By: Energy capital & power

As international oil companies (IOCs) reassess their portfolios and divest assets, indigenous operators are stepping in to reshape Africa’s energy landscape. At the upcoming Invest in African Energy Forum in Paris taking place on May 13-14, a high-level panel discussion will delve into the growing influence of local players in Africa’s energy sector. Under the theme, “Scaling Private Investment: The Role of Indigenous Companies in Driving M&A Activity,” the panel will focus on how local companies are spearheading mergers and acquisitions (M&A), securing financing and driving private investment across Africa’s oil, gas and power sectors.

As market dynamics rapidly evolve, this session will examine the critical role indigenous companies play in retaining and expanding value within local economies, especially as IOCs scale back in certain regions. Industry leaders will explore current challenges and opportunities, from securing capital and navigating complex regulatory frameworks to forming strategic partnerships that enhance operational capacity and unlock new market access.

IAE 2025 is an exclusive forum designed to facilitate investment between African energy markets and global investors. Taking place May 13-14, 2025 in Paris, the event offers delegates two days of intensive engagement with industry experts, project developers, investors and policymakers. For more information, please visit www.invest-africa-energy.com. To sponsor or participate as a delegate, please contact sales@energycapitalpower.com.

Moderated by Matt Banton, Head of the Energy, Mining and Renewables Group at Moore UK, the panel will offer an in-depth exploration of the strategies and mechanisms driving M&A activity in Africa’s energy sector. Featured panelists include Joszef Morton, Director at Preng & Associates, Jean-Paul Sabbagh, Finance Director at Imperatus Energy, and Braulio de Brito, President of the Association of Service Providers of the Angolan Oil & Gas Industry.

The conversation will highlight innovative financing models that are enabling indigenous firms to scale. Through strategic acquisitions of underutilized assets, joint ventures with international investors and creative financing structures like asset-backed securities and private equity, these companies are not only reshaping the energy sector, but also unlocking opportunities for long-term economic and social development. By leveraging these models, indigenous firms are enhancing their technical capabilities, expanding their operational reach and contributing to broader goals of energy security and sustainable growth across the continent.