At the Angola Oil & Gas 2025 Conference and Exhibition held on Wednesday, the African Petroleum Producers Organization (APPO) revealed key progress toward establishing the Africa Energy Bank. Omar Farouk Ibrahim, Secretary General of APPO, announced that the official launch date will be finalized at the next Council of Ministers meeting.
The $5 billion Africa Energy Bank is a joint initiative between APPO and the African Import-Export Bank (Afreximbank). Headquartered in Abuja, Nigeria, the institution is designed to bridge Africa’s energy investment gap by funding oil, gas, and infrastructure projects across the continent.
Angola is among the first nations to meet its $100 million capital commitment to the bank. Ibrahim emphasized that APPO remains committed to addressing the serious challenges facing the African oil and gas sector by advancing practical measures that boost financial independence.
The idea for the Africa Energy Bank was first endorsed in Luanda three years ago, when the APPO Ministerial Council approved a memorandum of understanding with Afreximbank. Since then, efforts have been accelerated to make the bank operational within 2025.
In August 2025, APPO’s Executive Council confirmed that final approval would be pursued in the last quarter of the year, bringing the project closer to reality. The upcoming Ministerial meeting is expected to conclude this process by setting a definitive launch date.
Beyond financing, the bank is envisioned as a strategic tool for Africa to reduce reliance on external powers. Ibrahim highlighted the importance of the continent taking control of its energy financing, technology development, and market access.
He called on investors to seize the opportunity to partner with the bank, stressing that Africa’s oil and gas industry has matured and must now be driven by African-led capital and innovation.
With the launch date imminent, the Africa Energy Bank is set to become a cornerstone institution in shaping the future of Africa’s energy sector.
The move reflects a broader push by African leaders to retain greater ownership of their natural resources and strengthen resilience against external financing constraints.
As APPO prepares for the critical Ministerial decision, the Africa Energy Bank stands at the center of Africa’s energy transformation agenda.