At global discussions on phasing out fossil fuels held in Colombia, several oil-producing African countries reaffirmed on Wednesday that they intend to continue drilling, arguing it remains essential for economic development despite growing climate concerns.
Ministers and representatives from about 60 countries gathered in Santa Marta for the first international forum focused on transitioning away from oil, gas, and coal that contribute to global warming.
The meeting took place against the backdrop of rising oil prices, which on Wednesday reached their highest level since early 2022, intensifying worries about energy security amid ongoing geopolitical tensions linked to the Iran conflict.
For many developing resource-dependent nations, however, the shift away from fossil fuels presents significant economic challenges, a concern repeatedly raised during the talks in Santa Marta.
Onuoha Magnus Chidi, an adviser to Nigeria’s regional development minister, told AFP that the focus should be on reducing dependence gradually rather than immediate elimination.
He argued that any transition must be carefully planned and fair, stressing that a sudden halt to fossil fuel use would not be realistic for countries still heavily reliant on the sector.
He further noted that in Nigeria, one of Africa’s largest oil and gas producers and the world’s sixth most populous nation, the process of scaling down fossil fuel reliance would take considerable time.
According to him, millions of jobs are tied to the sector, raising concerns about how affected workers would be absorbed into other parts of the economy, and he called for debt relief and financial support to ease the transition.
Development concerns
A similar position was presented by Senegal, which has recently discovered offshore oil and gas reserves and is seeking to balance economic growth with environmental commitments.
Serigne Momar Sarr, speaking as the country’s only delegate at the meeting, said Senegal recognises the need for global climate action but also prioritises its right to economic development.
He noted that Africa contributes only a small share of global emissions and explained that Senegal plans to use natural gas to support power generation, industrial growth, and exports while gradually shifting toward cleaner energy sources.
He added that the country is already managing both resource extraction and energy transition efforts simultaneously.
The conference was organised following growing dissatisfaction with United Nations climate negotiations, where efforts to address fossil fuel dependence have repeatedly stalled despite being central to global warming discussions.
Major fossil fuel producers including the United States, China, Saudi Arabia, and Russia did not attend, along with several Gulf energy exporters.
Although the forum is not expected to produce binding agreements, organisers say it aims to develop practical strategies for countries willing to manage a gradual reduction in fossil fuel use.
Spain’s Climate Minister Sara Aagesen noted that each nation faces different economic realities, suggesting that transition approaches must be tailored to individual circumstances.