The Chief Executive Officer of the Chamber of Oil Marketing Companies (COMAC) and Africa Regional Director of the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE), Dr Riverson Oppong, has called on African countries to scale up investments in renewable energy projects to achieve energy sovereignty across the continent.

He made the call during a public lecture at the China Europe International Business School, noting that although the global energy transition debate is intensifying, oil and gas development in Africa remains significant, placing the industry at a critical crossroads.

According to him, global oil and gas investments continue to play a leading role and remain complementary to the development of renewable energy.

He highlighted the growing relevance of Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) technology, which was traditionally used for enhanced oil recovery but is now being deployed to support net-zero ambitions.

“CCUS was previously used mainly to capture carbon for enhanced oil recovery, but today many countries are using it as a tool to meet their net-zero objectives,” he said.

He urged African countries to explore CCUS opportunities but stressed the importance of credible monitoring, reporting, and verification systems to ensure international trust, particularly under tightening global carbon regulations affecting exports such as cement, steel, and fertilisers.

Dr Oppong also noted several renewable energy projects across the continent, including Ghana’s floating solar project by the Bui Power Authority, Egypt’s 1.8-gigawatt Benban Solar Park, Ethiopia’s hydropower projects, grid energy developments in Namibia and South Africa, and Kenya’s geothermal energy initiatives, which are all key to achieving Africa’s energy sovereignty.

Touching on electric mobility, he underscored Africa’s strategic advantage in hosting critical minerals essential for electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing. He cautioned against the continued export of raw materials without value addition on the continent, describing it as a missed economic opportunity.

Dr Oppong further advised African governments to strengthen partnerships between International Oil Companies and National Oil Companies, enhance local content implementation, and pursue reforms that support a balanced energy mix incorporating renewables, gas, and crude oil.

SP/MA

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