H.E. Gabriel Mbaga Obiang Lima, Minister of Mines and Hydrocarbons of Equatorial Guinea, announced at the third annual Africa Oil & Petroleum (AOP) conference that Equatorial Guinea will host two energy summits, organized by AOP, as part of its 2019 Year of Energy initiative.

The African Petroleum Producers’ Organization Cape VII event will take place from18-22 March 2019, and the Gas Exporting Countries Forum 5th Gas Summit will take place in November 2019.

Speaking on the second day of AOP 2018 in Cape Town, the Minister said that one of his top priorities was to ensure that hosting these conferences and events was an optimal means of generating new economic activity, as well as direct and indirect employment in sectors such as tourism and hospitality.

“We want Equatorial Guinea to become a model and an example for other countries that are only just now starting their oil and gas industries,” he noted at a press conference. 

The African Petroleum Producers’ Organization Cape VII conference will have an African focus and will primarily draw attention to African national oil companies (NOCs).

“In Equatorial Guinea … we believe that our national companies have the potential to work more efficiently,” he said, adding that the conference would provide a platform for NOCs to engage with each other and expand across African borders.

The Gas Exporting Countries Forum 5th Gas Summit will bring representatives of GECF member states such as Russia and Qatar to Malabo to discuss possible collaborations and cooperation with African countries.

“We can assure you that Malabo will be a very busy city in terms of oil and gas in 2019. Anyone who is part of the oil and gas industry should be in Malabo next year,” he said.