Nigeria’s minister of state for Petroleum Resources, Heineken Lokpobiri, has emphasised the need for Africa to independently shape its energy future.
Speaking at the opening panel of Africa Energy Week, on the topic, “Global Energy Security: The Imperative of Africa’s Energy Development,” he asserted that African-led initiatives are essential for achieving true energy security across the continent.
He urged African governments and private investors to seize current global energy trends, highlighting the establishment of the Africa Energy Bank (AEB) as a pivotal step in addressing the continent’s energy challenges.
With Africa holding significant oil and gas reserves yet facing severe energy poverty, Lokpobiri called for a unified regulatory framework to attract investments and foster sustainable development across the region.
The minister stressed the importance of Africa shaping its own energy policies and priorities, free from external pressures to conform to global energy transitions at the expense of its own urgent needs.
“Africa cannot be compelled to undergo a rushed energy transition dictated by external trends,” Lokpobiri stated. “Our path will be one we chart ourselves, with a focused effort to first address the continent’s immediate energy challenges.”
The minister noted that Africa holds approximately 12% of the world’s oil reserves and 7% of its natural gas, yet over 600 million Africans lack access to electricity.
He emphasised Africa’s dual role in both powering industrial growth and alleviating energy poverty, stressing that the continent’s energy wealth must benefit its own people first.
To support this vision, Lokpobiri spotlighted the recent establishment of the African Petroleum Producers Organization’s (APPO) Africa Energy Bank, a groundbreaking institution created to provide funding that aligns with Africa’s specific energy needs. With this bank headquartered in Nigeria, African nations now have a unique mechanism to secure financing for energy projects tailored to their developmental goals, reducing dependency on foreign financing.
Global energy trends, he noted, present substantial investment opportunities for Nigeria and Africa at large. “We invite global investors to consider the vast potential within Nigeria’s oil and gas sector,” Lokpobiri said, outlining lucrative prospects in upstream exploration, midstream infrastructure development, and downstream facilities. By investing in these areas, he suggested, partners can support Nigeria’s energy transformation goals, stimulate job creation, and promote sustainable growth.
The minister commended APPO’s collaborative approach, which aims to foster a resilient, self-sufficient African energy sector. He expressed confidence that Africa, with its abundant oil, gas, and renewable resources, is well-positioned to become a green energy hub. With Africa’s vast solar, wind, and hydro resources, the continent has the potential to power not only its local markets but also to contribute to global energy stability.
“Africa can lead in renewable energy while also responsibly managing its oil and gas resources,” he affirmed, highlighting Africa’s future role in a balanced global energy landscape.
Lokpobiri urged African governments and private sector players to capitalise on the current global energy trends and embrace the vast investment opportunities they bring. He emphasised the need for a unified regulatory framework that would facilitate cross-border energy projects and strengthen investor confidence.
“Africa is poised to build a secure, sustainable, and prosperous future,” he concluded. “To our global partners and investors, I extend an open invitation: join us in shaping the energy future of tomorrow.”
