Nigeria will reaffirm its status as Africa’s premier destination for U.S. energy investment at the upcoming U.S.-Africa Energy Forum (USAEF), to be held at Houston’s Post Oak Hotel on August 6 and 7, where government officials and private sector leaders will focus on opportunities in upstream oil and gas monetization and downstream infrastructure.
As Africa’s largest oil producer and a long-time strategic partner of the United States, Nigeria is making a major push to revamp its energy sector, with American companies playing a leading role. With more than 36 billion barrels of proven oil and 200 trillion cubic feet of natural gas, the country represents one of the continent’s most dynamic and commercially attractive energy markets. ExxonMobil is investing $10 billion in offshore oil operations in Nigeria, with a focus on developing the deepwater Owo project while increasing production from existing assets. Chevron has renewed three deepwater leases for 20 years and is expanding operations at the Agbami field, one of Nigeria’s biggest deepwater discoveries, making a major oil discovery in October in shallow waters offshore in the western Niger Delta, and plans to bring the Olowo field online by 2029.
At the same time, U.S. interest in Nigeria’s gas infrastructure is growing, with momentum building for the Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline, a $25 billion, 5,600-kilometre regional project that will deliver Nigerian gas to North Africa and Europe. The US has reportedly expressed interest in investing in this strategic venture, which is in line with both Nigeria’s Gas Decade goals and global efforts to diversify energy supply chains. Nigeria’s LNG Train 7 project is increasing the country’s liquefaction capacity by 35% with support from US engineering firms and suppliers. The project is expected to unlock new export potential while catalyzing midstream infrastructure such as gas processing plants, pipelines and power generation facilities.
At USAEF, a Nigerian delegation will present a compelling case to American investors, highlighting the upstream and gas opportunities opened up by the Petroleum Industry Act and recent licensing rounds. These reforms strengthen regulatory certainty, streamline approvals, and create a clearer framework for joint ventures and production sharing agreements, all aimed at increasing investor confidence.
Downstream departments are also undergoing transformation. With the Dangote Refinery, the world’s largest single-train refinery, now operational, Nigeria is positioning itself as a regional refining hub, reducing dependence on imports and creating new value chains in petrochemicals and logistics. U.S. companies have opportunities to participate in refinery upgrades, modular systems, and technical services.
Although security and governance challenges remain, Nigeria has made meaningful progress in improving ease of doing business, reducing red tape and fast-tracking legacy projects. The government is aggressively prioritizing production from untapped discoveries, freeing billions of dollars worth of stranded reserves and demonstrating a pragmatic approach to resource development.
As the United States expands its involvement in Africa’s energy markets, Nigeria offers a strategic entry point backed by an extensive resource base, improved financial conditions, and a wave of U.S.-led projects already underway. From upstream oil and deepwater operations to gas pipelines, LNG and refining, Nigeria presents one of the continent’s most attractive growth stories for U.S. investors.
For tickets, sponsorship opportunities or other information, please contact sales@energycapitalpower.com. Join us in Houston this August to connect with the leaders shaping Africa’s energy landscape and experience the momentum driving ECP events around the world.
