Honourable Marcel Abéké, the newly appointed Minister of Petroleum for the Gabonese Republic, is poised to make significant contributions at the Africa Energy Technology Conference (AETC) 2025, scheduled from May 27 to 29 at the Labadi Beach Hotel in Accra, Ghana. This year’s theme, “Invest, Innovate, Implement: Revolutionized financing for sustainable energy sector growth in Africa,” reflects an urgent need to drive forward Africa’s energy transformation—an agenda in which Gabon, under Minister Abéké’s leadership, is keen to play a pivotal role.
Appointed in September 2023, Minister Abéké took office during a critical phase for Gabon’s energy and petroleum sectors. His deep expertise in the mining industry, especially with companies like COMILOG (Gabon’s leading manganese producer) and SETRAG (the national railway), has provided him with invaluable insights into how infrastructure, industry, and energy intersect. His career in Gabon’s energy sector, combined with his drive to diversify the country’s energy mix, is setting the stage for innovative approaches to meeting both regional and global energy demands.
Since assuming office, Minister Abéké has embarked on a bold strategy to boost Gabon’s oil production and explore renewable energy opportunities, while strengthening regional collaboration on energy infrastructure. Gabon is targeting 220,000 barrels of oil production per day through increased investments in frontier exploration, as well as the redevelopment of older fields. Notable projects include China’s CNOOC drilling operations on Blocks BC-9 and BCD-10 and the expansion of the Hibiscus South Field, where an estimated 5 to 6 million barrels of recoverable reserves are projected. Gabon’s emerging liquefied natural gas (LNG) sector, with the Cap Lopez LNG terminal expected to begin operations in 2026, will further position the country as an energy exporter in Central Africa. Gabon’s integrated approach also includes investments in clean energy projects aimed at diversifying the energy mix, improving energy security, and positioning Gabon as a regional leader in the renewable energy transition.
Minister Abéké has also been a staunch advocate for regional energy integration, particularly through the Central Africa Pipeline System (CAPS), a $10 billion pipeline project aimed at facilitating the transportation of oil and gas across Central Africa. This initiative will help streamline the region’s energy infrastructure and unlock new opportunities for cross-border collaboration. Through CAPS and other initiatives, Gabon is fostering an integrated regional energy market that is expected to deliver economic growth, energy security, and new opportunities for jobs and infrastructure development across Central Africa.
At AETC 2025, Minister Abéké’s participation will be a focal point for sharing Gabon’s experiences and strategies on energy transformation. As Africa grapples with the challenges of financing and implementing sustainable energy projects, Abéké’s leadership on financing, exploration, and collaboration offers valuable lessons in bridging gaps in energy access, funding, and regional cooperation. His insights into Gabon’s oil, gas, and renewable energy initiatives will be crucial for discussions on innovative financing mechanisms for energy development and private sector involvement in driving sustainable growth. Gabon’s efforts to expand its renewable energy footprint while maintaining a solid foundation in oil and gas production will undoubtedly serve as a case study for balancing traditional energy sectors with emerging green technologies.
The Africa Energy Technology Conference 2025 holds immense importance at this critical moment for Africa’s energy future. The “Invest, Innovate, Implement” theme underscores the urgent need to find innovative financing solutions that can enable the continent to reach its energy potential. With millions of people across the continent still without reliable electricity access, AETC 2025 presents a unique opportunity for global leaders, investors, innovators, and energy stakeholders to come together and develop actionable strategies for addressing Africa’s energy needs.
The conference will focus on innovative financing solutions that are essential for overcoming the capital constraints faced by many African nations in scaling up their energy infrastructure. Through discussions on climate finance, green bonds, digital financing, and public-private partnerships, AETC 2025 will explore how these tools can unlock billions in capital for Africa’s energy projects. These conversations will be key to shaping the future of Africa’s energy sector, where financing remains one of the biggest barriers to meeting the continent’s energy goals.
Secure your place now! Visit www.aetconference.com or contact +23326 880 0800 | +233 50 251 9909 for sponsorship, participation, and registration.
