The Spanish Chamber of Commerce in South Africa has officially joined forces with the African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energies conference to drive new collaboration between Spanish and South African energy players.

This partnership aims to strengthen investment, boost development, and increase Spanish company participation at the major industry event, which will take place from September 29 to October 3, 2025.

As a non-profit dedicated to promoting commercial, economic, and industrial ties between Spain and South Africa, the Chamber sees the energy sector as central to its mission.

By aligning with AEW, the Chamber is committing to exposing Spanish firms to the emerging energy opportunities across South Africa and helping them enter the market.

AEW has become the leading platform where African energy deals are brokered, bringing together project operators, financiers, technology providers, and government stakeholders.

“The opportunities for heightened collaboration between Spain and South Africa are extensive,” says Tomás Gerbasio, VP Commercial and Strategic Engagement at the African Energy Chamber.

“Global partnerships are fundamental for countries seeking to rapidly grow their oil, gas, and renewable energy industries.

Spain and South Africa have significant potential to expand their trade, energy, and business ties, and the Spanish Chamber of Commerce in South Africa works hard to achieve mutual development goals.”

While Spain is a net importer of oil and gas, its companies have long found success abroad.

Spanish energy giant Repsol, for example, has been active in Africa since the 1970s, with major operations in Algeria and Libya.

In Algeria, Repsol recently secured approval to invest up to €731 million in oil and gas projects.

In Libya, the company plans to drill nine consecutive wells by November 2025, aiming to lift production from 300,000 barrels per day (bpd) in December 2024 to 350,000 bpd.

South Africa, by contrast, is a frontier oil and gas market just beginning to tap its vast hydrocarbon potential.

The Luiperd and Brulpadda discoveries in the Outeniqua Basin stand as the largest gas finds in the country’s history.

Africa Oil Corp, the operator, plans further surveys within Block 11B/12B to shape a development plan.

Meanwhile, the Orange Basin — shared between South Africa and Namibia — is drawing increased attention, with companies like Eco Atlantic, TotalEnergies, and QatarEnergy expanding their exploration footprint.

On the renewable energy front, Spain is one of Europe’s leaders in green hydrogen, accounting for 20% of all announced EU projects, according to the World Economic Forum.

Spain is building industrial clusters to accelerate Europe’s clean energy shift, while South Africa is advancing its own green hydrogen ambitions, targeting between 6 and 13 million tons of production annually by 2050.

In 2023, South Africa launched a R300 billion investment pipeline and identified 19 projects for fast-tracked development.

That same year, Spain committed $2.3 billion to support South Africa’s energy transition — but even greater global backing could help unlock the full promise of the country’s renewable energy sector.