By William Emmanuel Ukpoju
As Africa’s foremost forum for hydrocarbon cooperation, the African Petroleum Producers’ Organization (APPO) has, since its founding on January 27, 1987, in Lagos, Nigeria, served as the continent’s principal platform for harmonising policies, sharing technical expertise, and fostering intra African trade in petroleum products. Initially established by eight member states, APPO has expanded to eighteen full members today—ranging from Algeria and Angola to Equatorial Guinea and South Africa—united by a common vision of leveraging Africa’s oil and gas resources for energy security, sustainable development, and economic diversification. Headquartered in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo, APPO aspires to be the world’s reference institution on African hydrocarbon matters, guiding policy dialogue and investment across the value chain. Yet, as global capital increasingly shifts toward renewable energy and digital innovation, and as African markets continue to grapple with chronic energy poverty and infrastructure deficits, APPO stands at a pivotal crossroads. In a recent interview with CNBC Africa, Dr. Omar Farouk Ibrahim, APPO’s current Secretary General, underscored that securing financing, attracting cutting-edge technology, and developing integrated regional markets are imperative to scaling Africa’s energy transition and safeguarding the continent’s energy future. It is into this complex but opportunity-rich landscape that Gabriel Mbaga Obiang Lima—Equatorial Guinea’s long-serving Minister of Mines and Hydrocarbons since 2012 and, as of February 2023, Minister of Finance, Economy, and Planning—emerges as a visionary leader uniquely equipped to guide APPO into its next chapter.
APPO: History, Mission, and Strategic Objectives
Founded amid the economic volatility of the 1980s oil market, APPO was conceived as a Pan-African response to the challenges of fluctuating crude prices, technological dependency, and fragmented markets. Officially launched in Lagos on January 27, 1987, with eight charter members, the organisation sought to mitigate Africa’s reliance on external markets and expertise by fostering indigenous capacity in petrochemical research, technology transfer, and joint investment in upstream and downstream infrastructure. Over the decades, APPO’s membership has grown to eighteen full member states—including Algeria, Angola, Benin, Cameroon, Chad, the Republic of the Congo, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Ghana, Libya, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal and South Africa—reflecting both the geographic breadth and resource diversity of Africa’s hydrocarbon sector.
APPO’s mission centres on promoting cooperation in the field of hydrocarbons among member countries and global partners to foster energy security, sustainable development, and economic diversification across Africa. By leveraging petroleum as a catalyst for growth, APPO aspires to be the world’s lead reference institution on African hydrocarbon matters, advancing initiatives that range from policy harmonisation and joint research programs to regional market integration and environmental stewardship. Key strategic objectives include enhancing local content in oil and gas operations, facilitating intra-African trade in petroleum products, developing regional energy corridors, and mobilising investment through mechanisms such as the Africa Energy Investment Corporation and the Africa Energy Bank—vehicles established in 2017 to pool resources for large scale infrastructure and technology development.
Under the governance of the Council of Ministers and an Executive Board, APPO’s Secretariat implements these strategic objectives in collaboration with national oil companies, private sector stakeholders, and international organisations. The Secretary-General, supported by a professional staff, plays a central role in shaping APPO’s agenda, coordinating technical studies, and representing the organisation in global energy forums. As the organisation navigates an era defined by the dual imperatives of energy access and decarbonisation, the selection of a Secretary General with both deep technical expertise and a visionary outlook is critical to APPO’s ability to drive transformative projects and deliver tangible benefits to Africa’s citizens.
Gabriel Mbaga Obiang Lima: Early Life and Education
Born on November 2, 1972, in Mongomo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabriel Mbaga Obiang Lima hails from one of Africa’s longest-ruling political families. The son of President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, Lima spent his formative years in Equatorial Guinea before pursuing higher education in the United States. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Alma College in Michigan, equipping him with analytical tools and exposure to global economic paradigms. Fluent in Spanish, French, and English, Lima has demonstrated a capacity to navigate multilingual and multicultural environments—a skill that has served him well in both bilateral negotiations and multilateral forums.
Upon returning to Equatorial Guinea, Lima embarked on a career in the oil and gas sector in 1997. His early roles included Government Representative for State Equity in Production Sharing Contracts, where he oversaw the nation’s interests in joint ventures with international oil companies. He subsequently served as Secretary of State and Vice Minister before being appointed Minister of Mines and Hydrocarbons in May 2012—a position he would hold for a decade. In this capacity, he oversaw the nation’s upstream and midstream operations, negotiating exploration and production agreements, and spearheading regulatory reforms aimed at increasing local content and fostering technology transfer.
