Foremost energy organisation, Sahara Group has said the 2022 Nigeria Annual International Conference and Exhibition of the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) should lead the search for possible policies and partnerships to provide sustainable energy transition for Africa.
Speaking to journalists, as part of conversations to herald the conference, Sahara Group director, governance and sustainability, Ejiro Gray, was said Africa has a peculiar situation that requires a different approach.
“As a continent where a significant number of countries operate a mono-cultural economy or at a minimum, are highly dependent on revenue from fossil fuel development and production as the main driver of economic activity, the anticipated rate of change should take cognisance of Africa’s peculiar situation,” she explained.
Gray is expected to moderate a panel on, “Driving the Net-Zero Global Energy Transition in an Inclusive Manner,” at the conference. According to her, a sudden and sweeping deviation from a fossil fuel dominated energy sector may leave developing economies in dire straits.
“On the contrary, the absence of traction in the energy transition movement is likely to come at a significant cost to the continent and leave us stranded due to radical changes in policy direction and demand for our main export commodities. One key question then is, how and where do we strike the balance,” she said.
Gray said a better way would be for developed countries to smooth the transition by offering three resources to emerging economies: time to adjust, financial aid, and policy assistance.
She informed that Sahara’s upstream company, Asharami Energy would feature panelists, technical papers and young engineers at the conference in keeping with Sahara’s commitment to thought leadership and promoting excellence.
The group would also host curated sessions with stakeholders and young professionals at its booth during the conference.
In his comments, chief operating officer, Asharami Energy, Henry Menkiti, said Africa has an opportunity to create a model efficient for the continent through collaboration, progressive review of processes, human capital transformation and investment in technology.
“Energy transition is upon us already. But the good news is that we can chart Africa’s unique path by making our strengths count and deploying fit-for- purpose energy transition sources in line with national development plans on lowering carbon emissions,” he said.
He said the Sahara Group is already exploring renewable options to drive its power generation and distribution solutions to enhance energy transition and environmental sustainability.
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