Nigerian independent energy firm, Heirs Energies Limited, has been recognised on the global stage after its landmark $750 million dual-tranche Senior Secured Reserve-Based Lending (RBL) facility was named the Best Oil & Gas Deal of the Year at the EMEA Finance Project Finance Awards 2026.
The award presented to the company on June 3, 2026 in London, recognised one of the largest financings secured by an indigenous African energy company.
Heirs Energies announced the recognition in a statement issued on Sunday, noting that the transaction reflects the vision of its chairman and billionnaire businessman, Mr. Tony Elumelu, who believes that African institutions and African-led businesses can successfully mobilise capital to unlock the continent’s resources, advance energy security, and create long-term economic value.
Executed with the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), the $750 million financing was structured to accelerate field development, optimise production, and support Heirs Energies’ long-term growth ambitions, while maintaining disciplined capital management.
Commenting on the recognition, Chief Executive Officer of Heirs Energies, Mr. Osa Igiehon, said: “This recognition reflects the confidence that African and international financial institutions continue to place in Heirs Energies, our strategy, and our long-term vision.
“The transaction demonstrates that indigenous African energy companies can successfully structure and execute world-class financing solutions that support investment, growth, and value creation. We are proud to receive this award and grateful to our financing partners, advisers, and stakeholders whose support made it possible.”
Executive Vice President, Global Trade Bank at Afreximbank, Mr. Haytham ElMaayergi, said: “We are truly honoured that the US$750 million dual-tranche Senior Secured Reserve-Based Lending facility for Heirs Energies has been recognised as Best Oil & Gas Deal of the Year by the EMEA Finance Project Finance Awards.”
He added that the recognition underscores the importance of well-structured, Africa-focused financing in supporting indigenous energy companies with strong governance, high-quality assets and clear long-term growth plans.
According to him, Afreximbank was proud to support this landmark transaction, which demonstrates how African financial institutions can help mobilise capital for strategic businesses that advance energy security, production capacity and sustainable value creation across the continent.
“We congratulate Heirs Energies and all the partners involved in the transaction and are pleased to see this important financing recognised on such a respected international platform”, ElMaayergi said.
In his remarks, Executive Director and Chief Financial Officer of Heirs Energies, Samuel Nwanze, added: “This award validates the strength of the transaction and the confidence our financing partners placed in Heirs Energies.
“The facility was designed to support our long-term growth strategy, enabling continued investment in field development, production optimisation, and sustainable value creation. We are pleased to see the transaction recognised on such a respected global platform.”
The financing, according to the statement, represented a major milestone in Heirs Energies’ evolution from acquisition-led financing to a capital structure aligned with the long-term development profile of its reserves.
It further reinforced the company’s position as a leading indigenous energy producer and demonstrated the ability of African institutions to finance transformational African businesses.
The EMEA Finance Project Finance Awards recognises outstanding transactions across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, celebrating excellence, innovation, and impact in project and structured finance.
Heirs Energies is the operator of the Oil Mining Lease (OML) 17, which it acquired in 2021, marking the first successful divestment transaction that took place post Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) regime.
Since assuming operatorship in 2021, the company has more than doubled oil production to over 50,000 barrels per day and tripled gas production to over 135 million standard cubic feet per day.
Heirs Energies contributes approximately five of Nigeria’s oil production and five of domestic gas supply, helping to advance energy security, economic growth and sustainable development across Africa.
On the other hand, Afreximbank is a Pan-African multilateral financial institution mandated to finance and promote intra- and extra-African trade.
For over 30 years, the bank has been deploying innovative structures to deliver financing solutions that support the transformation of the structure of Africa’s trade, accelerating industrialisation and intra-regional trade, thereby boosting economic expansion in Africa.
A stalwart supporter of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), Afreximbank has launched a Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) that was adopted by the African Union (AU) as the payment and settlement platform to underpin the implementation of the AfCFTA.
Working with the AfCFTA Secretariat and the AU, the Bank has set up a $10 billion Adjustment Fund to support countries effectively participating in the AfCFTA.
At the end of December 2025, Afreximbank’s total assets and contingencies stood at over $48.5 billion, and its shareholder funds amounted to $8.4 billion.
Afreximbank has investment grade ratings assigned by China Chengxin International Credit Rating Co., Ltd (CCXI) (AAA), GCR (A), Japan Credit Rating Agency (JCR) (A-), and. Moody’s (Baa2).
The bank has evolved into a group entity comprising itself, its equity impact fund subsidiary called the Fund for Export Development Africa (FEDA), and its insurance management subsidiary, AfrexInsure (together, “the Group”).
Peter Uzoho
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