African MSME Congress for Energy, Extractive Industry To Conclude This August

The maiden edition of the African MSME Congress for Energy and Extractive Industry will finally conclude this August 2026 with the delivery of the final cohorts of the MSME Business Opportunities Master classes, following a resounding Pan-African start in June.

The Main Congress organized by Women School of Business and leadership (WSBL) in collaboration with Blackgold Energy Authorities was held on 27th June 2026 to commemorate United Nations World MSME Day, in alignment with the 2026 United Nations MSME day theme: “Human-Centered Entrepreneurship in an AI-Driven Future: Economic Empowerment for the Next Generation of MSMEs.”

The Main Congress featured representation from 30+ African countries across North, East, South and West Africa, and was addressed by veteran subject matter experts with deep expertise in MSMEs, Energy and Extractives local content development with core focus on putting people at the center of entrepreneurship, Leveraging AI and digital tools for MSME growth, Economic empowerment for the next generation of MSMEs, Building resilience permanent white water constant disruption notwithstanding.

The second part of the congress is a series of tuition-free master classes. Cohort 1 of the Master Class held from July 20th-23rd in Lagos, Nigeria focused on Oil and Gas MSME business opportunities taking a cue from Main Continental Congress. Cohort 2 and Cohort 3 slated for this August shall be focused on MSME Business opportunities in energy, power, renewables, extractives, critical minerals and mining sectors , all scheduled to hold this August 2026.

The series are designed to move MSMEs from knowledge to contract readiness, bankability, and vendor qualification. Aligning MSMEs with Africa’s energy future
With new discoveries, frontier basin developments, and massive investments in oil, gas, power, renewables and critical minerals across Africa, the congress emphasized that
MSMEs must be at the center of the value chain to facilitate local content development and facilitate continental wealth across African Countries.

Speaking CEO, Black Gold Energy Authorities and Co-Convener, African Energy Congress, Dr. Oladunni Owo, said that, “The new frontiers and growth we are witnessing in the energy and extractive value chain across Africa is unprecedented.

“From seismic to logistics, fabrication to HSE, power infrastructure to battery, minerals and mining — the opportunities are enormous. But an opportunity without readiness is a missed opportunity. This Congress was designed to ensure African MSMEs are not spectators, but qualified vendors and owners in the imminent boom.”

The Congress brought together delegates, policymakers, and business leaders from over 20 African countries, making it a truly continental dialogue, While tuition-free Master class hosted by WSBL in Lagos, Nigeria features practical sessions, case studies, and toolkits delivered by leading industry experts such as Professor Wumi Iledare, Mrs. Dupe Oyeneyi, a supply Chain Expert, Mrs. Yemi Kolesho and Mrs. Toyin Aralepo, both energy finance and funding experts, Dr. Dapo Omolade a compliance and HSE expert, Mrs Ibitola Fabunmi, a Gas development expert , Mrs Haoma Worgu a marketing and visibility Mrs Blessing Egbe , a corporate AI expert and many others.

MSME Participants were drawn from across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones — executives, retirees, women, youth, and business owners joined the continental delegation, creating a powerful platform for learning, networking and capacity building.

Commenting, Professor of Energy Economics and the Director at FUPRE Energy Business School, Wumi Iledare, said that , “What we are doing is demystifying the sector and giving participants a clear roadmap to become compliant, competitive, and contract-ready vendors in line with local content development frameworks.”

“By aligning with the UN MSME Day theme of inclusive and sustainable growth, this Congress will conclude successfully having produced a new generation of African MSMEs ready to take advantage of the business opportunities that will come with the new African oil and gas boom, energy transition, and mining expansion,” Dr. Owo concluded.