Nigeria has emerged victorious in the race to host the headquarters of the $5 billion African Energy Bank (AEB) after a competitive bidding process.
The decision followed a technical inspection team from the African Petroleum Producers Organisation (APPO) and Afrexim Bank, the joint promoters of the AEB, which validated Nigeria’s readiness to host the continental bank.
The Nigerian government, to demonstrate its commitment under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, has approved a $100 million investment from four agencies of the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, exceeding the minimum equity requirement of $83.33 million for Class A shares.
APPO decided to award the hosting rights to Nigeria at an extraordinary meeting of the Council of Ministers.
The decision, lauded as a significant step for the continent’s energy sector, underscores Nigeria’s pivotal role in Africa’s energy landscape.
Minister of State Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri, who made this known in Abuja on Thursday, also expressed his gratitude for the support extended by President Tinubu in Nigeria’s bid to host the Bank.
He similarly extended appreciation to the council for their confidence in Nigeria’s capability, “This decision reflects our collective ambition to create African solutions to African energy challenges.
“The African Energy Bank will be instrumental in providing the necessary financial backbone for energy projects that will drive growth and development across the continent.”
Nigeria emerged as the preferred host nation amidst stiff competition from Ghana, Benin, Algeria, South Africa, and Cote D’Ivoire.
The selection highlights Nigeria’s robust energy sector and its strategic vision for the continent’s energy future.
Lokpobiri assured Nigerians and Africans, that the establishment of the African Energy Bank would mark a transformative era in meeting energy needs.
“We are committed to ensuring that this Bank will not only move Nigeria forward but will also be a beacon of progress for the entire continent,” he emphasized, adding, “Our goal is to foster sustainable energy solutions that are both innovative and inclusive.”
The Bank is expected to facilitate access to funding for energy projects, thereby catalysing economic growth and enhancing energy security.
The Minister further emphasised that this initiative aligns with the broader objectives of the African Union’s Agenda 2063, aiming for a prosperous and self-sustaining Africa.
Lokpobiri highlighted the collaborative spirit of the APPO members and their shared vision for a united, energy-secured Africa, reiterating his gratitude to Tinubu for his unwavering support and to the Council of Ministers for their trust in Nigeria’s ability to lead this pivotal initiative.
This strategic move positions Nigeria favorably to win the bid, potentially reshaping the country’s oil and gas ecosystem.
The AEB, when headquartered in Nigeria, is expected to become the largest single foreign direct investment inflow into the country in over two decades.
The establishment of the AEB in Nigeria is anticipated to significantly boost the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), employment, financial architecture, and economic diversification, while supporting foreign exchange management strategies.
The $5 billion AEB is expected to grow its assets to over $120 billion in seven years, making it the third-largest bank in Africa and the most prominent in Nigeria in terms of shareholders’ funds.
