African leaders chart joint energy future at NIES 2026
Sopuruchi Onwuka
Heads of government of African oil-producing nations have agreed to work together toward building a shared energy future that prioritizes intra-African energy access and security to support sustainable economic growth and prosperity.
The commitment emerged as a key outcome of the opening ceremony of the 2026 Nigerian International Energy Summit (NIES), hosted on Tuesday by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
The summit focused on building on Nigeria’s local content model to mobilize capital, develop capacity, and efficiently harness Africa’s energy resources to drive industrialization and economic development across the continent.
President Tinubu, who welcomed African heads of state and industry leaders to the high-level gathering, reaffirmed Nigeria’s readiness to collaborate with African nations, global partners, investors, and development institutions to deliver energy that is affordable, secure, and cleaner. He also stressed the need to scale up infrastructure and investment to expand access.
The ongoing summit is themed “Energy for Peace and Prosperity: Securing Our Shared Future.”
Represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, President Tinubu described energy as “the invisible force that holds the world together” and “a vital architecture of balance among nations.”
“Energy is a fulcrum of stability. That is why we cannot afford complacency in how we use it. We must constantly reinvent and improve how we manage our energy needs,” he said.
He added that Nigeria is well positioned to meet both domestic and global energy demands, noting that crude oil and gas remain among the country’s most valuable natural resources.
“Energy is central to peace and prosperity. It is a national priority and a cornerstone of sustainable development and global engagement,” Tinubu said.
The president reaffirmed Nigeria’s strategic relevance in the global energy landscape and urged the international community, service providers, and development partners committed to sustainable energy to use dialogue platforms to promote a balanced and diversified global energy mix.
Speaking at the summit, President Adama Barrow of The Gambia called on African countries to prioritize reliable and sustainable energy systems, describing energy as the foundation of national security and economic growth. He noted that millions of Africans still lack access to electricity, limiting healthcare delivery and weakening the continent’s competitiveness.
Barrow warned that poorly managed energy transitions could trigger social crises, stressing that affordable and diversified energy is both an economic necessity and a moral responsibility. He praised Nigeria’s leadership role, saying Africa’s largest and most energy-endowed nation has a central responsibility in advancing shared continental goals.
He said The Gambia remains committed to energy diversification and affordability, with the aim of transforming energy into a driver of continental growth.
President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo of Equatorial Guinea, represented by Domingo Mba Esono Nzang, Deputy Minister of Mines and Hydrocarbons, said energy should be viewed not just as an economic commodity but as a tool of sovereignty and development.
He emphasized Equatorial Guinea’s commitment to regional cooperation, noting that Nigeria’s prosperity has direct implications for the wider continent. He highlighted the Gulf of Guinea gas pipeline as part of his country’s strategy to process gas domestically and position itself as a regional gas hub for West Africa.
President Obiang stressed that Africa cannot afford to abandon its natural resources while millions of its people remain without energy access, describing natural gas as a critical resource for the continent’s development.
He also expressed support for Equatorial Guinea’s 2023 Licensing Round, describing it as an ambitious initiative offering both onshore and offshore opportunities. Citing political stability, he called on international partners to collaborate in developing the country’s energy sector.
He concluded by urging African nations to move beyond exporting raw materials and instead transform their resources into lasting prosperity for future generations.
