Africa
Senator Natasha Urges African Leaders to Invest in Energy Innovation for Continent’s Growth
The senator representing Kogi Central in the National Assembly, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has called on African leaders to make financing energy innovation a top priority in order to secure the continent’s long-term growth and self-sufficiency in the energy sector.
Speaking at the ongoing African Energy Week conference in Cape Town, the Senator emphasized the importance of increasing local investment in energy technologies, which she sees as key to breaking Africa’s dependence on foreign imports and expertise. Her comments align with the International Energy Agency’s goal of doubling Africa’s energy investment to $200 billion annually by 2030—an investment that will help meet the continent’s climate targets while addressing its growing energy needs.
“Africa must take charge of its own energy destiny. The only way we can transform from being a continent that is exploited to one that leads in energy production is by driving innovation from within,” said Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan. “We need to prioritize research and development that produces technologies made on African soil. That way, we can keep the money that would have been spent on importing foreign equipment and experts within our own economies.”
The Senator’s remarks came during a panel discussion at the high-profile event, which is bringing together energy leaders, policymakers, and investors from across the continent to discuss the future of Africa’s energy sector. This year’s theme, “Financing Technical Innovation for Africa’s Energy Future,” highlights the need for investment in sustainable energy solutions, local manufacturing, and infrastructure development to support the continent’s rapid population growth and rising energy demand.
The call for greater local innovation in the energy sector is closely tied to the formation of the **Africa Energy Bank**, an initiative spearheaded by the African Petroleum Producers Organisation (APPO). The bank, which is set to launch in mid-2025, is designed to help reduce Africa’s reliance on foreign financing for energy projects, promote regional energy integration, and empower local economies by supporting homegrown energy businesses.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan applauded the establishment of the Africa Energy Bank, which she believes will play a critical role in financing African energy projects and encouraging the development of local technologies and expertise.
“This is a huge step in the right direction for Africa,” she said. “The Africa Energy Bank will help us take control of our resources and our energy future. By investing in energy innovation within the continent, we can create jobs, foster economic growth, and reduce our reliance on external funds and expertise.”
As part of her broader advocacy for energy independence, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan has long pushed for policies that promote local content in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry. She reiterated the importance of strengthening African economies by focusing on local capacity building, technology development, and reducing the continent’s dependency on foreign investors.
“The future of Africa’s energy industry lies in local production and innovation,” she said. “We must stop seeing ourselves as merely consumers of technology, and instead, become the producers. Our research and development must focus on creating technologies tailored to the African context, ensuring we meet our energy needs sustainably.”
The African Energy Week conference has brought together policymakers, energy companies, and investors to address the continent’s energy challenges and explore solutions for transitioning to cleaner, more sustainable energy sources. One of the key goals of this year’s event is to increase investment in renewable energy technologies, as well as in oil and gas projects that can meet both Africa’s energy needs and its climate goals.
With global attention on Africa’s energy sector, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s call for increased investment in local innovation resonates strongly, especially as the continent faces the dual challenges of expanding energy access while also addressing climate change. The proposed Africa Energy Bank is seen as a critical part of this strategy, helping Africa to finance its own energy future while empowering its communities and industries.
As discussions continue at the African Energy Week, the focus remains on how Africa can unlock its full energy potential, reduce reliance on foreign funding, and create an energy infrastructure that benefits all Africans. With the establishment of the Africa Energy Bank and a growing commitment to energy innovation, the continent is poised for a transformative shift in its energy landscape.
Nigeria has taken the lead in shaping Africa’s economic future as top officials, including the Minister of Finance, Mr. Wale Edun have accompanied President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the 38th AU Summit in Addis Ababa.
The Summit played host to African leaders in Addis Ababa for the 38th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union (AU) Heads of State and Government
With a focus on accelerating the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), the summit highlighted key issues such as economic stability, health financing, and the establishment of an Africa Credit Rating Agency to align with Nigeria’s economic priorities.
Director of Information and Public Relations, Mohammed Manga in a statement indicated that Nigeria’s active participation reaffirmed its commitment to driving economic integration and sustainable development across the continent.
The statement explained that with the AU Summit setting the stage for a more integrated and prosperous Africa, Nigeria’s active participation underscored its commitment to driving economic growth and development across the continent.
With the AfCFTA at the forefront of the agenda, Nigeria is poised to play a leading role in shaping Africa’s economic future.
For decades, African cocoa farmers have toiled in the shadows, producing the raw materials that fuel a global multi-billion-dollar chocolate industry while remaining the least rewarded players in the value chain. But that narrative is about to change.
