*NJ Ayuk, entrepreneur, attorney, best-selling author and Executive Chairman of African Energy Chamber, has officially released his most recent book, ‘A Just Transition: Making Energy Poverty History with an Energy Mix’, which sheds light on the unfolding sobering reality in the energy sector on the continent

Gbenga Kayode | ConsumerConnect

NJ Ayuk, entrepreneur, attorney, best-selling author and Executive Chairman of African Energy Chamber (AEC), has officially released his most recent book, entitled: “A Just Transition: Making Energy Poverty History with an Energy Mix”

ConsumerConnect learnt the new volume is the third publication Ayuk has released, which sheds light on the sobering reality that is unfolding in Africa’s energy sector.

African oil and gas exploration 

AEC, in an industry update disclosed the book is now available to purchase on Amazon!

“Following years of diligent research and in-depth analysis, the book sheds light on the sobering reality that is unfolding as the International Energy Agency’s (IEA) ambitious green energy policies continue to stifle and cripple energy economies across Africa.

“While the rest of the world is faced with one, momentous crisis: climate change, Africa is faced with two: climate change and energy poverty.

In pursuit of addressing the impacts caused by the climate crisis, world leaders have put in place the Paris Agreement, designed to keep global temperatures from rising in the long-term through the immediate transition to renewable energies,” noted the Chamber.

It also highlighted as the continent, which faces the harshest impacts of the climate crisis, the immediate transition will result in Africa’s lacking the chance to develop, providing the over 600 million people currently without access to electricity with reliable energy, while at the same time standing to bear a disproportionate share of the consequences of climate change.

Simply put, this immediate transition called for with the Paris Agreement will have devastating impacts on Africa.

According to the AEC, the overall objective of Ayuk’s book is to answer a series of important questions.

It further said: “Firstly, Africa bears a disproportionate share of not only the anticipated future problems of climate change, but the present-day, here-and-now problem of energy poverty. “So, what should we do? Should we prioritise the goal of preventing climate change over the goal of addressing energy poverty?

“Or should we focus on ways to deliver power to the hundreds of millions of Africans who currently lack access to electricity? Obviously, we should try to achieve both objectives. Both are important.

But how do we do this? And which should come first?”

Link between IEA’s renewables and Africa’s energy poverty?

The organisation noted the book investigates the best way forward for transitioning to a cleaner energy future while prioritising Africa’s socioeconomic prosperity.

The answer put forward by the IEA being that renewables are the solution to Africa’s energy poverty, stated the Chamber.

However, as the AEC Chief’s book details, this is simply not true, the Chamber stated.

It argued that renewable technologies cost more than most African countries can bear to pay, and while the global community has offered to help the continent make the transition, international pledges have consistently fallen short, with Africa and other developing regions still waiting to receive the assistance they were promised.

AEC said: “Ayuk posits Africa can approach the energy transition in its own way.

“In his pursuit for an answer to the aforementioned questions, Ayuk considers the role natural gas will play in achieving dual objectives of energy transition and economic prosperity in Africa.”

By looking at the quantities of gas in Africa, Ayuk makes a strong case for utilisation of this fuel, with details given into its role in other economies, opportunities for development in Africa and why Ayuk recommends gas over other resources.

What separates the book from other energy-focused publications is that it is rooted in what Africa needs.

The Chamber noted Ayuk further emphasised that Africa needs to chart its own destiny; make its own choices; and decide whether to use its own resources.

Simply put, Africa’s journey to economic prosperity starts with gas.