Onome Amuge
Nigeria’s commercial capital, Lagos, will once again play host to Africa’s largest energy industry meeting as the 10th Sub-Saharan Africa International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (SAIPEC) takes place from 10–12 February 2026 at the Eko Convention Center.
Organised by the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN), the 2026 edition marks a decade of convening policymakers, investors and executives shaping the continent’s oil, gas and energy future. The event is being held in partnership with the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), NNPC Ltd, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), and AOS Orwell, alongside more than 30 national oil companies (NOCs), regulators and government agencies from across Sub-Saharan Africa.
Since debuting in 2017 as the West Africa International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (WAIPEC), SAIPEC has grown from 148 delegates and two NOCs to over 1,400 participants and 23 national oil companies by 2025. The exhibition, which began with 35 exhibitors, is expected to feature more than 150 companies this year, spanning exploration, engineering, digitalisation, and low-carbon technologies.
Over the past decade, SAIPEC has facilitated millions of dollars in cross-border partnerships and contracts, helping to connect African operators, service providers and investors.
“From a regional platform to a continental force, SAIPEC has become Africa’s leading meeting place for oil, gas, and energy dialogue. Our tenth anniversary represents both a celebration and a call to action — to shape the next decade of sustainable growth through collaboration, innovation, and African content leadership,” said Ibe Chubby Ibe, PETAN/SAIPEC Conference Chairman.
The 2026 programme opens with addresses from senior government and industry leaders, followed by a high-level regulatory panel examining policy reforms and investment frameworks across African markets. Country spotlight sessions will present upstream, midstream and refining developments in Nigeria, Angola, Ghana, Namibia, Senegal and Mozambique.
An investment forum will focus on capital flows, risk management and financing for energy diversification projects. Day two will centre on Africa’s Gas Opportunity – A Pillar for Industrialisation and Export, evaluating LNG growth, domestic infrastructure and regional integration. The conference will also highlight local content policy frameworks and supplier development initiatives, culminating in the 10th Anniversary Gala Dinner and SAIPEC Awards.
The final day will look ahead to the future workforce, with discussions on diversity, leadership transformation, and youth empowerment in energy. The SPE Futures Forum will connect young engineers, academics and entrepreneurs with established industry leaders.
For its 10th anniversary, SAIPEC introduces new elements including in-country roundtables, a Local Content Pitching Session, and an expanded technical conference exploring engineering, project execution and technology innovation. PETAN’s signature golf day and executive networking receptions will also return, offering deal-making opportunities in a less formal setting.
Ahead of the main event, the NCDMB will host the Local Content – AfCFTA Energy Summit on 9 February 2026, exploring how the African Continental Free Trade Agreement can strengthen intra-African energy trade and enhance local participation in regional value chains.
With Africa home to vast hydrocarbon reserves, expanding gas capacity, and growing renewable potential, SAIPEC’s tenth edition comes at a defining moment. As energy diversification accelerates globally, the conference seeks to position Africa not merely as a supplier of resources, but as an architect of its own sustainable energy future.
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