Africa's oil and gas industry is facing extraordinary circumstances. An ongoing energy transition and new efforts to decarbonize the world are weighing on oil demand. The shale revolution is exacerbating these pressures. And of course, the COVID-19 pandemic has wrought havoc on markets around the world, accelerating and intensifying existing trends. External headwinds are forcing African petroleum producers to re-examine their strategies. Conventional petroleum resources here should be globally competitive, but growth has lagged because of conditions above the ground, not below. Restrictive fiscal regimes, inefficient and carbon-intensive production, and difficulties in doing business are preventing the industry from reaching its full potential. As companies delay projects and cut costs, planned capital expenditure in 2020-2021 has fallen from $90 billion pre-COVID-19, to $60 billion now. To remain competitive, African producers and governments must adapt. But how can they do it when the economic order is being remade? The Road to Recovery addresses these challenges head-on, detailing all of the major challenges facing African oil and gas stakeholders, as well as workable solutions that will keep the industry on a strong and stable growth path. Again and again, our oil and gas sector has proven its resilience and adaptability. The world still needs oil and gas, and Africa still holds enormous untapped potential. The African Energy Chamber will remain a committed partner of choice for the industry as we advance into an uncertain future.

Wall Street Journal Best Selling Book "I agree with the points made-and with Ayuk's case for the critical role that OPEC will play in helping African oil products achieve a much-deserved voice in the petroleum industry." -OPEC Secretary-General, H.E. Mohammad Sanusi Barkindo Two decades of negotiating African oil and gas deals have given NJ Ayuk a grasp of the continent's energy landscape that few can match. The American-educated, African energy lawyer serves up generous doses of that insight in his second book, Billions at Play: The Future of Africa Energy and Doing Deals. Serving as a road map for the continent to do a better job of using its vast energy resources to improve its peoples' lives, Ayuk addresses how African countries can use their energy industries as springboards for diversifying and growing their overall economies. In addition, Ayuk shows how African governments and local companies can negotiate better deals with international energy companies and how the continent's countries can use marginal oil and gas fields to develop domestic energy industries that, once strong, will compete globally. Questions posed and answered: Why Africa's fledgling natural gas resources can allow the continent to emerge as a key global player in the industry What changes African countries can make in order to become attractive investment destinations The role that access to reliable, sustainable, and affordable power can play in the acceleration of economic growth Why and how American energy companies should stop curtailing their investments in Africa And why the continent's energy industry needs more women The book's underlying theme is that too often, natural resources create wealth for foreign investors and a select group of African elites while everyday people (and in turn, African economies) fail to benefit. While it is easy to see that there is a lack of local participation in African projects and an ongoing challenge in securing necessary investment, we also need to understand our role in this. We have to understand the importance of creating enabling environments with attractive fiscal terms for local and foreign investors, the role of stronger local content policies in ensuring more local participation in the sector, and the weight government and political uncertainty carries in moving projects forward. "It's up to Africans to fix Africa," writes Ayuk. This statement can be considered a living theme throughout the book as he encourages that local companies and governments have to enter into collaborative agreements rather than passive engagements with IOCs and majors. "[We need] investors who show that they want to fully participate with us, by coming in and building long-term sustainable businesses that last and make a profit, create jobs and further development." If you're ready to dive headfirst into accessing a frank analysis and examination of the African energy landscape and how Africans can begin to fix Africa, jump into the pages of Billions at Play.

A comprehensive but entertaining look at Africa's oil & gas present and future.

Two decades of negotiating African oil and gas deals have given NJ Ayuk a grasp of the continent's energy landscape that few can match. The American-educated, African energy lawyer serves up generous doses of that insight in his second book, "Billions at Play: The Future of Africa Energy and Doing Deals." He offers a road map for the continent doing a better job of using its vast energy resources to improve its peoples' lives.

He addresses how African countries can use their energy industries as spring boards for diversifying and growing their overall economies. Another is how they can negotiate better deals with international energy companies and how the continent's countries can use marginal oil and gas fields to develop domestic energy industries that, once strong, will compete globally. In addition, Ayuk discusses why Africa's fledgling natural gas industry can become an international powerhouse, how the continent can improve its notoriously unreliable, economy-sapping power industry, why American energy companies should stop curtailing their investments in Africa, and why the continent's energy industry needs more women.

