Houston, USA – April 29, 2025 — The U.S.-Africa Energy Forum (USAEF) returned to Houston today, launching a high-powered agenda aimed at boosting American investment, technology transfer, and private-sector engagement in Africa’s rapidly evolving energy sector.
Bringing together top-tier policymakers, energy ministers, and industry executives from both continents, the forum opened with a High-Level U.S.-Africa Energy Dialogue. The session set the tone for closer strategic cooperation between African governments and U.S. energy firms, targeting mutual priorities like project development, capital flow, and energy security.
A key focus of the forum is the transformative role of U.S. private equity in shaping Africa’s next phase of energy growth. The panel on “Private Equity Driving a New Wave of African Business” highlighted how American investment firms are helping fuel the continent’s energy transformation — from fossil fuels to gas monetization and clean energy.
Country-focused sessions placed the spotlight on Libya, Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), and the Republic of Congo, each presenting reform agendas and concrete investment opportunities.
Libya, aiming to restore its place as North Africa’s energy powerhouse, announced a 22-block licensing round and aggressive targets to ramp up crude production to 1.6 million barrels per day. Multi-billion-dollar gas monetization and export initiatives were also on the table.
In the Republic of Congo, officials detailed their ambitions to hit 500,000 barrels per day through a newly unveiled Gas Master Plan. The initiative aims to open the door for international partnerships focused on gas infrastructure and downstream development.
The DRC, meanwhile, is courting U.S. investment through reforms to its hydrocarbons code and a possible minerals-for-security deal with Washington — a move that could offer American firms a foothold in one of Africa’s most resource-rich but underdeveloped markets.
Nigeria continues to hold top billing for investors, offering $10 billion in deepwater gas opportunities and preparing to auction undeveloped blocks as part of sweeping tax incentives designed to revitalize exploration and production.
Major American energy companies, including Chevron, ExxonMobil, SLB and ConocoPhillips, are actively participating in the forum, signaling a renewed appetite for expanding operations in both established and emerging African markets.
USAEF 2025 underscores a growing convergence between U.S. commercial interests and Africa’s energy ambitions — a dynamic that promises to redefine global energy partnerships in the years ahead.