The Africa Centre for Energy Policy is an independent African policy organization promoting transparent, accountable and equitable governance of energy and extractive resources. Based in Ghana, ACEP conducts research, develops policy recommendations, strengthens civil-society participation and trains emerging African leaders working across oil and gas, mining, electricity, fiscal governance, climate change and the energy transition.
Introduction
The Africa Centre for Energy Policy, commonly known as ACEP, connects evidence-based research with policy advocacy to improve how African countries manage energy and natural resources.
Its work examines whether revenues, contracts, institutions and investments in the energy and extractive sectors contribute to economic transformation, environmental sustainability and improved public welfare.
History and Background
ACEP was established in 2010 to develop alternative and innovative policy interventions for Africa’s energy and extractive sectors.
At the time of its establishment, the organization identified a gap between technical research and public advocacy. Important evidence about oil, gas, mining and electricity governance was not always translated into accessible recommendations or used effectively by citizens and civil-society organizations.
ACEP therefore developed a model combining:
- Policy research.
- Economic and fiscal analysis.
- Public-interest advocacy.
- Capacity development.
- Citizen engagement.
- Government and industry dialogue.
- Regional partnerships.
Over more than a decade, ACEP has developed into a recognized energy and extractive-policy think tank working in Ghana and across Africa.
In 2019, the University of Pennsylvania’s Global Go To Think Tank Index ranked ACEP first among energy and resource-policy think tanks in Africa and 14th globally. Its global position improved to 13th in 2020 while it retained the leading position in Africa.
Vision
ACEP envisions an Africa in which energy and extractive resources are used for economic transformation and sustainable, inclusive development.
This vision recognizes that natural-resource wealth does not automatically create broad public benefits. Strong institutions, transparent contracts, responsible revenue management, environmental safeguards and citizen oversight are necessary for resources to contribute to lasting development.
Mission and Purpose
ACEP’s mission is to conduct evidence-based research, policy analysis, capacity development and advocacy to ensure the effective and equitable use of energy and extractive resources in Africa.
Its work seeks to:
- Improve transparency in natural-resource governance.
- Strengthen public accountability.
- Promote responsible management of oil, gas and mining revenues.
- Improve electricity-sector governance and performance.
- Support fair and transparent extractive contracts.
- Advance sustainable domestic revenue mobilization.
- Promote an inclusive and just energy transition.
- Strengthen climate action and climate-finance governance.
- Increase citizen participation in energy policy.
- Support women, young people, persons with disabilities and resource-host communities.
- Build a new generation of African resource-governance professionals.
Core Values
ACEP’s institutional values include:
- Professionalism: Applying high ethical standards, accuracy and objective analysis.
- Accountability: Working in the public interest and remaining answerable to citizens and partners.
- Cooperation: Building partnerships, networks and strategic collaborations.
- Independence: Conducting nonpartisan work without control by political or commercial interests.
- Knowledge: Producing, sharing and developing expertise in energy and extractive governance.
- Integrity: Building trust through credible research and responsible institutional conduct.
Governance and Structure
ACEP is governed by a board that provides strategic oversight and supports institutional accountability.
The organization’s Governing Board includes professionals with experience in environmental justice, civil society, governance, public policy, academia and extractive-sector development.
Ikal Ang’elei serves as Board Chair. She is a Kenyan environmental activist and co-founder of Friends of Lake Turkana, an organization promoting environmental, social and economic justice in the Lake Turkana Basin.
Other board members include regional civil-society and governance leaders, reflecting ACEP’s pan-African mandate.
Executive Leadership
Benjamin Boakye serves as Executive Director of ACEP.
His professional work covers:
- Energy-sector governance.
- Fiscal governance.
- Contract governance.
- Corporate governance.
- Institutional development.
- Resource-revenue management.
- Power-sector reform.
- Community engagement.
Before becoming Executive Director, he held several leadership positions within ACEP, including Deputy Executive Director, Programmes Director and Operations Director.
ACEP’s wider team includes policy analysts, researchers, communications professionals, program personnel and participants in its Next Generation Resource Governance Leaders Program.
Thematic Areas
ACEP organizes its work across several interconnected policy areas.
