The Secretary General of the African Petroleum Producers Organisation (APPO) has called for urgent action to transform Africa’s energy resources into sustainable development, stressing that execution, not resource availability, remains the continent’s biggest challenge.
Speaking at the SPE Ghana Biennial Conference in Accra, he said Africa’s oil, gas, minerals, and human capital must be translated into infrastructure, industrial growth, job creation, and inclusive development. He emphasized that engineers, technical professionals, and institutions such as the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) are central to driving this transformation.
He noted that natural gas remains a critical pillar for Africa’s energy future, supporting power generation, industrialisation, petrochemicals, and energy security, adding that it should be viewed as compatible with sustainable development goals.
The APPO Secretary General also highlighted key initiatives including the Africa Energy Bank, regional cooperation among national oil companies, local content development, and a digital energy mapping system aimed at improving investment and planning across the continent.
He further urged stronger investment in young professionals, describing them as central to integrating emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, digital systems, and modern energy management into Africa’s energy future.
According to him, Africa’s energy agenda must balance three priorities: growth, innovation, and inclusion, arguing that energy must drive industrialisation, technological advancement, and broad-based access to opportunities.