The African Energy Chamber (AEC) mourns the passing of Ethelbert “Bert” J.L. Cooper, a visionary entrepreneur, dealmaker and steadfast advocate for Africa’s natural resource industries. Cooper passed away on May 23, 2026, following a prolonged illness. He will be remembered fondly.
For more than four decades, Cooper stood among the most influential figures shaping Africa’s mining, energy and infrastructure sectors. His unique ability to bridge project development expertise with global capital markets helped unlock investment expertise with global capital markets, particularly in West and Central Africa. Throughout his career, he championed ambitious projects that connected African resources with international markets while creating pathways for economic growth and industrial development.
Born in Liberia, Cooper played a pivotal role in the restructuring of the country’s iron ore industry during the 1980s and early 1990s. His efforts helped reposition on of Liberia’s most important economic sectors during a period of significant transition. In the decades that followed, he remained deeply committed to advancing mining projects across the region, contributing to major iron ore initiatives in Liberia, Cameroon and Guinea.
Through ventures such as International Mining & Infrastructure Corporation and the African Iron Ore Group, Cooper promoted integrated development models that combined mining operations with the rail, port, power and processing infrastructure required to support long-term industrialization. His vision extended beyond resource extraction, focusing instead on creating the foundations necessary for sustainable economic value creation.
In Cameroon, Cooper helped advance the development of the Nkout and Ntem iron ore projects, while also spearheading efforts to assemble strategic partnerships with major Asian engineering, procurement and construction companies, commodity buyers, and financial institutions. These collaborations reflected his long-held belief that international partnerships could accelerate Africa’s industrial transformation.
Cooper’s influence extended well beyond the mining sector. In 2004, he co-founded Afren plc., one of Africa’s most significant independent oil and gas companies of its generation. Built around a vision of connecting international capital with Africa’s emerging petroleum opportunities, Afren grew rapidly and at its peak achieved a market valuation approaching $3 billion, with operations spanning multiple countries across the continent.
Although Cooper stepped away from day-to-day leadership at Afren in 2010, he remained an influential figure in African energy investment. He continued to advocate for innovative approaches to asset development, including strategies that encouraged partnerships between African national oil companies and international investors to acquire and revitalize producing assets.
Beyond business, Cooper was a passionate supporter of education, culture and international engagement. A distinguished graduate of Yale University, he established the institution’s first scholarship program dedicated to African students and served on the Yale President’s Council on International Activities. At Harvard University, he supported initiatives celebrating African and African American culture and scholarship, earning the prestigious W.E.B. Du Bois Medal for his contributions.
“Bert Cooper was one of the great architects of African resource development and a firm believer in the continent’s ability to compete on the global stage. His vision, determination and commitment to creating opportunities for Africans will continue to inspire future generations of industry leaders, investors and entrepreneurs across the continent,” says NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman, AEC.
Throughout his life, Cooper remained a tireless advocate for Africa’s economic potential and a champion of stronger ties between the continent and global investors. His legacy will endure through the projects he helped build, the institutions he supported and the countless professionals he mentioned throughout his remarkable career.
