SHOTLIST:

TRIPOLI, LIBYA (JAN. 26, 2026) (ANADOLU - ACCESS ALL)

1. VARIOUS OF ATTENDEES WATCHING VIDEO CLIP AND PERFORMANCE AT LIBYA ENERGY AND ECONOMY SUMMIT (LEES)

2. (SOUNDBITE) (English) ENERGY CAPITAL & POWER CHIEF EXECUTIVE JAMES CHESTER SAYING:

“We really enjoyed the conference this year. It's been fantastic being here in Libya and working with all of the amazing companies that work in the energy sector here. We believe that it's been a successful summit in that we've seen deals get signed, a lot of Partnerships carried forward, a lot of confidence shown in the market. And that's really the most important thing you know the world is looking at Libya, understanding that there are opportunities in Libya, in itself is welcoming the world. We're very happy that we could be part of that through this summit.”

“The oil and gas production in Libya is truly remarkable within Africa, within the world. Libya's position close to European energy markets Libya's position in terms of a historic energy market where European and American investors have found a home. If you look at this market you see that all the major companies are here or most of them at least. Despite challenges over the years this is a place that showing you know resilience in energy and hopefully you know great success is coming. Particularly now, is a very interesting time being that we are almost at the close of the licensing round. The licensing around the generated great interest here in Libya. At the same time there's a recognition that investment needs to be made in infrastructure and building up the industry and sustaining the next generation of projects in the next generation of people in Libya.”

3. SCREEN DISPLAYING IMAGES ABOUT SUMMIT

TRIPOLI, LIBYA - JAN. 26: Foreign investor interest in Libya is gaining renewed momentum as the country accelerates institutional and economic reforms, with the energy sector once again emerging as the main driver of international engagement.

Seeking to enter a new phase of energy and economic cooperation with multiple countries, including Türkiye, Libya this year hosted the fourth Libya Energy and Economy Summit (LEES) in the capital Tripoli, aiming to showcase investment opportunities to the international community.

The summit was organized by Africa-focused investment platform Energy Capital & Power, with support from Libya's Prime Minister's Office, the Ministry of Oil and Gas, the National Oil Corporation (NOC), and the Renewable Energy Authority. Discussions centered on Libya's potential across multiple sectors, led by oil, gas and energy-related industries.

Opening the event, Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibah said Libya's daily oil production exceeded 1.37 million barrels in 2025, marking the country's highest output level in the past 12 years.

He also said Libya's first oil and natural gas exploration and production licensing round in about 17 years would be finalized in the second week of February.

Oil and Gas Minister Khalifa Abdulsadek said the rising production levels were a strong indicator of economic recovery and stability.

He said Libya has launched a program involving 15 companies and expects oil output to increase over the next five years, backed by $20 billion in investment. Extending contract terms to 25 years, he added, is a critical step toward providing a predictable and long-term investment environment aligned with global industry practices.



- Türkiye-Libya energy cooperation

Türkiye's Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar was in Tripoli to co-chair the Türkiye–Libya Joint Economic Commission for the first time in nearly 17 years.

During his visit, Bayraktar signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Libya to strengthen cooperation in hydrocarbons, renewable energy and mining.

Bayraktar said the two countries aim to transform their historical ties into economic development through a "win-win" approach.

Speaking at the summit, he said Türkiye would become more active in Libya's onshore and offshore energy fields in the coming period.



- Deals signed at LEES 2026

On the summit's first day, Libya signed multiple multilateral agreements aimed at increasing production, accelerating investment and deepening international partnerships in the energy sector.

As part of these efforts, the NOC signed an amendment to a long-term agreement with France's TotalEnergies and US-based ConocoPhillips to strengthen investment and boost production at the strategic Waha oil concession.

Libya also signed a memorandum of understanding with Egypt covering cooperation in oil and natural gas, as well as a separate MoU with US energy major Chevron to assess potential exploration and development opportunities.



- 'A historic energy market'

"It has been a successful summit in which we have seen deals get signed, partnerships carried forward, and a lot of confidence shown in the market. And that is really the most important thing," Energy Capital & Power Chief Executive James Chester told Anadolu.

"The oil and gas production in Libya is truly remarkable within Africa and within the world," Chester said.

Pointing to Libya's position in terms of a historic energy market where European and American investors have found a home, Chester said "all the major companies are here, or most of them at least."

Despite years of challenges, Chester said Libya has demonstrated resilience in the energy sector and is well-positioned for future success.

Referring to Libya's oil and gas licensing round expected to be finalized soon, Chester said interest has been strong.

"The licensing round has generated great interest here in Libya," Chester said, adding: "There's a recognition that investment needs to be made in infrastructure and building up the industry and sustaining the next generation of projects and the next generation of people in Libya, strengthening the sector and sustainably supporting next-generation projects and human capital."



- International companies return

Libya, home to Africa's largest proven oil reserves, is drawing international companies back to its energy sector after years of political instability and security challenges that disrupted production and investment.

As part of its first oil and gas exploration and production licensing round in about 17 years, the National Oil Corporation has offered 22 blocks - 11 onshore and 11 offshore - and approved 37 international companies to participate. The tender has attracted strong interest from numerous international firms, including Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO).

Under a MoU signed in June last year, Türkiye's TPAO is also set to carry out geological and geophysical studies in four offshore blocks in Libya, including 10,000 kilometers of two-dimensional seismic surveys.

Foreign companies' interest has not been limited to new licensing rounds. TotalEnergies confirmed an investment plan of around $2 billion for the Waha and Mabruk fields, while Italy's Eni expanded capacity at the Mellitah natural gas complex.

The National Oil Corporation (NOC) announced the start of deepwater drilling in the Gulf of Sirte in partnership with Eni and bp, while ExxonMobil's return to active operations after a 10-year hiatus was widely interpreted by the sector as a renewed vote of confidence.



- Non-energy sectors are also on investors' radar

Libya faces significant reconstruction needs in its infrastructure and construction sectors. Power generation, port modernization, airport rehabilitation, and housing projects offer substantial investment potential.

As telecommunications infrastructure returns to the agenda, Libya aims to revive maritime transport along the Mediterranean corridor and boost transit trade through the establishment of free trade zones. In this context, a $2.7 billion strategic partnership agreement was previously signed for the Misrata Free Zone.

In the healthcare sector, hospital management, infrastructure renewal, and pharmaceutical production stand out, while an investment contract worth approximately $2 billion was also concluded in Benghazi.