AGIS 2024: Stakeholders urge investment, innovative energy reforms in Africa
By Lucy Ogalue
Stakeholders say technological innovation, substantial investments, and effective policy frameworks are critical to securing Africa’s sustainable energy future.
The stakeholders spoke at the Africa Gas Innovation Summit (AGIS) 2024, held in Abuja on Thursday.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the summit’s theme is “Igniting the Future: Driving Sustainability in Africa’s Energy Landscape through Gas Technology and Innovation”.
Mr Mele Kyari, the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd, said technology and innovation played a pivotal role in reshaping Africa’s energy sector.
Mr Olalekan Ogunleye, the Executive Vice-President Gas, Power and New Energy, NNPC Ltd, represented Kyari.
“There is no doubt that technology and innovation remain key levers for growth and development, as can be seen in the drastic transformation of our industry,” Kyari said.
He elaborated on NNPC’s strategic focus on research and technological advancements, underscoring the establishment of a dedicated entity for research, technology, and innovation (RTI).
He said; “the NNPC’s initiatives have led to significant progress, particularly in seismic mapping and multivariate analysis for evaluating source rock potential.
“Indeed, today, the RTI is the hub of the NNPC due to the great emphasis on research and innovation.
“I am urging the participants to embrace the challenge of providing customised solutions aligned with the priorities of the African energy sector.’’
Kyari expressed NNPC’s commitment to leveraging gas technology and innovation to enhance sustainability in Africa’s energy landscape.
“NNPC is pleased and proud to have this veritable summit join it in its quest to ignite the future and increase sustainability in Africa’s energy landscape,” he said.
Similarly, Madam Amina Benkhadra, the Director-General of Morocco’s National Office of Hydrocarbons and Mines (ONHYM), said there was an urgent need for major investments and innovative technologies to address Africa’s escalating energy demands.
“To unlock Africa’s energy future, we must develop major infrastructure projects and mobilise international investments.
“And the continent has strong potential in driving sustainable growth through gas and renewable energy.”
According to Benkhadra, Africa will require over 100 billion dollars annually in the power sector by 2030, with total investments reaching up to” three trillion dollars by 2050 to satisfy its increasing electricity demand.
The ONHYM director-general said gas remained the backbone of the global energy transition.
She recalled the African Atlantic Project, a strategic gas pipeline initiative that Morocco and Nigeria inaugurated as a key effort towards enhancing energy security and economic integration across West Africa.
Benkhadra then restated the importance of cooperation on the continent to ensure sustainability in Africa’s energy landscape.
“We must develop specific cooperation between African countries and other stakeholders worldwide.
“There is a need for deeper regional cooperation and public-private partnerships to drive investment on the continent.
“Morocco is committed to strengthening energy partnerships across Africa. We are dedicated to increasing and reinforcing our specific cooperation with all the African Sub-Saharan countries, especially in West Africa,” Benkhadra said.
The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, represented by his Permanent Secretary, Nicholas Ella, said effective policy frameworks and capacity building were crucial in fostering a thriving African gas sector.
“Our policies must be forward-looking, adaptable, and inclusive. They should address the unique challenges and opportunities of the African context.
“Such policies are essential for promoting transparency, accountability, and the equitable distribution of benefits within the gas sector,’’ he said.
According to the minister, there is a need for a skilled and knowledgeable workforce in the sector.
“Capacity building must be at the forefront of our agenda. This involves investing in education and training programmes, promoting technical and vocational education, and fostering a culture of continuous learning and professional development.
“The role of entrepreneurship and innovation is also underscored, with a call for support for entrepreneurs developing sustainable business models within the gas sector.
“By aligning our policies with global sustainability goals, we can position Africa as a leader in the global transition to a low-carbon economy,” Ekpo said.
The minister lauded the Africa Gas Innovation Summit 2024 as a significant milestone in the journey towards a sustainable energy future.b
” By embracing gas technology and innovation, shaping effective policy frameworks, unlocking financing avenues, nurturing capacity building, and cultivating entrepreneurship, we can ignite the future and drive sustainability in Africa’s energy landscape.’’
The Summit Chairman, Olalekan Ogunleye, said technology and innovation were key to exploring the resources that would enable Africa to transition to gas.
He said: “let us key to this, not just for economic or global trends but for our community and development.
“So our quest should be supported, and we (NNPC and Nigeria) will support every effort Africa makes to ensure we explore this resource.
“Innovation and technology require huge funding, but we can source this by embarking on a short-mid-long term plan.
“And I am optimistic that this summit will provide an opportunity to synergies on how we can explore these resources, and I hope we find direction to this at the end of the day.’’
NAN reports that the two-day summit was attended by government officials, partners, and key stakeholders in the energy sector on the continent. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
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Edited by Ese E. Eniola Williams
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