– Says Africa must solve Africa’s energy crisis
Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — Nigeria and South Africa have opened talks aimed at deepening cooperation in the oil and gas sector, with a shared focus on solving Africa’s persistent energy challenges through regional partnerships and mutual growth.
The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, made this known during a strategic engagement between Nigeria’s Ministry of Petroleum Resources and South Africa’s Ministry of Mineral Resources and Energy, in Abuja.
Speaking during the meeting, Lokpobiri emphasized that collaboration between African nations was just as crucial as expanding energy production capacities, towards solving Africa’s energy deficiency.
He noted that retaining generated resources within the continent would strengthen economic sovereignty and long-term sustainability.
“Looking inward to resolve Africa’s energy needs is just as productive as expanding our production capacities, especially when generated resources are retained within the continent,” the minister stated.
He highlighted the progress Nigeria has made under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope administration, especially in strengthening indigenous participation in the oil and gas industry.
“We have witnessed indigenous companies acquiring assets from International Oil Companies, IOCs, that are divesting, an encouraging sign of our growing competence and ownership in the sector,” he added.
The South African delegation, led by its Minister for Mineral Resources and Energy; Hon Minister Gwede Mantashe, joined their Nigerian counterparts to explore avenues for strategic collaboration, including enhanced trade, knowledge exchange, and cross-border investments in energy infrastructure.
The visit marks a renewed effort to bridge gaps in Africa’s energy landscape through intra-continental cooperation, as both countries look to pool resources, ideas, and technical know-how to drive a more inclusive energy future for the continent.
