SAIPEC 2026 marks a decade of Africa's energy transformation with expanded programme and new features
The Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN) has unveiled the official programme for the landmark 10th edition of the Sub-Saharan Africa International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (SAIPEC), scheduled to take place from 10 to 12 February 2026 at the Eko Convention Centre in Lagos. This milestone event continues to serve as Africa’s premier gathering for oil, gas, and energy leaders, reinforcing its status as the continent’s largest energy, oil, and gas forum.
SAIPEC began in 2017 under the name West Africa International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (WAIPEC) with modest beginnings, 148 delegates and the participation of only two National Oil Companies (NOCs). Over the past decade, it has grown impressively into a pan-African platform engaging more than 1,400 delegates and 23 NOCs in 2025, with expectations for even greater attendance and exhibitor participation in 2026. The international exhibition itself has more than quadrupled in size, expanding from 35 exhibitors in its inaugural year to over 150 exhibitors showcasing expertise across exploration, drilling, engineering, digitalisation, and energy transition technologies.
SAIPEC’s evolution reflects its critical role in catalysing millions of dollars in contracts and partnerships that drive energy projects and investments throughout the African continent. Mr Ibe Chubby Ibe, PETAN/SAIPEC Conference Chairman, highlighted the conference’s transformation from a regional forum to a continental force, underscoring that the 10th anniversary is both a celebration and a strategic call to action. He emphasised the conference’s ongoing commitment to fostering sustainable growth through collaboration, innovation, and championing African content leadership.
The 2026 programme promises a comprehensive agenda tailored to address Africa’s evolving energy landscape. The opening day will initiate discussions with high-level welcome addresses from senior government and industry representatives, followed by keynote speeches reflecting on SAIPEC’s decade-long impact. Crucial regulatory panels will evaluate how reforms and investment frameworks can stimulate exploration and production growth, supported by country spotlight sessions that present upstream, midstream, and refining projects from key markets such as Nigeria, Angola, Ghana, Namibia, Senegal, and Mozambique. An Investment Forum is planned to dissect capital deployment strategies, risk management, and financing mechanisms vital for emerging energy ventures.
The second day centres on “Africa’s Gas Opportunity – A Pillar for Industrialisation and Export,” with sessions exploring the LNG sector outlook, domestic gas infrastructure development, and regional collaboration. Panels dedicated to local content and indigenous capacity building will highlight policy frameworks, project execution, and supplier development strategies, vital to strengthening the continent’s energy supply chain. The day will culminate in a 10th Anniversary Gala Dinner alongside the SAIPEC Awards, recognising industry leaders and partners who have significantly contributed to Africa’s energy growth.
The final day shifts focus toward the future workforce, opening with a keynote on diversity and leadership transformation. The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Leadership Panel will spotlight contributions by women and youth advancing in technical and leadership roles, followed by the SPE Futures Forum, an interactive platform designed to connect young engineers, academics, and entrepreneurs. The conference will close with a presentation of actionable outcomes, offering policy insights and collaboration pathways to guide Africa’s next phase of energy transformation.
SAIPEC 2026 introduces several new features, including in-country roundtables, a Local Content Pitching Session, and an expanded technical conference designed to deepen insight into engineering, project execution, and technology trends. Networking opportunities remain a foundational element, with exclusive receptions, business lunches, and PETAN’s signature golf day facilitating partnership building and investment discussions. The exhibition itself will serve as a dynamic showcase, featuring innovations in digital solutions, field optimisation, and sustainability-driven technologies reshaping Africa’s energy sector.
As part of the extended 10th Anniversary Celebratory Week, the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) will host the Local Content – African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) Energy Summit on 9 February 2026. This summit will explore opportunities stemming from AfCFTA to enhance intra-African energy trade and bolster local content participation continent-wide.
Sub-Saharan Africa, with its vast hydrocarbon reserves, expanding gas potential, and increasing renewable integration, remains pivotal to global energy diversification. SAIPEC has played an essential role over the last decade in driving collaboration, investment, and knowledge exchange throughout the region’s energy markets. The 2026 edition will once more bring together policymakers, operators, investors, and innovators to chart Africa’s energy future, balancing growth with social and economic benefits for the continent’s people.