Africa Oil Week Conference calls for stronger joint strategies in improving access to reliable energy

ACCRA: GHANAIAN Minister for Energy, John Jinapor, has called on African countries to work together and develop joint strategies aimed at improving access to reliable energy and accelerating economic and social development across the continent.

Jinapor made the remarks on the first day of the Africa Oil Week Conference, being held in Accra, Ghana. He said that despite major changes taking place in the global and African energy sectors, access to reliable energy remains a significant challenge for many African countries.

He said the situation requires African countries to take coordinated action, including creating a favourable investment environment in the energy sector, strengthening competition in energy markets, and ensuring that oil and gas exploration and production activities continue to meet the continent’s growing energy needs.

In Tanzania, the Chief Geologist at the Ministry of Energy, Mussa Mussa, said the government has continued to create an enabling and transparent environment for investors in the oil and gas sector, in line with the 2015 National Energy Policy.

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Mussa said the policy provides opportunities for local investors to participate in the oil and gas sector, including through partnerships with companies with the financial and technological capacity to implement oil and gas projects.

On transparency in oil and gas agreements, Mussa said Parliament has been an important pillar in ensuring that such agreements are reviewed and approved in accordance with established laws, criteria and procedures.

He added that Tanzania continues to participate in various international platforms to which it is a member, with the aim of strengthening transparency, accountability and good governance in oil and gas agreements and sector operations.

The Africa Oil Week Conference is being held for the second time in Accra, bringing together Energy Ministers and officials from related sectors, oil and gas companies, energy regulators, stakeholders from across Africa, as well as experts and academics specialising in oil and gas.

The conference provides a platform for African countries and industry stakeholders to discuss challenges, investment opportunities and strategies for developing an energy system capable of meeting the continent’s growing needs while supporting long-term development.