By John Ikani
India has pledged its commitment to partnering with the Nigerian energy sector to facilitate a seamless energy transition process.
The pledge was made by India’s High Commissioner to Nigeria, His Excellency Shri G. Balasubramanian during a visit to the Indian pavilion at the recently concluded NOG Energy Week Conference & Exhibition 2023 in Abuja.
Balasubramanian who expressed India’s excitement in participating at this year’s NOG, added that there has been a substantial increase in Indian participation, with around 48 exhibitors compared to the previous year.
The High Commissioner commended the exhibition’s overall organization, describing it as a well-structured event.
He commended the strategic positioning of exhibitors, which he believes will attract more customers to their showcased products and services.
“The layout is very organised and easy to navigate,” praised Shri G. Balasubramanian.
While noting that Indian companies participating in the exhibition have a strong grounding in technology, Balasubramanian emphasized their commitment to offering high-quality and affordable products and services.
He expressed confidence in the potential business opportunities they will discover in Nigeria.
Discussing the growth of the Indian economy, the High Commissioner identified innovation, investment banking, and technology as key drivers.
He acknowledged the surge in innovation within India over the past few years, which has propelled the country’s economic standing.
Despite the achievements, he believes India is still an emerging economy, necessitating continued support from the government for innovations, fintech, and new startups.
“For example, in just two years, we have witnessed over 100 unicorn startups, attracting investments of over a million dollars each, with more than 5000 startups emerging within four to five years,” Balasubramanian revealed.
He highlighted India’s heavy investments in agriculture, pharmaceuticals, and energy sectors, expressing a strong desire to collaborate further with Nigeria across various fronts.
Regarding energy transition, the High Commissioner emphasized India’s role as a leader in renewable energy. He expressed India’s willingness to share its expertise with Nigeria and explore opportunities for collaboration in this domain.
“There are vast opportunities for both countries to leverage on,” Balasubramanian stated optimistically.
About the NOG Week
The NOG Week is a major event in the Nigerian energy industry.
The theme for this year’s NOG Week held between 9-13 July is “Powering Nigeria’s Sustainable Energy Future.”
It reflects the growing importance of sustainable energy in Nigeria and the world.
The event brings together stakeholders from all over the country to discuss the latest trends and developments in the sector.
The conference is also a great opportunity for networking and business development.
