Under the theme “Aligning Capital with Energy Security and Sustainability,” the Finance and Investment in Energy Conference invited policymakers, energy leaders, economists, and financiers to discuss building a resilient energy future. The event explored strategies for balancing immediate energy security and affordability challenges and promoting energy transition investments.

In the opening keynote, Ahmed Kouchouk, the Egyptian Minister of Finance, emphasized the government’s commitment to funding local oil and gas projects and improve investor confidence.

He highlighted financial reforms affecting the petroleum and electricity sectors, stressing the government’s “figures and budget” clearly show “improvement … for the electricity and petroleum” sectors. Kouchouk stated, “We are also working very hard with government [agencies] to ensure they are paying their dues [on] time.”

Kouchouk also highlighted available financial support to increase renewable energy contribution to Egypt’s energy grid by next summer. He also highlighted state efforts to diversify Egypt’s energy mix by increasing the contribution of renewable energy to the national power grid. However, the Minister stressed the importance of investments in all energy sources. “We all realize that more investments today mean more production in the future,” he stated.

The first panel, “New Pragmatism: Confronting the Realities of the Energy Transition,” examined policy frameworks and geopolitical challenges affecting ongoing investment in oil and gas and shift to cleaner energy sources

Sameh Sabry, Managing Director, Middle East & North Africa at Harbour Energy, stressed balancing short-term needs and long-term ambitions. “We need to balance between moving too fast to the extent that we start … an energy supply crisis and moving too slow … that we won’t achieve anything,” he said.

Sabry explained, “We have seen companies [take] drastic decisions, economists and governments who have [announced] very drastic policies … and very ambitious targets. I think we need to review this because [it likely] would lead to a [bigger] economic problem than what we think.”

Panel speakers were Salma Al Hajeri, the Regional Vice President of Operations for East-Med & North Africa at Mubadala Energy; and Nicolas Katcharov, CEO of Energean International.

The second session, titled “Bringing East Mediterranean Gas to Market,” examined how an Eastern Mediterranean gas trading hub could improve regional stability, satisfy domestic energy demands, and support the development of effective energy policies amid geopolitical fallouts.

The panelists were Katerina Papalexandri, Chief Financial Officer of Arcius Energy; Hany Esmat, CEO and Country Head of Petronas Egypt; and Osama Elsamanody, Vice Chairman of Operations and National Grid at EGAS.

The second session, “Leveraging Strategic Infrastructure and Global Trade Networks for Gas,” discussed regulation and gas infrastructure challenges and how policymakers and industry leaders collaborate to develop an efficient and secure energy trade system.

Speakers were Mohamed Abdel-Aziz, CEO of GASREG; Michael Thomadakis, Chief Strategy & Development Officer of DESFA; Boyana Achovski, Former Secretary General of Gas Infrastructure Europe; Babajide Talabi, Chief Operating Officer of Gasavant; and Haitham Khader, Chief Commercial and Investment Officer of EHC Investment.

Speakers at the “Securing Supply: Investment in Exploration and Production” session discussed investment and economic challenges in the oil and gas sector, including securing capital, navigating oil price volatility, and maintaining supply stability.

Speakers were Kristian Svendsen, Country Director Chevron Egypt; Greg McDaniel, Vice President Egypt Assets and Country Manager of Apache Corporation, Moataz Serag, Egypt Country Director of TAQA; Nathan Piper, Commercial Director of Capricorn Energy; Ihab Girgis, Chief Operating Officer of Cheiron; Rouzbeh Fazlinejad, Managing Director, Head of MENA Oil & Gas Houlihan Lokey

Titled “Mobilizing Capital for Low Carbon Fuels, Technologies and Infrastructure,” the session focused on new financial instruments, policies, and regulatory frameworks that facilitate broad adoption and implementation of low-carbon technologies and infrastructure.

Panelists were Loïc Jaegert-Huber, Regional Director, North Africa of ENGIE; Dimitris Dimitriadis, Non-Executive Director, Chairman Audit Committee of HEREMA S.A; Hisham AlTuwaijri, Chief Financial Officer of ARGAS; Konstantinos Chatzifotis, Director of European Affairs at Motor Oil Group.

“The Role of Banks and Financial Institutions in the Energy Transition” session explored collaboration between the energy and finance sectors to fast-track clean energy investments.

Speakers were Mohamed Shaker Abouelez, Chief Corporate and Structured Finance Officer of Banque du Caire; Bilal Khalid, Head of Hydrocarbons and Decarbonization at Arab Energy Fund; Fares Kikano, Climate Finance and Climate Risk Management Consultant at IFC; and Yousra Assaker, Senior Energy Specialist at the World Bank

The “Evaluating LNG Market Dynamics for Buyers and Sellers” session focused on evolving LNG contract trends that balance the relationships and benefits between buyers and sellers.

Speakers were Karim Shaaban, Managing Director of Rosetta Energy; Thomas Thorkildsen, Chief Commercial Officer of Höegh Evi; Omneya Abdellatif, Managing Counsel LNG & Head of Legal at Shell; Gamal Al Gebely, Deputy CEO & General Manager and Al Fanar Gas Group

Lastly, “The Looking Back at Oil and Gas M&A Activity in 2024, and What’s Ahead in 2025” explored the primary factors driving the surge in M&A activity, its effects on the global energy market, and consequences for buyers and sellers.

Leslie Zhang Weihua, Vice President & General Counsel at United Energy Group; Nicolas Evanoff, General Counsel & Chi; Abubakr Ibrahim, Vice President & General Manager at IPR Energy; Mohamed Sayed, Chief Operating Officer of Pharos Energy; Abdulla Al Ali, Exploration & New Venture Director at Dragon Oil; Andrew Freear, Head of New Business and Commercial at Genel Energy; Andrew Davies, Partner at Norton Rose Fulbright LLP.