African Energy Week (AEW) 2025: Invest in African Energies – taking place from September 29 to October 3 in Cape Town – will host a distinguished group of regulatory, policy and advisory leaders from across Africa and beyond. Participants include Dr. Zwanani Titus Mathe, CEO of the South African National Energy Development Institute (SANEDI); Mor Bakhoum, Technical Secretary of Senegal’s ST-CNSL; Oneyka Cindy Ojogbo, Deputy Managing Partner at CLG; Khaled Abu Bakr, Chairman of the Egyptian Gas & Energy Association (EGEA) and Vice President of the International Gas Union; Leonardo Sempertegui, General Legal Counsel at OPEC; and Mohammed Attaba, Senior Downstream Oil Industry Analyst at OPEC.
SANEDI plays a central role in advancing South Africa’s transition towards a sustainable energy future. Tasked with promoting green growth, energy efficiency and renewable solutions, the Institute supports applied research, pilot projects and the integration of emerging technologies. Current initiatives include advancing electric mobility and EV adoption, launching South Africa’s first household energy and carbon certification program and developing recommendations to improve electricity affordability and accessibility for citizens.
Egypt’s Gas & Energy Association also plays a strategic role in the country’s energy sector, focusing on natural gas policy, market development and regional cooperation. With Abu Bakr’s dual role at the International Gas Union and TAQA Arabia, the association serves as a bridge between Egyptian energy stakeholders and global gas markets, promoting investment opportunities and sustainable development in North Africa and the broader region.
Senegal’s ST-CNSL is mandated to ensure the country’s oil and gas developments deliver long-term value for its citizens. As Technical Secretary, Bakhoum is responsible for overseeing local content compliance and ensuring that major projects – including the Sangomar Field Development and Greater Tortue Ahmeyim LNG project – foster opportunities for local enterprises and workers. By strengthening the country’s regulatory environment, ST-CNSL ensures that Senegal remains an attractive investment destination while maximizing socioeconomic impact.
At the same time, CLG – a legal and business advisory firm specializing in energy and infrastructure – supports governments, investors and operators across Africa in navigating complex regulatory landscapes. With offices in key markets including South Africa, Equatorial Guinea and Ghana, the firm has recently expanded its work on local content frameworks and energy transition projects, ensuring that African nations maximize value creation from natural resources while attracting long-term international investment.
Finally, OPEC will be represented by Leonardo Sempertegui, General Legal Counsel, and Mohammed Attaba, Senior Downstream Oil Industry Analyst, who bring expertise in regulatory frameworks, compliance and market analysis. Their participation provides a unique perspective on global oil markets, pricing dynamics, and the legal and technical considerations that influence investment decisions in Africa’s energy sector.
“Strong, transparent regulation remains one of the most critical drivers of investment in Africa’s energy industry. By setting clear fiscal terms, enforcing local content provisions and providing predictable licensing regimes, regulators create the stability investors need while ensuring long-term economic benefits for host countries. The presence of SANEDI, ST-CNSL, CLG, EGEA and OPEC representatives at AEW 2025 highlights the central role that institutions and policymakers play in shaping Africa’s investment landscape,” states Ore Onagbesan, Program Director at AEW: Invest in African Energies.
AEW: Invest in African Energies is the platform of choice for project operators, financiers, technology providers and government, and has emerged as the official place to sign deals in African energy.
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