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As OPEC Eyes New Members, Africa’s Role in Energy Politics Grows
As OPEC Eyes New Members, Africa’s Role in Energy Politics Grows
Sputnik Africa
As global energy politics evolve, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) is rethinking its place in a rapidly changing world. With... 15.10.2025, Sputnik Africa
2025-10-15T15:49+0200
2025-10-15T15:49+0200
2025-10-15T15:49+0200
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As OPEC Eyes New Members, Africa’s Role in Energy Politics Grows
Sputnik Africa
As global energy politics evolve, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) is rethinking its place in a rapidly changing world. With emerging African producers like Senegal and Namibia now on its radar, questions are growing about how OPEC's expansion could reshape both the alliance and Africa's energy future.
The discussion goes beyond oil prices or production quotas. For many developing producers, joining OPEC offers the promise of stability, strategic backing, and investment opportunities. Yet for others, it also poses new challenges, from reduced policy autonomy to shared obligations within a bloc designed to maintain market equilibrium.
The discussion goes beyond oil prices or production quotas. For many developing producers, joining OPEC offers the promise of stability, strategic backing, and investment opportunities. Yet for others, it also poses new challenges, from reduced policy autonomy to shared obligations within a bloc designed to maintain market equilibrium.Dr. Mamdouh G. Salameh, an international oil economist and energy expert, noted that OPEC’s outreach to new African members is as much about stability as it is about influence. He explained that welcoming smaller producers helps OPEC+ manage supply and demand more effectively while supporting their development. He argued that African nations stand to benefit from joining, provided they accept the organization’s strict production rules.The energy expert also linked these developments to a wider shift in global power. Salameh said Africa’s growing participation in OPEC comes amid a “de-dollarization drive” led by BRICS nations and the rise of new alliances beyond the West, signaling a future where global energy trade may no longer revolve solely around the US dollar.To listen to the whole conversation, tune in to the Global South Pole podcast, brought to you by Sputnik Africa.In addition to the website, you can also catch our episodes on Telegram.► You can also listen to our podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Deezer, Castbox, Pocket Casts, Afripods, Podcast Addict, Overcast, and Mave Stream.► Check out all the episodes of Global South Pole.
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podcasts, opec+, brics, organization of petroleum exporting countries (opec), senegal, namibia, russia-africa cooperation, politics, africa, oil, gas, us dollar, de-dollarization, ditching dollar, petroleum, cooperation, west, technology, market, economy, аудио, energy, renewable energy
podcasts, opec+, brics, organization of petroleum exporting countries (opec), senegal, namibia, russia-africa cooperation, politics, africa, oil, gas, us dollar, de-dollarization, ditching dollar, petroleum, cooperation, west, technology, market, economy, аудио, energy, renewable energy
As OPEC Eyes New Members, Africa’s Role in Energy Politics Grows
Aliyu Bello
Correspondent, Podcast Host
As global energy politics evolve, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) is rethinking its place in a rapidly changing world. With emerging African producers like Senegal and Namibia now on its radar, questions are growing about how OPEC’s expansion could reshape both the alliance and Africa’s energy future.
The discussion goes beyond oil prices or production quotas. For many developing producers, joining OPEC offers the promise of stability, strategic backing, and investment opportunities. Yet for others, it also poses new challenges, from reduced policy autonomy to shared obligations within a bloc designed to maintain market equilibrium.
Dr. Mamdouh G. Salameh, an international oil economist and energy expert, noted that OPEC’s outreach to new African members is as much about stability as it is about influence. He explained that welcoming smaller producers helps OPEC+ manage supply and demand more effectively while supporting their development. He argued that African nations stand to benefit from joining, provided they accept the organization’s strict production rules.
“By inviting or if they invite Namibia and Senegal to join OPEC, [it] will enable OPEC to control the global oil market better, ensure its stability, and therefore price. But for Senegal and Namibia, the advantages are great, because that will put the support of OPEC behind them, maybe in terms of helping them to expand their production and expand their exploration. Of course, they also get a strategic advantage of being members of OPEC,” Salameh explained.
The energy expert also linked these developments to a wider shift in global power. Salameh said Africa’s growing participation in OPEC comes amid a “de-dollarization drive” led by BRICS nations and the rise of new alliances beyond the West, signaling a future where global energy trade may no longer revolve solely around the US dollar.
To listen to the whole conversation, tune in to the Global South Pole podcast, brought to you by Sputnik Africa.
In addition to the website, you can also catch our episodes on
Telegram.► Check out all the episodes of Global South Pole. 
