Africa: It’s Our Turn to ‘Exploit Our Resources’

“The voice of Africa should be heard. We must exploit our resources,” said Sophie Gladima, Senegal’s minister of petroleum and energies, in remarks at the MSGBC Oil, Gas & Power conference and exhibition held last week in Dakar, Senegal. “Yes, we must think of protecting the planet. But we must think of humankind on this continent,” Gladima added.

Africa’s annual natural gas production is expected to grow to 292 billion cubic meters (bcm) by 2025, with global demand estimated to reach 4,243 bcm, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA).

Referencing pressure from Western leaders to pursue green energy in light of climate change, Dr. Omar Farouk Ibrahim, the secretary general of African Petroleum Producers Organization, said, “We must not be forced to do what will destroy our future and our children. We need energy to sustain our future generation.”

“Developed nations enjoyed the resource, they contaminated the world, they should be the ones who change their lifestyle,” the minister of mines and hydrocarbons of Equatorial Guinea, Gabriel Mbaga Obiang Lima, said. “I am not pro fossil fuel; I am pro fossil fuel for Africa,” he added.

According to the IEA Africa Energy Outlook Report 2022, released in June, natural gas discoveries equivalent to 5,000 billion cubic meters (bcm) have been found on the continent. According to the same report, between 2010 and 2020, 40% of all gas discoveries worldwide came from Africa.

“Gas has the opportunity to provide fertilizer to feed Africa, should we say no to it?” said Senegal’s Gladima.

The remarks were part of a joint statement dubbed the “Dakar Declaration” that seeks to align all African nations on energy and climate matters ahead of the next G-7 and G-20 summits. The declaration will also be presented at the 2022 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP27), which will run from November 6 to 18 in Egypt.

“We have to work hand in hand so as to exploit our resources. For COP27, the voice of Africa should be heard. Where decisions are made, Africa must be there,” said Gladima.

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