CAPE TOWN: SOUTH Africa’s Deputy Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources, Phumzile Mgcina, has said that African countries must strengthen regional cooperation in energy trade, infrastructure and investment to achieve sustainable energy security.
Ms Mgcina made the statement during the opening of Africa Energy Week 2026 in Cape Town, noting that no African country can secure a sustainable energy future by acting alone, given the interconnected nature of energy markets and infrastructure.
Emphasizing, she called for expanded regional partnerships to boost cross-border energy trade and create a more favourable environment for investment in the sector.
“There is a need to strengthen cooperation among African companies and financial institutions to ensure investments align with national development priorities and deliver measurable benefits to the continent’s people,” she said.
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Meanwhile, African Energy Chamber chairman NJ Ayuk called on African institutions to become stronger and ensure the continent’s natural resources are used to benefit its people.
He cited Dangote’s industrial operations as an example of African investment advancing production of petroleum products to serve international markets, including Europe.
Tanzania is participating in the event through the Petroleum Upstream Regulatory Authority (PURA), whose Director General, Engineer Charles Sangweni, is leading the authority’s delegation.
Africa Energy Week 2026 runs from October 12 to 16 under the theme “Affordable and Abundant Energy for Africa,” bringing energy-sector stakeholders together to discuss the continent’s energy priorities and investment opportunities.