Nigeria's Energy Players to Lead Cape Town Summit

Nigeria’s leading indigenous oil and gas operators are set to feature prominently at the African Energy Week (AEW) Conference and Exhibition scheduled for October 12–16, 2026, in Cape Town, as they push for deeper regional collaboration and expanded upstream investment across the continent.

The participation of these companies reflects a broader restructuring of Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, where local operators have acquired more than $6 billion in divested international assets and now account for roughly 60% of national crude production.

Oando PLC will be represented by Group Chief Executive Wale Tinubu and Executive Director Dr Alex Irune.

The company’s acquisition of Eni’s former Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) onshore assets, valued at about $800 million, has significantly expanded its footprint in the Niger Delta, positioning it among the country’s largest indigenous producers.

Seplat Energy, Nigeria’s largest independent oil producer, will be represented by incoming CEO Engr. Effiong Okon, who assumes office on August 1, 2026. The company’s long-term strategy targets 200,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day and over one billion standard cubic feet per day of gas output, following its acquisition of ExxonMobil’s Nigerian operations. Okon noted earlier that the ANOH gas plant, which he helped deliver, achieved “first gas in January 2026,” marking a key milestone in domestic gas development.

NJ AYUK, Executive Chairman, African Energy Chamber, at Financial Insights Reports | The African Energy Week (AEW) 2025 Conference. Credit: AEW/X.

Aradel Holdings will also participate, with Managing Director and CEO Adegbite Falade highlighting the firm’s strong financial performance, including revenue of approximately N697.3 billion and 55% year-on-year profit growth in 2025. The company increased crude output to 14,100 barrels per day and reached its highest gas production of 83.8 million standard cubic feet per day.

Heirs Energies CEO Osayande Igiehon will attend as the company expands upstream financing, including a $750 million reserve-based lending facility. Shoreline Energy’s Kola Karim is also expected, as the firm continues operations in OML 30.

According to African Energy Chamber Executive Chairman NJ Ayuk, “Nigeria’s indigenous operators have acquired billions of dollars in assets and are now running them, financing them and expanding them,” describing the shift as a “fundamental” transformation of Africa’s largest oil producer.

AEW 2026 will convene global energy leaders, investors, and African heads of state in Cape Town.

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