Ogwus Urges African Leaders To Embrace Robotics, AI For Energy Transformation

Regional Director, West Africa Robotics and Autonomous Systems of the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) International, Professor Chinedu Ogwus, has called on African leaders to embrace robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) as key drivers of the continent’s energy transformation and sustainable industrial development.

Ogwus made the call while delivering a keynote address at the 100 Most Notable Leadership and Business Summit 2026 in Marrakech, Morocco. His presentation, titled “AI, Robotics, the Future of Energy Industries and Energy Transformation in Africa,” examined the transformative role of emerging technologies in reshaping Africa’s energy sector and preparing the continent for the future of work and innovation.

Drawing from his extensive experience at TotalEnergies EP Nigeria Ltd, Ogwus said robotics is revolutionising the oil and gas industry by automating repetitive and hazardous tasks, improving operational efficiency, reducing costs, and enhancing worker safety.

He noted that robotic technologies are increasingly being deployed in drilling operations, pipeline surveillance, and refinery activities, creating fresh opportunities for African engineers, researchers, and technology innovators.

The energy expert also presented comparative data on investments in robotics and AI across the continent, identifying Nigeria, South Africa, and Egypt as leading adopters of the emerging technologies. He projected that investment and deployment of robotics across Africa would grow substantially by 2030, positioning the continent as a significant player in the global energy transition.

Although he acknowledged the high cost of adopting robotics and AI technologies, Ogwus maintained that the long-term benefits—including improved efficiency, sustainability, productivity, and competitiveness—far outweigh the initial investment.

He further linked Africa’s technological future to global innovations, citing the pioneering work of Elon Musk in robotics and artificial intelligence. According to him, Africa must move beyond being a consumer of imported technologies to becoming a hub for innovation by investing in research, education, and skills development while implementing policies that encourage technological advancement.

“Africa’s energy future depends on its readiness to embrace disruptive technologies capable of modernising industries, creating high-value jobs, and strengthening the continent’s competitiveness in the global economy,” he said.

His presentation aligned with the summit’s theme, “Uniting Africa’s Changemakers for Growth and Impact,” reinforcing the importance of robotics and AI as indispensable tools for industrial modernisation and sustainable development across the continent.

Among the key highlights of the presentation were the increasing deployment of robotics in oilfields to enhance safety and operational efficiency in drilling and refinery processes, projections of significant growth in robotics investments across Africa by 2030, the emergence of new career opportunities in robotics engineering and AI systems, and the need for African countries to align with global technological advancements through innovation and strategic investment.

Participants at the summit described Professor Ogwus’ keynote as a strategic roadmap for Africa’s energy industries, urging governments, policymakers, and private sector stakeholders to accelerate investments in robotics and artificial intelligence to drive sustainable energy transformation and long-term economic growth across the continent