Expert Urges Africa to Tackle $15bn Infrastructure Gap with Local Capital
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Samuel Mobolaji
NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber, has urged African nations to unlock over $400 billion from domestic pension funds to bridge the continent’s $15.7 billion energy infrastructure gap.
Speaking at the African Refiners & Distributors Association event in Cape Town, Ayuk said Africa must harness local financial solutions to scale up refining, pipelines, power generation, and cross-border energy trade. With over 600 million people lacking electricity and 900 million without clean cooking access, he argued that the continent must act urgently to avoid being left behind in global development.
Ayuk emphasised regulatory reforms to boost intra-African trade, calling for improved visa policies and the removal of excessive internal trade taxes.
He also advocated for infrastructure sharing and closer collaboration among African countries to build an integrated oil and gas value chain.
Rather than compete for limited capital, African nations should pool resources and focus on maximising local oil and gas potential—including LPG and natural gas—to power development and clean cooking. Ayuk applauded ARDA’s role in pushing investments in the downstream sector despite energy transition headwinds, reinforcing a bold ‘Africa First’ vision for energy security and growth.
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