Nigeria, South Africa Forge Stronger Energy Ties To Boost Continental Grid Integration

Nigeria and South Africa have taken steps to deepen their energy cooperation, aiming to accelerate the integration of Africa’s continental power grid and drive sustainable energy development across the continent.

This emerged during the 2025 Africa Energy Forum held in Cape Town, where Nigeria’s minister of Power,  Adebayo Adelabu, engaged in high-level discussions with South African counterparts and global energy stakeholders.

In  a closed-door Ministerial Roundtable, Adelabu highlighted Nigeria’s strategic approach to energy transition, emphasising the critical role of a well-structured policy framework. “No energy transition agenda can succeed without a robust policy foundation,” he said, underscoring Nigeria’s recently approved National Integrated Electricity Policy.

The session brought together public and private sector leaders to accelerate project implementation and harmonise private sector capabilities with national energy priorities.

This policy serves as a comprehensive blueprint to harmonise power generation, transmission, and distribution, while promoting gas-to-power initiatives and renewable energy expansion.

During a panel on energy transition, Adelabu reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to balancing decarbonisation efforts with the continued utilisation of its vast hydrocarbon resources, a stance aligned with President Bola Tinubu’s vision for economic and energy security.

He outlined key investment priorities including grid modernisation to improve reliability, enhanced integration of renewable energy sources, and the deployment of decentralised solutions such as mini-grids and solar home systems.

“Nigeria is open for business across the entire energy spectrum – from hydrocarbons to clean energy,” Adelabu declared, sending a clear message to global investors.

During the bilateral meeting between Adelabu and South Africa’s minister of Electricity and Energy, Dr. Kgosientsho Ramokgopa agreed on the necessity of a unified African voice in global energy platforms like the G20.

They explored collaborative opportunities including market reforms inspired by Nigeria’s privatisation experience, financing mechanisms for grid expansion through public-private partnerships, and strengthening cooperation between regional power pools to foster a more integrated and resilient continental grid.

Beyond South Africa, Adelabu also engaged with international partners to bolster Nigeria’s energy sector. Discussions with the UK’s deputy trade commissioner for Africa, Ben Ainsley, reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to deepen energy ties with the UK. Talks with the International Finance Corporation focused on expanding support for Nigeria’s energy compact, targeting both on-grid and off-grid electrification. Further engagements with Canada’s Ambassador and Siemens Energy explored trade opportunities and grid modernisation technologies.

Adelabu reiterated Nigeria’s leadership role in shaping Africa’s energy future. “Our goal is clear — energy access, sustainability, and prosperity for Nigeria and the continent,” he declared, signaling a new era of cooperation and innovation.