The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, on Friday urged African governments and industry leaders to embrace emerging technologies shaping global energy systems, warning that the continent cannot afford to “stand on the sidelines” of the fast-changing innovation landscape.
Akume, represented by his Special Adviser on Technical Operations, Prof. Benard Babatunde, gave the charge at the 9th Solewani Energy Summit themed “Emerging Technologies and the Future of Sustainable Development in Africa.”
The former Benue governor told energy executives, policymakers and innovators that Africa’s growing population, expanding cities and rising energy demands make technological adoption unavoidable.
“Artificial intelligence, robotics, digital monitoring and smart infrastructure are already transforming global energy ecosystems. Africa must not remain on the sidelines,” he said.
Akume added that beyond adopting modern tools, African countries must also play active roles in developing and scaling them to guarantee long-term economic resilience.
The SGF noted that President Bola Tinubu’s ongoing reforms show Nigeria’s readiness to build a modern, competitive and technology-driven energy sector.
“These actions reflect our determination to build a diversified, technologically advanced and globally competitive energy economy,” Akume said.
Describing technology as the engine of sustainable development, he explained that emerging tools are “indispensable” to reducing poverty, cutting energy costs, improving efficiency and creating jobs for Africa’s young population.
Africa faces one of the world’s widest energy gaps, with over 600 million people lacking reliable electricity.
Many countries remain dependent on ageing grids, fossil fuels and expensive diesel generators that stunt industrial growth.
The continent also battles climate vulnerabilities—rising temperatures, floods and droughts—that worsen energy insecurity.
The SGF, however, warned that unless African nations aggressively adopt and domesticate emerging technologies, the region risks being left behind in the next industrial wave.
“It is a defining moment; emerging technologies will determine whether Africa leapfrogs into a sustainable future or remains trapped on the margins,” he said.
