From Femi Folaranmi, Yenagoa
The Minister of State, Petroleum (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, has recommended homegrown solutions as panacea for challenges confronting the energy sector on the African continent.
According to him, Africa must begin to look inward for sustainable solutions to its energy challenges by boosting local production capacities while retaining generated resources within the continent is key to long-term energy security.
Lokpobiri made this remark while receiving a high-level delegation from South Africa’s Department of Mineral Resources and Energy, led by Hon. Minister Gwede Mantashe, during a strategic engagement aimed at strengthening bilateral energy cooperation, enhancing trade, and exploring joint initiatives to tackle Africa’s energy needs.
He stated that the remarkable progress Nigeria has made in recent years, particularly under the #RenewedHope administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was down to the enhanced capacity of local oil companies.
Nigeria has significantly enhanced its local capacity in the oil and gas sector. We are witnessing a new era where indigenous companies are taking ownership by acquiring assets from International Oil Companies that are divesting.
“As we collaborate with South Africa, we are also learning from their experiences. Our shared insights will contribute to increased oil production and more resilient energy systems across Africa.
“Deepening our ties is vital to creating sustainable, African-led solutions to our energy challenges,” he said.
In his remarks, Mantashe said visit was driven by a strong interest in learning from Nigeria’s oil and gas successes and exploring opportunities for partnership.
Mantashe praised Nigeria’s advancements and expressed optimism about future collaboration.
“Nigeria’s progress in its energy sector is impressive. We are here to share experiences, learn from each other, and build frameworks that support mutual growth. The goal is to develop strategies that are not only beneficial to our two nations but the African continent at large,” the South African minister said.
Both parties, after extensive discussions, which centred on developing indigenous capacity, enhancing cross-border trade in energy products, and fostering a robust framework for knowledge exchange, agreed that collaboration is essential to unlock Africa’s vast energy potential and to address persistent energy poverty across the continent.
They also agreed on a mutual commitment to establish working groups focused on joint investments, technology sharing, and regional energy integration.