Plenary:Advancing U.S - Africa Energy Partnerships:From Dialogue to Delivery

The plenary moderated by Richard Quest, Editor-at-Large at CNN News, focused on the theme “Advancing U.S.-Africa Energy Partnerships – From Dialogue to Delivery.”

The discussion centered on the need for tangible outcomes in U.S.-Africa energy collaborations,highlighting trust as a critical factor between African nations and internationalinvestors. Speakers emphasized that despite long-standing dialogue about Africa’s energy potential, practical steps toward project delivery remain slow due to challenges in trust, communication, and alignment of expectations between governments, companies,and financiers.

The panel featured distinguished speakers, including H.E. Mohamed Salem Merzourq,Minister of Foreign Affairs for the IslamicRepublic of Mauritania; H.E. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, President of the Republic of Namibia; H.E. Mohamed Arkab, State Minister of Energy, Mines and Renewable Energy for the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria; Hon. Thomas Hardy, Acting Director, U.S. Trade and Development Agency; Ms. Elizabeth Schwarze, Vice President, Global Exploration, Chevron; and Mr. Richard Brake, Director of Exploration, ExxonMobil. Each highlighted the pressing need for stronger government foundations, consistency in regulatory environments, and clear alignment on priorities to bridge the gap between investor expectations and government objectives.

A recurring theme was the importance of mutual understanding and pragmatism in building sustainable energy partnerships. Trust, transparency, and a stable policy environment were cited as essential to attract long-term investments, particularly in energy sectors balancing fossil fuel and renewable development. Speakers acknowledged the historical context of broken agreements, underlining the need to restore confidence through consistent, reliable engagement aimed at ensuring energy serves as a catalyst for Africa’s broader industrialization and development.