Revenue Governance
Revenue governance examines how governments collect, manage, allocate and report income from oil, gas, mining and other natural resources.
ACEP advocates for systems that:
- Accurately assess taxes and royalties.
- Reduce revenue leakage.
- Improve domestic revenue mobilization.
- Publish information about resource income.
- Direct public revenue toward development priorities.
- Strengthen expenditure accountability.
- Improve debt and fiscal sustainability.
This work is important for African economies that depend heavily on natural-resource revenues.
Contract Governance
Extractive contracts determine the financial, environmental and operational responsibilities of governments and private investors.
ACEP’s contract-governance work seeks to balance the interests of governments, citizens and investors.
It promotes:
- Transparent contract allocation.
- Public access to agreements.
- Fair fiscal terms.
- Strong regulatory oversight.
- Protection of community interests.
- Effective monitoring of contractual obligations.
- Prevention of corruption and conflicts of interest.
The organization also analyzes petroleum and mining agreements to make complex contract terms more accessible to citizens.
Corporate Transparency
ACEP examines the performance and accountability of state-owned enterprises and other institutions operating in the energy and extractive sectors.
Its work may assess:
- Corporate governance structures.
- Financial reporting.
- Public-sector appointments.
- Procurement practices.
- Operational performance.
- Debt accumulation.
- Institutional mandates.
- Political interference.
Improved corporate transparency can reduce financial losses and increase public confidence in state institutions.
Climate Change and Energy Transition
ACEP promotes an African energy transition that is fair, inclusive and responsive to the continent’s development needs.
Its work covers:
- Climate policy.
- Climate finance.
- Renewable energy.
- Fossil-fuel transition pathways.
- Methane-emissions accountability.
- Energy access.
- Clean cooking.
- Carbon markets.
- Energy-transition minerals.
- Community safeguards.
- Just-transition financing.
ACEP argues that African countries must participate meaningfully in global climate action while protecting energy access, economic development and the rights of vulnerable communities.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
ACEP works to ensure that the benefits and decision-making processes associated with energy and extractive resources include groups that have traditionally been excluded.
Its inclusion work considers:
- Women and girls.
- Young people.
- Persons with disabilities.
- Indigenous and local communities.
- Mining and petroleum host communities.
- Economically marginalized populations.
The organization seeks to ensure that policy reforms and resource investments do not deepen existing inequalities.
Institutional Development
ACEP supports stronger public institutions because laws and policies only create impact when institutions can implement them effectively.
Institutional-development work may address:
- Regulatory capacity.
- Public financial management.
- Data collection.
- Policy implementation.
- Oversight systems.
- Institutional independence.
- Technical skills.
- Coordination among government agencies.
Funding and Financial Model
ACEP is primarily funded through institutional grants, philanthropic support and project partnerships.
Its funding supports:
- Research and policy analysis.
- Public advocacy.
- Capacity-development programs.
- Regional conferences.
- Community engagement.
- Youth leadership initiatives.
- Climate-policy projects.
- Organizational operations.
ACEP publishes annual reports and information about partners to promote institutional transparency.
Funding Partners
ACEP has worked with philanthropic foundations, international development agencies and civil-society organizations.
Partners disclosed by the organization include:
- Ford Foundation.
- Oxfam.
- Diakonia.
- Open Society Foundations.
- UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.
- Natural Resource Governance Institute.
- Government institutions.
- Universities and research organizations.
- African civil-society networks.
In its published 2022 project-inflow information, ACEP reported support from the Ford Foundation, Oxfam, Diakonia, Open Society Foundations and the UK Government. These historical figures should not be interpreted as the organization’s current annual funding unless confirmed in its latest financial reports.
Does ACEP Award Grants?
ACEP is mainly a policy research, advocacy and capacity-development organization rather than a general grantmaking foundation.
It does not currently advertise a permanent open grant program through which unrelated NGOs can request unrestricted organizational funding.
However, ACEP may provide training, internships, fellowships, innovation opportunities, technical support or program-based assistance through specific initiatives.
Organizations and individuals should review current calls and program announcements rather than submitting unsolicited grant applications.
Research and Policy Analysis
Research is central to ACEP’s approach.
The organization produces:
- Policy briefs.
- Research reports.
- Contract analyses.
