The global energy transition is being questioned by some actors in the industry. This was once again demonstrated at the recent CERAWeek global energy conference in Houston, United States, with the speech by AMIN Nasser, CEO of Aramco, who described this transition as a failure. This statement sparked strong reactions among participants and reignited the debate on the future of the energy industry.

According to Aramco’s CEO, the current energy transition is too slow and fragmented to effectively address global climate challenges. In other words, it is simply a failure. The industrialist also highlighted the low rate of renewable energy in the global supply, citing a KPMG report from last year that revealed that 82% of global energy consumption still relies on fossil fuels. These criticisms, widely discussed in the media, have elicited contrasting reactions among sector experts. Some have welcomed it as an urgent call to action, while others have criticized its lack of long-term vision and its attachment to fossil fuels.

In his speech, AMIN Nasser highlighted the challenges facing the oil and gas industry, particularly the increasing pressure from governments and consumers to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. He also emphasized the massive investments needed to develop clean and sustainable technologies while maintaining profitability. AMIN Nasser called for a more pragmatic and collaborative approach among industry players to accelerate the transition to cleaner energy sources. This approach aligns closely with that of the Central Africa Business Energy Forum (CABEF).

The Central Africa Business Energy Forum plays a crucial role in promoting energy development in Central Africa in line with its key objectives. In response to the challenges raised at the CERAWeek global energy conference, CABEF is committed to continuing its mission of raising awareness among the member states of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) on regional energy issues. It positions itself as a catalyst for dialogue and cooperation to promote sustainable energy development in Central Africa, supporting transnational energy infrastructure projects such as the Central Africa Pipeline System (CAPS) and interconnected energy networks. For CABEF, energy transition means adopting natural gas as the primary energy source.

The stance taken by Aramco CEO AMIN Nasser raises important questions about the future of the energy industry and the need for a rapid transition to more sustainable energy sources. It is also in this spirit that CABEF promotes a responsible energy transition in Central Africa by fostering regional cooperation and fully exploiting the region’s energy potential for a prosperous and sustainable future.

The CABEF team