The Ivorian political capital, Yamoussoukro, has been hosting the 27th meeting of the Executive Council of the African Petroleum Producers' Organization (APPO) since Thursday, July 2, 2026. For three days, representatives of member countries are working on the future of the hydrocarbons sector, with three absolute priorities: the launch of the African Energy Bank (AEB), the institutional overhaul of the organization, and the strengthening of regional synergies.

The opening session was led by Aka Kadjo Jean-Baptiste, Chief of Staff and representative of the Ivorian Minister of Mines, Petroleum and Energy, Mamadou Sangafowa Coulibaly.

1. African Energy Bank: Green light given

Good news for infrastructure financing on the continent: APPO Secretary General Farid Ghezali announced that the minimum financial threshold required to activate the African Energy Bank (AEB) has been exceeded . This historic milestone officially paves the way for financing major energy projects in Africa.

Mr. Ghezali also took the opportunity to give a positive assessment of the last six months, marked by increased international visibility for the organization, while advocating for a gradual, transparent and inclusive internal restructuring.

2. The challenges of the energy transition

For Karrol Kadiata Leta, president of the APPO Executive Council, Africa must adapt to changes in the global market and climate demands. To do so, he recommends several levers:

1. Harmonize legal and fiscal frameworks between states.
2. Intensify collaboration between national oil companies.
3. Optimize the organization's internal governance.

3. Ivory Coast's roadmap for 2026

Through his representative, Minister Mamadou Sangafowa Coulibaly reiterated Côte d'Ivoire's full support for the APPO reforms and outlined four strategic priorities for the current year:

1. The immediate operationalization of the BAE.
2. The restructuring of APPO institutions.
3. The organization is opening up to new producers (Uganda, Mozambique, South Sudan).
4. Promoting local content to maximize direct economic benefits for African populations.

See you in November 2026: The minister invited members to maintain this momentum in view of the next meeting of the Council of Ministers, which will be held in Abidjan on the sidelines of the International Exhibition of Extractive and Energy Resources (SIREXE).

The conclusions and recommendations of this 27th meeting are expected to be crucial in shaping the contours of a more united, sovereign and resilient energy Africa in the face of global upheavals.