The African Energy Chamber (AEC) (EnergyChamber.org) is proud to announce that Equatorial Guinea’s Ministry of Mines and Hydrocarbons (MMH) has been confirmed as a diamond sponsor at African Energy Week (AEW) 2021, taking place in Cape Town on the 9^th-12^th of November. Joining several high-level diamond sponsors at the event, the MMH represents the biggest sponsor, with a strong delegation of industry leaders including H.E. Gabriel Obiang Lima, Minister of Mines and Hydrocarbons, coming to broaden dialogue, facilitate discussions on natural gas, and strengthen regional partnerships among key players.

Equatorial Guinea represents one of the continent’s biggest hydrocarbon markets, with over 1.5 trillion cubic feet of natural reserves positioning the country as a highly competitive gas player. Support from an industry giant such as this only reaffirms AEW 2021’s status as the continent’s top energy event, emphasizing the role the event will play in driving Africa’s energy future. In Cape Town, and as a diamond sponsor, the MMH is committed to helping establish AEW 2021 as the premier event for the discussion on Africa’s gas future. By promoting Equatorial Guinea’s national gas plans, regulatory reforms and progress, and opportunities for new players, the MMH is focused on increasing gas-related investment in a bid to position Africa as a top gas player.

Notwithstanding the country’s significant resources base, the MMH’s move to establish an attractive investment destination and enabling environment for international players has consolidated the country’s position as a top gas market. Proposed revisions to the country’s Hydrocarbon Law aims to incentivize investment across the entire value chain, with increased regional and international participation a top priority. In Cape Town, the MMH will both showcase and highlight key components of the new Hydrocarbon Law, providing valuable insight for emerging players and interested stakeholders.

Already, the country has seen the active participation on notable legacy players, including but not limited to ExxonMobil; Marathon Oil Corporation; Kosmos Energy; Noble Energy; and Chevron. The MMH is focused on enhancing exploration in the country, and as a diamond sponsor in Cape Town, is well positioned to engage with global stakeholders, attracting new entrants into the industry and driving the country’s gas progress.

Meanwhile, with the establishment of the Gas Mega Hub (GMH) – a national strategy designed to harness unexploited offshore domestic and regional gas resources – Equatorial Guinea has seen accelerated progress to drive gas investment and development. The country serves as an example for other gas rich regions as to how political will and an integrated energy sector can significantly enhance sectoral growth. As a diamond sponsor, the MMH is focused on placing a spotlight on Equatorial Guinea, particularly on the country’s progress regarding regional collaboration and its consolidation as a GMH. The MMH will make a strong case for regional cooperation at AEW 2021, using the country’s success with Cameroon – in which Equatorial Guinea is fostering trade for regional growth – as well as Nigeria – with recent talks regarding enhanced gas supply chains between the countries – to drive dialogue.

“Equatorial Guinea represents a major player in Africa’s hydrocarbon scene, and as a diamond sponsor at AEW 2021 in Cape Town, the country will be instrumental in driving the discussion on African gas, regional cooperation, and enabling regulation. In Cape Town, the MMH is focused on signing deals, partnering with regional stakeholders, and incentivizing new entrants into the country’s lucrative market. The AEC is honored to host the MMH as a diamond sponsor, and excited to see the Ministry drive Africa’s energy future into a new era of success,” stated Tomás Gerbasio, Conference Director for AEW 2021.

AEW 2021, in partnership with South Africa’s Department of Mineral Resources and Energy, is the AEC’s annual conference, exhibition and networking event. AEW 2021 unites African energy stakeholders with investors and international partners to drive industry growth and development and promote Africa as the destination for energy investments.