By Ayomide Otitoju
The South African National Petroleum Company (SANPC) has entered the second stage of its establishment process as it advances toward full operational status, according to Nazeem Braaf, Executive in the Office of the CEO.
Speaking at the G20 Africa Energy Investment Forum, hosted by the African Energy Chamber, Braaf said SANPC plans to become fully operational between 2026 and 2027.
“The formation phase is complete, with the project team going live in May 2025. We now manage several assets and are optimizing them. We have transferred 400 employees, focusing on generating short-term value while managing the transition effectively,” Braaf said.
He outlined SANPC’s strategic goal of increasing the oil and gas sector’s contribution to South Africa’s GDP from the current 1% to 4% in the short to medium term. “Our mandate goes beyond energy security. We see ourselves as a catalyst for national economic growth. With unemployment around 30%, skills development, economic inclusion, and job creation are central to our mission,” he added.
Braaf emphasized that SANPC will prioritize technology adoption and environmental sustainability, noting that about 600 million Africans still face energy poverty, with demand expected to rise as the continent’s population approaches two billion by 2050.
The company is collaborating with universities nationwide to advance technology and skills development, while supporting local enterprises to lay the foundation for long-term growth.
SANPC is also drawing lessons from Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana on investor-friendly oil and gas policies and exploring initiatives like the Morocco–Nigeria Gas Pipeline to attract investment and position South Africa as a regional energy hub.
