For a pragmatic, sustainable African vision of energy issues

The energy transition is a necessity for the survival of our ecosystems and our ways of life. Africa must play a major role in this transformation. As a continent of incredible diversity, it is at the centre of global attention when it comes to economics, innovation and energy solutions. Central Africa in particular, endowed with abundant oil and gas resources, is set to become crucial in the coming years. On the front line to drive this change, national oil companies (NOCs) must be able to count on the full support of public authorities, as is the case in Congo.

The abundance of our natural resources represents both a blessing and a significant responsibility for NOCs. Companies such as Sonatrach in Algeria, Sonangol in Angola and the Société Nationale des Pétroles du Congo (SNPC) in the Republic of Congo, of which I am the managing director, contribute significantly to global energy supplies in an increasingly interconnected world. Thus, in the context of the Ukraine-Russia conflict and the energy shortages that it has caused in Europe, Africa has made itself indispensable. In May 2022, for example, the Italian government turned to African countries, including Congo, to supply its country with gas.

But it is also our duty to support the world in achieving a cleaner energy future. We must play our part in this transformation. Our companies, thanks to their expertise and their commitment to sustainable development, have become the guardians of our respective national wealth. They have repeatedly demonstrated their ability to manage these resources responsibly and to benefit their countries, while developing innovative projects. However, this is only the beginning. Our challenge must be to actively contribute to the preservation of biodiversity and the promotion of clean energies.

In Congo, we have chosen, under the leadership of President Denis Sassou-N’Guesso, to pursue a pragmatic strategy reconciling economic growth and ecological preservation. SNPC has thus launched a major project to develop white hydrogen, produced from renewable energies. This plan was distinguished in the Energy category for innovative projects at the Africa Investment Forum and Awards (AIFA) which took place in Paris in February 2023.

Produced in partnership with the company Xcalibur Multiphysics , the project is in the second phase of exploration and is giving encouraging results. It represents an important step towards gradually reducing carbon emissions. By producing hydrogen from renewable energy sources, we can help reduce our environmental footprint while creating economic opportunities.

But that’s not all. In a context marked more than ever by the question of preserving ecosystems, the SNPC has chosen to play a full role. During the Three Basins Summit, which brought together Congo, Brazil and Indonesia at the end of October to discuss these issues, the group announced an ambitious afforestation project called Eco Zamba. Its primary aim is to plant trees in order to reforest 50,000 hectares of savannah over the next 10 years. This large-scale initiative aims to restore our fragile ecosystems.

We must join forces to achieve our common sustainable development goals. These projects are examples that must be integrated into our thinking aimed at building a better future for our countries and for Africa as a whole. To ensure the credibility and transparency of our actions, we rely on high standards of corporate governance and social responsibility.

Thus, on the continent, the work of national companies goes far beyond that of simple players in the energy industry. We are drivers of change, environmental actors and key contributors to the emergence of our countries and our continent. Together, we can make significant progress towards a better future for all Africans.