In February 2023, Lima’s portfolio expanded when he was appointed Minister of Finance, Economy, and Planning, reflecting confidence in his economic stewardship and policy acumen. This transition underscored his versatility and the government’s strategic intent to align fiscal policy with energy sector objectives. Lima’s combined expertise in hydrocarbons and macroeconomic management positions him uniquely to appreciate the interdependencies between resource governance, revenue optimisation, and sustainable development.
Leadership in Equatorial Guinea’s Energy Sector
Since his appointment as Minister of Mines and Hydrocarbons in 2012, Gabriel Mbaga Obiang Lima has transformed Equatorial Guinea’s energy landscape through a blend of strategic partnerships, regulatory innovation, and infrastructure development. His tenure has been characterised by a focus on enhancing upstream production, diversifying export markets, and embedding local stakeholders in the hydrocarbon value chain.
Joining OPEC and Global Engagement
One of Lima’s early diplomatic achievements was guiding Equatorial Guinea’s accession to the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) in May 2017, making it the group’s 14th member. This milestone elevated the country’s profile in global oil governance and provided a platform to influence production quotas and price stabilisation efforts. In 2023, Lima further solidified Equatorial Guinea’s standing by assuming the rotating presidency of OPEC, a role that expanded his engagement with fellow ministers from Saudi Arabia, Nigeria, and the United Arab Emirates and showcased his capacity to navigate complex multilateral dynamics.
Local Content and Capacity Building
Under Lima’s leadership, Equatorial Guinea enacted a comprehensive Local Content Regulation in December 2014, mandating that all oil and gas contracts include provisions for training, technology transfer, and preferential contracting for local and regional firms. This regulatory framework catalysed partnerships with institutions such as the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT Polytechnic), which has provided two-year technical training programs for Equatoguinean nationals and facilitated the emergence of indigenous service companies capable of supporting exploration and production activities. By prioritising local workforce development and supplier participation, Lima has ensured that hydrocarbon revenues contribute directly to human capital formation and entrepreneurship within the CEMAC region.
Infrastructure and Regulatory Reforms
Recognising that robust infrastructure underpins market expansion, Lima oversaw definitive agreements with Royal Vopak to construct a state-of-the-art crude oil storage terminal on Bioko Island, enhancing the country’s capacity to store and export multiple grades of crude. He also championed the Fortuna FLNG project—Africa’s first floating liquefied natural gas facility—which unlocks stranded offshore gas reserves and positions Equatorial Guinea as a net exporter of LNG. In response to market volatility and the COVID 19 pandemic, Lima’s ministry granted exploration extensions to industry partners and launched a feasibility study for the Punta Europa Modular Refinery, aimed at reducing dependence on imported refined products and preserving foreign exchange reserves. Furthermore, the 2020 revision of the national Petroleum Regulatory Framework introduced incentives for marginal field development, deep water exploration, and gas monetisation, ensuring the sector’s resilience and attractiveness to foreign direct investment.
Championing Regional Integration: The Central African Pipeline System
Beyond national initiatives, Gabriel Mbaga Obiang Lima has been a driving force behind continental projects that aim to knit African energy markets together. Foremost among these is the Central African Pipeline System (CAPS), a visionary endeavour to establish a transboundary network of oil, gas, and liquefied natural gas (LNG) pipelines linking 11 countries across Central and East Africa, including Cameroon, Chad, Gabon, Angola, and Rwanda.
Launched in 2022 under Lima’s leadership, CAPS envisions three major pipeline arteries emanating from Equatorial Guinea’s offshore fields and converging at strategically located hubs for storage, processing, and onward distribution. The system is designed to facilitate not only intra-regional trade in crude and refined products but also to enable landlocked and non-producing nations to access reliable energy supplies, thereby stimulating industrialization and job creation beyond coastal economies.
At the 2023 African Energy Week, Lima presented a detailed implementation roadmap for CAPS, outlining phased construction timelines, financing models, and governance structures. The project is slated for initial operational capacity by 2030, with a projected throughput of 200,000 barrels per day of crude and 5 million tons per annum of LNG. CAPS aims to reduce transport costs by up to 30% compared to existing modalities and to unlock new export corridors via port facilities in Equatorial Guinea and Cameroon.
