In anticipation of the 4th edition of the Oil Days scheduled from May 20 to 23, 2026 in Casablanca around the theme “Building attractiveness: strategies and conditions for the development of African hydrocarbons”, Financial Afrik met with Gacyen Mouely, whose expertise is widely recognized in the world of hydrocarbons. In a context marked by the reshaping of energy balances, the rise in governance requirements, and increased competition among oil jurisdictions, he decrypts the essential conditions to make Africa a credible, competitive, and sustainable destination for oil investment.
“The oil-rich Africa does not benefit enough from investments related to the hydrocarbon sector,” he notes. With 28 years of experience in consulting and auditing, he recalls that the continent, despite considerable geological potential, remains marginal in the global distribution of capital.
According to the African Energy Chamber, in its report “The State of African Energy 2026 Outlook”, Africa is expected to represent 11% of global oil production by 2025-2030, more than 11.4 million barrels per day. However, the continent currently only captures 7% of global investments in oil and gas exploration and production, around $43 billion out of a global market of $600 billion.
To reverse this trend, the fourth edition of the Oil Days, scheduled from May 20 to 23 in Casablanca, aims to provide states with concrete tools, share best practices, and build strategies adapted to their level of oil maturity.
Among the identified barriers, the oil codes, considered rigid and inflexible, discourage investors. Gacyen Mouely advocates for evolving texts incorporating stability and flexibility clauses, as well as balanced taxation and transparent governance. The availability and reliability of geological data are also a major lever of attractiveness.
Finally, he emphasizes the need to transform oil revenue into a driver of economic diversification by directing income towards the development of the secondary and tertiary sectors. The Oil Days aim to offer African countries a framework for reflection and action to attract more investments and build inclusive growth.
