By Robert Bradley Jr. — December 9, 2025
“The time has come to ‘drill, baby, drill’ – responsibly, strategically and to meet the energy needs of hundreds of millions of Africans who still live in darkness.” (- African Energy Chamber, below)
The recently concluded G20 Summit in Johannesburg barely mentioned climate change, just another victory for energy and climate realism in a world valuing affordability. But what was notable was the following memorandum from the African Energy Chamber (AEC) with the press release:
Ahead of the G20 Summit in Johannesburg, the African Energy Chamber calls for renewed global investment in African oil and gas to drive industrialization, energy access and regional prosperity.
The 970-word memorandum, “Africa G20 Declaration: Let African Fossil Fuels Power Our Industrial Future,” follows:
As the G20 convenes in Johannesburg, the African Energy Chamber (AEC) calls for a fundamental reorientation of global energy policy – one that places African fossil fuels at the center of energy security, industrial growth and poverty alleviation. For too long, policies rooted in ideology have sidelined our continent’s vast energy potential. The time has come to “drill, baby, drill” – responsibly, strategically and to meet the energy needs of hundreds of millions of Africans who still live in darkness.
Africa holds enormous upstream potential. The AEC’s 2026 Outlook projects oil and gas production to reach 11.4 million barrels per day (bpd) by 2026, growing toward 13.6 million bpd by 2030 as exploration gains momentum in frontier basins. Africa is expected to account for roughly $41 billion in global upstream capital expenditure by 2026, driven by major projects in Mozambique, Angola and Nigeria. Licensing rounds underway or planned into 2026 – across mature markets such as Angola, Nigeria, the Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Libya and Egypt, as well as emerging frontiers including Namibia, Sierra Leone, Tanzania and South Africa – continue to attract explorers seeking new opportunities.
With proven gas reserves exceeding 620 trillion cubic feet, Africa is a critical supplier for both global gas markets and domestic energy development. Mozambique hosts multiple major LNG projects in its offshore Rovuma Basin, Senegal is advancing Phase 2 of the Greater Tortue Ahmeyim project alongside Yaakar-Teranga, and Equatorial Guinea continues to develop its regional Gas Mega Hub, connecting stranded fields to onshore gas-processing infrastructure. Libya’s re-emergence as a stable and attractive upstream environment has attracted the return of major international players.
Meanwhile, Uganda and Tanzania are progressing with the East African Crude Oil Pipeline, reflecting a regional commitment to integrated infrastructure and long-term production. In South Africa, coal remains central to energy security, even as the country pursues gas exploration and investment to complement industrial growth.
Speaking at the G20 Africa Energy Investment Forum in Johannesburg on Friday, South Africa’s Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources Gwede Mantashe emphasized the country’s approach: “Drill, baby, drill. We have no legal restriction on oil and gas exploration and exploitation in South Africa. If we make a breakthrough on oil and gas, our GDP will grow exponentially. Our people will never breathe fresh air in darkness.” His remarks underscore that unlocking South Africa’s fossil-fuel potential is critical not just for energy access, but for industrial development, job creation and national economic growth.
Yet despite this massive potential, restrictive global financing frameworks threaten to choke off investment where it is needed most. The World Bank’s fossil-fuel lending ban and risk-averse policies by many Western banks risk sidelining projects just as the continent requires them to support industrial clusters, domestic electrification and gas infrastructure. Restoring capital flows is a once‑in-a-generation opportunity: it will allow Africa to harness its natural resources to lift millions out of energy poverty, drive industrialization and secure its energy future, all while strengthening global energy security.
Exploration must accelerate, as it remains the cornerstone of Africa’s energy future. New upstream investment is essential for powering industrial growth, and natural gas must serve as the backbone of this transformation. The G20 should champion financing for exploration rather than penalize it, because neglecting gas condemns millions to continued energy poverty. Around 600 million Africans currently lack electricity, while 900 million have no access to clean cooking solutions. Gas is not merely a transitional fuel – it is a lifeline for industrialization, domestic energy access and economic development. Strategic investment in gas can unlock power for cities, factories and households alike, bridging the continent to a cleaner, more productive future.
