Any Successful African Energy Policy at Conference of the Parties (COP) or Anywhere Must Have Oil and Gas at its Core (By NJ Ayuk) – Africa.com
Author: NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman, African Energy Chamber (www.EnergyChamber.org).
I believe the ultimate responsibility for achieving this lies with us and no one else. Yes, we need partners to march alongside us, but the success of our energy movement rests on Africa’s shoulders.
First, I would like to see African energy stakeholders speak with a unified voice about the goals of the African energy industry.
This is particularly important for the COP29 conference in Baku. African leaders must present a unified voice and strategy for Africa’s energy transition. We must identify Africa’s unique needs and circumstances and explain the critical role oil and gas will play in helping Africa achieve net zero emissions in the coming decades.
I encourage African leaders to also discuss the need for financing to enable us to adopt renewable energy and build the necessary infrastructure. Africa will need the global financial system, including multilateral development banks, to play a significant role in financing our energy growth, which must include fossil fuels.
African governments also have a role to play in the success of Africa’s energy movement.
As the African energy industry still benefits significantly from the presence of international oil companies, our government leaders need to approve contracts with oil and gas companies immediately rather than allow red tape to delay projects after discoveries are made.
And they need to provide the kinds of fiscal policies that will enable oil companies to make profits in Africa. In turn, this will help these companies generate revenue, create jobs and business opportunities, and facilitate capacity building.
I also encourage governments and civil society to reward companies that demonstrate positive behavior. Let’s inspire the activities we want, from creating good jobs and training opportunities to sharing knowledge.
There is more.
We as Africans must work together to create more opportunities for women to build careers at all levels in the oil and gas industry. When half our population is excluded, our energy industry cannot fulfill its potential to benefit society. We haven’t made great progress on women’s rights – we need to do better, and we need to act fast.
How the world supports
Now, when I say that Africans have a responsibility to build the future they want, I mean it. However, I would like to see Western governments, businesses, financial institutions and organizations support our efforts.
how? They can avoid demonizing the oil and gas industry. We see this often in the media, in policy and investment decisions, and in calls for Africa to keep fossil fuels in the ground. Even if Western leaders push OPEC to produce oil, such actions are unfair and unhelpful.
I would also respectfully ask financial institutions to resume financing oil and gas projects in Africa and stop trying to block projects such as the East African crude oil pipeline or the Mozambique LNG project.
Please understand that because of the war in Ukraine, the energy crisis in Europe, and the energy poverty our continent faces, our country, like many others, simply chose the path they thought was most likely to help their people.
You know, I’ve been accused for years of loving oil and gas companies more than I love Africa. Quite the opposite is true. In my frequent travels around the continent, I have observed that too many young people lack opportunities.
I know our young people have aspirations for a better future. I know they have big dreams. And, I know the future is almost within their grasp.
A thriving, strategically managed energy industry can provide possibilities for many young people, whether it is bringing good jobs or promoting economic growth that creates jobs in other sectors. Even if we just shine a light in their community, we give our young people hope and increase their chances of achieving their goals.
This is what drives me, that through our continued hard work and determination, our young people can achieve meaningful opportunities. I encourage each of you to work with us at the African Energy Chamber in a spirit of collaboration and mutual respect. Together we can build the African energy movement our continent, our communities and our young people need and deserve.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of the African Energy Chamber.
