Key Advocate: Haitham Al-Ghais, OPEC Secretary-General
Primary Message: Calls for increased investment to develop Africa’s substantial oil reserves
Global Context: Warns against hasty energy transition policies that may hinder Africa’s economic growth
At the Nigeria International Energy Summit (NIES) 2025 in Abuja, OPEC Secretary-General Haitham Al-Ghais emphasized the critical role Africa plays in the global energy landscape, highlighting the continent’s proven oil reserves of approximately 120 billion barrels. He urged African nations to attract significant investments to harness this potential, cautioning against “misguided policy recommendations” and overly ambitious energy transition targets that could impede the continent’s development. Al-Ghais stressed that while the world moves towards cleaner energy, Africa’s oil resources remain vital for meeting future energy demands and supporting economic advancement.