The Chamber applauds the United States for its landmark $4.5 billion financing commitment to Mozambique’s LNG project, demonstrating that G20 nations can invest in African fossil fuels responsibly and profitably. This investment proves that upstream and gas projects can deliver long-term economic growth, energy access and industrialization across Africa. Yet far more financing at this scale is urgently needed to unlock the continent’s full energy potential.
The International Energy Agency must reset its projections. Current forecasts undervalue Africa’s hydrocarbon resources and ignore the role gas can play in driving energy access, job creation and industrial capacity. The persistent stigmatization of fossil fuels must end. Transition rhetoric alone is insufficient: meaningful action requires aligned funding, supportive policy and genuine respect for Africa’s energy priorities.
The Chamber also applauds U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright’s support for LPG and clean-cooking solutions as a practical, scalable method to improve energy access. The G20 has rightly recognized LPG as a key priority area for Africa, highlighting its potential to provide immediate, reliable energy for millions of households. But clean cooking is only one piece of the puzzle. Much more needs to be done to unlock Africa’s full energy potential. The continent deserves a comprehensive energy mix: LPG, gas-to-power, modular GTL, and large-scale natural gas development, all working together to drive industrialization, power cities and support sustainable economic growth.
African governments are ready. Countries from Angola to Egypt, Nigeria to Senegal, and Libya to Mozambique are implementing reforms to attract capital through licensing rounds, stable fiscal terms and pragmatic regulation. We stand prepared to deliver enabling environments: local content development, cross-border infrastructure, and strategic partnerships to support long-term growth. But we need capital; we need technology; and we need a global financial system that supports development, not punishes it.
We reject calls to phase out fossil fuels under the guise of climate virtue, which only threatens Africa’s prosperity and keeps millions locked in energy poverty. Instead, we demand a just energy future powered by African resources, built by African workers and delivering tangible benefits to communities. We call on the G20 to make fossil-fuel development a central pillar of its Africa policy, unlocking financing, dismantling ideological barriers, promoting exploration and investing in the gas infrastructure that will energize homes, industries and economies across the continent.
Critical Comment
It is far past time for African nations to remove the yoke of Statism with a major expansion of private property rights, voluntary exchange, and the rule of law. Such will depoliticize energy and make inter-government financing (such as the Mozambique’s LNG project) unnecessary. Fossil fuel projects should not be banned or discouraged or subsidized by government.
Privatization of the subsoil to get mineral royalties to the landowners and other private parties instead of (corrupt, crony) governments is a related imperative. “The new oil market,” stated Guillermo Yeatts (1937–2018),
only presents individuals with the incentives to embark on efforts to bring about growth and increased productivity. This change is about unobstructing minds and freeing them from restrictions. It appeals to the initiative of thousands of surface owners who will discover new business opportunities and new means to obtain profits.
Power to the people!
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a Swedish NGO reports that every year 4 million people die because they don’t have access to fossil fuels – using parasite infested dung for heating and cooking – no word from the climate alarmists who worry about deaths 100 years from now from AGW – clearly fossil fuels are the quickest way to improve the standard of living for humans and it is good to see that that is finally being recognized – what’s next – capitalism works better than communism –
No, asceticism is a virtue to them, and have no problem with imposing that value on other.
the African Energy Chamber calls for renewed global investment in African oil and gas to drive industrialization, energy access and regional prosperity.
They have a lot more sense than Mad Ed does.
“Ed Miliband has said the government will “double down” on its environmental agenda and accused those against the move to net zero of “making up nonsense and lies”. – the ever dutiful Waffen BBC
Africa isn’t half as stupid as the Son of Adolphe.
African nations could have done all this decades ago. Why didn’t they?
Aid has always come with strings attached. And to keep them in a degree of need.
The seems to define a form of neo-colonialism.
It may well do, but them’s the terms.
