CAPE TOWN, Oct. 13 (Xinhua) -- African Energy Week (AEW) 2026 officially opened in Cape Town on Tuesday, with South Africa calling for stronger African energy cooperation to ensure affordable and abundant energy supplies amid global geopolitical tensions and market disruptions.
South African Deputy Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources Phumzile Mgcina made the call at the opening ceremony, saying the current global situation highlighted the need for a more integrated and resilient African energy system.
"The ongoing conflict in the Middle East has once again demonstrated how developments in one region can have far-reaching consequences for countries and communities thousands of kilometers away," Mgcina said. "This development has contributed to rising fuel prices, rising cost of living."
She said these realities demanded decisive leadership from African leaders to strengthen the energy sectors of individual countries while collectively working toward building a more integrated, resilient and self-reliant African energy system.
"The current geopolitical environment has also underscored the strategic importance of Africa in the global oil and gas market. Our continent possesses substantial petroleum resources," Mgcina said. "This represents an enormous opportunity for strengthening energy security."
She also highlighted the importance of diversifying energy supplies and strengthening trade within the continent, citing South Africa's experience of sourcing petroleum products from different markets amid international supply disruptions.
"Our ability to source petroleum products through diverse markets reinforced the importance of diversifying supply and strengthening intra-Africa trade," Mgcina said.
She said no African country could achieve lasting energy security in isolation, as energy markets, infrastructure and resources were interconnected, making stronger regional cooperation essential.
Mgcina also called for a balanced approach to energy development, noting that many African countries continued to face energy poverty, limited industrial capacity and inadequate infrastructure.
Mgcina's call for greater regional energy cooperation was echoed by Senegalese Minister of Energy and Petroleum El Hadji Abdourahmane Diouf, who stressed the need for African countries to develop interconnected energy systems.
Diouf said Africa needed to shape its own energy development model and ensure that access to energy supported industrial growth and economic transformation. "Africa must be given the opportunity to develop its own energy model," he said.
The minister emphasized Senegal's openness to investment and long-term partnerships across the energy value chain, highlighting the importance of collaboration in advancing Africa's energy ambitions. "Senegal is open to ambitious partnerships across the entire energy value chain," he added.
Held at the Cape Town International Convention Center from Monday to Friday under the theme "Invest in African Energies: Affordable and Abundant Energy Additions," AEW 2026 is expected to attract more than 300 ministers and other senior officials, over 400 industry speakers, more than 10,000 global attendees and 1,500 companies.
First held in 2021, AEW serves as a platform for discussions on energy investment, market access and industrial growth, bringing together stakeholders to shape a shared vision for Africa's energy future. ■