South-South collaboration rises in the energy sector

Multinational

South-South business co-operation – economic partnerships between countries in the Global South – is becoming a defining feature of today’s global energy landscape.

This collaboration model allows emerging economies to bypass traditional North-South power dynamics, share relevant development experiences, and build more equal partnerships. Increasingly, companies from Africa, Latin America, and Asia are seeking opportunities in peer markets, driving investments, innovation, and regional integration.

The latest example is Angola’s Petrowork Solution expanding into Guyana, with plans to target Suriname. As a specialised oilfield services provider, Petrowork’s entry into the Latin American market signals a new phase of South-South collaboration between African and Caribbean nations. The move aims to leverage Petrowork’s experience in Angola’s deepwater sector to meet the technical demands of Guyana’s and Suriname’s rapidly growing offshore industries.

Other high-profile examples of South-South energy co-operation include Nigeria’s Waltersmith Petroman partnering with Equatorial Guinea to provide modular refining technology. Similarly, India’s ONGC Videsh has been active across Latin America, with upstream investments in Brazil and Venezuela.

In Southern Africa, the South Africa–Mozambique gas-to-power integration illustrates the value of cross-border energy ties. South Africa imports natural gas from Mozambique’s Pande and Temane fields via the ROMPCO pipeline, co-owned by Sasol. This gas fuels both industrial applications and power stations, forming one of the region’s most integrated energy corridors and strengthening economic ties through energy interdependence.

In Asia, the Malaysia–Bangladesh solar tech exchange highlights how clean energy is also being shaped by South-South co-operation. Malaysian companies have partnered with Bangladeshi firms to deploy distributed solar technologies, including home systems and mini-grids, aimed at rural electrification. These initiatives are frequently supported by development finance institutions within the Global South, showcasing how innovation and finance can converge to expand energy access.

Another significant case is seen in India–Nigeria crude supply agreements. Indian state-owned refiners, such as Indian Oil Corporation, maintain long-term crude offtake contracts with Nigeria’s NNPC. India stands among the largest buyers of Nigerian crude, bolstering energy security and trade balances for both nations. Furthermore, NNPC has expressed interest in equity partnerships in Indian downstream and midstream ventures, signalling deepening energy ties and mutual investment potential.

This co-operation isn’t just about capital investment. It fosters the exchange of technical expertise, enhances energy security through diversified sources and builds mutual capacity. For smaller economies, it also reduces dependency on Northern aid or multinational giants. However, challenges such as regulatory misalignment, infrastructure gaps, and political risks remain.

Still, the promise of South-South collaboration is substantial. As energy demand grows across the Global South, intra-regional partnerships like Petrowork’s move into Guyana and Suriname will likely accelerate—reshaping the geopolitical energy map through more inclusive growth models.

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