In the first quarter of 2026, the closure of the Strait of Hormuz upended oil and gas markets worldwide. Every segment of the African oil and gas value chain felt the impact, demonstrating how resilience is proving to be the key to success in this globally connected industry.
Even without the disruption, 2026 was already shaping up as a landmark year for Africa’s upstream. IOCs are allocating tens of billions to Nigeria through announced and potential FIDs, while independents looked to a new licensing round to secure more blocks. Angola is positioning itself as a reinvention story after halting its years-long production decline. In Mozambique, majors lifted their force majeure declarations, heralding a new burst of activity, while Namibia awaits its first FID later this year.
This pre-release, containing insights from energy executives across the continent, demonstrates how strengthening African content is key to securing the continent’s energy future. From the upstream and downstream sectors to financiers and service providers, every firm is finding innovative ways to ensure that Africans have the energy they need to thrive and prosper.