The Africa Energies Summit, held annually in London, once again brought together oil giants, investors, and African governments to discuss energy “opportunities” on the continent. But outside the venue on May 13th, a different conversation was raging—one led by climate activists condemning the summit as a neocolonial charade.
For years, protesters have targeted the event, and 2025 was no different. A coalition including Extinction Rebellion, Fossil Free London, War on Want, Christian Climate Action, and StopEACOP UK rallied outside, demanding an end to fossil fuel profiteering that leaves 600 million Africans in energy poverty.
Their message was clear: BP, Total, Shell, and Eni must stop extracting wealth from Africa under the guise of “development.”
The @StopEACOP tweet captured the mood: “We call for an end to this neocolonial event over its racist & colonial attitudes.” The #StopEACOP movement, fighting Total’s East African Crude Oil Pipeline, has become a rallying point against fossil fuel expansion in Africa. Protesters argue that while corporations rake in profits, African communities suffer pollution, displacement, and climate devastation.
As the summit continues to greenlight destructive projects, resistance grows louder. The days of fossil fuel pillaging are numbered—and so, too, may be the days of this controversial summit. The real energy Africa needs is renewable, reparative, and rooted in justice, not corporate greed.
The people have spoken. Will the summit listen?
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