By Sarah Sam Adda
Nigeria’s Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Dr. Ekperikpe Ekpo, has said Africa’s energy transition must reflect its socio-economic realities, warning that the continent “cannot decarbonise to poverty.”
Speaking on Wednesday at a ministerial panel session titled “Global Shifts: Navigating an Era of Diverging Priorities” during the 2025 Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference, Ekpo said while Africa supports global decarbonisation, its transition must be just, gradual, and inclusive to protect development and energy security.
He noted that about 80 million Nigerians and over 600 million Africans still lack electricity, stressing that natural gas remains central to Nigeria’s strategy for power generation, industry, transport, and clean cooking.
Ekpo added that Nigeria is scaling up renewables to complement gas and reduce emissions but insisted that renewables alone cannot yet meet heavy industrial demand.
He urged that Africa be allowed to develop its natural resources responsibly to drive growth and stability rather than adopt externally imposed models.
