During the 8th meeting of the APPO NOCs CEOs Forum on 12 October, representatives of African national oil companies signed a non‑binding Cape Town Declaration aimed at strengthening commercial ties and regional energy security.

The signing was overseen by Godfrey Moagi, chief executive of South Africa’s National Petroleum Company and newly appointed chair of the forum, who highlighted the agreement’s role in accelerating socioeconomic development.

Key commitments include direct commercial agreements for crude and refined products, subject to each country’s legislation and competition rules, and a pledge to expand domestic refining capacity to cut reliance on imports.

The declaration aligns signatories with the African Petroleum Producers’ Organization’s Long‑Term Strategy 2050, promoting sustainable hydrocarbon development alongside emerging green‑energy solutions.

Digitalisation, skills development and local‑content monitoring form a further pillar, with participants supporting secure data platforms, cross‑border professional mobility and an interactive African energy map.

The declaration also welcomed steps toward establishing an Africa Energy Bank to fund large‑scale projects and noted a presentation by a Venezuelan delegation exploring potential partnerships.

Future gatherings were outlined, with the 9th APPO NOCs CEOs Forum scheduled for 2027, venue and logistics to be decided by member companies.