As we look forward to a hopeful 2025, on behalf of the team at the African Energy Chamber (AEC), I would like to express to you and your team, my deepest gratitude for all the support you have given to the AEC and the African energy sector.
In 2025, we at the AEC will continue working on a common-sense agenda to make African operations manageable for oil and gas companies. We will continue providing African governments the tools and support needed for market-friendly fiscal regimes and streamlined regulations that attract the necessary investments needed for the exploration and production of energy in Africa.
We take notice of the growing number of women working in the oil and gas industry, and we celebrate their contributions. We make the case for tapping more deeply into Africa’s multi-faceted talent pool. We will continue working on local content initiatives so we can figure out what’s gone wrong and what’s gone right — and encourage conversations about how to do even better.
Our energy sector will always be at the frontlines of African development and defeating energy poverty. During the recent African Energy Week, I told many delegates “You are not alone. We’re with you and always will be, we got your back.” Well, today, I can tell you we’re happy that the beloved energy sector is with us.
Adding renewables to Africa’s energy mix will be a win-win for African communities and the environment. But increasingly, the global community seems to be pushing Africa to transition to green energy at a breakneck pace, and — just as quickly — to say goodbye to our oil and gas industry. While it appears like a dilemma, we continue to believe climate change and energy poverty are two sides of the same coin. Access to electricity and clean cooking will dominate our work.
The AEC has become an invaluable advocate for Africa’s petroleum industry during this time. We’ve been calling for a well-planned, strategic approach to our energy transition that considers the needs of Africans, today and tomorrow. We don’t mind asking the big questions, like how Africa’s energy transition will be funded. We continue to be a voice for hundreds of millions throughout Africa who lack access to electricity — Africans who could benefit greatly from gas-to-power programs.
We are seeing more progress in Africa. We’re witnessing more dialogue and more cooperation between public and private sectors. And we’re hopeful that Africa’s energy industry will, indeed, thrive. This kind of impactful work only is possible with your support and I am personally thankful.
In 2025, we’re committed not only to telling the story of what’s happening in African energy but also to playing a role in writing the next chapters, always with an emphasis on increased prosperity and stability for everyday Africans.
I wish you a stronger and successful 2025.
