At the fourth edition of South Africa Week in Lagos, energy stakeholders emphasised the need for stronger collaboration between African countries to unlock investment, technology transfer, and infrastructure development for improved energy security and economic growth.
Under the theme “South Africa-Nigeria Partnership: Unlocking Infrastructure Investment Opportunities,” speakers highlighted energy diplomacy and cross-border cooperation as key drivers of Africa’s energy transition. They noted that deeper partnerships between Nigeria and South Africa could attract private capital and strengthen regional energy systems.
South Africa’s Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Thandi Moraka, stressed that reliable energy supply is critical for investment and industrial development, calling for alignment with Africa’s broader development goals under Agenda 2063.
Experts also pointed to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as a key platform for boosting energy trade and cooperation. Industry players, including PwC’s Pedro Omontuemhen, noted that Africa’s main challenge lies in infrastructure and delivery, not resource availability, and urged increased private sector participation to unlock large-scale energy investments.