The United Kingdom (UK) has restated that it is a strong partner in Nigeria’s energy transition.
Oluwatosin Adenuga, UK’s Energy Trade Advisor in Nigeria noted this while speaking exclusively to BusinessDay at the ongoing Africa Energy Forum (AEF) in Cape Town, South Africa.
Under the theme of ‘Africa United’, and featuring hundreds of ministers, policymakers and executives from nations across the continent, the AEF spotlights the continent’s expanding ambition and the urgent drive to reshape its own energy future
Africa is rich in energy resources, yet million of the citizens still lack access to reliable and affordable energy.
With South Africa now chairing the G20, the continent will gain a pivotal voice in global decision-making, making AEF 2025 the launchpad for a bold message to the world: Africa knows what it needs, and it’s ready to lead.
Adenuga noted that recently, “the UK provided technical support through the United Kingdom Nigeria Infrastructure Advisiry Facility (UKNIAF) to develop the Nigerian Integrated Resource Plan
which was launched alongside the National Integrated Electricity Policy (NIEP)”.
“This is important to building long term planning capacity. Our goal is to achieve mutual growth – supporting inclusive, sustainable development while advance UK Nigeria trade and investment,” he noted.
Nigeria’s energy sector is growing as a direct result of ongoing reforms. The President Bola Tinubu’s administration continues incentivising those interested in investing in renewable energy, oil and gas energy efficiency.
Nigeria’s successful attraction of over $6 billion in new investments into its energy sector in 2024 alone, which shows President Tinubu’s administration is keen to build on this success in 2025 and beyond.
Speaking further on the UK’s participation in the African Energy Forum, Adenuga said, “The Africa Energy Forum is a very important forum for us at the UK Department for business and trade, gives us an opportunity to present UK expertise, UK technology and connect with the African market.
“During the week, we will engage with African ministers of energies and delegation to understand their priorities and advance key projects.
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“We will meet with the Nigerian Minister of Power today (Tuesday) for example to discuss the power sector, reforms and mutual beneficial opportunities. We have quite a number of UK companies active in the market operating in generation, distribution, smart metering, EPC and consultancy”, he disclosed.
While describing UK’s capacities in terms of energy and its advising, he said “the UK has a strong offer, with UK companies expertise in solar technology, battery storage, wind tech, grid optimization, smart metering, consultancy and so on.”
“Accross Africa, UK companies are involved in different projects within the grid resilience type project, but also with the decentralised clean energy,” he added.
This year’s AEF welcomes a significant number of new companies participating for the first time, expanding the community of innovators and investors at the event. It also hosts delegations from 33 countries, comprising head of state, ministers, regulators, and other public sector leaders from across the continent.
