Nigeria and U.S. continue their first Strategic Energy Dialogue today, September 12. The dialogue which started on September 11 is spearheaded by Geoffrey R. Pyatt, Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Bureau of Energy Resources, and welcomes a high-profile Nigerian contingent led by Ekperikpe Ekpo, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources.
The dialogue has focused on expanding bilateral cooperation in several critical areas, including enhancing energy security and access, advancing the decarbonization of the oil and gas sector, and accelerating the transition to cleaner energy sources. Both U.S. and Nigerian officials are also exploring strategies to improve Nigeria’s power sector, particularly in electricity production and distribution.
Several innovative programs are on the agenda, including the Foundational Infrastructure for Responsible Use of Small Modular Reactor Technology (FIRST), initiatives to empower women in the energy sector, and the Clean Energy Demand Initiative (CEDI). The summit also highlights ongoing U.S. efforts like Power Africa, aimed at expanding electricity access across sub-Saharan Africa, USAID’s Gas Flare Program, and the Department of Energy’s Net Zero World initiative.
As part of this dialogue, the Department of Energy’s Net Zero World program has committed more than $1.3 million for clean energy technical support to Nigerian partners. This funding will help drive progress on clean energy initiatives and strengthen the U.S.-Nigeria partnership in the energy security space.
Other American officials joined Assistant Secretary Pyatt from crucial departments and agencies, including African Affairs, Climate Policy, USAID’s Power Africa initiative, the Department of Energy, and key financial institutions such as the Development Finance Corporation, U.S. Trade and Development Agency, and Export-Import Bank. In a move to foster public-private collaboration, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce is hosting a special session aimed at bolstering cross-border investments and partnerships.
The Strategic Energy Dialogue builds upon recent diplomatic engagements, including Secretary of State Antony’s Blinken’s trip to Nigeria in January 2024, Deputy Secretary Kurt Campbell’s meeting with Nigerian Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar during the sixth U.S.-Nigeria Binational Commission in April, and Assistant Secretary Pyatt’s meeting with Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2023, where this dialogue was agreed.