The book's underlying theme is that -- in Ayuk's words -- "too often, our natural resources create wealth for foreign investors and a select group of African elites while everyday people fail to benefit." As for Africans needing to step up their energy-negotiations game, Ayuk notes that when he became an oil and gas lawyer years ago, "Africans were not part of any kind of deal-making structure: When negotiations involving foreign investors' oil and gas exploration, production, and revenue-sharing took place, Africans were not at the table--or even in the room."

"Estoy de acuerdo con los puntos planteados y con la vision de Ayuk sobre el papel fundamental que desempenara la OPEP para ayudar a las productores de petroleo africanos a lograr una voz muy merecida en la industria petrolera" -Secretario General de la OPEP, H.E. Mohammad Sanusi Barkindo Dos decadas de negociacion de transacciones de petroleo y gas han dado a NJ Ayuk un entendimiento del panorama energetico en el continente que muy pocos pueden igualar. Educado en Estados Unidos, el abogado Africano en materia energetica brinda dosis generosas de ese conocimiento en su segundo libro Billones en Juego: El Futuro de la Energia Africana y de Como Hacer Negocios. Sirviendo como guia para que el continente haga un mejor uso de sus vastos recursos energeticos a efecto de mejorar las vidas de las personas, Ayuk aborda como los paises Africanos pueden utilizar sus industrias energeticas como trampolines para diversificar y crecer sus economias. Asimismo, Ayuk muestra como los gobiernos africanos y las companias locales pueden negociar mejores tratos con companias energeticas internacionales, y como los paises del continente pueden utilizar campos marginales de petroleo y gas para desarrollar sus industrias energeticas domesticas, las cuales, una vez fortalecidas, podran competir globalmente. Planteamientos y respuestas: Porque los incipientes recursos de gas natural de Africa pueden ayudar al continente a emerger como un jugador global clave en la industria Que cambios pueden hacer los paises Africanos a efecto de convertirse en destinos atractivos de inversion El rol que el acceso a electricidad confiable, sustentable y asequible puede tener en la aceleracion del crecimiento economico Como y porque las companias energeticas Americanas deberian de dejar de limitar sus inversiones en Africa Y porque la industria energetica en el continente requiere mas mujeres. El tema subyacente del libro es que, en demasiadas ocasiones, los recursos naturales crean riqueza para inversionistas extranjeros y un selecto grupo de elites Africanas, mientras que el resto de la gente (y, en consecuencia, las economias Africanas) no obtienen ningun beneficio. Si bien es facil percibir que existe una falta de participacion local en proyectos en Africa, asi como un constante reto para obtener las inversiones necesarias, es importante entender nuestro rol en esto. Debemos comprender la importancia de crear ambientes propicios con terminos fiscales atractivos para inversionistas locales y extranjeros, el rol de politicas de contenido local mas solidas a efecto de asegurar participacion local en el sector, y el peso que el gobierno y la inestabilidad politica tienen en el desarrollo de los proyectos. "Depende de los Africanos arreglar Africa," escribe Ayuk. Este enunciado puede considerarse como un tema vivo en el libro, ya que promueve que companias locales y gobiernos celebren convenios de colaboracion en lugar de compromisos pasivos con companias energeticas internacionales y los grandes jugadores del sector. "[Necesitamos] inversionistas que muestren interes en participar completamente con nosotros, entrando al mercado y construyendo negocios sustentables y rentables de largo plazo, creando empleos y desarrollo adicional." Si estas listo para sumergirte a profundidad y acceder a un franco analisis y examen del panorama energetico en Africa y como los Africanos pueden comenzar a arreglar Africa, adentrate a las paginas de Billones en Juego. ENGLISH VERSION "I agree with the points made-and with Ayuk's case for the critical role that OPEC will play in helping African oil products achieve a much-deserved voice in the petroleum industry." -OPEC Secretary-General, H.E. Mohammad Sanusi Barkindo Two decades of negotiating African oil and gas deals have given NJ Ayuk a grasp of the continent's energy landscape that few can match. The American-educated, African energy lawyer serves up generous doses of that insight in his second book, Billions