In his capacity as President of the Strategic Partnership and Fund Committee of CAPS, Lima has spearheaded investor presentations and facilitated stakeholder alignment across governments and private sector entities, underscoring his collaborative leadership style and his ability to translate complex technical plans into bankable projects. According to feasibility studies, CAPS could unlock over 125 billion barrels of proven oil reserves and 1.6 trillion cubic feet of gas, addressing a long-standing energy deficit in Central Africa and supporting an estimated 3% uplift in regional GDP by 2040.
To underpin this ambitious project, Lima has engaged multilateral development banks, sovereign wealth funds, and private investors, advocating for blended finance arrangements that balance concessional funding with commercial returns. He has also emphasised the importance of environmental safeguards, committing CAPS to adhere to international best practices in pipeline safety, emissions control, and community consultation. By advancing CAPS, Lima not only reinforces Equatorial Guinea’s role as a regional energy hub but also exemplifies APPO’s strategic objective of fostering coordinated energy integration to drive socioeconomic development across Africa.
Promoting Sustainable Development and Energy Access
A cornerstone of Lima’s philosophy is that energy access must precede any meaningful climate action in Africa. He has consistently argued that the continent’s energy poverty—affecting over 600 million people without reliable electricity—demands immediate attention, even as the world moves toward decarbonisation. In a 2021 address, Lima emphasised that “there is energy poverty. It is a reality in a large part of Africa. You cannot talk about an energy transition without first providing electricity to its people,” calling for a balanced approach that marries infrastructure expansion with environmental stewardship.
To this end, Lima championed the construction of the Fortuna FLNG facility, which monetises stranded offshore gas reserves to supply both regional markets and global buyers. He also oversaw the inauguration of a pioneering compressed natural gas (CNG) plant in 2016, powering a fleet of public buses and demonstrating the viability of gas as a cleaner transport fuel. These projects not only reduce greenhouse gas emissions compared to diesel alternatives but also provide affordable energy to urban and peri-urban populations.
Furthermore, Lima’s tenure saw the launch of the “Year of Energy” in 2019 and the “Year of Investment” in 2020, which mobilised over $1 billion in new projects, including modular refineries, methanol production facilities, and strategic storage tanks. The local content regulation, introduced in 2014, has ensured that a significant portion of project value remains within the region, fostering entrepreneurship and generating employment. By linking energy projects with vocational training programs—such as partnerships with the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology—Lima has prioritised human capital development as the bedrock of sustainable growth.
Under his stewardship, Equatorial Guinea’s non-oil revenues increased by 7.2% in 2018, reflecting the positive macroeconomic spillovers of a diversified energy sector. These outcomes align with APPO’s broader goals of leveraging hydrocarbons to catalyse socioeconomic development while laying the groundwork for a just and inclusive energy transition.
A Vision for APPO’s Future under Lima’s Leadership
Gabriel Mbaga Obiang Lima’s tenure in Equatorial Guinea exemplifies a rare fusion of technical expertise, diplomatic acumen, and development-oriented thinking—qualities that are essential for the next Secretary General of APPO. His track record demonstrates a holistic approach to resource governance, one that balances upstream production with downstream processing, local empowerment, and environmental responsibility.
At the core of Lima’s vision is the creation of integrated continental energy markets. Drawing on the lessons of CAPS, he would prioritise the development of transnational corridors for oil, gas, and refined products, thereby reducing intra-African transport costs, enhancing supply security, and fostering competitive markets. By leveraging APPO’s Africa Energy Bank, he would channel concessional financing into priority infrastructure projects—such as gas to power plants, regional refineries, and strategic storage facilities—that deliver both economic returns and social benefits.
Lima also recognises the critical role of policy harmonisation in unlocking Africa’s energy potential. He would advocate for the alignment of fiscal regimes, local content frameworks, and regulatory standards across member states to reduce investor uncertainty and stimulate private sector participation. Drawing on his experience negotiating production-sharing agreements and regulatory reforms in Equatorial Guinea, Lima is well-positioned to guide APPO’s Council of Ministers and Executive Board in crafting a unified continental policy architecture.
Sustainability is another pillar of Lima’s agenda. While acknowledging the necessity of hydrocarbons for Africa’s development, he supports the gradual integration of renewables and low-carbon technologies into APPO’s strategy. By promoting hybrid energy projects—such as solar-powered LNG terminals and wind-assisted pumping stations—Lima aims to mitigate the environmental footprint of traditional oil and gas infrastructure. He also envisions a stronger role for APPO in carbon finance, exploring mechanisms to monetise methane capture, flaring reduction, and afforestation projects under the Clean Development Mechanism.
