JUBA, November 10, 2026 – Energy and government officials from South Sudan, Uganda, Kenya and Djibouti will headline a ministerial panel at the South Sudan Oil & Power [SSOP] 2026 conference, scheduled for November 24-25 in Juba.
The panel, titled Regional Cooperation, Investment and Energy Security, will examine ways of strengthening regional energy cooperation, developing cross-border infrastructure and attracting investment into East Africa’s petroleum sector.
The panellists will include Awow Daniel Chuang, South Sudan’s Minister of Petroleum; Monica Musenero Masanza, Uganda’s Minister of Energy and Mineral Development; Silvester Kasuku, Advisor on Governance in Kenya’s Executive Office of the President; and Wahib Ali Boulo, Djibouti’s Director of Hydrocarbons.
Their participation comes as East Africa enters a new phase of oil exploration and production, with Uganda and Kenya preparing to commence commercial oil production, Djibouti pursuing cross-border trade partnerships and South Sudan seeking to increase its crude output.
The conference is expected to provide a platform for the four countries to explore opportunities for greater regional integration and investment in the energy sector.
South Sudan is seeking to attract international investors into its upstream petroleum sector as it pursues plans to increase crude oil production from 174,000 barrels per day [bpd] to about 230,000 bpd in the near term.
The government is inviting investors to participate in brownfield development, accelerate exploration and expand refining capacity. About 14 oil blocks are currently available for investment.
Uganda, meanwhile, is promoting further investment in oil exploration ahead of the planned commencement of production from the Kingfisher and Tilenga oilfields in June 2027.
The two projects will mark the country’s entry into commercial oil production, with crude expected to be transported through the East African Crude Oil Pipeline [EACOP], which connects the oilfields to Tanzania’s Port of Tanga.
The pipeline, which was reported to be 92 percent complete, is expected to provide an export route for Uganda’s crude oil. The country also plans to launch another oil and gas licensing round in 2026/2027 to sustain exploration and investment.
Kenya is also preparing to join the region’s oil-producing countries, with first production from the South Lokichar Basin expected in December 2026.
The project, being developed by Gulf Energy, targets an initial production capacity of 20,000 bpd, with plans to increase output to 50,000 bpd in its second phase.
The development comes alongside investments in the country’s downstream petroleum sector. In late September 2026, Nigeria’s Dangote Group launched construction activities for a proposed 700,000-bpd refinery in Lamu.
A South Sudanese delegation led by Minister Chuang attended the groundbreaking ceremony.
Djibouti, on the other hand, is seeking to strengthen its role as a regional trade and logistics hub through partnerships with neighbouring countries.
In 2025, the country signed an agreement with South Sudan to develop the White Nile Trade Corridor, which seeks to establish river transport and dry-port infrastructure in Juba, Bor, Malakal and Renk.
The initiative is intended to connect South Sudan to international trade routes through Djibouti, providing alternative transport and trade opportunities for the landlocked country.
Boulo’s participation in the ministerial panel is expected to provide an opportunity to explore further cooperation in cross-border infrastructure, trade and energy development.
The seventh edition of SSOP will be held under the theme Resource Renaissance – Energy-Fuelled Growth for a New Generation.
The conference will bring together policymakers, national oil companies, investors and infrastructure developers to discuss how regional partnerships can enhance energy security, attract capital and accelerate the development of energy projects across East Africa.
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