Africa’s Energy Future Must Be African-Led, Says PETAN Chairman
The Chairman of the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN), Engr. Wole Ogunsanya, has called for stronger indigenous leadership, investment, and policy stability across the continent, insisting that Africa must take primary responsibility for shaping its own energy future.
Ogunsanya made the call on Tuesday in Lagos during his opening address at the 10th edition of the Sub-Saharan Africa International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (SAIPEC) 2026, themed “Celebrating a Decade of Energy, Oil, and Gas Innovation in Sub-Saharan Africa.”
He said Africa’s development priorities differ from those of advanced economies and must therefore guide the continent’s approach to energy transition, particularly as more than 600 million Africans still lack access to electricity.
“As we look forward, we must acknowledge a fundamental truth: Africa’s energy future must be defined by Africans, for Africans,” he said, stressing that the continent’s immediate priority remains energy access, affordability, and reliability.
According to him, Africa’s transition strategy should not involve abandoning hydrocarbons but rather leveraging existing oil and gas resources responsibly while gradually integrating cleaner and renewable energy solutions needed for long-term sustainability.
Reflecting on the impact of SAIPEC over the past decade, Ogunsanya noted that the conference has evolved into a major platform for shaping policy dialogue, promoting investment, and strengthening indigenous participation across the energy value chain. He added that the platform has helped connect African service companies to global opportunities while encouraging collaboration among governments, regulators, investors, and industry operators.
The PETAN chairman highlighted the growing role of indigenous companies in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, noting that local firms now play leading roles in drilling, engineering, fabrication, construction, asset acquisition, and technology deployment. He attributed this progress largely to local content policies and deliberate capacity-building initiatives implemented over the years.
Despite the gains, he stressed that sustaining indigenous growth would require consistent policy implementation, improved access to financing, contract sanctity, and stronger collaboration between operators and service providers.
Ogunsanya also urged stakeholders to prioritise investment-friendly regulatory frameworks, transparent processes, and competitive fiscal regimes to attract capital needed for large-scale energy infrastructure and project development across the continent.
He emphasised that technology, particularly digitalisation, automation, and low-carbon solutions, would play a critical role in improving efficiency, safety, and sustainability in Africa’s energy sector over the coming decade.
Calling for deeper partnerships among governments, regulators, indigenous companies, international oil companies, financiers, and development institutions, he urged stakeholders to move beyond discussions toward practical project execution.
“As we mark this 10th edition of SAIPEC, let us recommit ourselves to: moving from dialogue to delivery; accelerating gas development and infrastructure; deepening local content utilization; creating jobs and transferring skills; (and) positioning Africa as a competitive and reliable energy destination,” he said.
SAIPEC, now in its 10th year, brings together policymakers, investors, service companies, and development partners from across the continent and beyond to discuss strategies for strengthening Africa’s energy industry and driving sustainable growth.
