BY: Dr. Hana Saada
Strategic talks focus on regional energy integration, innovation, and the African Energy Bank during the second Research and Innovation Forum of APPO Member States.
Algiers, Algeria | April 21st, 2025 — In a demonstration of Algeria’s enduring leadership in Africa’s energy landscape, Minister of State for Energy, Mines, and Renewable Energies, Mr. Mohamed Arkab, received on Monday, April 21, 2025, the Secretary General of the African Petroleum Producers’ Organization (APPO), Dr. Omar Farouk Ibrahim. The meeting took place at the ministry’s headquarters in Algiers, on the sidelines of the second edition of the Forum of Research and Innovation Centers for APPO Member States, hosted in the Algerian capital.
The meeting, which brought together senior officials from both sides, provided a valuable platform for in-depth discussions on strengthening bilateral cooperation between Algeria and APPO. Key topics included advancing joint action in oil and gas development, enhancing training programs, and bolstering research and development capacities. The two parties also exchanged assessments on the evolving dynamics of international energy markets, and the prospects of regional integration among African oil and gas producing countries in light of the global energy transition.
Both sides explored organizational and regulatory matters within the APPO framework, stressing the importance of coordination and synergy among member states, especially in relation to engagements within OPEC and the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF). The discussions highlighted the need for collective evaluation of the international oil market and a forward-looking approach to its development.
Minister Arkab reiterated Algeria’s full commitment to intensifying its support for African energy-producing nations, particularly through APPO, by sharing its extensive expertise in exploration, production, engineering, equipment manufacturing, and capacity building. He emphasized the pivotal role played by Algeria’s energy institutions, especially the Algerian Petroleum Institute (IAP), in training and empowering African professionals to meet technical and operational challenges within the sector.
A major point of discussion was the African Energy Bank, an ambitious project initiated by APPO, expected to revolutionize financing mechanisms for energy infrastructure across the continent. Minister Arkab expressed Algeria’s interest in playing an active role in the bank’s implementation, as it is poised to catalyze transformative investments and drive inclusive, sustainable growth in Africa’s energy economies.
Dr. Omar Farouk Ibrahim expressed his deep appreciation for Algeria’s unwavering dedication to the APPO mission. He commended Algeria’s leading role in promoting scientific research, innovation, and human capital development in the energy sector. He further emphasized that Algeria’s hosting of the Research and Innovation Forum is a tangible testament to its commitment to the continent’s energy sovereignty and advancement.
It is worth noting that Algeria has played a central role in APPO since the organization’s establishment in 1987. Comprising 15 full member states and three observers, APPO is a vital continental platform for aligning visions, harmonizing policies, and sharing best practices in both upstream and downstream oil and gas operations. Algeria’s active contribution continues to solidify Africa’s position as a strategic global energy supplier while supporting sustainable development across the continent.