- Fiscal assessments.
- Energy-sector reports.
- Climate-policy studies.
- Governance scorecards.
- Public statements.
- Conference reports.
- Data platforms.
Recent areas of analysis have included:
- Climate finance.
- Downstream petroleum taxation.
- Domestic revenue mobilization.
- Energy-sector debt.
- Debt sustainability.
- Methane emissions.
- Climate-action pathways.
- Public financial management in extractive industries.
Research findings are communicated to government institutions, policymakers, civil-society organizations, communities, journalists, businesses and development partners.
Africa Oil Governance Summit
The Africa Oil Governance Summit is one of ACEP’s major regional platforms.
The summit brings together:
- Government representatives.
- Civil-society organizations.
- Oil and gas companies.
- Researchers.
- Community representatives.
- Development partners.
- Journalists.
- Policy specialists.
Participants discuss resource governance, petroleum contracts, public revenues, environmental responsibility and the changing role of oil and gas in Africa’s development.
The summit was first held in 2015. Its recommendations contributed to the development of tools for monitoring governance progress among African petroleum-producing countries.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, ACEP organized the summit virtually, allowing regional dialogue to continue despite travel restrictions.
Africa Oil Governance Report
The Africa Oil Governance Report was developed following recommendations from the inaugural Africa Oil Governance Summit.
The report tracks governance practices, progress and gaps among African oil- and gas-producing countries.
It is intended to:
- Compare national governance systems.
- Monitor transparency and accountability.
- Assess institutional performance.
- Identify policy weaknesses.
- Promote regional learning.
- Support evidence-based advocacy.
Future of Energy Conference
The Future of Energy Conference provides a platform for examining Africa’s changing energy landscape.
The conference brings together policymakers, researchers, innovators, businesses, civil-society actors and young professionals to discuss:
- Energy security.
- Renewable energy.
- Climate finance.
- Energy access.
- Fossil-fuel transition.
- Technology and innovation.
- Energy-transition minerals.
- Just-transition pathways.
- Regional energy cooperation.
ACEP launched the conference as part of its efforts to strengthen regional collaboration and develop African-led responses to global energy change.
Africa Climate Academy
The Africa Climate Academy develops knowledge and leadership capacity on climate policy, climate governance and the energy transition.
The initiative helps participants understand:
- Climate science and policy.
- International climate negotiations.
- Climate finance.
- Adaptation and mitigation.
- Energy-transition pathways.
- Climate justice.
- Environmental governance.
- Africa’s position in global climate action.
The academy contributes to ACEP’s goal of building a broader group of informed African climate-policy advocates and professionals.
Next Generation Resource Governance Leaders Program
The Next Generation Resource Governance Leaders Program is an internship and professional-development initiative for emerging African leaders.
The program combines theoretical learning with practical policy work.
Participants receive training in:
- African resource governance.
- Energy and extractive policy.
- Research and policy analysis.
- Critical thinking.
- Transformational leadership.
- Professional development.
- Career planning.
- Digital communication.
- Technology skills.
- Ethical leadership.
Participants contribute to evidence-based research, training and advocacy while working within ACEP’s professional environment.
Pan-African Leadership Development
The NextGen program is designed to create a pipeline of young professionals capable of improving governance across Africa.
Cohorts have included participants from countries such as:
- Ghana.
- Nigeria.
- Kenya.
- Tanzania.
- Uganda.
- Namibia.
- Zimbabwe.
- Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Participants come from backgrounds including law, economics, engineering, climate policy, geoscience, accounting, public administration and environmental studies.
In 2025, ACEP welcomed its eighth and ninth NextGen cohorts. Applications for a further cohort were accepted in 2026.
Resource Governance Campus Hub
The Resource Governance Campus Hub helps tertiary students understand and advocate for sustainable and inclusive natural-resource governance.
The initiative seeks to:
- Build student knowledge of energy and extractive issues.
- Encourage youth participation in public policy.
- Develop research and advocacy skills.
- Promote ethical leadership.
- Create pathways into professional resource-governance work.
Eligible graduates of the Campus Hub may receive preferential consideration for ACEP’s Next Generation Resource Governance Leaders Program.
Digital Accountability Platforms
ACEP maintains or supports several public-information platforms.
