Akume Urges Africa to Embrace New Energy Tech or Face Global Marginalisation

Sunday Aborisade in Abuja

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, has raised a fresh alarm that Africa could be left behind in the global energy transition if governments and industry leaders fail to urgently adopt and develop cutting-edge technologies shaping modern energy systems.

Akume, who stated this yesterday at the 9th Solewant Energy Summit, said the continent must “stand at the centre-not the sidelines-of the emerging technological revolution.”

He warned that failure to act decisively would narrow Africa’s development prospects.

The summit, themed ‘Emerging Technologies and the Future of Sustainable Development in Africa’, brought together energy executives, innovators, regulators and policymakers to discuss technological pathways to sustainable growth.

Akume, who was represented by his Special Adviser on Technical Operations, Prof. Babatunde Bolaji Benard, noted that Africa’s exploding population, accelerating urbanisation and rising energy demand require bold, technology-driven strategies.

He said emerging tools, such as artificial intelligence, robotics, digital monitoring systems and smart infrastructure, are already reshaping global energy ecosystems and must become central to Africa’s growth agenda.

The SGF said, “Africa must not remain on the sidelines. We must deploy, develop and scale technologies that will secure our long-term economic resilience.”

He said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s ongoing reforms are strategically aligned with a modern, technology-driven energy economy that positions Nigeria at the forefront of continental transformation.

Among the key interventions he listed were the Presidential CNG Initiative; the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Development Fund; the Energy Transition Plan; expanded local content incentives; and the deeper participation of Nigerian companies in refining, gas processing, pipeline delivery and renewable energy investments.

“These actions reflect our determination to build a diversified, technologically advanced and globally competitive energy economy,” Akume said.

He described technology as the engine of sustainable development.

He noted that Africa must adopt advanced digital systems, renewable technologies and automation to reduce energy poverty, lower costs, improve efficiency and create new opportunities for its youthful population.

Such technologies, he stated, would also be crucial in reducing environmental risks and improving long-term energy security.

Commending Solewant Group for sustaining what he called one of Africa’s most credible platforms for shaping industry policy and collaboration, Akume said the summit has consistently connected policymakers with innovators and anticipated sectoral transitions.

He urged delegates to fully engage and translate discussions into actionable outcomes capable of supporting both national and continental progress, especially as Africa grapples with mass poverty and climate vulnerability.

Akume said, “It is a defining moment. Emerging technologies will determine whether Africa leapfrogs into a sustainable future or remains trapped on the margins.”

He congratulated the Solewant Group for hosting the summit and reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to partnerships that accelerate innovation and sustainable development across the continent.