Sancorp Expands African Energy Trading Footprint, Joins AEW 2026 as Platinum Partner
Dubai-headquartered energy and commodities trading group, Sancorp Group, is strengthening its presence in Africa’s energy markets as it joins African Energy Week, AEW 2026, as a Platinum Partner.
The partnership will bring the Gulf-based energy group to Cape Town, South Africa, from October 12-16, amid growing commercial and investment ties between Gulf energy companies and African oil, gas and downstream markets.
Sancorp operates across the energy value chain, with interests spanning crude oil and refined-product trading, upstream investments and oilfield services.
The company’s trading counterparties include Trafigura, Mercuria, Dangote Petroleum Refinery, Dangote Fertilizers, Société Ivoirienne de Raffinage, SIR, PETROCI, Tema Oil Refinery and Ghana’s Bulk Oil Storage and Transportation Company, BOST.
According to the company, it has structured more than $2 billion in oil and gas investments across Africa.
Its extensive trading network has established Sancorp as a significant commercial link between international suppliers and African refiners, marketers and energy companies, particularly across West Africa.
Côte d’Ivoire is currently its largest and most active market, with projected annual transactions exceeding $600 million across refined petroleum products, crude oil, LPG and fertilizer supplies to SIR and PETROCI.
In July 2026, Sancorp delivered more than 36,000 tonnes of gasoil to SIR’s Abidjan terminal.
The group also holds a government-certified licence to import and distribute fertilisers in Côte d’Ivoire, supplying about 500,000 bags of urea and NPK fertilisers annually through the country’s Ministry of Agriculture.
In Ghana, Sancorp supplied more than 300,000 tonnes of gasoil and gasoline in 2024, reinforcing its position in the country’s downstream market.
Its Nigerian operations are also expanding.
Through its subsidiary, SCP Energy, the group maintains NIPEX-certified upstream service capabilities and operates as a certified export trading counterparty to Dangote Petroleum Refinery.
Sancorp is also developing its presence in Angola, where it is registered with Sonangol and is in advanced discussions over minority interests in two deepwater production blocks and an equity stake in one of the country’s planned grassroots refineries.
The group’s expanding footprint comes as energy trading increasingly becomes a critical component of Africa’s energy security, particularly amid supply disruptions, refinery expansion and growing demand for petroleum products.
For African operators, refiners and national oil companies, Sancorp’s integrated model offers access to physical trading capacity, structured finance and commercial networks spanning several markets.
According to NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber, Sancorp’s presence at AEW 2026 reflects the growing importance of Gulf-based energy companies in Africa’s evolving energy landscape.
“Sancorp is built around relationships and execution in markets where both of those things are hard to get right,” Ayuk said.
“This is a group that is actively trading, investing and building upstream positions across West Africa, and their presence at the event creates real opportunities for the operators and governments in the room.”
As a Platinum Partner at AEW 2026, Sancorp is expected to engage African operators, refineries, national oil companies, governments and investors on trading partnerships, upstream investments and energy supply-chain development across West and Southern Africa.
Its participation further highlights the emergence of Gulf-based trading and investment groups as important sources of capital, market access and commercial partnerships for Africa’s energy industry.
