Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber, NJ Ayuk, says the return of the United States President, Donald Trump, in 2025 represents a pivotal moment for Africa’s fossil fuel industry.

In a statement, Ayuk said Trump’s administration’s swift reapproval of a $4.7bn loan from the US Export-Import Bank for TotalEnergies’ liquefied natural gas project in Mozambique — initially greenlit in 2020 during his first term but sent into deep freeze for the full duration of the Biden years — sets the tone for what could be a transformative era for Africa’s energy sector.

According to him, Trump’s decisive action within weeks of taking office signals a renewed, positive working relationship between the United States and Africa, prioritising energy development over ideological objections and the Green Agenda’s influence.

He noted, “The African Energy Chamber contends that Africa should seize this potentially brief moment in history and embrace the Trump administration as a partner rather than an opponent. For too long, global pressures have insisted that African nations move toward green energy projects only and leave their fossil fuel resources behind.

“While renewable energy has its place and will be important to Africa’s future, fossil fuels still clearly constitute the backbone of any realistic efforts for African industrialisation and economic growth — goals we simply cannot afford to sideline.”

The AEC chairman maintained that alignment with Trump’s energy-first ethos would mean that Africa could unlock significant funding for wide-ranging fossil fuel projects, and not just the offshore oil and gas ventures that dominate the headlines.

He said, “The continent should capitalise on all opportunities in onshore projects, wildcat wells (exploratory drilling in unproven areas), and the proliferation of numerous small operators. These avenues lead the way to diversity in Africa’s energy portfolio, job creation, and massively strengthened energy security.

“The reapproval of funding for Mozambique LNG is a case in point. The project’s revival under Trump demonstrates how quickly thick bureaucratic congestion can dissolve when political will aligns with economic practicality. This $4.7bn infusion will boost Mozambique’s economy while sending a message to other African nations: Under Trump, at long last, America is open for business.”

In contrast to the previous administration, which openly regarded fossil fuel development with scepticism and disdain, Ayuk stated that Trump’s ‘drill, baby, drill’ mantra pairs seamlessly with the ambitions of the African oil and gas industry, saying Africa should adopt a similar mindset and position itself as an attractive destination for American investment dollars.

Another of Trump’s domestic priorities, Ayuk said, is to revive clean coal production in the US, stressing that the initiative offers a compelling blueprint for Africa.

He said, “While coal remains a contentious, harshly criticised resource globally, its advantages are undeniable: it’s cheaper to produce, often doesn’t require big bank financing, and is abundant across the continent. For African nations grappling with energy poverty, coal can serve as a means to an end, delivering affordable power to millions in the interim while the infrastructure for other energy sources matures.

“Simply put, Africa deserves to be the last global holdout on coal production and should leverage its coal reserves to meet domestic needs and export demands. Trump’s willingness to disregard the international campaign against coal should embolden African leaders to reopen their abandoned coal mines and rest assured that this time around, they’ll be able to operate freely, without fear of U.S. opposition.”

The energy expert asserted that over the next four years, Africa has the rare chance to pursue an aggressive fossil fuel agenda.

He advised that the continent should unite under an ‘Africa First’ banner and adopt its own ‘drill baby drill’ mentality in support of every promising oil exploration and production project, every possible natural gas project, and a multinational effort to slash through regulatory red tape.

Africa urged to explore Trump’s second term for energy independence
3rd April 2025
Donald Trump
US President Donald Trump

By
Dare Olawin



Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber, NJ Ayuk, says the return of the United States President, Donald Trump, in 2025 represents a pivotal moment for Africa’s fossil fuel industry.

In a statement, Ayuk said Trump’s administration’s swift reapproval of a $4.7bn loan from the US Export-Import Bank for TotalEnergies’ liquefied natural gas project in Mozambique — initially greenlit in 2020 during his first term but sent into deep freeze for the full duration of the Biden years — sets the tone for what could be a transformative era for Africa’s energy sector.

According to him, Trump’s decisive action within weeks of taking office signals a renewed, positive working relationship between the United States and Africa, prioritising energy development over ideological objections and the Green Agenda’s influence.