Electricity Monitor
The Electricity Monitor improves public access to information about the electricity sector.
It helps users understand issues such as:
- Power generation.
- Electricity-sector finances.
- Supply challenges.
- Utility performance.
- Energy-sector debt.
- Policy interventions.
This information supports public discussion and evidence-based decision-making.
Petroleum Contract Monitor
The Petroleum Contract Monitor provides information and analysis related to petroleum agreements.
Its purpose is to improve understanding of contract terms, institutional responsibilities and government commitments.
Greater access to contract information helps citizens and civil-society organizations assess whether petroleum agreements protect the public interest.
Our Oil Money
Our Oil Money helps citizens understand how petroleum revenues are collected, allocated and spent.
The initiative supports:
- Public financial transparency.
- Citizen monitoring.
- Accessible revenue information.
- Accountability for petroleum spending.
- Public participation in resource governance.
OilMoneyTV
OilMoneyTV provides multimedia content explaining energy, extractive and revenue-governance issues.
Video and digital communication help make technical topics accessible to wider audiences, including young people, journalists and community organizations.
Policy Advocacy and Government Engagement
ACEP uses its research to engage:
- National governments.
- Parliaments.
- Regulatory bodies.
- Revenue authorities.
- State-owned enterprises.
- Regional institutions.
- Development partners.
- Private-sector actors.
- Civil-society organizations.
Its advocacy approach may include policy meetings, public forums, media engagement, technical submissions, workshops and participation in legislative or regulatory processes.
ACEP remains nonpartisan and seeks to ground its positions in objective evidence.
Citizen and Community Engagement
The organization works to increase citizen participation in decisions about natural resources.
Its engagement includes:
- Public education.
- Community consultations.
- Capacity-building workshops.
- Media communication.
- Simplified policy information.
- Support for resource-host communities.
- Inclusion of marginalized groups.
- Regional civil-society collaboration.
This work helps communities understand how extractive projects, revenues and policies may affect their rights, livelihoods and environment.
Impact and Policy Contribution
ACEP’s work has contributed to stronger public debate and policy scrutiny across Africa’s energy and extractive sectors.
Examples of its impact include:
- Producing independent analyses of petroleum and mining agreements.
- Monitoring resource-revenue collection and spending.
- Highlighting governance and institutional weaknesses.
- Supporting discussions about Ghana’s power-sector debt.
- Advancing public understanding of climate finance.
- Promoting methane-emissions accountability.
- Supporting domestic revenue-mobilization reforms.
- Creating regional platforms for energy-policy dialogue.
- Strengthening civil-society participation.
- Developing young African resource-governance professionals.
- Increasing the inclusion of women, young people and persons with disabilities.
- Making technical energy-policy information accessible to citizens.
Recognition
ACEP has received recognition for its research and policy work.
In addition to its international think-tank rankings, it has been recognized through:
- The Energy Think Tank of the Year award at the Ghana Energy Awards.
- The Energy Consultancy Service Organization of the Year award.
- A Special Honorary Award at the Ghana Mining Industry Awards.
These recognitions reflect its contribution to public-interest research and energy-sector accountability.
Why ACEP Matters
Africa possesses significant oil, gas, mineral and renewable-energy resources, but resource wealth does not always translate into broad economic and social development.
Poor contracts, weak institutions, corruption, revenue leakage, unsustainable debt and limited public participation can prevent citizens from benefiting from these resources.
ACEP addresses these challenges by combining technical research with public advocacy. Its work helps decision-makers and citizens understand complex contracts, revenues, energy investments and climate policies.
Its regional leadership programs also strengthen the pipeline of African professionals able to shape future energy and extractive-sector reforms.
Conclusion
The Africa Centre for Energy Policy is an independent policy organization working to improve energy, mining, oil and gas governance in Ghana and across Africa. Established in 2010, ACEP promotes transparency, fiscal accountability, responsible contracts, institutional development, climate action and an inclusive energy transition.
Through research, policy advocacy, public-information platforms, the Africa Oil Governance Summit, the Future of Energy Conference, the Africa Climate Academy and the Next Generation Resource Governance Leaders Program, ACEP connects evidence with practical reform.
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