Africa Oil Week Wrap-Up

The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Assistant Secretary for Fossil Energy (ASFE) Steven Winberg spoke at Africa Oil Week, the leading business intelligence and transaction platform for the African oil and gas sector. This event attracted U.S. and international energy companies, as well as energy ministers from across Africa to share national strategies, find new partners, issue licenses, and more. 

Throughout the week-long event, ASFE Winberg participated in a variety of keynote speeches and panel presentations. He discussed U.S. energy policy and detailed how DOE plans to support Africa in advancing economic prosperity and energy development across the continent. He also outlined a vision for deeper U.S. commitment to Africa in the oil, natural gas, and power sectors.

Learn more about ASFE Winberg’s addresses and panel discussions below:

Africa Oil Week Keynote Address

During the keynote address, ASFE Winberg discussed U.S.-African energy collaboration; President Trump’s desire to strengthen America’s partnerships with African countries; and the enormous potential for expanded energy development across Africa’s large and diverse continent.

“The United States and nations across Africa have strong and long-standing relationships that span critical areas of cooperation—from economic advancement to energy development—to improve the quality of life of Africans and to ensure a future of growth, prosperity, and opportunity across this vast continent,” explained ASFE Winberg.

He noted that the United States is the world’s top producer of oil and natural gas and expects to be a net energy exporter next year. As a result, the United States is well-positioned to share abundant oil and natural gas resources with other countries, and to share the technology and know-how that helped unleash those resources.

“That transformative potential is not confined to the United States alone—it exists here in Africa, as well. And, the U.S. government and American companies welcome the opportunity to work with you to expand energy development in your countries,” he added.

Read more about his keynote remarks in our blog.

Driving Growth in RSA’s Unconventional Industry

At the Driving Growth in RSA’s Unconventional Industry panel, ASFE Winberg explained that the shale revolution in America propelled the United States to become the world’s largest producer of crude oil and natural gas. By unlocking a low-cost and abundant feedstock, the development of unconventional resources in the United States spurred a renaissance in American manufacturing.

Between the shale revolution and the current manufacturing renaissance, the United States focused on developing technologies and approaches to improve the delivery of shale resources, including horizontal drilling and advanced hydraulic fracturing.

“There isn’t a silver bullet or one-size fits-all approach that will address every challenge in every country. And, we know you will pursue your own path to meet energy challenges here in South Africa,” ASFE Winberg concluded. “But, we’re happy to share the lessons we’ve learned and provide any assistance we can to help you develop and utilize your unconventional resources.” 

Prosper Africa: Strengthening Bilateral Trade and Investment between the U.S. and Africa

ASFE Winberg opened the event at the U.S. National Showcase. He noted that United States and its partners in Africa have worked together for a long time to increase stability, prosperity, opportunity, independence, and security on the African continent.

“President Trump is committed to reinforcing those partnerships by strengthening the commercial ties that enhance prosperity here in Africa and in the U.S.,” he said.

That commitment is the driving force behind Prosper Africa—a U.S. Government initiative that unlocks opportunities to do business in Africa—which will substantially increase two-way trade and investment between the United States and African countries.

“The objective of Prosper Africa is to bring together the full range of U.S. government resources to connect U.S. and African businesses with new buyers, suppliers, and investment opportunities,” he explained. “Simply put, Prosper Africa is a new way of doing business—it will modernize the way the U.S. supports the private sector in Africa and strengthen our commercial ties and relationships.”

Following ASFE Winberg’s address, the Deputy Coordinator of the Power Africa program, Richard Nelson, described Power Africa’s role in the Prosper Africa initiative.

Live CNBC Africa Broadcast: The Africa Oil Week Debate

ASFE Winberg also participated in the live CNBC Africa Broadcast, alongside several African ministers.

He discussed DOE-supported technology development; U.S. energy security and affordable power generation; collaboration between the public and private sectors; and the willingness of the U.S. Government and American companies to help African countries expand their energy development.

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To stay up to date with Africa Oil Week news, visit their website. For more information about DOE’s Office of Fossil Energy, click here.