Nigeria’s Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Dr. Heineken Lokpobiri, has reaffirmed Africa’s capacity to navigate the global energy transition without compromising its hydrocarbon wealth. Speaking on the sidelines of the African Energy Week (AEW) in Cape Town, South Africa, Dr. Lokpobiri addressed growing concerns about the future of Africa’s abundant hydrocarbon resources amidst mounting pressure from Western nations pushing for carbon neutrality.
Dr. Lokpobiri emphasized that Africa possesses a sufficient domestic market to sustain its hydrocarbon production, even if international demand dwindles due to net-zero emission policies. He asserted that the continent must pivot from exporting crude oil for refining abroad to developing local refining capacities that will allow Africa to produce, refine, and consume its resources internally.
“We have enough market in Africa. African markets alone can take all the crude we produce on the continent. Currently, we export crude to Europe, India, and Singapore for refining, only to import the finished products back. This must change,” he said. “With adequate refining capacity, Africa can become self-sufficient, and this transition will bolster intra-continental trade and energy independence.”
The minister’s remarks align with Nigeria’s broader vision of achieving carbon neutrality by 2060. This ambitious target was first unveiled during the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow and further reinforced through the country’s revised Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) submitted in 2021. Nigeria’s Energy Transition Plan (ETP), launched in 2022, outlines pathways to decarbonize key sectors such as power, transportation, and manufacturing while addressing energy poverty and climate change challenges.
Dr. Lokpobiri’s comments come at a critical juncture as African nations grapple with the dual challenge of balancing economic development with global climate commitments. Nigeria, ranked 108th out of 120 countries on the World Economic Forum’s Energy Transition Index, faces significant hurdles in transforming its energy systems. However, initiatives outlined in the ETP, including universal electricity access and sustainable economic growth, are designed to propel the nation toward a cleaner energy future.
Critics have pointed out that achieving these goals will require substantial investment in renewable energy infrastructure and a review of existing governance structures within the energy sector. Despite these challenges, Dr. Lokpobiri remains optimistic that Africa’s hydrocarbon resources can play a pivotal role in the continent’s economic transformation while simultaneously meeting international climate obligations.
In his address, Dr. Lokpobiri also highlighted the broader implications of energy independence for Africa, noting that local refining and consumption could mitigate energy poverty while reducing the continent’s reliance on foreign markets. This approach, he argued, would not only enhance economic stability but also position Africa as a key player in the global energy landscape.
Nigeria’s energy sector contributes significantly to its carbon emissions, with the power sector alone generating over 80 million metric tons of CO2 annually. As the nation accelerates efforts to meet its net-zero target, Dr. Lokpobiri’s call for a more localized and self-reliant energy strategy could signal a transformative shift in how Africa leverages its hydrocarbon wealth in the face of global energy transition challenges.
