Africa’s Energy Future Begins With Exploration

Africa is rich in energy resources, but much of its potential remains untapped, even as millions of people across the continent struggle with unreliable electricity, limited access to clean cooking and the rising cost of imported fuels. For Nikki Martin, President and CEO of EnerGeo Alliance, the answer lies in giving African countries greater control over their energy future, beginning with responsible exploration, sound policies and the investment needed to bring new discoveries into production.

Martin believes the urgency has grown as geopolitical tensions expose weaknesses in global energy supply chains. Africa, she argues, cannot afford to remain heavily dependent on imported energy while sitting on substantial resources of its own. But unlocking those resources will take more than geological promise. Investors need predictable regulations, efficient permitting and confidence that the rules will remain consistent over the life of projects. Governments, meanwhile, must ensure that exploration and production create jobs, develop local expertise and support industries beyond the oil and gas sector.

Her message comes as African Energy Week 2026 convenes in Cape Town, bringing together the policymakers, investors and industry leaders whose decisions will help shape the continent’s next phase of energy development. Martin sees opportunities in Namibia’s Orange Basin, South Africa’s offshore acreage and established markets such as Angola, Nigeria and Mozambique. She is equally concerned about the cost of regulatory delays and the failure of resource-rich countries to capture more value through refining, processing and supporting infrastructure.

EnerGeo Alliance has been deepening its engagement with Africa, particularly in South Africa, while working with the African Energy Chamber to advance discussions on exploration, investment and energy policy. Martin also sees modern geoscience, artificial intelligence and advanced seismic imaging playing an increasingly important role in improving exploration efficiency and strengthening environmental oversight.

In this interview with Pan African Visions, Martin discusses the policies Africa needs to attract exploration capital, the importance of energy sovereignty, the continent’s refining and infrastructure gaps, and what she hopes African Energy Week will deliver. She makes a case for exploration as the starting point for a much broader economic transformation, with the benefits extending from energy access and industrial growth to employment and stronger national economies.

“Without exploration, there are no discoveries, no development, and no opportunity to realize the broader economic and social benefits that energy can provide,” she says.

 Global conflicts have exposed major vulnerabilities in energy supply chains. Should energy security and energy sovereignty now be at the center of Africa’s energy strategy?

Absolutely. As geopolitical pressure continues to expose the fragility of global energy supply chains, the case for strengthening Africa’s domestic energy security has become more urgent.  For many African countries, this is not simply a question of fuel supply or market stability; reliable, affordable energy is essential to industrial growth, public services, economic resilience, and everyday quality of life. Reliable energy also supports food security by enabling modern agriculture, from irrigation and refrigeration to fertilizer production and mechanized farming.

Africa is home to abundant natural energy resources, yet hundreds of millions of people still lack access to reliable electricity and clean cooking solutions. Developing domestic energy resources gives countries greater control over their energy future, reduces exposure to external shocks, and strengthens national resilience.

Energy sovereignty means having the ability to make energy decisions based on national development priorities, supported by reliable domestic resources and infrastructure. From EnerGeo’s perspective, responsible exploration and geoscience are essential to achieving that goal.

Africa exports large volumes of crude oil but still imports much of its refined fuel. What must governments do to build stronger refining capacity and retain more value at home?

This is one of the continent’s most significant energy and economic challenges.

Many African nations produce hydrocarbons but capture only a fraction of the value generated across the energy value chain. Building domestic refining, storage, transportation, and processing infrastructure can help retain more economic benefits within national economies.

This requires more than refining capacity alone. Countries also need the supporting infrastructure: pipelines, storage, ports, roads, processing facilities, and regional logistics networks, that allows energy resources to be used domestically and traded efficiently

Governments can support this by creating stable investment frameworks, encouraging public-private partnerships, developing regional infrastructure corridors, and ensuring regulatory certainty for long-term investments. Equally important is building local technical capacity so that energy projects create sustainable jobs and business opportunities.

The objective should be to move beyond exporting raw resources and toward creating integrated energy economies that support manufacturing, logistics, petrochemicals, and broader industrial growth.

Exploration is the foundation of future energy production. What policy reforms are most urgently needed to attract greater investment in geoscience and frontier exploration across Africa?

The single most important factor is policy durability.

Exploration investments are long-term, high-risk commitments, and investors need confidence that the rules governing access, permitting, fiscal terms, and project approvals will remain clear, consistent, and competitive over time.

This is exactly why EnerGeo developed its Exploration Policy Framework: to provide governments with a practical resource for creating the conditions that allow responsible exploration to move forward. The framework highlights the importance of transparent licensing, efficient permitting, predictable timelines, fiscal and regulatory certainty, and science-based environmental review, all of which are essential to attracting exploration capital while maintaining strong governance and public confidence.

