LThe Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources has partnered with the Lawyers in Energy Network (LIEN) as the Anchor Partner for the 2026 Lawyers in Energy International Conference and Awards (LEICA), reaffirming its commitment to strengthening legal and regulatory frameworks within Nigeria’s energy sector.
Scheduled to hold on July 13 and 14, 2026, in Lagos, LEICA 2026 will bring together leading legal practitioners, policymakers, regulators, judges, business executives, investors, academics, development partners, and energy professionals from across Africa and beyond to discuss the future of energy law, policy, regulation, and investment on the continent.
The conference, themed “Net Zero, Energy Law and Regulatory Reform: Managing Risk and Unlocking Opportunity in a Carbon-Constrained Energy Market,” will focus on the legal and regulatory reforms required to support Africa’s energy transition while protecting the continent’s economic development priorities.
A major highlight of the conference will be the keynote address by Farid Ghezali, Secretary General of the African Petroleum Producers’ Organization (APPO), who is expected to share insights on Africa’s evolving energy landscape, regional cooperation, investment opportunities, and the importance of sound legal and regulatory frameworks in achieving a practical and equitable energy transition.
Commenting on the significance of the conference, LIEN Chairman George Etomi described LEICA as one of Africa’s leading platforms for advancing discussions at the intersection of law, policy, and the energy industry. He noted that as nations strive to balance energy security, sustainability, and economic growth, there is an increasing need for legal and regulatory systems capable of attracting investment, promoting innovation, and ensuring responsible resource development.
According to the organisers, LEICA 2026 will feature plenary sessions, technical discussions, panel engagements, networking events, and the prestigious LEICA Awards, which recognise outstanding organisations and individuals driving innovation, sustainability, governance, and excellence in Africa’s energy sector.
Discussions during the conference will cover critical issues including energy sector reforms for a Net Zero transition, regulatory certainty and investment protection, carbon markets and climate finance, dispute resolution in carbon-constrained energy markets, regional integration, cross-border investments, and emerging developments in petroleum, gas, power, and renewable energy regulation.
The conference is expected to attract participants from government institutions, regulatory agencies, international organisations, energy companies, financial institutions, law firms, development partners, academia, and civil society, further cementing its reputation as one of Africa’s foremost gatherings for energy law and policy. The organisers also announced that registration, sponsorship, exhibition, and partnership opportunities are now open.
Lawyers in Energy Network (LIEN) is a professional association dedicated to promoting excellence in energy law through advocacy, education, research, collaboration, and capacity building. Its flagship annual conference, LEICA, serves as a platform for shaping policy discussions and recognising excellence in energy law, governance, sustainability, innovation, and industry development across Africa.