By John Ikani
African leaders and energy bigwigs are gearing up for a crucial meeting in Nigeria.
The 23rd NOG Energy Week 2024 will be a platform to discuss how natural gas can fuel industrialization and economic prosperity across the continent.
The event kicks off on June 30th and runs until July 4th at the Abuja International Conference Centre.
Leaders from Nigeria, Ghana, and other African nations will gather to discuss investment in gas infrastructure, promoting gas use, and tackling energy poverty while addressing environmental concerns.
Organizers have announced the theme for NOG Energy Week as “Showcasing Opportunities, Driving Investment. Meeting Energy Demand.”
The conference will delve into new business possibilities in the energy sector.
Ghana’s Energy Minister, Matthew Opoku Prempeh, confirmed his attendance to newsmen, stressing that “the importance of competitive financing to get natural gas projects off the ground cannot be overemphasized.”
Nigeria, boasting vast gas reserves of 209 trillion cubic feet, has unveiled plans for a gas strategy to kickstart industrialization and economic growth.
Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, Executive Vice President for Upstream at the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, shared the company’s plans to increase domestic gas use for power generation, ultimately supporting the manufacturing sector.
The key, according to organizers, is leveraging natural gas to drive economic expansion and development in West Africa. Gas for industrialization can significantly contribute to the region’s energy transition progress.
“Through the Decade of Gas Initiative launched by the Nigerian government, industry leaders have consistently advocated for a collaborative approach to unlocking the country’s energy potential,” a statement from the organizers highlighted.
Wemimo Oyelana, Country Director for Nigeria & Portfolio Director for Africa at dmg events, the company behind NOG Energy Week, spoke about what participants can expect.
“For nearly 25 years, our commitment has been to provide a platform for industry leaders to have open discussions that offer solutions to the various challenges facing the sector,” Oyelana said.
“NOG Energy Week has played a significant role in shaping key policies and their implementation over the years. We look forward to industry stakeholders discussing critical issues such as attracting international and regional funding for Nigeria’s energy sector, maximizing the potential of natural gas as the preferred fuel, and using industrialization as a catalyst for economic growth.”
High-profile government officials and industry leaders expected to attend NOG Energy Week 2024 include Heineken Lokpobiri (Nigeria’s Minister of State for Petroleum Resources – Oil), Ekperikpe Ekpo (Nigeria’s Minister of State for Petroleum Resources – Gas), Matthew Opoku Prempeh (Ghana’s Minister of Energy), and Gbenga Komolafe (Commission Chief Executive of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission).