at Play: The Future of Africa Energy and Doing Deals. Serving as a road map for the continent to do a better job of using its vast energy resources to improve its peoples' lives, Ayuk addresses how African countries can use their energy industries as springboards for diversifying and growing their overall economies. In addition, Ayuk shows how African governments and local companies can negotiate better deals with international energy companies and how the continent's countries can use marginal oil and gas fields to develop domestic energy industries that, once strong, will compete globally. Questions posed and answered: Why Africa's fledgling natural gas resources can allow the continent to emerge as a key global player in the industry What changes African countries can make in order to become attractive investment destinations The role that access to reliable, sustainable, and affordable power can play in the acceleration of economic growth Why and how American energy companies should stop curtailing their investments in Africa And why the continent's energy industry needs more women The book's underlying theme is that too often, natural resources create wealth for foreign investors and a select group of African elites while everyday people (and in turn, African economies) fail to benefit. While it is easy to see that there is a lack of local participation in African projects and an ongoing challenge in securing necessary investment, we also need to understand our role in this. We have to understand the importance of creating enabling environments with attractive fiscal terms for local and foreign investors, the role of stronger local content policies in ensuring more local participation in the sector, and the weight government and political uncertainty carries in moving projects forward. "It's up to Africans to fix Africa," writes Ayuk. This statement can be considered a living theme throughout the book as he encourages that local companies and governments have to enter into collaborative agreements rather than passive engagements with IOCs and majors. "[We need] investors who show that they want to fully participate with us, by coming in and building long-term sustainable businesses that last and make a profit, create jobs and further development." If you're ready to dive headfirst into accessing a frank analysis and examination of the African energy landscape and how Africans can begin to fix Africa, jump into the pages of Billions at Play.

"Je suis d'accord avec les points souleves et avec l'argument d'Ayuk pour le role critique que l'OPEP jouera afin que les produits petroliers africains se fasse une voix bien meritee dans l'industrie petroliere." -Secretaire general de l'OPEP, S.E. Mohammad Sanusi Barkindo Deux decennies de negociation d'accords petroliers et gaziers africains ont donne a NJ Ayuk une comprehension du paysage energetique du continent que peu de gens peuvent egaler. L'avocat de l'energie africain, forme aux Etats-Unis, fournit des doses genereuses de cette idee dans son deuxieme livre, Billions at Play: The Future of Africa Energy and Doing Deals. Servant de feuille de route pour que le continent fasse un meilleur travail en utilisant ses vastes ressources energetiques pour ameliorer la vie de ses populations, Ayuk explique comment les pays africains peuvent utiliser leurs industries energetiques comme tremplins pour diversifier et developper leur economie globale. De plus, Ayuk montre comment les gouvernements africains et les entreprises locales peuvent negocier de meilleurs accords avec les societes energetiques internationales et comment les pays du continent peuvent utiliser des gisements de petrole et de gaz marginaux pour developper des industries energetiques nationales qui, une fois fortes, seront competitives au niveau mondial. Questions posees et reponses: Pourquoi les nouvelles ressources de gaz naturel de l'Afrique peuvent permettre au continent de devenir un acteur mondial cle de l'industrie Quels changements les pays africains peuvent faire pour devenir des destinations d'investissement attractives Le role que l'acces a une energie fiable, durable et abordable peut jouer dans l'acceleration de la croissance economique Pourquoi et comment les entreprises energetiques americaines devraient cesser de reduire leurs investissements en Afrique Et pourquoi l'industrie energetique du continent a besoin de plus de femmes Le theme sous-jacent du livre est que trop souvent, les ressources naturelles creent de la richesse pour les