The African Energy Week (AEW) Conference and Exhibition will return to Cape Town from October 4 to October 8, 2027. The 2027 event will expand to include both the Cape Town International Convention Center (CTICC) 1 and CTICC 2, allowing for more exhibition space, networking opportunities, and discussions about Africa’s energy sector.
As the largest energy conference on the continent, AEW 2027 aims to focus on capital expenditure and project execution. The event will connect Africa’s energy opportunities with the necessary global capital, technology, and expertise. With growing global energy demand and emerging technological innovations, AEW will facilitate vital investments and partnerships to position Africa as a significant player in the global energy landscape.
This upcoming edition follows a successful 2026 event, which attracted 12,000 delegates from over 100 countries, along with more than 150 exhibitors and 450 speakers. During AEW 2026, the event facilitated over $17 billion in new deals and commitments, along with showcasing $16 billion in bankable projects available to investors. These achievements underscored AEW’s role as Africa’s leading deal-making platform and highlighted opportunities in the continent’s oil, gas, and energy markets.
“AEW 2026 proved that Africa is not waiting for investment – we are making deals, mobilizing capital and moving projects forward. In 2027, we are going even bigger. Two venues, more companies, more investors, and more opportunities to get business done,” said NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber.
AEW 2027 will bring together the international energy community to address challenges and opportunities throughout the entire energy sector. The program will cover topics ranging from upstream oil and gas to renewable energy, with a lineup of investment forums, technical discussions, and bilateral meetings designed to connect project developers, financiers, technology providers, and policymakers.
This iteration of AEW arrives at a critical time as OPEC anticipates global oil demand reaching 124 million barrels per day by 2050. Traditional supply routes face potential disruptions, driving international interest toward Africa’s oil and gas markets. Countries such as Angola, Nigeria, Libya, and the Republic of Congo are responding by introducing flexible investment opportunities and restructured legislation, while emerging discoveries in Namibia and Ivory Coast are creating new petroleum regions.
In terms of renewable energy, Africa is poised to add 23 GW of solar capacity and 300 GW of wind energy by 2040, contingent on obtaining necessary financing. Nuclear capacity is expected to increase significantly by 2050, while advancements in green hydrogen production may yield between 30 million and 60 million tons annually. The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence and digital technologies is also transforming energy exploration and management, enhancing efficiency and development opportunities.
As AEW 2027 approaches, it aims to solidify Africa’s potential in the global energy arena. Ayuk emphasized the continent’s abundance of resources and talent, stating, “The world needs energy, and Africa has the resources, talent, and ambition to deliver it. Cape Town is where those partnerships happen, and AEW 2027 will take Africa’s energy marketplace to a new level.”
