The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) has called on Africa to unlock its vast oil reserves, estimated at over 120 billion barrels. OPEC Secretary General, Haitham Al Ghais, made this appeal during the Nigeria International Energy Summit 2025 in Abuja, Nigeria.
Al Ghais emphasized the importance of Africa’s oil and gas industry, highlighting the continent’s crucial role in the global energy landscape. He noted that Africa has around 18 trillion standard cubic meters of natural gas, making it an attractive destination for investors.
“The world will need more oil in the future. Therefore, it is critical that the African oil and gas industry attracts the level of investment necessary to unlock this great potential,” Al Ghais said.
He encouraged investors to explore opportunities in Africa’s oil and gas industry, highlighting Nigeria as a prime destination. Al Ghais also emphasized the need for stability in the oil market to attract investment.
OPEC has a strong connection to Africa, with half of its member countries from the continent, including Nigeria, Algeria, Congo, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, and Libya. The organization’s market research and forecasting point to the importance of Africa in the global energy landscape.
The Nigeria International Energy Summit 2025, which opened on Monday and ends on Thursday, has “Bridging continents: Connecting investors with Africa’s Energy Potential” as its theme.
