The African Energy Week (AEW) 2025 officially began with a defiant and passionate speech from NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber, who declared the summit a five-year-old “movement” dedicated to securing Africa’s energy future against critics.
Ayuk, speaking to ministers, industry leaders, and acknowledging the demonstrators outside, asserted that the industry is driven by a “human mission” and would not cease its activities.
“Five years later, I am reporting that we did it; we will continue and we will not stop,” he stated, thanking the leadership for giving Africa a voice on the global stage.
The Case for “Beautiful Green LPG”
A significant portion of the address was dedicated to the critical issue of energy access for clean cooking.
Ayuk revealed that his attendance at the Clean Energy Ministerial Forum led to a landmark proposal from the US Secretary of Energy promoting clean energy, specifically using LPG to drive Africa’s growth.
Ayuk condemned the current clean cooking crisis, stating that up to a million people die every year due to a lack of clean cooking solutions.
He argued that the problem must be solved using “beautiful green LPG,” predicting its widespread use from Cape Town to Lome.
Defending the “Drill, Baby, Drill” Mantra
Ayuk directly confronted the global push for decarbonisation, adopting the rallying cry, “Drill, baby, drill.” He framed the continued extraction of oil and gas as non-negotiable for the continent’s development.
He contrasted the wealthy nations that industrialised using fossil fuels and are now “digitalising” with Africa’s urgent need for development.
“It is drill, baby, drill that’s going to get us to continue providing roads, schools, infrastructure for Africans that don’t have it,” he argued, insisting it is essential for energy security and lighting hospitals during pandemics.
Challenging those who call for African energy to remain in the ground, Ayuk pointed to Norway as a “drill, baby, drill capital of Europe.”
He concluded with a resolute stance: “The world should decarbonise while African nations industrialise.”
Exploration Momentum
Ayuk highlighted recent industry successes as proof of the continent’s resilient exploration drive, noting that Liberia and TotalEnergies signed four Production Sharing Contracts (PSCs) in September 2025 for offshore exploration blocks (LB-6, LB-11, LB-17, and LB-29).
He also expressed hope that similar green gas projects would advance in Mozambique.
Anti-pollution activists were present outside the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) during the opening of AEW 2025.
They were protesting the conference’s pro-fossil fuel agenda and called for a greater focus on environmental protection.
Specifically, the demonstrators demanded action on the Polluter’s Climate Bill and a fundamental shift away from continued oil and gas extraction across the continent.
