The Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, Mele Kyari, has said that in the next 20 years, energy demand in Africa will rise to between 30 and 35 percent.

This demand, Kyari said, will be driven by  increase in population and quest for  industrialization on the continent.

Represented by the Executive Vice President (Upstream) NNPC Limited , Adokiye Tombomieye, he stated this at the 7th Sub-Saharan Africa International Petroleum Exhibition and Confidence (SAIPEC), currently holding in Lagos with the theme “Harnessing a Sustainable African Energy Industry Through Partnership”.

The NNPC Limited boss noted that  oil and gas producers in Africa must  capitalize on the advancements  that have been made in the industry to meet the continent’s energy demands, guarantee the continent’s energy supply, expand the continent’s economies as well as  build sustainable future for billions of people beyond the continent’s shores.

“This presents an enormous opportunity for us to form partnerships across the continent, and build a sustainable future. The need for partnership is more reinforced as more African companies continue to make hydrocarbon discoveries. We should collaborate and share knowledge and help each other in critical areas including technology, exploration, production, research and development, technical expertise and human capital development,” Kyari said.

“This would in no small measure assist in achieving energy independence and also in transition to cleaner energy sources such as gas to sustain the entire region.”

Having understood the importance of partnership in achieving sustainable energy industry in Africa, Kyari said that the NNPC Limited is working closely with countries, companies and other stakeholders to develop innovative solutions that will meet the energy needs of the continent.

He said: “At NNPC Limited, we understand the importance of partnership in achieving the Sustainable Energy industry in Africa. This is why we have been working closely with countries, companies and other stakeholders to develop innovative solutions that will meet the energy needs of the continent.

We must acknowledge that this new era of automation and artificial intelligence is focused on application of cutting edge technologies, such as the use of robotic driven systems to optimize operations, deployment of cognitive computing in upstream operations, super specialized sensors for rigs and monitoring, and maximization of our reservoir years.”

He acknowledged progressed Africa has made in the industry, but noted: “Our survival instinct show that we have the requisite knowledge and skills to sustain our industry and take it to the next level. However, we know we cannot do it alone. First, we call on your support at this forum, to latch on to the gains made so far, to interact, provide meaningful solutions that will promote the sector and make our lives better.”

Kyari said that the theme of this year’s conference is apt, particularly now that Nigeria’s oil and gas industry is experiencing a very significant transformation following the passage of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).

“As you’re all aware, the Act has provided role clarity in governance, legal,  administration, attractive and flexible fiscal terms and direct benefits for host communities. All these are targeted at creating enablers for investor confidence in the Nigerian oil and gas sector where output opportunities exist,” he added.