Organisers of the African Energy Week, scheduled to take place in Cape Town, South Africa, will present an opportunity for Nigeria to strike a significant gas investment deal.
They said that Africa’s energy industry is on the cusp of an evolution, with the commencement of new exploration campaigns, large-scale renewable energy projects, and an emerging natural gas industry driving the energy transition and initiating wide-spread socio-economic growth.
For Nigeria the recently passed Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB, will give the industry a shot in the arm and will attract investment in gas projects and marginal fields in Nigerian gas projects.
The organisers also discredited the misrepresentations by Africa Oil Week and Portfolio Director, Simon Ford, stating that events cannot be held anywhere in Africa.
According to them, the AEW will take place in Cape Town with full Ministerial support and against a backdrop of other successful energy events.
With the COVID-19 pandemic causing significant socio-economic and industry impacts continent wide, the time for an Africa-focused energy event that prioritises African narratives and African people has never been more crucial, they said.
The AEC, through African Energy Week (AEW) 2021, has reaffirmed its position on the value of African held events and remains committed to the continent in the wake of the pandemic.
Despite the ongoing narrative by organizations such as London based Hyve Group and Africa Oil Week stating that Africa is not good enough, AEW 2021 will prove otherwise, and will take place under all government COVID-19 protocols, and legally, in Cape Town on the 9th-12th of November 2021, they organizers said in a statement.
“Our position is clear, we simply do not agree that African energy events cannot take place in Africa
As the continent continues to face significant challenges– with the COVID-19 pandemic causing project delays and disruptions as well as reducing global oil and gas capital expenditure – the need for an Africa-centric energy event that prioritizes deal-making, investments, and partnerships has never been more prominent.
With AEW reaffirming its commitment to the continent, AOW has responded in a patronizing and disrespectful manner.
They have fabricated information regarding the legality of AEW 2021, proposing that the event cannot take place in Africa, as well as misrepresented their own event, stating Ministers that have, in fact, committed to AEW will be attending AOW.
With South Africa currently under an adjusted Level 3 lockdown – millions of people being vaccinated and a strong commitment from the city of Cape Town, this event will take place.
“AOW is looking down at Africa with a superiority complex. Despite pushing a narrative that they are committed to Africa, they maintain an elitist mindset, disrespecting the continent and the people that we love. Hype Group and AOW did not have to go to Dubai, they chose to go to Dubai, abandoning Africa simply because they do not believe Africa is worth it anymore.
They wanted to use Dubai to undermine the Abu Dhabi ADIPEC conference. Why will the London based Hyve Group even make an announcement and a big deal about signing a venue contract?
We will not follow in these footsteps, but rather, we will maintain our commitment to the African people and the Oil and Gas Industry, fighting to for an energy transition that is just, equitable, and inclusive so we can make energy poverty history,” stated Amina Williams, Spokesperson of the AEC.