The Federal Government, along with key stakeholders in the energy sector, has been urged to foster an environment conducive to the advancement of gas development and the innovation of gas technologies across Africa.
Ugo Amadi, Chairman of the Association of Energy Correspondents of Nigeria (NAEC), made this appeal during the Africa Gas Innovation Summit (AGIS) 2024, held in Abuja.
The summit, themed “Igniting the Future: Driving Sustainability in Africa’s Energy Landscape through Gas Technology and Innovation,” highlighted the critical need for supportive policies and collaborative efforts to drive technological adaptation and economic improvement.
In his remarks at the conference, Amadi emphasized the potential benefits of policies that encourage investment and collaboration, which are essential for integrating new technologies to bolster the economy.
During his welcome address at the technical session titled “Creating an Enabling Environment for Gas Technology Development and Innovation in Africa,” Amadi acknowledged the numerous challenges facing the country but stressed the importance of addressing these issues to achieve substantial progress in the energy sector.
“We are aware that Africa and Nigeria’s energy sector faces several challenges, including inadequate infrastructure, inconsistent policies, unreliable energy access, insufficient incentives, and regulatory obstacles that deter private investment,” Amadi stated.
Amadi also highlighted additional challenges such as energy security concerns amid rising demand and declining domestic production, insufficient funding for energy projects, weak institutional capacity, corruption, and political interference that impede effective policy implementation.
“Addressing these challenges is essential for developing a sustainable, efficient, and inclusive energy sector in Nigeria and Africa,” he added.
Amadi noted the recent efforts by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who also serves as the Minister of Petroleum Resources, in signing the Presidential Executive Orders on oil and gas in March this year.
These orders aim to enhance the efficiency and attractiveness of Nigeria’s oil and gas sector. However, Amadi called for a comprehensive review of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021 to unlock Nigeria’s vast hydrocarbon potential, attract investment, and drive the nation towards greater economic success and shared prosperity.
“As an association, we are committed to advocating for equitable energy security for Nigeria and Africa. We are dedicated to narrating the gas story compellingly and supporting the implementation of Nigeria’s Decade of Gas Initiative,” Amadi affirmed.
The NAEC chairman urged the federal government to adopt more practical approaches to address industry issues, aiming to create a more sustainable energy future.
“We call on all stakeholders and the government to ensure an enabling environment for gas technology development and innovation in Africa, which requires a multi-faceted approach,” Amadi said.
He outlined several result-oriented approaches, including government policies that encourage investment in gas technologies and innovation, strengthening institutional and human resource capacities in Africa, and fostering collaboration among government, industry, academia, and the entrepreneurial community to address challenges and opportunities in the gas sector.
Amadi also emphasized the need to promote digital technologies such as blockchain, digital platforms, and smart grids to achieve new energy production and consumption models.
Additionally, he advocated for technical, vocational, and tertiary education and training in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, as well as enhanced cooperation to strengthen tertiary education systems and increase access to online education in areas related to sustainable development.
