The global energy challenge is not a shortage of resources but a shortage of supply, according to NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber (AEC), who called for an “energy addition” strategy during the ARPEL Conference 2026 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. 

He urged governments and investors to increase energy production to meet rising demand and address widespread energy poverty.

Ayuk highlighted that more than 600 million Africans still lack electricity and nearly one billion people have no access to clean cooking technologies, arguing that developing economies cannot afford to reduce energy production.

He said Africa, despite holding vast oil and gas reserves, remains heavily dependent on imported petroleum products due to inadequate investment.

The AEC chief criticised declining financing for oil and gas projects and opposition to fossil fuel development, insisting that Africa still needs its hydrocarbon resources to drive economic growth and industrialisation.

He pointed to increased production efforts in Nigeria and Angola, new developments in Namibia, Ivory Coast and the Republic of Congo, and expanding LNG projects in Mozambique and Tanzania.

Ayuk also cited Latin America’s success in developing energy resources, highlighting Brazil’s pre-salt projects, Guyana’s rapid production growth and Argentina’s Vaca Muerta shale development. 

He called on producing nations to create conditions that encourage investment and exploration, stressing that affordable and reliable energy remains essential for economic development and human prosperity.