On February 12, 2025, a historic movement was born in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria—the Cocoa Farmers Alliance Association of Africa (COFAAA)—an initiative designed to give African cocoa farmers a voice, economic power, and control over their industry.
The launch, held at the NUT Guest House, Samonda, Ibadan, drew key agricultural stakeholders, policymakers, and cocoa farmers from across Nigeria.
At the heart of it all was Comrade Adeola Adegoke, National President of the Cocoa Farmers Association of Nigeria (CFAN) and now Global Coordinator of COFAAA.
Adegoke, in a rousing speech, painted a future where cocoa farmers no longer struggle under unfair pricing, government neglect, and middlemen exploitation.
“Africa produces 70% of the world’s cocoa, yet our farmers remain poor. That ends today!” he declared.
He stressed that COFAAA is not just an organization, but a revolution, a movement dedicated to ensuring that cocoa farmers receive fair compensation, benefit from industry policies, and adopt sustainable farming practices to increase productivity and income.
Nigeria, for instance, currently produces 300-450kg per hectare, far below its potential. COFAAA, he explained, will push for innovations that increase yields, open access to international markets, and empower farmers to negotiate better trade deals.
The unveiling of COFAAA was met with enthusiastic support from major industry stakeholders such as Otunba Felix Oladunjoye, President of the Cocoa Processors Association of Nigeria (COPAN), called for urgent reforms, condemning excessive NAFDAC charges on cocoa exports, which stifle local processors.
Another supporter, Mr. Nene Akwerty, Chief of Party, USDA-LWR Trace Project, praised COFAAA’s commitment to sustainability and highlighted ongoing partnerships in cocoa-growing states.
Alhaji Wasiu Adebayo, representative of the Cocoa Association of Nigeria (CAN) President, reaffirmed support for COFAAA and called for deeper collaboration across the value chain.
Hon. Olagunju, Chairman, Oyo State House of Assembly Committee on Agriculture, assured farmers of government protection for their investments.
A defining moment at the event was the official launch of COFAAA’s membership registration, led by Hon. Olagunju. Cocoa farmers from various states eagerly signed up, symbolizing their commitment to taking control of their industry.
“This is more than a registration—this is a declaration of independence for African cocoa farmers,” Adegoke remarked.
With COFAAA now at the forefront, the cocoa industry in Africa is poised for a transformation—one where farmers are no longer pawns in a global game, but powerful players shaping their own destiny.
The Côte d’Ivoire-Ghana Cocoa Initiative (CIGCI) is making waves in the global cocoa industry with a renewed commitment to securing fairer prices and better livelihoods for African cocoa farmers. A recent high-level meeting between CIGCI Executive Secretary, Mr. Alex Arnaud Assanvo, and Ghana’s President, John Dramani Mahama, has further solidified this mission, drawing praise from stakeholders across the continent.
The Cocoa Farmers Association Alliance of Africa (COFAAA) has hailed the initiative as a transformative push toward economic justice for millions of smallholder farmers who form the backbone of the industry.
“Beyond policy dialogues, this collaboration represents a crucial fight for fairness, dignity, and sustainability in cocoa farming,” said Comrade Adeola Adegoke, COFAAA President and Global Coordinator. “For too long, African cocoa farmers have been at the mercy of fluctuating global prices and exploitative trade practices. Now, with Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana leading the charge, we are seeing real efforts to shift the power dynamics in favor of producers.”
At the core of the initiative is a drive to stabilize cocoa prices, reduce exploitation by middlemen, and ensure that African farmers receive a greater share of the wealth generated from their labor. Institutions such as Conseil Café-Cacao and Ghana Cocoa Board (Cocobod) are working alongside CIGCI to strengthen Africa’s bargaining position in the global cocoa trade, moving beyond being mere suppliers to becoming key decision-makers in the industry.
“We are not just producers; we are stakeholders in the global cocoa economy,” said Nana Yaw Rueben, COFAAA’s Public Relations Officer. “Our goal is to create a future where cocoa farming is a viable and rewarding profession, not a cycle of hardship.”
As consumers and international markets increasingly demand ethically sourced cocoa, the Côte d’Ivoire-Ghana alliance is setting a precedent for African agricultural sectors to demand fairer terms. Through farmer-centered policies, transparency in pricing, and collective action, this initiative is redefining Africa’s role in the global value chain.
With COFAAA throwing its weight behind this movement, the message is clear: Africa’s cocoa industry is no longer willing to accept the status quo. By standing united, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, and the broader African cocoa community are laying the foundation for an industry that truly benefits those who cultivate its most valuable commodity.
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