Moreover, Lima’s commitment to capacity building would extend to APPO’s Secretariat itself. He would seek to enhance technical training for member state personnel, deepen collaboration with academic institutions, and establish fellowship programs to cultivate the next generation of African energy leaders. By fostering knowledge exchange among national oil companies and research centres, Lima would position APPO as a catalyst for innovation in areas such as digital oilfield technologies, advanced reservoir management, and green hydrogen.
In championing these initiatives, Lima would draw on his proven ability to unite diverse stakeholders—from heads of state and multilateral institutions to private investors and community leaders—around a shared vision. His multilingual proficiency and diplomatic finesse equip him to navigate APPO’s multicultural environment, build consensus, and drive collective action. As APPO confronts the intertwined challenges of energy security, climate change, and socio-economic development, Lima’s comprehensive and forward-looking agenda offers a blueprint for unlocking Africa’s hydrocarbon wealth in service of its people.
Addressing the Energy Transition and Climate Imperatives
The global energy landscape is undergoing a profound transformation, driven by climate imperatives, technological disruption, and shifting investment patterns. For APPO, the energy transition presents both a challenge and an opportunity: how to reconcile the immediate development needs of African populations with the long-term goal of decarbonisation. Lima’s pragmatic approach to this conundrum emphasises an “energy ladder” framework, whereby accessible fossil fuels serve as a bridge to renewable energy adoption.
Lima advocates for a phased transition that begins with the reduction of gas flaring, the expansion of gas-to-power projects, and the electrification of transport—measures that yield immediate emissions reductions and health benefits. Concurrently, he supports scaling up renewables in tandem with natural gas, leveraging Africa’s vast solar and wind resources to complement hydrocarbon revenues. By integrating renewable energy mandates into APPO’s strategic objectives, Lima would ensure that member states develop diversified energy portfolios that are resilient to both price shocks and regulatory shifts.
Furthermore, Lima proposes that the APPO establish an Energy Transition Fund, financed through a levy on oil and gas exports, to underwrite renewable energy projects, energy efficiency programs, and climate adaptation initiatives. Such a mechanism could mobilise hundreds of millions of dollars annually, aligning APPO’s financial instruments with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement. By channelling these resources to rural electrification, green hydrogen research, and ecosystem restoration, APPO could demonstrate leadership in climate-smart development.
Lima also emphasises the importance of data-driven decision-making. He would strengthen APPO’s capacity to collect and analyse metrics on emissions, energy access, and investment flows, enabling evidence-based policy interventions. Through partnerships with international research centres and digital platforms, APPO under Lima’s guidance could become a repository of best practices in balancing hydrocarbon exploitation with environmental stewardship.
In embracing this balanced strategy, Lima reaffirms the role of hydrocarbons as an enabler of Africa’s industrialisation, while laying the groundwork for a low-carbon future. His vision recognises that a successful energy transition in Africa must be equitable, inclusive, and reflective of the continent’s unique development priorities.
A New Chapter for APPO
Gabriel Mbaga Obiang Lima’s distinguished career—marked by strategic infrastructure development, regulatory innovation, regional integration initiatives, and a steadfast commitment to sustainable development—makes him an exemplary candidate for the next Secretary General of the African Petroleum Producers’ Organization. His achievements in steering Equatorial Guinea’s energy sector, from OPEC accession and presidency to the launch of the Central African Pipeline System, reflect a rare blend of technical mastery, diplomatic skill, and visionary leadership.
Lima’s forward-looking agenda for APPO encompasses the expansion of integrated continental energy markets, the mobilisation of blended finance for transformative projects, and the harmonisation of policies to reduce barriers to investment. His advocacy for an inclusive energy transition, which prioritises energy access and economic growth while embracing low-carbon technologies, aligns seamlessly with APPO’s mission to harness petroleum as a catalyst for sustainable development.
His multilingual proficiency and his ability to forge consensus among diverse stakeholders—from government leaders and national oil companies to multilateral development banks and civil society—underscore his readiness to lead APPO’s Secretariat with both strategic insight and operational effectiveness. Under his guidance, APPO can not only navigate the complexities of a changing energy paradigm but also seize the opportunities presented by Africa’s untapped hydrocarbon potential, ensuring that the continent’s oil and gas wealth translates into tangible benefits for its people.
This comprehensive review of Gabriel Mbaga Obiang Lima’s background, achievements, and vision demonstrates why he stands out as the most suitable candidate to become the next Secretary General of APPO. His blend of national successes and continental ambitions positions him to drive APPO toward a future of integrated markets, sustainable development and shared prosperity for all member states.