Energy
Energy security must precede digital expansion, says Okwuosa
Oilserv Group chairman urges African nations to prioritize reliable energy infrastructure over rapid clean energy transition and digital growth.
Key points
- Energy security must take precedence over digital expansion in Nigeria and across Africa, according to Oilserv Group Chairman Emeka Okwuosa.
- Okwuosa highlighted numerous transition obstacles including grid limits, financing constraints, and intermittent supply during a power and telecommunication conference.
- Universal electricity access in sub-Saharan Africa by 2035 requires nearly $150 billion in investment, according to International Energy Agency figures cited at the event.
African nations must secure dependable power supplies before pursuing aggressive digital expansion, as replacing fossil fuels with renewables immediately remains unrealistic, according to Oilserv Group Chairman Emeka Okwuosa.
BusinessDay reported that Okwuosa addressed the 22nd International Conference and Exhibition on Power and Telecommunication in Nigeria, noting that the country's energy transition must address access, affordability, and industrialization simultaneously with emission cuts.
Challenges and financing
Okwuosa outlined multiple hurdles facing the energy shift, citing grid limits, intermittent supply, regulatory bottlenecks, cybersecurity risks, and a shortage of skilled labor. He referenced International Energy Agency data indicating that achieving universal electricity access in sub-Saharan Africa by 2035 demands nearly $150 billion in investment annually.
Data from the World Bank shows Nigeria's electricity use per person stood at 140.6 kWh in 2024, compared to a global average of 3708.5 kWh, underlining the domestic scale of the electrification challenge.
The role of gas
According to Okwuosa, Nigeria's Energy Transition Plan aims for net-zero emissions by 2060 without abandoning fossil fuels. He argued that abundant natural gas reserves can reinforce electricity reliability and drive industrial growth, while digital tools improve efficiency and asset performance in the oil and gas sector.
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