The Guardian (Nigeria)

Market access, cooperatio­n will unlock opportunit­ies in Africa’s energy sector

- By Femi Adekoya

IN unlocking the next phase of transforma­tion for the oil and gas sector , market access and intra-africa cooperatio­n will be critical, particular­ly in oil and gas pipeline and infrastruc­ture projects, latest African Energy Outlook for 2020 has shown. According to the outlook, the continent’s energy sector is a catalyst for growth and developmen­t, necessitat­ing the need for industr y and investors to stay abreast of the high-speed advances in the energy landscape.

In outlining major projects and economies to look out for in 2020, the Outlook features highlights on announce oil projects in

Angola, Ghana, Senegal and Nigeria as well as announced gas projects in Mauritania, Congo Republic, Ethiopia, South Africa and Cameroon.

The report, by the African Energy Chamber (AEC), was compiled to provide key insight on what sub-saharan Africa’s oil and gas industry can expect to see next year, and also doubles as an overview of the role the energy sector stands to play in developing competing economies.

“Market access is increasing­ly on the agenda of existing and upcoming African producers of oil and gas, with several cross-country oil and natural gas pipelines in the works to unlock billions of dollars,” it says. Noting that, “Lessons have to be learned on how to negotiate transnatio­nal infrastruc­ture deals and 2020 will show if African nations have learned how to cooperate better for the benefit of all.”

“Next year, we need to see continued progress. We all understand what we have on our hands, now we must build environmen­ts that will not only attract investors but keep them for the long-term,” said NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the African Energy chamber. “That is going to be our main challenge, ensuring policy certainty, political stability, favourable environmen­ts and matching returns.”

Though the continent’s oil and gas sector was significan­tly impacted by the oil price crash, 2019 has proven to be a year of recovery for many African economies.

With many continuing works on projects that were previously halted or cancelled, some developing new largescale projects and others working to increase their exploratio­n and production activities; the continent is undoubtedl­y poised to see accelerate­d growth in the years to come.

To this, in the African Energy Outlook 2020, the AEC showcases key economies and projects that are set to transform the energy landscape, placing the sector at the centre of economic growth.

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SOURCE: Google
Oil workers. SOURCE: Google

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