Energy sector experts have called for stronger collaboration between Nigeria and South Africa to unlock infrastructure investment and drive Africa's energy transformation. At the fourth South Africa Week in Lagos, themed 'South Africa-Nigeria Partnership: Unlocking Infrastructure Investment Opportunities', speakers highlighted the importance of cross-border cooperation, private investment, and technology transfer. Thandi Moraka, South Africa's deputy minister of International Relations and Cooperation, stressed that stable energy systems are vital for attracting foreign direct investment and sustaining economic growth. She linked the partnership to Agenda 2063, advocating for a continental energy market that meets local demand and exports surplus power.
The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) was cited as a key enabler for intra-African energy trade, with Moraka urging reduced trade barriers to boost cooperation. The 2026 edition of the bilateral initiative will mark 30 years of South Africa's democratic Constitution and 32 years of uninterrupted diplomatic relations between the two nations. Pedro Omontuemhen, PricewaterhouseCoopers partner and oil & gas expert, stated that Nigeria's power challenges stem not from resource scarcity but from grid and distribution constraints. He identified gas-to-power, renewables, and transmission as high-potential areas for long-term investment. Chichi Emenike, managing director of Neconde Energy Limited, said industrialisation and job creation depend on reliable energy access, noting Nigeria's oil wealth and South Africa's infrastructure as complementary assets.
Thandi Moraka calls for energy cooperation while South Africa runs a $1.22 billion crude oil trade deficit with Nigeria, raising questions about the balance of energy exchange. Nigeria supplies crude but lacks the infrastructure to deliver stable power domestically, while South Africa imports more than it exports. This dynamic suggests Nigeria's resource advantage is not translating into regional energy influence. The focus on joint investment may mean more benefit for South African firms with technical capacity than Nigerian producers without off-grid reach.
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