African countries have been urged to rally round in the fight against energy poverty to drive economic prosperity in the continent.
Nigeria’s Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri, who made the call, argued that working together is the only way African countries can overcome energy poverty, and improve the lives of millions of its people.
Mr Lokpobiri, a former senator of the Federal Republic, made the call during the opening ceremony of the Nigerian Pavilion, hosted by the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN), at the ongoing Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) in Houston, Texas, U.S., which kicked off on Monday.
The PETAN conference was themed: “Africa’s Energy Renaissance: Leveraging Innovation and Natural Gas for Sustainable Development,” and was well-attended by Nigerian government officials, key stakeholders in the oil and gas sector, exhibitors, and delegates from various West African countries.
According to the Minister, rather than fragmentation, African countries can pool resources and invest in large-scale energy projects, thereby reducing costs and increasing efficiency.
He added that such a collaboration can facilitate the exchange of best practices, technologies, and expertise, to accelerate progress in the energy sector.
To address the escalating energy deficit, Mr Lokpobiri stressed the need for Africa to develop cohesive policies that are tailored to the continent’s unique circumstances.
He said: “This conference is not a jamboree. It is a platform for Nigeria, and by extension, Africa—to showcase its vast potential.”
Such a collaboration can facilitate the exchange of best practices, technologies, and expertise, to accelerate progress in the energy sector.
Energy transition narrative
Against this backdrop, the Minister expressed support for Donald Trump’s return as U.S. President, suggesting it could help decelerate what he termed as the “hypocritical” global energy transition narrative, which “has put Africa at a disadvantage.”
According to him, the prevailing global discourse on energy transition is largely influenced by geopolitical considerations.
To underscore the importance of regional collaboration, he highlighted the Africa Petroleum Producers Organisation (APPO), as a strategic entity established to devise shared solutions for the continent’s energy challenges.
In response to this challenge, he noted that established the African Energy Bank, scheduled to begin operations this quarter, to bridge funding gaps and ultimately free the continent from energy poverty.
He continued: “This is an opportunity to let you know that your concerns are gradually being addressed.
“As members of APPO, we are in partnership with Afrexim Bank, which during our last meeting disclosed that it has an exposure of nearly $14 billion.
“This amount, along with an additional $5 billion as the initial take-off capital, will be transferred to the African Energy Bank—bringing the total to over $19 billion.”
Mr. Lokpobiri therefore called on African nations to repatriate investments held overseas and channel them into the African Energy Bank, to bolster the continent’s energy security.
Earlier, the Chairman of PETAN, Wole Ogunsanya, emphasised the significance of Nigeria’s presence at the OTC, saying: “This year’s event, under the Nigerian Pavilion, is set to highlight Africa’s growing role in the global energy sector.
“OTC 2025 promises to bring together top-tier industry leaders, policymakers, and stakeholders at the world’s largest energy event.”
He noted that PETAN’s consistent participation over the years has significantly contributed to the growth of Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.
Mr. Ogunsanya recalled that two decades ago, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) tasked PETAN with coordinating Nigeria’s activities at the OTC, with the primary objective of attracting investment and fostering strategic partnerships.
He underscored the imperative for Nigeria to continue building capacity and driving value creation across the entire oil and gas value chain.
