Africa’s next phase of energy growth will depend as much on the contracts that govern projects as on the geology beneath them. After years of volatility – from security disruptions to fiscal reforms to delayed final investment decisions – investors are entering 2026 with a sharper understanding of what it takes to protect their capital. As Africa prepares for a new wave of oil and gas investment, the conversation at the Invest in African Energy 2026 Forum in Paris will focus on a defining question: how can governments and investors craft deals that are both resilient and bankable?