African Energy Chamber Boss Urges Brazil to Join Africa in Resisting Anti-Oil and Gas Policies
February 17, 2025
By Boris Esono Nwenfor
We will not stop developing and producing our oil and gas. Every drop must be utilized to fuel our economies, NJ Ayuk said.
The Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber, NJ Ayuk, has called on Brazil to stand in solidarity with Africa in resisting Western pressures discouraging fossil fuel development. Speaking passionately about energy independence during the Invest in African Energies Investment Forum in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on 30 January 2025, Ayuk reaffirmed Africa’s commitment to fully utilizing its oil and gas resources to drive industrialization and economic growth, just as Western nations have historically done.
"We will not stop developing and producing our oil and gas. Every drop must be utilized to fuel our economies," Ayuk declared. "Africa’s growth cannot be sacrificed for an energy transition agenda that disregards our realities."
Ayuk's statement comes at a time when global climate policies are pushing African and South American nations to curb fossil fuel development in favour of renewable energy sources. However, the African Energy Chamber boss argues that such policies are hypocritical, given that Western nations industrialized through the extensive use of oil and gas.
"Brazil must maximize its oil and gas production and stand with Africa against Western pressures," he emphasized. "If developed nations could use fossil fuels to power their growth, why should Africa and Brazil be denied the same opportunity?"
Africa’s growth cannot be sacrificed for an energy transition agenda that disregards our realities , NJ Ayuk and the AEC Delegation told the receptive audience in Brazil
One of the key motivations behind Africa's push for fossil fuel development is the urgent need to address energy poverty. With over 600 million Africans still lacking access to electricity, Ayuk argues that restricting fossil fuel investments would worsen living conditions across the continent.
He stressed that Africa must harness its natural gas resources to power industries, create jobs, and improve food security. "We want to use our gas to produce fertilizers so we don’t have to beg for food from Ukraine," Ayuk said. "Energy is the key to self-sufficiency, and we must not let external pressures dictate our future."
“Brazil accounts for less than 1% of global greenhouse gas emissions and Africa as a whole contributes less than 3%. Yet, we are told to stop developing our resources. A kettle in the UK consumes more electricity than seven African families combined. Heathrow Airport alone uses more power than the entire nation of Sierra Leone. We want to use our gas to produce fertilizers so we don’t have to beg for food from Ukraine.”
Attended by key Brazilian energy stakeholders, including representatives from Petrobras, the Brazilian Petroleum Association and the Brazilian Association of Petroleum Geologists, alongside African stakeholders such as RichAfrica Consultancy, the event showcased investment opportunities in Africa’s energy sector, providing a platform for enhanced multilateral partnerships.
The event served to promote collaboration by exploring strategic investment avenues, highlighting challenges to development while facilitating greater engagement between Brazilian and African energy players.