 Many African countries possess highly prospective basins, but geological potential alone is not enough. Resources only create value when investment can flow with the confidence to access and develop them. Regulatory delays, overlapping authorities, and uncertain timelines can undermine competitiveness, even in regions with strong resource prospects.

 A strong policy framework helps governments send a clear signal: that exploration is welcomed, responsibly managed, and aligned with national development priorities. Countries that combine strong resource potential with regulatory certainty and durable policy will be best positioned to attrac  investment, unlock new discoveries, and strengthen long-term energy security.

How can increased exploration help drive industrialization, job creation, local content and broader economic growth across the continent?

Exploration is often viewed only as the first step in energy production, but its impact extends far beyond resource discovery.

Successful exploration attracts investment, generates demand for local services, creates opportunities for skills development, and can support the growth of entire industrial ecosystems. As projects advance through appraisal, development and production, the benefits expand into manufacturing, construction, logistics, transportation, engineering, environmental services, and technology.

Experiences in countries such as Angola, Ghana, and Namibia show that resource development can stimulate broader economic activity when supported by effective local content policies, workforce development programs, and strong governance frameworks.

The key is ensuring that resource development becomes a catalyst for long-term economic diversification rather than a standalone industry.

The International Energy Agency has warned that global energy disruptions are slowing progress on energy access and clean cooking. How can developing Africa’s own energy resources help reverse that trend?

Reliable energy access remains one of the most significant development challenges facing Africa today.

When global supply disruptions occur, the most vulnerable communities are often affected first and most severely. This is particularly evident in access to cooking fuels and affordable energy services.

Clean cooking is one of the clearest examples of why practical energy solutions matter. For many communities, LPG can provide an affordable, scalable pathway away from traditional biomass, improving health outcomes while reducing emissions from inefficient cooking practices.

Developing domestic energy resources can improve resilience, stabilize supply, and reduce dependence on imported fuels that are vulnerable to geopolitical events and price volatility. Domestic production can also generate government revenues that can be reinvested in infrastructure, electrification projects, and clean cooking initiatives.

Energy access is also part of climate resilience. Communities with reliable electricity, cooling, modern agriculture, healthcare, and stronger local economies are better equipped to withstand climate-related shocks.

The path toward expanded energy access begins with ensuring that countries have secure, reliable, and affordable sources of energy available to meet growing demand.

South Africa has significant offshore potential, yet many projects remain stalled. What lessons does this offer other African countries seeking to attract long-term energy investment?

South Africa demonstrates that resource potential alone is not enough.

The country possesses significant offshore opportunities, world-class technical expertise, and significant interest in investment from the global energy industry, yet uncertainty around permitting, project approvals, and prolonged legal processes have paralyzed progress. Recent discussions around decision-making timelines and permitting efficiency have highlighted the importance of a predictable investment environment.

South Africa also shows the cost of delay. At a time when global volatility can quickly affect fuel prices, food costs, and transport, domestic resources and underutilized infrastructure can become strategic assets, but only if projects can move through clear and timely approval processes.

Physical infrastructure matters, but the first infrastructure investors look for is policy infrastructure: clear rules, durable commitments, predictable timelines, and science-based approval processes 

The lesson for Africa is straightforward: countries that provide clear regulations, transparent processes, and timely decisions are more likely to attract investment than those where uncertainty persists. Importantly, certainty benefits all stakeholders. It supports investors, strengthens government planning, and enables meaningful engagement with communities and other stakeholders.

Which African countries do you believe are best positioned to lead the continent’s next wave of oil and gas exploration, and why?

Several countries stand out for different reasons.

Namibia continues to attract global attention due to the success of exploration in the Orange Basin and the significant discoveries announced in recent years. South Africa also remains highly prospective, particularly given the geological continuity with Namibia’s offshore basins. The South Africa economic analysis commissioned by EnerGeo highlighted the substantial opportunities associated with future upstream development.

Countries such as Angola, Nigeria, Mozambique, and Mauritania also continue to play important roles due to their resource potential, infrastructure, and established industry presence.

Ultimately, leadership in the next exploration cycle will depend not only on geology, but also on policy stability, regulatory efficiency, and the ability to convert resource potential into attractive investment opportunities.

Investors increasingly expect high environmental and governance standards. How is modern geoscience helping make exploration more efficient, responsible and sustainable?

Modern geoscience is helping transform exploration in remarkable ways.

