TotalEnergies has called for African countries to retain the freedom to develop their oil, gas and renewable energy resources according to their national priorities, arguing that energy access must remain central to the continent’s economic development.
Mike Sangster, Senior Vice President for Africa at TotalEnergies, made the call at the opening ceremony of African Energy Week 2026 in Cape Town, South Africa, where he reaffirmed the company’s long-term commitment to the continent.
He said Africa’s energy transition should reflect the diverse resources, economic circumstances and development needs of individual countries rather than follow a single model.
“Every country must be free to shape its energy policy and develop its resources. This is a conviction we share at TotalEnergies,” he said.
Sangster noted that approximately 550 million Africans still lack access to electricity, describing energy as fundamental to improving education, healthcare, employment and living standards.
He highlighted Mission 300, an initiative targeting electricity access for 300 million Africans by 2030, and said more than 50 million people had gained access since 2024.
However, he said achieving universal access would require sustained investment, predictable regulations, stable fiscal frameworks and improved access to capital to support long-term energy projects.
Investment across Africa
Sangster cited TotalEnergies’ operations in Mozambique, Namibia, Uganda, Tanzania and South Africa as evidence of its confidence in Africa’s energy potential.
In Mozambique, he highlighted the restart of the Mozambique LNG project, which is expected to strengthen the country’s position in the global liquefied natural gas market.
He said the development had supported local skills training and job creation, with substantial government revenues expected over the project’s lifetime.
In Namibia, Sangster pointed to the Venus and Mopane offshore discoveries and further exploration opportunities in the Orange Basin, which could establish the country as a significant oil producer.
He also highlighted the Tilenga and Kingfisher oil developments in Uganda and the East African Crude Oil Pipeline linking Uganda to Tanzania. These projects, he said, were creating employment and expanding opportunities for local businesses and workers.
In South Africa, the company’s activities span oil and gas, fuel supply, renewable electricity and battery storage. Sangster cited the Hydra solar and battery storage project as an example of how renewable generation and storage can contribute to electricity supply.
Investment conditions remain critical
Sangster stressed that Africa’s resource potential would translate into lasting economic benefits only if governments and investors worked together to accelerate project development.
He called for more efficient permitting processes and greater regulatory certainty, noting that major energy developments typically require long-term financial commitments.
He also pointed to changing global energy dynamics and the importance of diversifying energy supplies, arguing that Africa could strengthen its position as an international energy supplier while meeting its own domestic needs.
For TotalEnergies, the strategy is to expand energy production while reducing the environmental footprint of its operations.
Sangster urged governments, investors and development institutions to turn commitments into concrete projects that expand energy access, build local capacity and support economic growth across the continent.