The African Dialogue Conference spotlighted the pivotal roles of collaboration, investment, and indigenous solutions in shaping the future of Africa’s energy sector. The conference included seven panel discussions.

The conference kicked off with a keynote speech by Omar Farouk Ibrahim, Secretary General of the African Petroleum Producers’ Organization (APPO), on “Enabling Cross-Regional Collaborations Between North and Sub-Saharan Africa.”

He noted that the conference theme itself, “Enabling Cross-Regional Collaboration Between North and Sub-Saharan Africa, is a testimony to the increasing realization on the continent that “we need a major paradigm shift to successfully tackle the imminent challenges.”.

Anibor Kragha, the Executive Secretary of the African Refiners & Distributors Association (ARDA), also delivered a keynote speech on “Creating New Pathways for Industrialization across the Continent.” In his address, he tackled the complexities surrounding the energy transition in Africa. He emphasized the necessity of balancing decarbonization efforts with the common goals of closing the energy access gap and promoting industrialization through the strategic utilization of both traditional and renewable energy sources.

A series of panel discussions followed, delving into specific aspects of Africa’s energy future. The “Building a Balanced and Affordable Energy Mix in Africa” panel explored the delicate balance between meeting current energy needs and transitioning towards a sustainable future.

Panelists highlighted the critical need to address energy poverty. For his part, Kragha pointed out the necessity of adding value to resources within the continent through a robust downstream sector.

Furthermore, Ibrahim argued against the notion of immediately abandoning oil and gas, emphasizing that Africa should focus on its own development priorities rather than adhering strictly to the imposing energy transition narratives of more economically affluent nations. He concluded, “I believe that Africa’s salvation lies in the hands of Africans only, and we welcome the help of others in pursuit of our priorities.”

The “Harnessing Africa’s Natural Gas for Energy Security and Export Markets” panel focused on the potential of Africa’s vast natural gas reserves. Discussions centered on overcoming infrastructure limitations and attracting investment to capitalize on export opportunities while simultaneously addressing domestic energy needs. The increase in global demand for liquefied natural gas (LNG) has enabled African nations to leverage their gas resources through profitable export markets.

Moustafa Rashad, Group Chief Executive Officer of EHC Investment, pointed out that Africa has “600 million people running without gas and electricity,” emphasizing the urgent need to address domestic energy access.

Moreover, Ndubuisi Maduemezia, Senior Vice President at SLB, suggested that technology is an enabler that is able to unlock access to energy for the benefit of all.

Meanwhile, the “Leveraging Public-Private Partnerships for Africa’s Energy Infrastructure Development” panel examined the crucial role of public-private partnerships in bridging the energy infrastructure gap.

Panelists emphasized the need for clear policies and regulatory frameworks to attract private sector investment. Arwa Temim, Chief Commercial Officer of Empower New Energy, highlighted the importance of state regulation stability and financial incentives to attract more investments and partnerships and mitigate the risks of investment. Therefore, PPPs can unlock Africa’s energy potential and contribute to sustainable development.

In respect of partnerships, the “Morocco and Egypt as Gateways for Hydrogen Trade in Africa” panel highlighted the significant potential of these countries to become major players in the global green hydrogen market, due to their abundant renewable resources and strategic partnerships. Moreover, Mohamed Shoukry, Country Director of Fortescue Egypt, stated that “Egypt and Morocco are emerging as hydrogen hubs in the area,” supported by their renewable energy sectors and clear vision.

In addition, Tarek Hosny, Head of Investments and Projects at Fertiglobe, stressed the importance of know-how, saying that “ammonia and urea production is not something that’s new to Egypt, right? We’ve had plants for more than 20 years now operating.”

During the panel titled “Scaling up Energy Security Through Investment in Africa’s Downstream Sector” panelists explored the untapped potential of the downstream sector. The panel emphasized Africa’s potential to become a competitive player in the global energy market through downstream development.

Anis Aboulnaga, Country Director, Egypt, Chevron International Products, stated directly that the downstream energy sector in Africa “is not only about refining and distribution. It’s about curbing Africa’s loss and unlocking our potential.”

The discussion indirectly alluded to the necessity of collaborative efforts between African nations, investors, and international partners to address infrastructure gaps and ensure a sustainable energy future for the continent.

The conference concluded with two impactful panel discussions. One titled “Increasing Capital for Africa’s Upstream Projects” that dealt with investment hardships in the upstream oil and gas sector, given the climate change agenda. While the last  panel discussion, titled “Increasing Access to Clean Cooking Solutions in Africa,” touched upon the urgency of integrating clean cooking solutions into rural electrification programs as a vital step towards addressing energy poverty, improving public health, and promoting environmental sustainability in Africa.