Ghana’s Minister for Energy and Green Transition, Hon. Dr. John Abdulai Jinapor, has called for increased African ownership and participation in the continent’s oil and gas industry, urging investors and governments to ensure more value from hydrocarbon resources remains within Africa.
Speaking on the second day of Africa Oil Week in Accra, Hon. Dr. Jinapor said Africa should move beyond being a supplier of raw materials while key decisions, technology and profits remain concentrated outside the continent.
He called for partnerships that build strong local institutions, develop domestic expertise and increase the participation of African companies across exploration, production and oilfield services.
“The future of our energy sector must be shaped by Africans, for Africans, with room for global capital and expertise,” Hon. Dr. Jinapor said.
The minister said Ghana was working to strengthen its position as an attractive investment destination and a regional energy hub.
He urged African governments to establish stable and predictable regulatory environments capable of attracting long-term investment while safeguarding national interests.
Hon. Dr. Jinapor also emphasised the importance of effective local-content policies, skills development and infrastructure investment, noting that African energy companies must build the capacity required to compete at international standards.
Addressing the ongoing debate around hydrocarbon development and the global push to reduce emissions, Hon. Dr. Jinapor said the energy transition should be viewed as an opportunity rather than a limitation for African economies.
He said a well-managed transition could support job creation, government revenue generation and industrial development without requiring African countries to sacrifice economic growth in pursuit of sustainability.
Discussions at Africa Oil Week also focused on upstream investment, regional collaboration and the growing role of African independent producers in the evolving global energy landscape.
Hon. Dr. Jinapor said Ghana would continue to work with private investors and regional partners to develop its energy resources while ensuring that the country’s natural wealth contributes meaningfully to broader economic development.