(CAPE TOWN) – The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited has announced its partnership with African Energy Week 2025, in move aimed at strengthening regional cooperation, attracting investment and expanding infrastructure across Africa’s energy sector.
The annual conference, known as Invest in African Energies 2025, will be held in Cape Town from 29 September to 3 October. It brings together governments, investors and companies to discuss opportunities in oil, gas, and renewable energy.
NNPC’s involvement signals Nigeria’s ambition to play a leading role in shaping the continent’s energy future, according to a press release from APO.
One of the company’s most ambitious projects is the African Atlantic Gas Pipeline (AAGP). The pipeline is designed to link Nigeria’s large natural gas reserves with markets in West Africa, Morocco, Mauritania and further into Europe. The project, which involves 13 member states of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), aims to improve intra-African energy trade, create new export routes and strengthen regional energy security.
NNPC is also working on major upstream developments. The company recently signed a production sharing contract for two petroleum prospecting licences with a consortium including TotalEnergies and Sapetro. The agreement covers both crude oil and natural gas, making it the first of its kind in Nigeria. Company officials said this contract is part of efforts under the Petroleum Industry Act to attract investment, support exploration, and secure the country’s energy supply.
The company has also focused on securing fuel for the domestic market. Between December 2023 and September 2025, NNPC allocated more than 112 million barrels of crude oil to the Dangote Oil Refinery. A new supply agreement, lasting two years, was signed under the crude-for-Naira initiative. This arrangement is expected to provide steady feedstock for Nigeria’s largest refinery, reduce demand for foreign currency, and support local refining capacity.
NNPC is targeting 60 billion US dollars in new investment by 2030. Its focus includes upstream expansion, refinery upgrades, and gas infrastructure. Projects such as the Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline and deepwater exploration are expected to strengthen Nigeria’s role in Africa’s energy market while helping to meet both local and export demand.
According to the African Energy Chamber, the company’s current strategy shows a clear push towards greater transparency, improved investment conditions, and stronger energy security. For South Sudan, Nigeria’s growing influence in regional energy markets could create opportunities for cooperation in trade, pipeline development and refining, as Juba continues to look for ways to stabilise and grow its own oil based economy.
Nigeria vs South Sudan Energy Context (September 2025)
| Indicator | Nigeria (NNPC Focus) | South Sudan (Current Situation) |
|---|---|---|
| Investment Target | 60 billion USD by 2030 | Limited external investment, estimated less than 2 billion USD over next 5 years |
| Major Projects | Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline, deepwater oil exploration, refinery upgrades | Ongoing oil exports via Sudan, refinery plans stalled |
| Domestic Refining | Dangote Refinery supplied with 112 million barrels since Dec 2023 | No large-scale refining, relies on imports of petroleum products |
| Export Capacity | Pipeline routes planned to Europe via West Africa and North Africa | Heavily reliant on Port Sudan pipeline for exports |
| Regional Cooperation | Partnership with 13 ECOWAS states, cross border gas projects | Limited regional cooperation, discussions on pipelines to Uganda and Kenya |
| Energy Week Role | Partner at African Energy Week 2025, Cape Town | Observer role, seeking investor attention for oil sector |
| Long-term Goal | Strengthen energy security, expand exports, attract global investors | Stabilise oil output, reduce dependence on Sudanese pipeline, attract new partners |