Venezuela Courts New Energy Deals

Venezuela will showcase new opportunities in its hydrocarbons sector as the Venezuela Global Investment Forum takes centre stage at African Energy Week (AEW) 2026 in Cape Town from October 12 to 16.

The forum will bring together senior Venezuelan government officials, leaders from the national oil company, international energy executives, financiers and commodity traders as the country seeks to attract investment into its evolving energy market.

Organised as a flagship feature of AEW 2026, the Venezuela Global Investment Forum will provide a platform for investors to engage directly with decision-makers and explore opportunities across oil, natural gas, infrastructure and power projects. The event will also connect Venezuelan developments with major African energy projects through the AEW Deal Room.

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The forum comes after major reforms to Venezuela’s Organic Hydrocarbons Law, which introduced changes aimed at creating a more competitive investment environment. The reforms expand opportunities for private operators, establish new production participation contracts, introduce revised fiscal terms and strengthen international arbitration mechanisms designed to reduce investment risks.

“Venezuela is opening a new chapter for its energy industry. The reforms underway are creating a more competitive and attractive investment environment,” said NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber. He added that the forum would provide an opportunity for international investors to engage directly with key stakeholders and assess emerging opportunities across Venezuela’s energy sector.

Venezuela’s government is targeting crude production of 1.4 million barrels per day by the end of 2026, following a recovery that saw output reach about 1.2 million barrels per day during the first half of the year.

Venezuela Targets Global Energy Investors. Credit: AEC

Beyond oil, the country is pursuing wider energy development plans focused on natural gas expansion, offshore projects, infrastructure rehabilitation and power sector modernisation. These areas are expected to create investment opportunities across the energy value chain.

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Participants at the forum will hear from government officials, national oil company executives, international operators, development finance institutions, commodity traders and technical experts involved in implementing Venezuela’s investment reforms. Discussions will focus on upstream expansion, gas development, infrastructure upgrades and long-term partnerships.

The event will also support the wider partnership between AEW 2026 and Venezuela Energy Week, scheduled to take place in Caracas from October 26 to 29. The two events are designed to connect global investors with Venezuela’s investment opportunities, moving from discussions in Cape Town to commercial negotiations and project development in Caracas.

As countries seek greater energy security and new sources of supply, Venezuela is positioning itself to strengthen its role in global energy markets. Through the Venezuela Global Investment Forum, the country aims to attract capital, build partnerships and accelerate the next phase of its energy sector development.

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Tope Oke

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