Nj Ayuk, Directeur général de la Chambre Africaine de l’Energie, partage les enjeux du continent et ce qu’il attend du Forum « Investir dans l’énergie en Afrique »
En amont du forum de la Chambre Africaine de l’Energie qui se déroulera à Paris les 13 et 14 juin, Nj Ayuk, son Directeur général, partage les enjeux du continent et ce qu’il attend de « Investir dans l’énergie en Afrique », le premier forum du continent en dehors de l’Afrique.
1. What are the major energy challenges in Africa?
Africa’s energy challenges are complex and multifaceted, but they boil down to one persistent truth: energy poverty remains the greatest barrier to sustainable development on the continent. Over 600 million Africans still lack access to electricity, and 900 million have no access to clean cooking. This energy insecurity stifles economic growth, undermines healthcare and education, and deepens inequality.
At the core of this crisis is a chronic lack of investment and access to financing, particularly in African-led energy projects. Many global institutions and investors remain hesitant to fund fossil fuel development in Africa, even as they continue to consume hydrocarbons at home. This double standard has placed Africa in a difficult position: we’re being asked to transition before we’ve even built. We cannot industrialize or uplift our economies without reliable, affordable energy – and for now, that means a combination of renewables and oil and gas.
Infrastructure deficits, regulatory uncertainty and fragmented regional markets further compound these issues. There’s a pressing need to streamline licensing processes, improve policy frameworks and create enabling environments that de-risk investment. The solutions will require partnerships – not just with international investors, but with African entrepreneurs and communities, who must lead and benefit from these developments.
2. What will be the major topics of the next Invest in African Energy Forum in Paris?
The IAE Forum in Paris will center on a crucial theme: how Africa can attract and deploy the capital it needs to develop its vast energy resources in a way that is sustainable, inclusive and African-led. A major focus will be on unlocking financing for both hydrocarbons and renewables, with particular attention to natural gas as a pragmatic transition fuel for the continent. Discussions will address how to strengthen local content frameworks and ensure that energy investments lead to real jobs and skills development, as well as how to mitigate risks – whether geopolitical, operational or regulatory – to make African projects more bankable. Overall, the Forum serves as a results-driven platform to advance critical partnerships and accelerate project development across the value chain.
3. What are your expectations for this major meeting?
Our expectations are clear: we want to see deals signed, partnerships forged and financing mobilized. This is not just another policy roundtable – it’s a platform for action. African nations are rich in resources and ambition, and we need investors who are ready to engage with a long-term, commercially viable vision. We also see this Forum as a key stepping stone toward African Energy Week 2025 in Cape Town this September 29-October 3. As the continent’s premier energy event, AEW is where policy connects with projects and where Africa speaks with one voice on its energy future. What starts in Paris must carry forward to Cape Town, with even greater urgency, commitment and collaboration. Ultimately, our goal is to ensure that Africa’s energy future is shaped by Africans, with the support of trusted partners who believe in the continent’s potential. Paris will be a key milestone in that journey.