The Chairman of AfricEnergy and ambassador for Africa Oil Week, His Excellency Dr Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu, spoke at the Nigeria National Upstream Planning Meeting hosted by the AOW in anticipation of the African Oil Week scheduled to hold in Cape Town, South Africa, October 2022. In his welcome address, he expressed his joy at the return of the oil week to the motherland, Africa, after it was moved out of the continent for previous edition.

The Nigerian Promotion Day was held at the Eko Hotel and Suites in Lagos, Nigeria, on Tuesday, May 24, 2022.

The immediate past Minister of State Petroleum Resources and former NNPC GMD boss reiterated his call for Africa to always be the host for African oil and gas events, as this will not only give originality to the events but also allow for more African investors to participate. He spoke about his time as the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Nigeria, and how he discouraged funding of Nigerian delegates to attend Nigerian-themed oil and gas events abroad but rather held the events in Nigeria; a practice which continues till date.

He urged the private and public sector investors to remember the continent’s vast oil and gas reserves and to invest in African energy. As the world continues to make efforts to shift away from oil and gas investment, Africa requires fair consideration in the transition, which includes continued investment in the hydrocarbon sector. “The development of several African countries is dependent on the energy sector’s development and revenues and we cannot move at the same pace with advanced countries.” Said Dr Kachikwu

The Africa Oil Week 2022 will take place in Cape Town, South Africa, from October 3rd to October 7th. REGISTER TO ATTEND BY CLICKING HERE

He said it’s not about the number of conferences held each year, as there are several across the continent, but about the impact of the conferences. He praised the Africa Oil Week’s consistency over the years in driving valuable investments to the continent and giving Africa a well-deserved name around the world.

He emphasized the importance of African countries prioritizing their people and their needs and not allowing intervention or impediment. He stressed the importance of African countries banding together to achieve a just energy transformation at their own pace while bringing all of their citizens along.

Over 30 ministers and government officials, over 2,000 C-level delegates and representatives, and hundreds of SVPs and VPs of Africa, Exploration, and New Ventures attended the event last year.

According to him, the AOW is an excellent opportunity for investors to learn more about the continent’s various energy potential, interact with officials from relevant agencies, and close crucial deals. He also urged African countries’ national oil corporations to make the most of the week by making strategic pitches, signing strategic contracts, and engaging with strategic investors.

Rounding up his speech, the former APPO and OPEC President called on the Africa Oil Week and other Organizations like the Africa Energy Chamber headed by NJ Ayuk, hosting similar oil and gas events in Africa to work in synergy and focus on the main goal – ensuring that Africa has a just energy transition, while thanking the Nigerian government for the continued support it gives to the growth of these Pan-African events.