OPEC Secretary General Haitham al-Ghais at Africa Energy Week in 2022
Letter from Paris: Do not underestimate ‘Afripec’
Make no mistake, Africa has a crucial and increasingly important role within OPEC, even given its relatively small production volumes and the departure of Angola
The importance of Africa to OPEC was in clear evidence at the Invest in African Energy event in Paris in May. OPEC Secretary General Haitham al-Ghais sent out a strong message around the crucial partnership that was backed up by a team of experts talking up the role of hydrocarbons in Africa’s long-term future. The conclusion is clear: Africa will likely rinse every last drop of oil from its continent for production and continue consuming when others become too squeamish because of climate goals. Ghais did not mince his words. “OPEC is here today in Paris in full force because we are an integral part of Africa, and Africa is an integral part of OPEC.” By 2045, the continent’s oil demand is
Also in this section
29 January 2026
Caught between LNG risks from across the Atlantic and the wounds from Russian gas dependence, Europe needs more than a simple diversification strategy
28 January 2026
The alliance looks to bolster market management credibility by bringing greater clarity and unity to output cuts and producer capacity later in 2026
23 January 2026
A strategic pivot away from Russian crude in recent weeks tees up the possibility of improved US-India trade relations
23 January 2026
The signing of a deal with a TotalEnergies-led consortium to explore for gas in a block adjoining Israel’s maritime area may breathe new life into the country’s gas ambitions