investisseurs etrangers et un groupe restreint d'elites africaines alors que les gens ordinaires (et par consequent, les economies africaines) n'en profitent pas. S'il est facile de voir qu'il y a un manque de participation locale dans les projets africains et un defi permanent pour obtenir les investissements necessaires, nous devons egalement comprendre notre role a cet egard. Nous devons comprendre l'importance de creer des environnements favorables avec des conditions fiscales attrayantes pour les investisseurs locaux et etrangers, le role de politiques de contenu local plus fortes pour garantir une plus grande participation locale dans le secteur, et le poids du gouvernement et de l'incertitude politique dans l'avancement des projets. "C'est aux Africains de reparer l'Afrique", ecrit Ayuk. Cette declaration peut etre consideree comme un theme vivant tout au long du livre car il encourage les entreprises et les gouvernements locaux a conclure des accords de collaboration plutot que des engagements passifs avec les CIO et les majors. "[Nous avons besoin] d'investisseurs qui montrent qu'ils veulent participer pleinement avec nous, en venant et en construisant des entreprises durables, a long terme qui durent et font des benefices, creent des emplois et poursuivent leur developpement." Si vous etes pret a plonger la tete la premiere dans une analyse et un examen francs du paysage energetique africain et de la maniere dont les Africains peuvent commencer a reparer l'Afrique, plongez dans les pages de Billions at Play. ENGLISH DESCRIPTION: "I agree with the points made-and with Ayuk's case for the critical role that OPEC will play in helping African oil products achieve a much-deserved voice in the petroleum industry." -OPEC Secretary-General, H.E. Mohammad Sanusi Barkindo Two decades of negotiating African oil and gas deals have given NJ Ayuk a grasp of the continent's energy landscape that few can match. The American-educated, African energy lawyer serves up generous doses of that insight in his second book, Billions at Play: The Future of Africa Energy and Doing Deals. Serving as a road map for the continent to do a better job of using its vast energy resources to improve its peoples' lives, Ayuk addresses how African countries can use their energy industries as springboards for diversifying and growing their overall economies. In addition, Ayuk shows how African governments and local companies can negotiate better deals with international energy companies and how the continent's countries can use marginal oil and gas fields to develop domestic energy industries that, once strong, will compete globally. Questions posed and answered: Why Africa's fledgling natural gas resources can allow the continent to emerge as a key global player in the industry What changes African countries can make in order to become attractive investment destinations The role that access to reliable, sustainable, and affordable power can play in the acceleration of economic growth Why and how American energy companies should stop curtailing their investments in Africa And why the continent's energy industry needs more women The book's underlying theme is that too often, natural resources create wealth for foreign investors and a select group of African elites while everyday people (and in turn, African economies) fail to benefit. While it is easy to see that there is a lack of local participation in African projects and an ongoing challenge in securing necessary investment, we also need to understand our role in this. We have to understand the importance of creating enabling environments with attractive fiscal terms for local and foreign investors, the role of stronger local content policies in ensuring more local participation in the sector, and the weight government and political uncertainty carries in moving projects forward. "It's up to Africans to fix Africa," writes Ayuk. This statement can be considered a living theme throughout the book as he encourages that local companies and governments have to enter into collaborative agreements rather than passive engagements with IOCs and majors. "[We need] investors who show that they want to fully participate with us, by coming in and building long-term sustainable businesses that last and make a profit, create jobs and further development." If you're ready to dive headfirst into accessing a frank analysis and examination of the African energy landscape and how Africans can begin to fix Africa, jump into the pages of Billions at Play.

