The African Energy Chamber (AEC) has issued a call to action, urging unwavering support for Africa’s oil and gas industry, which it views as vital to addressing the continent’s energy poverty, driving industrialization, and fostering sustainable economic growth.
With over 600 million Africans lacking access to reliable energy, the AEC argues that the development of hydrocarbon resources must remain a top priority, despite mounting opposition from environmental groups and financial institutions.
As external pressures intensify against Africa’s oil and gas projects, the AEC reaffirmed its commitment to advocating for the sector’s potential to transform the continent. The organization emphasized the importance of balancing environmental sustainability with the urgent need to improve energy access and economic development.
“Africa’s energy resources are essential to its socioeconomic progress,” said NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the AEC. “We must stand firm against external forces undermining the continent’s growth and commit to initiatives that make energy poverty history.”
While global energy transition goals emphasize renewable energy, the AEC stressed that fossil fuels will remain integral to Africa’s energy strategy.
Projections indicate that oil, gas, and coal will account for over 60% of Africa’s energy mix by 2040, underscoring their role in meeting the continent’s growing energy demands.
The AEC also highlighted the importance of local content initiatives, which ensure that oil and gas projects create jobs, boost local economies, and empower African communities.
The AEC’s flagship event, African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energies, has been instrumental in advancing investment and collaboration in the energy sector. Scheduled for September 29 to October 3, 2025, in Cape Town, this year’s event will focus on positioning Africa as the Global Energy Champion.
“In 2024, the event saw transformative deals, including the African Export Import Bank’s $16.8 million loan to support crude oil evacuation in Nigeria and a $10 million trade finance agreement with Dorman Long Engineering.
“The Republic of Congo’s National Oil Company SNPC also partnered with its Azerbaijan counterpart to enhance the CORAF Refinery.”
NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the AEC
These are just some of the many deals signed at AEW: Invest in African Energies 2024. Building on this momentum, the 2025 conference aims to unlock even more investment and collaboration.
A Call for Policy and Investment Reforms
The AEC called for bold policy reforms to attract investment and fast-track oil and gas development.
“Oil and gas development is the cornerstone of Africa’s socioeconomic progress.
“We must commit to policies that encourage investment and create opportunities for Africans.”
NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the AEC
The AEC acknowledged the importance of sustainability but argued that Africa’s energy transition must be context-specific. Renewable energy, while critical, cannot yet meet the needs of Africa’s rapidly growing urban centers and industrial sectors.
Instead, a balanced energy mix—including oil and gas—is essential to powering development and addressing energy poverty.
Hydrocarbons, Ayuk noted, offer cleaner alternatives to biomass and kerosene, which are currently used by 85% of Africans for cooking, contributing to health and environmental issues.
The AEC emphasized the need for Africa to assert its interests in global energy discussions. By leveraging its vast natural resources and building local capacity, the continent can play a central role in meeting global energy demands while driving its own development.
The African Energy Chamber’s advocacy underscores the critical role of oil and gas in addressing Africa’s energy and economic challenges. By fostering investment, promoting local content, and countering external opposition, the AEC aims to position Africa as a leader in the global energy sector.
As the continent faces mounting pressure to align with global energy transition goals, the AEC’s call for pragmatic policies and unwavering support for the industry serves as a reminder that Africa’s energy future must prioritize its unique challenges and opportunities.
Through initiatives like African Energy Week, the Chamber continues to champion a vision of sustainable development driven by Africa’s energy potential.
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