Advanced seismic imaging, improved data analytics, artificial intelligence, and digital technologies allow companies to gain a much better understanding of the subsurface while reducing uncertainty and improving efficiency.

At the same time, scientific research continues to improve our understanding of environmental interactions and mitigation measures. EnerGeo has actively supported conversations around the science underpinning offshore operations and marine conservation, emphasizing the importance of evidence-based decision-making and robust environmental assessments.

Responsible development begins with good science. Better data leads to better decisions: for industry, regulators, and communities alike.

EnerGeo Alliance has been a strong advocate for responsible geoscience and exploration worldwide. How has your engagement with Africa evolved, and where do you see the greatest opportunities for collaboration across the continent?

Africa has become an increasingly important focus for EnerGeo, particularly as countries seek to strengthen energy security, attract investment, and unlock the full value of their natural resources.

While EnerGeo engages globally, much of our recent work in Africa has been concentrated in South Africa. Through research, stakeholder engagement, media outreach, and policy dialogue, we have sought to contribute fact-based perspectives on the role that responsible exploration can play in supporting economic growth, energy security, and long-term development.

A key part of our approach is recognizing that meaningful progress depends on strong local partnerships. EnerGeo brings a global perspective, technical expertise, and experience from energy-producing regions around the world, but local partners provide essential insights into the political, economic, and social realities of a country.

That is why our collaboration with the African Energy Chamber has been so valuable. The Chamber brings deep regional knowledge, longstanding relationships, and a trusted voice across the African energy sector. Together, we have been able to foster more informed conversations about exploration, investment, and energy policy while ensuring that local priorities remain at the center of those discussions.

Looking ahead, we see significant opportunities to continue supporting evidence-based policymaking, regulatory modernization, workforce development, and public understanding of the critical role geoscience plays in energy and economic development.

Technology is transforming exploration, from advanced seismic imaging to artificial intelligence and digital geoscience. How is EnerGeo Alliance helping its members harness these innovations to improve exploration success and reduce environmental impact?

Technology has always been central to geoscience, but the pace of innovation is accelerating dramatically.

Artificial intelligence, cloud computing, digital subsurface modeling, and next-generation seismic imaging are helping companies process vast amounts of data more efficiently, improve exploration outcomes, and reduce uncertainty. These technologies enable better-informed decisions, support more targeted exploration programs, and help minimize operational footprints.

Innovation is also playing an important role in environmental stewardship. Advanced modeling, monitoring technologies, and improved environmental assessment methodologies are helping companies better understand potential impacts, evaluate mitigation measures, and support evidence-based decision-making.

To help advance industry best practices, EnerGeo published its Environmental Impact Assessment Handbook, a comprehensive resource designed to promote consistency in environmental assessments, strengthen stakeholder engagement, support the use of best available science, and encourage practical mitigation and monitoring measures for offshore geoscience operations. The handbook reinforces our long-standing belief that responsible development begins with rigorous science and transparent environmental review.

EnerGeo helps facilitate the exchange of knowledge, scientific research, and operational best practices among members while also promoting public understanding of how technology and geoscience contribute to safer, more responsible energy development.

What role should African Energy Week play in accelerating exploration, investment and cross-border collaboration, and what outcomes would you like to see emerge from this year’s event?

African Energy Week has become one of the continent’s most important energy forums.

The event brings together policymakers, investors, regulators, technical experts, service providers, and energy companies at a time when Africa has a unique opportunity to shape its energy future. As we’ve said previously, its importance lies not only in the discussions it hosts, but in the partnerships and investment opportunities it helps create.

This year, I would like to see greater progress on regulatory certainty, stronger regional cooperation, and continued recognition of the role that exploration plays in supporting energy security, economic growth, and energy access.

Africa has an extraordinary resource base. The challenge is converting that potential into tangible benefits for communities and national economies.

Looking ahead, if Africa gets its energy policies right over the next decade, what does success look like for the continent’s upstream industry—and what message would you leave with policymakers, investors and industry leaders about the role of exploration in securing Africa’s energy future?

Success would mean improved energy access, stronger energy security, thriving local industries, expanded employment opportunities, and greater economic resilience. It would mean that African countries are capturing more value from their resources and using those benefits to support long-term development goals.

Exploration cannot be overlooked.  Without exploration, there are no discoveries, no development, and no opportunity to realize the broader economic and social benefits that energy can provide.

Exploration is about creating possibilities. With sound policies, strong governance, responsible environmental stewardship, and continued investment in science and technology, Africa can build an energy future that is secure, prosperous, and designed around the needs of its people.

*Culled from October Edition of PAV Magazine