Why do they need aid? They have the people. They can pay for outside parties to help. When you just give things to them, they won’t maintain them. It happens over and over and over…
The very term “capitalism” should help you out here. All that drilling takes capital — money. They aren’t rich enough to just “pay for outside parties to help.” Yes, giving money ends up in Swiss bank accounts, and that’s why government-to-government aid is corrupt and inefficient.
I’m not the one that needs the help. If the people in those countries want change for the better, they can take the appropriate measures. But just giving them stuff is throwing good money after bad.
So what do you expect us to do about it …. invade and fix it for them?
I’m assuming that is a rhetorical question. African nations, in general, are pretty hopeless – I’d ask another RQ – do you think anything in the near to mid future will be different?
Social constructs seem so weak and corrupt, or broken by tribal and religious competition, so exploited by global powers, that progression into modern statehoods seems a long way off.
Somewhat rhetorical. No, I don’t think anything in the near to mid future will be different for them.
Agree. I was just out for a walk and thinking about this. I don’t especially follow African affairs, but the pattern to me is set in stone. A mental picture I have is a vast interlocking system of slow motion train wrecks.
Africa is literally begging for “climate justice” with the emphasis on justice.
Not sure who you think they are going to get justice from you planning on taking over the world to have a one world government?
Currently each countries responsibilities stops at there borders beyond that there is only good will and prayers. So it’s all on you time to man up and take over the world. … this is Sparta should get you started.
Why on earth don’t “they” just come out with it and say that CO2 is not dangerous. There is no need to go on and on and on about how everyone needs fossil fuels etc etc etc.
story tip
Meanwhile technology is convening in the Permian Basin.
This shows why forecasts by IEA and others on fraudulent–they leave our technical change in the predictions and the uncertainty issues in advice to policymakers.
WSJ
Exxon Squeezes More Out of Giant Oil Field as Rivals Pair Back
Dec. 9, 2025
Leave out
Cannot happen until Africans are able to maintain a grid and a water system. Just look at what happened in South Africa when the Black government took over.
I was told similar failures occurred when Mali gained its independence (from France) June, 1960.
“Meanwhile, Uganda and Tanzania are progressing with the East African Crude Oil Pipeline …”
That seems to me one of the brightest aspects, international cooperation. It won’t bring instant and permanent peace, but it will make war less profitable.
More good news. I see Africa as a true powerhouse maybe not now but they will be and not too far down the road. The US needs to lead the way helping Africa to responsibly develope their vast resources. Europe, Australia and any other CAGW puppet (Canada) are going to have a come to Jesus moment once Africa takes off. The primary problem I see is corrupt government and cartels other than that I think people will be astonished by Africa’s potential.
I’m afraid the whitecoats won’t let go of their colonial appropriation and racism but orange man is onto them and their wicked ways-
‘We look ridiculous’: US government website removes fossil fuels as cause of global warming
I don’t share your optimism, Bob. Sadly, they seem unable to break free from the superstitions that largely keep them poor. That and kleptocrat leaders.
Jeff, it won’t be easy and will likely be ugly but I think in the end Africa will generally prosper, they have the resources and the manpower.
And they’ve had many thousands years, the same amount of time the rest of us have had.
It’s gratifying to see that the African leaders have wisely sidestepped and ignored the frantic exhortations of the phonies in advanced countries and have decided to increase their development of conventional fossil fuel supplies. The primary goals of these countries is economic growth, energy security, poverty alleviation, and increased exports, and never mind the climate alarmists trying to convince them that the rejection of coal, oil and natural gas and the adoption of alternate energies is the only way to save the planet.
Don’t listen to Europe as they’re struggling to pay for a fickle energy reboot and all the interlopers with an existential crisis-
‘Europe’s existential crisis’: ECB’s Lagarde calls for urgent reforms
She lamented the continued flow of European savings across the Atlantic, saying the EU must retain and mobilise its own intellectual and financial capital.
No prizes for guessing why eh Christine?