KEY POINTS
- Lokpobiri urges African nations to unite against energy poverty.
- APPO launches African Energy Bank to bridge funding gaps.
- Nigeria and Ghana continue to collaborate on energy sector reforms.
Heineken Lokpobiri, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), has called on African countries to work together to fight energy poverty.
Lokpobiri calls for unity to address Africa’s energy poverty
He made the plea on Monday during the Offshore Technology Conference in Houston, which was hosted by the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN) and featured the opening of the Nigerian Pavilion.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria, the theme of the 2025 PETAN conference is “Africa’s Energy Renaissance: Leveraging Innovation and Natural Gas for Sustainable Development.”
Lokpobiri warned that disjointed methods will exacerbate the continent’s energy issue and asked for unified policies catered to Africa’s unique demands.
“This is not a jamboree conference. It gives Nigeria—and Africa—a chance to demonstrate its enormous energy potential,” he remarked.
In order to address common energy concerns, he highlighted regional cooperation and mentioned the African Petroleum Producers Organization (APPO).
According to Nans, Donald Trump’s reelection as US president could cast doubt on the “hypocritical” global energy transition narrative.
He asserted that political, not environmental, factors are driving the present transition rhetoric, which disadvantages Africa.
To address funding constraints, he revealed APPO’s aim to build the African Energy Bank within the current quarter.
The bank, backed by Afrexim Bank’s \$14 billion exposure and an additional \$5 billion in start-up capital, wants to assist energy projects.
He urged African governments to transfer foreign investments into the bank to boost regional energy security and self-sufficiency.
Nigeria and Ghana strengthen oil and gas collaboration
In a meeting with Ghana’s Minister of Energy and Green Transition, John Abdullahi, Lokpobiri advised Ghana to avoid Nigeria’s early policy blunders.
Abdullahi complimented Nigeria’s leadership and showed readiness to engage on energy reforms and local content development.
PETAN Chairman Wole Ogunsanya said Nigeria’s participation at OTC improves visibility and investment in Africa’s energy sector.
According to him, PETAN and NNPC have collaborated for more than 20 years to draw in foreign capital and fortify Nigeria’s energy sector.
Officials from Nigeria, representatives from West Africa, and important players in the oil and gas industry from all over the area attended the event.
