Set to run from 7—10 October 2024, at the Cape Town International Convention Centre CTICC), AOW comes at a critical time, as the world navigates a complex energy transition.

As a key forum for supporting this transition in a way that meets the unique needs of Africa’s people, AOW is geared to helping the continent meet its growing energy needs, stimulating socio-economic development, and ensuring Africa retains control of its own natural resources.

With the event marking its 30th year of existence, this year will see AOW reinvigorate its unmatched government-access opportunities, bringing together dozens of government representatives, energy policymakers, industry leaders from across the international oil-and-gas sector, financiers and dealmakers, to find new ways to meet Africa’s energy and development needs.

To ensure AOW 2024 retains real-time industry relevance, this year sees the introduction of a sector-leading Executive Board and Advisory sub-Committees of diverse and influential African energy change-makers.

“Since 1994, we have proudly supported Africa’s right to develop its oil and gas sector through strong, sustainable carbon-management strategies,” says Yemi Ibidunni, AOW Event Director. “This year, we’re also putting government needs at the heart of our event, by investing in high-touch government-led programmes.”

The main themes of this year’s event will be Equitable Development of the Upstream; Expansion of Gas Value Chains, the Integration of New Energies; Adoption of Best-in-Class Technologies; and Access to Finance.

The AOW community has long been driven by dealmaking and gaining access to top financiers and investors on the continent. As the continent seeks to secure billions of dollars for oil, gas, renewables and power infrastructure, AOW will explore the various options and opportunities of diversifying Africa’s funding for energy projects.

AOW 2024 is endorsed by The African Energy Commission (AFREC, part of the African Union), the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy South Africa (DMRE) and Lean in Equity & Sustainability.

“We’re excited to partner with organisations that have shared ambitions to put Africa’s energy investment and development needs at the forefront of global energy priorities,” adds Yemi Ibidunni. “We remain committed to creating sustainable and realistic opportunities for African energy, as the global platform for deals and transactions.”

The cross-disciplinary Executive Board is made up by Upstream Director for ENI Luca Vignati; Advisory Board Chair for Lean in Equity & Sustainability Lamé Verre; Managing Director of Equinor Tanzania Unni Fjaer; Managing Director of Central, East and Southern Africa at SLB Miguel Baptista and Chief Executive Officer Pecan Energies, Kadijah Amoah.

"We are delighted to announce our partnership with AOW in commemorating three decades of investment in African Energy. Through this collaboration, we aim to synergise our efforts towards advancing the sustainable development of Africa's energy resources,” says Rashid Ali Abdallah, Executive Director of AFREC.

“Our shared focus includes promoting the adoption of renewable energy and facilitating the commercialisation of oil and gas to foster positive socioeconomic outcomes and universal energy access.”

He adds, “we are also happy to take a leading role in shaping the discussions at the AOW:50 Government and Leaders Programme, where we intend to establish concrete actions that stimulate further investment in African energy. We invite you to join us this October as we celebrate the remarkable milestone of 30 years of AOW, marking our collective commitment to the future African energy”.

    AOW 2024 runs from 7—10 October at the Cape Town International Conference Centre. It is the premier global platform for sharing industry developments and stimulating transactions across the African oil-and-gas upstream, bringing together governments, national and international oil companies, independents, investors, the geological-and geophysical community, and service providers.