Nigeria-South Africa tensions: AEC urges Africa to protect energy investment
By Eyo Nsima
The African Energy Chamber (AEC) has cautioned African governments against allowing diplomatic tensions to undermine cross-border investment, energy cooperation and economic integration, ahead of the 2026 African Energy Week (AEW) in Cape Town.
The warning comes amid renewed tensions between Nigeria and South Africa, with the Chamber urging both countries and other African states to protect commercial relationships and keep investment channels open.
AEW 2026, scheduled for October 12–16 in Cape Town, is expected to attract more than 10,000 delegates from over 100 countries, making it one of the continent’s largest gatherings of governments, energy companies, investors and financiers.
The AEC said the event would provide a platform for African countries to address investment, financing and energy-development challenges while strengthening continental cooperation.
“We recognise the seriousness of the current diplomatic tensions between Nigeria and South Africa and we condemn any violence or mistreatment of African migrants. But this moment must not be allowed to shut the door on dialogue, investment and practical cooperation across the continent,” the Chamber said.
It argued that energy should remain a bridge for African cooperation rather than become a casualty of political disagreements.
The Chamber said Africa urgently needs increased investment to address its energy deficit, noting that about 600 million people on the continent lack access to electricity while roughly 900 million lack access to clean cooking.
It also estimated Africa’s annual energy financing gap at between $67.5 billion and $95 billion, stressing that closing the gap would require greater investment in power generation, gas, refining, oil and gas production and supporting infrastructure.
According to the Chamber, Africa must also reduce barriers to intra-African trade and movement, including restrictive visa regimes that make it more difficult for investors, professionals and businesses to operate across borders.
It called for stronger implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area, easier movement of Africans across the continent and policies that give African businesses greater access to capital and investment opportunities.
AEC Executive Chairman, NJ Ayuk, said African leaders should avoid decisions driven by short-term political tensions at the expense of long-term economic interests.
“Sometimes leadership requires us not to run from discomfort, but to walk through it with our heads held high and our purpose intact,” Ayuk said.
He added that African countries should maintain dialogue and avoid “rushed choices” and “emotional over-corrections” that could damage relationships after current tensions have eased.
AEW is being organised by the AEC in partnership with Afreximbank and the African Petroleum Producers Organization (APPO).
The Chamber said the conference would focus on unlocking capital, advancing energy projects and strengthening African ownership of the continent’s energy resources.
It maintained that Africa’s development priorities require greater cooperation rather than isolation, stressing that energy investment remains central to job creation, industrialisation, energy security and economic growth.
With African countries competing for capital to develop their oil, gas, electricity and renewable-energy sectors, the Chamber said maintaining open investment and trade channels would be critical to the continent’s long-term growth.
