Africa Needs Pragmatic Energy Policies, Not Ideological Roadblocks

By NJ Ayuk

As the G20 convenes in South Africa, African nations must send a clear and unified message: our continent needs energy policies grounded in common sense, not ideological dogma. Millions of Africans still live without reliable electricity.

What they need are power plants, pipelines, and refineries – not well-intentioned but counterproductive restrictions that perpetuate energy poverty.

The G20 Africa Energy Investment Forum, taking place at the Southern Sun Sandton in Johannesburg, offers a pivotal opportunity to reframe the global conversation on African energy. This gathering must champion a pragmatic, African-led approach – one that balances urgent development needs with long-term sustainability, and centers African priorities in global climate and investment dialogues.

Africa stands at a critical energy crossroads. The continent confronts a dual challenge: expanding energy access for a rapidly growing population while navigating the realities of a global climate transition.

To meet this moment, Africa requires not only vision but substantial, targeted investment – particularly in infrastructure that powers homes, industries, and economies.

Contrary to one-size-fits-all decarbonization narratives, many African governments rightly emphasize an integrated energy strategy. In this model, oil and gas serve not as relics of the past but as essential enablers of development – providing baseload power, generating fiscal revenues, and financing cleaner alternatives over time.

Far from being incompatible with climate goals, this approach ensures a just and inclusive transition that leaves no one behind.

An Integrated Energy Mix Is Not a Compromise – It’s a Necessity

The numbers speak for themselves. African oil production is projected to hold steady at 11.4 million barrels per day (bpd) through 2026, rising to 13.6 million bpd by 2030.

Meanwhile, continental energy demand is expected to quadruple by 2040. These trends underscore a simple truth: Africa’s energy needs are growing, urgent, and cannot be met by aspiration alone.

The G20 Africa Energy Investment Forum must therefore become a catalyst for real capital flows – unlocking financing for gas infrastructure, clean cooking solutions, nuclear energy, and other scalable, affordable options that reflect Africa’s diverse energy mix. Most critically, it must address the persistent barriers African nations face in accessing international finance, from risk perceptions to restrictive lending criteria.

The world can no longer afford to impose energy austerity on a continent that has contributed the least to global emissions yet suffers the most from energy deprivation. As global leaders gather in Johannesburg, they must listen to African voices – and back African solutions with real investment, real partnerships, and real respect.

Africa’s energy future is not a footnote in the climate debate. It is central to it. And it must be shaped by pragmatism, partnership, and the unwavering belief that development and sustainability can – and must – go hand in hand.