.
South Africa Steps Up Refinery Revival and Gas Strategy
South Africa reaffirmed plans to rebuild its refining capacity through the newly formed South African National Petroleum Corporation. With most refineries currently offline, Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources Gwede Mantashe said the revival of the sector is essential for energy security, economic recovery and regional fuel stability.
At the same time, officials outlined a fast-tracked gas strategy encompassing LNG import terminals, pipeline upgrades and accelerated licensing. Falling gas imports from Mozambique have heightened the urgency to secure alternative supplies and develop domestic reserves. These initiatives will anchor South Africa’s investment pitch at the IAE Summit, where government and industry representatives will seek capital for LNG infrastructure, pipelines and downstream restructuring.
Minister of Electricity and Energy Kgosientsho Ramokgopa echoed wider calls for investment frameworks that treat African countries as equal partners. He stressed that Africa’s energy transformation depends on expanding transmission capacity to support cross-border power trade and industrialisation. By insisting on value addition for critical minerals, he argued that the transition must build manufacturing strength, rather than deepen extractive models that have long constrained African economies.
Clean Cooking, Refining and LPG Supply Under Fresh Focus
Industry leaders flagged ongoing weaknesses in LPG supply chains, including limited storage, inadequate import capacity and deteriorating rail networks. They urged streamlined permitting, upgraded rail corridors and rehabilitated refineries to reduce the risk of recurring supply disruptions. State-owned firms such as PetroSA outlined plans to restore processing capacity and strengthen domestic markets, while private operators such as Petredec highlighted rising demand across East and Southern Africa and called for improved terminal access, more efficient transport and greater market transparency.
These long-standing yet increasingly urgent issues are expected to feature prominently in Paris, where developers will seek partners for terminal expansions, rail rehabilitation and midstream infrastructure projects.
Mobilising Capital Amid Persistent Infrastructure Gaps
Speakers emphasised that Africa cannot close its infrastructure deficit through concessional loans and aid alone. Pension funds, sovereign investors and African financial institutions were encouraged to take on a greater role in financing energy, manufacturing and logistics ventures. Several panellists called for stable regulatory environments and well-structured project pipelines to enable institutional investors to deploy capital at scale. This aligns directly with the IAE Summit’s objective of driving bankable projects and mobilising both African and global finance.
Participants also cited unreliable transmission networks, congested ports, ageing rail infrastructure and slow permitting processes as major impediments to investment. Power-dependent sectors—including mining, manufacturing, green hydrogen and data centres—were identified as immediate victims of grid instability. With dozens of grid and transmission upgrade projects expected to seek funding between 2025 and 2027, Paris is set to play a key role in connecting African utilities with EPC contractors and financing partners.
Setting the Stage for Paris: A Pan-African Investment Drive
The announcements emerging from Johannesburg amount to a clear precursor to the IAE Summit, where gas, hydrocarbons and refining are set to be positioned as pillars of Africa’s energy security and industrial growth. Clean cooking and LPG markets will also demand infrastructure expansion and regulatory reforms, while domestic capital will need to work alongside international investors to unlock large-scale developments. Grid, transport and permitting challenges are expected to form another core focus, given their impact on long-term financing.
As African delegations prepare for Paris, the momentum generated at the G20 Africa Energy Investment Forum suggests a decisive shift toward deal-driven engagement, with governments and industry players seeking partnerships that strengthen infrastructure, stabilise energy systems and accelerate economic growth across the continent.
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