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The annual African Energy Week (AEW) summit risks being rendered largely ineffective unless African governments translate the gathering’s recommendations into urgent political decisions, warned Kingsley Jeremiah, the Editor for Energy & Power at The Guardian (Nigeria).
Speaking from Cape Town on Thursday, Jeremiah challenged the continent’s political leaders to ensure the conversations around energy security result in tangible, citizen-focused impact.
He acknowledged that the conference brings together key industry stakeholders every year to discuss critical issues facing the continent’s energy future.
However, Jeremiah cautioned that the real-world influence of the dialogue has historically been “very limited.”
He differentiated between professional discussion and political action, emphasising that while stakeholders can converse, it is the decision-makers from the political sphere who must ultimately implement change.
This year, he noted a positive shift, with increased government involvement, expressing hope that this could finally lead to concrete policy changes.
For major producers like Nigeria, the need for tangible results is primarily economic.
Jeremiah stressed that the discussions must directly translate into increased oil production, noting that Nigeria’s national revenues are overwhelmingly dependent on the crude oil sector.
While he observed a recent “slight increase” in both oil and gas output—a boost for operations like Nigeria LNG (NLNG) and a source of dividends for the country—he was quick to point out that production levels remain “way far below” where they need to be to meet national needs and fulfil global potential.
Furthermore, the editor highlighted the severe humanitarian crisis linked to energy poverty, particularly the urgent need to accelerate gas deployment.
“Across the continent, millions of women rely on biomass (wood and charcoal) for cooking, a practice that leads to high rates of respiratory diseases and fuels widespread deforestation.”
Jeremiah argued that increased gas production is vital to replace these hazardous cooking fuels.
This increase must also support domestic initiatives, such as providing gas for Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) for transport, and boosting Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) exports.
Jeremiah concluded with a clear demand for accountability from political leaders.
He insisted that if African governments fail to act on the recommendations discussed, “all of what is said here in Cape Town is going to end in Cape Town.”
He asserted that the true measure of any conference’s success is when the average citizen can feel the benefits through improved infrastructure, better health outcomes, and a more stable energy supply.
