Speaking to Energy Capital & Power during the Congo Energy & Investment Forum (CEIF) in March, René Awambeng, Founder and Managing Partner of Premier Invest, highlighted the pipeline’s potential to reduce the cost of transporting refined petroleum products between the two countries. He said the project will play a vital role in facilitating energy distribution and strengthening Africa’s overall energy security.

How is Premier Invest positioning itself to meet the growing demand for capital for African oil and gas projects?

Our role is to advise partners; governments, large corporate and financial institutions, to help them prepare projects and make them bankable. We assist with technical, financial and environmental analyses, ensuring they attract the technology they require and comply to laws.

We are advising national oil companies and regulators on developing effective regulatory frameworks that attract investment. For example, Congo is preparing to launch a new licensing round, and we are actively involved in that process to help attract serious investors. In the mergers and acquisitions space, we are also supporting junior companies as they enter assets where international players are diversifying.

What are the key objectives of the Deal Room hosted by Premier Invest at the Congo Energy & Investment Forum?

We introduced the concept of the Deal Room alongside major energy conferences to ensure that real transactions take place. The Deal Room provides a dedicated platform for project sponsors, investors, financiers and companies to present and discuss oil, gas and power sector projects that are in development and seeking financing across the continent. Our goal is to move beyond conversations and facilitate actionable outcomes. The CEIF marks our second edition of the Deal Room.

What strategies can Africa adopt to attract the capital needed to accelerate growth in its energy markets?

We need to mobilize local capital, rather than relying on external funding. The key lies in creating the right enabling environment that attracts investors to our oil and gas sector. This means ensuring transactions are bankable, backed by strong governance, supported by adequate infrastructure and carried out through transparent processes. A great example is Nigeria, where the indigenous oil and gas community has developed strong technical and financial capacity to manage assets over the years. Countries like Congo, Angola, Guinea, Gabon, Chad and Cameroon - who are already producing oil – can learn from Nigeria’s model.

Watch here, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GuxM3_bFyc8