Nigeria’s Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, has urged African countries to shift the global conversation from “energy transition” to “energy mix,” stressing that the continent must responsibly harness its oil and gas resources to tackle energy poverty and drive economic growth.

Lokpobiri made the call on Tuesday in Lagos while delivering an address at the 10th anniversary of the Sub-Saharan Africa International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (SAIPEC), where industry leaders, policymakers, and stakeholders from across the continent gathered to discuss Africa’s energy future.

According to the minister, Africa contributes less than four percent of global carbon emissions but continues to face intense pressure to abandon fossil fuel development, even as major economies maintain investments in oil and gas. He noted that global projections still show oil and gas accounting for more than half of the world’s energy supply in the foreseeable future, arguing that Africa must not sacrifice its development needs.

“All of you seated here who are from Africa, please change the discussion from energy transition to energy mix,” Lokpobiri urged industry stakeholders.

“In Africa, we haven’t even scratched the surface when you talk about harnessing the energy potential that we’ve as a continent. And that is why I’m saying that look from today, I want all of you to please change the narrative,” he said, calling for stronger indigenous participation and the elimination of inefficiencies that raise production costs across the continent’s oil and gas industry.

Lokpobiri also emphasised the importance of strengthening local capacity, noting that Africa currently imports more than $120 billion worth of oil and gas-related goods and services annually. Retaining even a portion of that value within the continent, he said, would significantly boost economic growth, job creation, and technology transfer.

The minister further highlighted the need to unlock financing for African energy projects, describing the establishment of the African Energy Bank as a critical step toward reducing dependence on foreign capital. He disclosed that Nigeria, as host country, has fulfilled its obligations and is committed to ensuring the bank becomes operational soon, adding that African countries collectively possess trillions of dollars in sovereign wealth, pension, and insurance assets that could be mobilised to fund energy investments.

While congratulating SAIPEC on its 10-year milestone, Lokpobiri urged stakeholders to set a clear development agenda for the next decade, deepen collaboration across the continent, and prioritise investments that will strengthen Africa’s energy security.

He reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to partnering with industry players to address energy poverty and expand investment across the sector, expressing confidence that the conference would produce practical outcomes capable of reshaping Africa’s energy landscape.