"Concordo com os pontos defendidos e com o caso que Ayuk defende sobre o papel critico que a OPEP desempenhara para ajudar os produtos petroliferos africanos a alcancar a voz que merecem na industria petrolifera." -Secretario-Geral da OPEP, S. Ex . Mohammad Sanusi Barkindo Duas decadas de negociacao de acordos de petroleo e gas africanos deram a NJ Ayuk um conhecimento da paisagem energetica do continente que poucos conseguem igualar. O advogado africano especialista em energia, educado nos Estados Unidos, serve doses generosas desse conhecimento no seu segundo livro, Bilioes em Jogo: O Futuro da Energia e dos Negocios em Africa. Servindo como um roteiro para que o continente faca uma melhor utilizacao dos seus vastos recursos energeticos para melhorar a vida das suas populacoes, Ayuk aborda a forma como os paises africanos podem utilizar as suas industrias energeticas como catalisadores para diversificar e fazer crescer as suas economias globais. Para alem disso, Ayuk mostra como os governos africanos e as empresas locais podem negociar melhores acordos com empresas internacionais de energia e como os paises do continente podem utilizar campos marginais de petroleo e gas para desenvolver industrias energeticas domesticas que, uma vez fortes, irao competir a nivel global. Perguntas colocadas e respondidas: Porque e que os novos recursos de gas natural de Africa podem permitir que o continente se eleve como um ator-chave global na industria O que e que os paises africanos podem fazer para se tornarem destinos de investimento atrativos O papel que o acesso a energia fiavel, sustentavel e acessivel pode desempenhar na aceleracao do crescimento economico Como e porque e que as empresas energeticas americanas devem parar de reduzir os seus investimentos em Africa E porque e que a industria energetica do continente precisa de mais mulheres O tema subjacente do livro e que, demasiadas vezes, os recursos naturais criam riqueza para investidores estrangeiros e para um grupo seleto de elites africanas, enquanto as pessoas comuns (e, por sua vez, as economias africanas) nao conseguem beneficiar. Embora seja facil ver que existe uma falta de participacao local em projetos africanos e um desafio permanente para assegurar o investimento necessario, tambem precisamos de compreender o nosso papel neste contexto. Temos de compreender a importancia de criar ambientes favoraveis com condicoes fiscais atrativas para investidores locais e estrangeiros, o papel de politicas de conteudo local mais fortes para assegurar uma maior participacao local no sector, e o peso que o governo e a incerteza politica tem no sucesso ou insucesso dos projetos. "Cabe aos Africanos encontrar solucoes para Africa", escreve Ayuk. Esta declaracao pode ser considerada um tema vivo em todo o livro, uma vez que ele encoraja a que as empresas e governos locais tenham de celebrar acordos de colaboracao em vez de compromissos passivos com empresas petroliferas internacionais e com os principais atores da industria. "[Precisamos] de investidores que mostrem que querem participar plenamente connosco, entrando e construindo empresas sustentaveis a longo prazo que durem e tenham lucro, criem empregos e desenvolvimento futuro." Se estiver pronto a mergulhar de cabeca no acesso a uma analise franca do panorama do sector energetico africano e de como os africanos podem comecar a solucionar os desafios de Africa, entregue-se as paginas de Bilioes em Jogo. ENGLISH VERSION "I agree with the points made-and with Ayuk's case for the critical role that OPEC will play in helping African oil products achieve a much-deserved voice in the petroleum industry." -OPEC Secretary-General, H.E. Mohammad Sanusi Barkindo Two decades of negotiating African oil and gas deals have given NJ Ayuk a grasp of the continent's energy landscape that few can match. The American-educated, African energy lawyer serves up generous doses of that insight in his second book, Billions at Play: The Future of Africa Energy and Doing Deals. Serving as a road map for the continent to do a better job of using its vast energy resources to improve its peoples' lives, Ayuk addresses how African countries can use their energy industries as springboards for diversifying and growing their overall economies. In addition, Ayuk shows how African governments and local companies can negotiate better deals with international energy companies and how the continent's countries can use marginal oil and gas fields to develop domestic energy industries that, once strong, will compete globally. Questions posed and answered: Why Africa's fledgling natural gas resources can allow the continent to emerge as a key global player in the industry What changes African countries can make in order to become attractive investment destinations The role that access to reliable, sustainable, and affordable power can play in the acceleration of economic growth Why and how American energy companies should stop curtailing their investments in Africa And why the continent's energy industry needs more women The book's underlying theme is that too often, natural resources create wealth for foreign investors and a select group of African elites while everyday people (and in turn, African economies) fail to benefit. While it is easy to see that there is a lack of local participation in African projects and an ongoing challenge in securing necessary investment, we also need to understand our role in this. We have to understand the importance of creating enabling environments with attractive fiscal terms for local and foreign investors, the role of stronger local content policies in ensuring more local participation in the sector, and the weight government and political uncertainty carries in moving projects forward. "It's up to Africans to fix Africa," writes Ayuk. This statement can be considered a living theme throughout the book as he encourages that local companies and governments have to enter into collaborative agreements rather than passive engagements with IOCs and majors. "[We need] investors who show that they want to fully participate with us, by coming in and building long-term sustainable businesses that last and make a profit, create jobs and further development." If you're ready to dive headfirst into accessing a frank analysis and examination of the African energy landscape and how Africans can begin to fix Africa, jump into the pages of Billions at Play.