Energy Event Puts South Sudan at the Centre of Africa’s Development

By Energy Capital & Power
Published May 29, 2023

Energy Event Puts South Sudan at the Centre of Africa's Development South Sudan is on June 14 – 16, 2023 set to host the 6th Oil & Power conference and exhibition, an event that is touted as putting the country at the centre of energy development in East Africa, Middle East and North Africa (MENA) and Central Africa.

International confirmations by global stakeholders from USA, China, Saudi Arabia, Canada, Norway, Egypt and Turkey at this year’s event are indicative of the nation’s burgeoning energy industry, setting the stage for growth through a strong community of global stakeholders committed to transforming the region’s economic landscape.

South Sudan has launched a 14-block licensing round with licenses expected to be awarded in 2023, which has attracted interest from leading global oil and gas players seeking to participate in the country’s bright energy future. On top of its vast natural resources, South Sudan benefits from a government intent on attracting international operators and services providers such as international oil and gas company, Oranto Petroleum, and South African state-owned Strategic Fuel Fund, whose extensive footprint across the African continent will drive energy security and prosperity in the region for years to come.

In the past year, the South Sudanese Government has signed agreements with Djibouti, Sudan, and Ethiopia, while strengthening bilateral relations with Saudi Arabia and overseeing Africa-focused independent energy company, Savannah Energy’s, acquisition of producing oil field from Malaysian oil and gas company, Petronas. In the wake of such high-level international outcomes, the conference and exhibition will also feature the confirmed participation of ministerial delegations from Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Zimbabwe, Djibouti, South Africa and Kenya.

Meanwhile, serving as the single most important platform for deal-making and partnerships in East Africa, deals signed at previous events include an MoU between Kush Bank and AIS Capital Advisors to finance US$75 million in capital for their integrated energy value project in South Sudan as well as an industry-advancing MoU between the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources of Djibouti and the Ministry of Petroleum of South Sudan. Additionally, Kush Bank signed its second MoU at the conference to further enhance the institution’s growth plans across the South Sudanese energy market. Spurring an increased interest in South Sudan’s investment landscape, this year’s conference and exhibition will feature a finance panel sponsored by Uganda-based Stanbic Bank, which has been instrumental towards the development of the private sector in the world’s youngest nation.