African Energy Chamber rejects anti-fossil fuel narrative
Africa should reject anti-fossil fuel policies of COP28
Following discussions around the future of fossil fuels at the Conference of Parties (COP28), the African Energy Chamber (AEC) has strongly urged African countries to reject any and all anti-fossil fuel policies advocated by developed nations that are committed to phasing out fossil fuels, pushing for an anti-fossil fuel energy transition that does not take into account the needs of the developing world.
The AEC believes that the “western approach” to the energy transition is “simply not an option for Africa.”
“For decades, Africa’s oil and gas resources have been extracted and exported for the benefit of wealthy nations, while the continent has been left with inadequate resources to meet its growing demand. Wealthy nations have not only used these resources to develop but have positioned themselves as financially and infrastructurally ready to transition away from fossil fuels. Now, Africa is trying to take the same path, and is being directed to abandon an approach taken by those that went before it,” they wrote in a statement as COP28 drew to a close.
NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the AEC, has strongly rejected the western-centric energy transition and says that it would eliminate any opportunity to remove energy poverty on the continent.
“The green agenda promoted by the wealthy nations continues to ignore how instrumental oil and gas is in Africa. Climate panic and fear mongering continues to be alive and well, and Africa should remain strong in its commitment to utilizing oil and gas for the betterment of its people,”
“The green agenda promoted by the wealthy nations continues to ignore how instrumental oil and gas is in Africa. Climate panic and fear mongering continues to be alive and well, and Africa should remain strong in its commitment to utilizing oil and gas for the betterment of its people,” he says adding that Africa and the developed world are at vastly different stages of their development.
In another opinion piece, Ayuk lashes out at the negative impact of initiatives offering aid to Africa highlighting that such interventions actually decrease long-term economic growth and fuel systemic corruption.
“With Africa poised to participate in the worldwide energy transition, my fear is that international donors will feel justified to dictate Africa’s policy regarding the lengths to which, and speed with which, our energy transition occurs. This would be a huge step backward in our energy, economic, and even individual independence,” he writes explaining that aid packages aimed at incentivising Africa’s willingness to give up oil and gas operations will ultimately be detrimental to Africans.
“History has shown that this assistance could never replace the oil and gas industry’s ability to create jobs and business opportunities, grow local capacity, open the door to technology sharing, facilitate economic growth, and alleviate energy poverty.”
“History has shown that this assistance could never replace the oil and gas industry’s ability to create jobs and business opportunities, grow local capacity, open the door to technology sharing, facilitate economic growth, and alleviate energy poverty.”
Making a case for African nations to harness their oil and gas resources, Ayuk says that “we will not be bullied, or manipulated with aid, into a path that is not in our best interests”.
The AEC support an energy mix approach that will allow Africa to use and sell its own hydrocarbon reserves in an effort to alleviate energy poverty while at the same time moves the continent towards a future in which renewable energy sources power prevail.
“The energy mix method can help more people more quickly because it takes a practical, people-first approach to helping those who have traditionally been left behind by the energy sector, while moving us toward greener energy sources,” he concludes.
PHOTO SOURCE: Adobe Photo Stock
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