He noted, “The African Energy Chamber contends that Africa should seize this potentially brief moment in history and embrace the Trump administration as a partner rather than an opponent. For too long, global pressures have insisted that African nations move toward green energy projects only and leave their fossil fuel resources behind.



“While renewable energy has its place and will be important to Africa’s future, fossil fuels still clearly constitute the backbone of any realistic efforts for African industrialisation and economic growth — goals we simply cannot afford to sideline.”

The AEC chairman maintained that alignment with Trump’s energy-first ethos would mean that Africa could unlock significant funding for wide-ranging fossil fuel projects, and not just the offshore oil and gas ventures that dominate the headlines.

He said, “The continent should capitalise on all opportunities in onshore projects, wildcat wells (exploratory drilling in unproven areas), and the proliferation of numerous small operators. These avenues lead the way to diversity in Africa’s energy portfolio, job creation, and massively strengthened energy security.


“The reapproval of funding for Mozambique LNG is a case in point. The project’s revival under Trump demonstrates how quickly thick bureaucratic congestion can dissolve when political will aligns with economic practicality. This $4.7bn infusion will boost Mozambique’s economy while sending a message to other African nations: Under Trump, at long last, America is open for business.”

In contrast to the previous administration, which openly regarded fossil fuel development with scepticism and disdain, Ayuk stated that Trump’s ‘drill, baby, drill’ mantra pairs seamlessly with the ambitions of the African oil and gas industry, saying Africa should adopt a similar mindset and position itself as an attractive destination for American investment dollars.

Another of Trump’s domestic priorities, Ayuk said, is to revive clean coal production in the US, stressing that the initiative offers a compelling blueprint for Africa.

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He said, “While coal remains a contentious, harshly criticised resource globally, its advantages are undeniable: it’s cheaper to produce, often doesn’t require big bank financing, and is abundant across the continent. For African nations grappling with energy poverty, coal can serve as a means to an end, delivering affordable power to millions in the interim while the infrastructure for other energy sources matures.

“Simply put, Africa deserves to be the last global holdout on coal production and should leverage its coal reserves to meet domestic needs and export demands. Trump’s willingness to disregard the international campaign against coal should embolden African leaders to reopen their abandoned coal mines and rest assured that this time around, they’ll be able to operate freely, without fear of U.S. opposition.”

The energy expert asserted that over the next four years, Africa has the rare chance to pursue an aggressive fossil fuel agenda.

He advised that the continent should unite under an ‘Africa First’ banner and adopt its own ‘drill baby drill’ mentality in support of every promising oil exploration and production project, every possible natural gas project, and a multinational effort to slash through regulatory red tape.


As for Nigeria, he said the wheels of progress moved agonisingly slowly when it came to passing the Petroleum Industry Act, first proposed in 2008 and not signed into law until 2021.

“Even after the law was passed, Nigeria has been slow to fully implement it. This kind of inertia deters investment and slows development. A Trump-inspired push to clean up such bureaucratic roadblocks could unleash a wave of prosperous development. Similarly, addressing security issues — like those that drove US firms out of Libya — will be critical to restoring confidence and attracting capital from abroad.

“For example, Nigeria’s oil and gas sector has been hampered by regulatory uncertainty and security threats in the Niger Delta. A Nigerian ’drill baby drill’ mindset could accelerate regulatory, social, and economic reforms needed to address the Niger Delta’s deep-rooted instability. This kind of mindset could restart stalled projects and attract American firms eager to invest in a Trump-approved climate,” he asserted.

Ayuk added, “The tools are all there: offshore rigs, onshore fields, wildcat wells, established mines, and a willing ally in Washington. The question that remains is whether Africa’s leaders have the courage to stand up to the anti-carbon lobby.

“Trump’s second term could be remembered as the moment Africa’s fossil fuel industry came into its own — as a partner to the US in a shared vision of energy abundance. With four years of clear skies ahead, there is no question that Africa should build, mine, and yes, drill, baby, drill like never before. If we don’t act now, it might be a very long wait for an opportunity like this one to present itself again.”