Yemisi Izuora
Independent oil and gas companies have become the driving force behind Africa’s energy sector, stepping in as majors divest and prioritizing domestic supply, gas monetization and infrastructure development.
The rise of independent explorers and producers in Africa’s hydrocarbons sector will take center stage at this year’s African Energy Week (AEW) 2026, taking place from October 12–16 in Cape Town.
Against a backdrop of rising M&A activity and licensing momentum, the event will spotlight how these companies are driving exploration, monetizing gas and building integrated energy platforms to meet domestic demand and export opportunities.
Following its landmark $783 million acquisition of Nigerian Agip Oil Company assets, Oando has continued to build out its upstream portfolio, reporting production growth and signing new agreements including a production sharing contract for Angola’s KON-13 block and a gas supply deal to power a 60 MW facility in Bayelsa.
The company also announced strong 2025 performance, with a 32% increase in production alongside revenue growth, reflecting the early impact of its expanded asset base.
As the company scales toward a 100,000 barrel-per-day (bpd) target, Ainojie Irune, Executive Director of Oando PLC and Managing Director of Oando Energy Resources, joins the AEW 2026 speaker lineup amid one of the most significant upstream expansions by an indigenous player.
In parallel, Aradel Holdings PLC has consolidated its position within Nigeria’s upstream sector through its 53.3 per cent effective stake in the Renaissance Consortium and an increased 81.67 per cent holding in ND Western.
Alongside a record 2025 performance and a refinery expansion targeting gasoline output in May 2026, CEO Adegbite Falade arrives at AEW 2026 as one of the key figures driving Nigeria’s fully integrated, indigenous energy model.
Having delivered first oil from the Madu Field in April 2024 and progressed the Anyala East development toward a 2026 startup, FIRST Exploration and Petroleum Development Company is rapidly scaling production while expanding its asset base through Renaissance Consortium’s acquisition of Shell’s onshore portfolio.
With gas supply to the Nigeria LNG plant set for late 2026, CEO Ademola Adeyemi-Bero will participate at AEW 2026 as the company targets 250,000 bpd by 2030.
On the gas monetization front, Saqara Energy is advancing modular flare capture projects designed to convert wasted associated gas into LPG and power, with several commercialization projects scheduled through 2026. As the company pushes net-zero aligned solutions and CCUS integration across African markets, President Ann Norman joins this year’s event representing a fast-emerging niche in small-scale, stranded gas development.
Meanwhile, Afentra PLC is executing a focused Angola growth strategy, with 2026 activity centered on drilling campaigns on Block 3/05 and portfolio expansion across Blocks 3/05A and 3/24. Following a 400% increase in contingent resources to 87.3 million barrels of oil equivalent and ongoing work toward a potential FID in late 2026, COO Ian Cloke joins AEW 2026 as the company accelerates redevelopment of mature assets.
“Every barrel produced, every project financed and every partnership forged brings us closer to ending energy poverty for the hundreds of millions of Africans still without reliable access to power. The participation of these African energy independents in this space is critical because African-led investment and leadership will ultimately determine whether the continent achieves energy security, economic growth and true energy sovereignty,” states NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman, African Energy Chamber.
Together, the presence of these independents at AEW 2026 underscores the growing momentum behind African-led investment and project development across the continent’s oil and gas sector. As the event continues to serve as a key platform for dealmaking and strategic dialogue, their participation reinforces the role of collaboration in accelerating energy access and long-term economic growth.