• Senator Cruz’s participation at African Energy Week: Invest in African Energies is expected to firm up U.S.-Africa energy ties.
  • Known for his push for energy independence and market-driven growth, Senator Cruz’s message is expected to center on expanding private-sector investment.
  • Texas lawmaker also set to support U.S. energy companies operating in Africa, and bolster energy infrastructure that syncs with both African development goals and emerging U.S. strategic interests.

 

The push by the U.S. to secure significant control in critical energy resources in Africa is projected to intensify later this year as Ted Cruz, a ranking member of U.S. Senate Commerce and Foreign Relations Committees makes key address at the Invest in African Energies Summit.

According to organizers of the event, Ted Cruz is scheduled to highlight the role of Africa-U.S. commercial ties particularly on energy investments.

“Being a Senator from Texas, Senator Cruz not only understands what oil and gas means to the economy of Texas but also for the transformation of Africa. Senator Cruz speaking to energy industry and African leaders sends a loud message: the U.S. is not sitting out the future of African energy,” states NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber.

Ayuk adds that Ted Cruz “understands the stakes – from gas deals in to infrastructure buildouts– and his presence proves America is serious about competing, investing and showing up where it matters.”

The chairman of African Energy Chamber, which is organizing the key energies forum notes that the U.S. Senator recognizes that the key to African countries’ economic prosperity lies in embracing free markets, minimizing government intervention, promoting individual responsibility and upholding the rule of law.

African Energy Week

The 2025 edition of the African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energies comes at a critical moment when the U.S. under President Trump is redefining strategic commercial ties and relationship with key African markets, which Washington sees critical in securing its hydrocarbon, LNG, and critical mineral needs.

At the moment, Africa is evolving into a new frontier, attracting suitors from China, Brazil, UK, the European Union as well as Russia, prompting equal attention from policy chiefs and U.S. power brokers.

Across African economies, a number of U.S. energy companies continue to ramp up their investments to explore and process energy resources in the continent. Energy heavyweights ExxonMobil, Chevron, ConocoPhillips and Vaalco Energy are currently undertaking key projects in Africa.

According to African Energy Chamber statistics, ExxonMobil is maximizing output at producing fields through projects such as the Erha and Owowo fields in Nigeria and the Kizomba deep water development in Angola’s Block 15.

On the gas front, ExxonMobil is implementing projects such as the Rovuma LNG development in Mozambique, targeting 18 million tonnes per annum. The company plans to reach a final investment decision in 2026.

Oil and gas exploration

Meanwhile Chevron is driving oil and gas exploration in West and Southern Africa through projects in Nigeria’s Niger Delta, Equatorial Guinea’s offshore Blocks EG-06 and EG-11 and Namibia’s Walvis Basin.

The company has also expanded gas production capacity in Angola through the Sanha Lean Gas Connection Project and the upcoming New Gas Consortium project.

Additionally, Houston-based ConocoPhillips is targeting to realize an output level of between 600,000 barrels per day (bpd) and 700,000 bpd at the Waha concession in the Sirte Basin in Libya. The company is prioritizing collaborations, work-over programmes and pipeline integrity at the concession, which currently produces 375,000 bpd.

Another Houston-based energy giant, Vaalco Energy, is modernizing FPSO infrastructure in Africa to support production growth. The company is currently active in Ivory Coast and Gabon, where it plans a drilling campaign in 2026 and 2025 respectively.

In Egypt, Vaalco Energy brought five wells online in 2025, while in Equatorial Guinea, is targeting first oil at Block P in 2026.

U.S.-based service providers are also strengthening their presence across the African market. Baker Hughes’s African footprint includes markets such as Nigeria and Namibia, where it offers world-class oilfield services and skills development programs.

NOV is involved in strategic initiatives across the African energy value chain, from offshore exploration and production to processing and logistics. Focusing on digitalization and efficiency, Halliburton supports a variety of African energy projects. The company brings advanced technology solutions to enhance production efficiency and optimize resource extraction.

Ted Cruz influencing American energy interests in Africa

Stepping into this picture, Senator Cruz’s participation at AEW: Invest in African Energies is expected to further strengthened U.S.-Africa energy ties.

Known for his advocacy of energy independence and market-driven growth, Senator Cruz’s message at the event is expected to center on expanding private-sector investment, supporting American energy companies operating in Africa, and bolstering energy infrastructure that aligns with both African development goals and U.S. strategic interests.

His appearance follows recent signals from Washington—including a bipartisan call for deeper energy cooperation with Africa—as the U.S. seeks to reclaim ground in a region critical to global energy security.

“We at the AEC strongly believe that markets—rather than pseudo-intellectuals—should drive the future and foster innovative growth and development,” notes AJ Ayuk. 

Ted Cruz’s participation comes as African nations are seeking to scale production, expand infrastructure and attract capital to meet growing domestic and global energy demands. The U.S., with its technological expertise and investment capital, is poised to play a pivotal role in supporting Africa’s ambitions, from deep-water exploration to gas-to-power projects and beyond.

With major discoveries across oil, gas and hydrogen, and a wave of African governments prioritizing energy security and local beneficiation, the continent is ripe for strategic partnerships built on mutual interest and long-term impact.

As AEW: Invest in African Energies 2025 approaches, Senator Cruz’s participation is expected to galvanize support for deeper U.S. involvement in African energy markets and sends a clear signal to American companies: Africa is open for business, and the U.S. intends to compete.

His presence is also likely to draw increased attention from private investors, service providers and project developers seeking access to emerging upstream and infrastructure opportunities across the continent.

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