OPEC Secretary-General Haitham Al-Ghais has urged African nations to unlock the continent’s vast oil reserves—estimated at over 120 billion barrels—by attracting more investment into the sector. Speaking at the Nigeria International Energy Summit (NIES) 2025 in Abuja on Tuesday, he emphasized Africa’s critical role in the global energy market. Al-Ghais warned that failing to capitalize on these resources could hinder economic growth and development across the region.
He also cautioned against what he described as misguided policy recommendations and overly ambitious global energy targets, arguing that such measures could slow Africa’s energy progress. Instead, he called for a balanced approach that prioritizes energy security, meets rising demand, reduces emissions responsibly, and expands energy access for the millions still without it. His remarks come amid ongoing global discussions on energy transition and the shift toward cleaner alternatives