Russian delegation to take part in African Energy Week in Cape Town

On 4–8 November 2024, the Cape Town International Convention Centre in South Africa will play host to the African Energy Week (AEW 2024) forum. The Russian delegation, headed by the country’s Deputy Energy Minister Roman Marshavin, will participate in one of the key events on the AEW 2024 programme – the Russia–Africa round table on 6 November. The session will serve as a continuation of the dialogue between Russian and African countries, whose prospects for cooperation were a topic of active discussion at the BRICS Summit in Kazan. Roscongress is a strategic partner of the African Energy Week.

“One of the most important elements of cooperation between Russia and the countries of the African continent is the development of energy infrastructure in Africa. Joint work in this sector contributes to the Sustainable Development Goals of ensuring universal access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy. Russia is a leader among the world’s largest energy systems in the production of low-carbon electricity, a fact that is especially important for our African partners,” noted Adviser to the Russian President Anton Kobyakov.

As the largest energy event on the African continent, African Energy Week serves as a platform for consolidating African-global partnerships. The Russian delegation at this year’s event will include representatives of several Russian energy and financial companies, including Gazprom, Gazprom Neft, Gazprom International Ltd., Russian Export Center JSC, Uralkhimmash JSC, United Metallurgical Company, Lukoil, Rosatom State Corporation, PAO Rosseti, and Novatek. The delegation will also include representatives of Sberbank, Gazprombank, RusKhimAlyans, Unigreen Energy, and other companies.

Russian companies have a wealth of experience that they can offer to African countries, especially in the oil and gas industry. As one of the world’s largest oil and gas producers, Russia has demonstrated a strong commitment to sharing its experience, investments, and knowledge around the world, and Africa is a priority market in this regard. Many of Russia’s largest oil and gas companies, including Lukoil, Gazprom, and Novatek, are expanding their African portfolios. For example, Gazprom is heading up the renovation of the Mossel Bay refinery in South Africa. The natural gas facility will be a major part of the efforts of the South African leadership to improve fuel security, while at the same time increasing the share of gas in the country’s energy sector. Lukoil has several ongoing land and sea projects in the Republic of Congo, and an agreement was signed last month on strengthening bilateral cooperation in the energy sector.

With over 125 billion barrels of proven oil reserves and 620 trillion cubic feet of natural gas reserves, Africa has great prospects for exploration and production. Development is moving along at a rapid pace, and Russian investments and partnership agreements will only accelerate this progress and ensure the success of joint oil and gas projects.

At the same time, Russian companies have demonstrated a strong commitment to supporting the development of the energy and nuclear power sector in Africa. For example, Rosatom State Corporation is just one of the companies that have signed agreements with countries across the continent in recent months aimed at increasing Africa’s nuclear capacity. These include agreements on cooperation in the peaceful use of nuclear energy and hydroelectric power with the Republic of Congo, an agreement on cooperation in the development of floating nuclear power plant with the Republic of Guinea, an agreement with Burkina Faso on the construction of a nuclear facility in the country, and many others.

“Russia is a reliable partner for African countries, and Russian companies can play a far greater role throughout the continent. From spearheading high-impact oil and gas developments to collaborating on key energy infrastructure projects and supporting policymaking and skills development, Russia has demonstrated its commitment to the energy sector and the development of Africa,” notes Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber NJ Ayuk.

The Russia–Africa round table will outline further opportunities for Russian companies in the African energy sector. The participants will discuss how Russia’s success in developing low-carbon energy can support Africa’s development, touching, among many other things, upon a variety of issues, from financing energy projects to the introduction of supportive regulations and creating integrated energy systems.

The round table participants will also identify strategic areas of cooperation between Russia and African countries. In addition, they will discuss government policy measures that are being taken in African countries towards sustainable energy development, how the activities of Russian companies fit into this context, prospects that might present themselves along the way, and possible financial support measures for the implementation of projects.

The theme of the African Energy Week is “Invest in African Energies”. This year’s event will again serve as place for African leaders, ministers, and politicians to meet with regional and foreign investors. It will take the form of an interactive, multi-format exhibition and business event that will bring energy sector professionals from Africa and around the globe together in one venue.

The dialogue between Russia and African countries will continue during the First Ministerial Conference of the Russia–Africa Partnership Forum in Sirius Federal Territory on 9–10 November 2024. The event is part of the implementation of the decisions of the Second Russia–Africa Summit and will be attended by the heads of the foreign policy departments of the Russian Federation and African countries, as well as by the African Union Commission and the executive bodies of regional integration associations.