Oil & Gas Crucial for African Growth: AEC Calls for Industry Support to Defend Market
The African Energy Chamber (AEC) has called for unity within the oil and gas industry to combat increasing opposition from western agencies seeking to undermine Africa’s economic growth potential.
The AEC emphasizes that the continent’s hydrocarbon resources are essential for addressing energy poverty, driving industrialization, and achieving sustainable development.
With over 600 million Africans lacking access to reliable energy, the AEC insists that prioritizing the development of oil and gas resources is crucial. It advocates for local content initiatives that provide direct economic benefits to African communities while ensuring energy security.
The organization continues to serve as a vital voice for the industry, connecting African opportunities with global capital.
The AEC remains steadfast in its commitment to promoting Africa’s energy future through initiatives like the African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energies conference, scheduled from September 29 to October 3 in Cape Town. This platform will facilitate investment, drive key oil and gas projects, and safeguard Africa’s interests in the global energy landscape.
Several key projects, such as Shell’s seismic survey campaign off South Africa’s Wild Coast and the East African Crude Oil Pipeline, have faced resistance from environmental groups and financial institutions.
Despite these challenges, the AEC urges stakeholders to remain firm in their support of policies that encourage more drilling, licensing rounds, and reduced regulatory barriers.
The AEW 2025 conference, themed “Positioning Africa as the Global Energy Champion,” aims to foster partnerships and collaboration, further strengthening Africa’s energy sector.
Building on the success of the 2024 event—which secured transformative deals such as the African Export-Import Bank’s $16.8 million loan to support crude oil evacuation in Nigeria—the upcoming conference aims to unlock even greater investment potential.
NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the AEC, stated: “Oil and gas development is the cornerstone of Africa’s socioeconomic progress. We must be firm in our commitment to ‘Drill Baby Drill’ policies that attract more investment, expedite approvals, and counter external opposition. The Chamber stands in full support of initiatives that harness Africa’s resources to transform lives and make energy poverty history.”
