Mele Kyari: Local content, regional collaboration will build Africa’s energy future

Mele Kyari, group chief executive officer (GCEO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, says local content, sustainable development, and investment in gas infrastructure will build Africa’s energy future.

Kyari spoke on Tuesday at the Sub-Saharan Africa International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (SIAPEC), themed ‘Building Africa’s Future: Advancing Local Content and Sustainable Development in the Oil and Gas Industry’.

Speaking at the event, Kyari highlighted Africa’s strategic role in ensuring energy availability, affordability, and sustainability for economic growth.

He said Sub-Saharan Africa has a unique opportunity to leverage its advancements in the oil and gas industry to meet domestic energy demands, reduce import dependence, and expand its economy. 

“To redefine the energy landscape for a sustainable energy future, we need to focus on several key areas such as energy transition, energy efficiency, energy investment, cost efficiency, gas and renewable energy development,” Kyari said.

“Other key enablers will be policy and regulatory support, regional collaboration and training as well as technology, innovation and research.

“Energy demand is expected to rise globally with Africa’s population as a driving force. 

“Oil & Gas sector currently contributes the largest percentage to the continent’s energy mix with renewable energy sources evolving to improve access to needed energy.”

Kyari also said natural gas remains a key component of Nigeria’s energy strategy, serving as a major source of power generation and industrial feedstock.

“Though oil and gas remains a significant component of energy the global energy mix and will remain so even in the next 50 years, NNPC Ltd. is working towards increasing production by unlocking more opportunities across the oil and gas value chain, gas infrastructure development, CNG Market penetration, increasing refining capacity and driving sustainability initiatives,” he said.

“To achieve success in the oil and gas business, there is a need to balance energy transition, market realities and energy security to be driven largely by availability of Indigenous resources, strengthening local content, Indigenous capacity development, regional cooperation and collaboration.”

He also urged stakeholders to work together in tackling energy challenges through investment, policy support, and infrastructure development. 

Kyari said collaboration between African countries will be crucial in achieving shared energy goals, ensuring socio-economic growth, and securing a sustainable energy future.