Against the backdrop of the climate change debate, Africa finds itself in an unfortunate position where it is required by the global energy industry to slow down its progress and not explore its hydrocarbons potential to its fullest. This has been described as unfavourable to the continent’s quest for development using its vastly endowed natural resource wealth.
In a statement from the African Energy Chamber, the group pointed out that while it does not deny the impacts and severity of climate change, it equally recognize the role and significance of the Paris Agreement which over 30 African countries have signed. However, “we believe the energy transition should be gradual and considerate of the power gap that exists in Africa”, the statement said.
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The group further maintained that the foremost obligation as industry leaders in Africa is to ensure that Africa’s people have access to energy. “We are determined to address the everyday issues that the continent is faced with”. Noting that energy poverty is Africa’s most critical concern, “for us, it is a life and death situation. In Africa, over 600 million people still do not have access to power. And, we remain a net importer of energy yet we boast 125 billion barrels of proven oil reserves, accounting for 7.3 percent of global oil reserves and, 509 tcf of gas – accounting for 7.2 percent of global reserves”.
African Energy Chamber’s Executive Chairman Nj Ayuk said that “our natural resources are important for our development. We cannot ignore what the continent needs, in the interest of supporting global trends when our economies remain underdeveloped. Our hydrocarbon potential is vast and Africa is home to a number of emerging economies who are steadfast on taking their rightful place in the global energy sector, our time to industrialize is now”, he added.
Continuing, he said that we applaud our brothers, sisters and friends in the west such as Norway and Germany for having used their oil and gas resources to develop their countries and build thriving economies. But, Africa deserves the same opportunity to build world-class economies.
“At the African Energy Chamber, we understand that issues of climate change are important but, this new drive for environmental colonization bullies African countries to leave their resources and depend on the sun,” NJ Ayuk said. In the past, Africa has been far too reliant on foreign aid and while in some ways it has been extremely helpful and beneficial, it has also taken away our independence. In several instances, Africa has always taken the passenger seat when it comes to deciding its future but, it must end now.
“Our continent needs to be left alone to decide its own fate”, he urged. The African Energy Chamber he noted, strongly stands against the idea that Africa should ignore its potential and ability to leverage its resources as a means to drive growth, create opportunities for investment and development.
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He further stated that as the voice of the African energy industry, we are proud to announce our counter-campaign on the insistence that the continent should pursue a less carbon-intensive energy future as a way to support global interests which Africa has not yet benefited from.
Kelechi Deca
Kelechi Deca has over two decades of media experience, he has traveled to over 77 countries reporting on multilateral development institutions, international business, trade, travels, culture, and diplomacy. He is also a petrol head with in-depth knowledge of automobiles and the auto industry