To this end, the Group, alongside its sister companies in the energy value chain have put adequate measures in place on how to mitigate, reduce and eliminate operating emissions and earn carbon credit for a sustainable future.

The company unveiled its strategies on how to attain the set target, at a forum with journalists tagged: “Carbon Footprint and The African Narrative” organised by Sahara Group and the Asharami Square in Lagos on Monday.

Wole Ajeigbe, Group Project Manager, Asharami Energy, who spoke on “Decarbonization of Africa’s Upstream Operations”, said Sahara Energy is building a sustainable energy future with an ambitious, yet achievable carbon net zero journey.

Ajeigbe disclosed that measures are in place at the Group’s seven oil producing assets across Nigeria, to ensure that operations at the sites are considerate of global warming.

He listed these measures to include; elimination of gas flare across its upstream operations; reduction in freshwater usage during operation; and making use of Carbon Capture Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) among others.

He explained that the net zero plan would be achieved gradually by reducing and minimizing carbon emissions on a yearly basis.

Ajeigbe noted that the company’s gas commercialisation projects are expected to be completed between 2025 and 2026.

Emphasising the Group’s commitment to achieving net zero emissions, Ajeigbe said the company has already joined the global group of CCUS, becoming the first African company in the forum.

He noted that the energy demand and usage in Africa will rise significantly in coming years, saying, to ensure oil and gas continue to be used to meet Africa’s energy demands, the sector needs to decarbonise its operations quickly.

He stressed the need for the government to create an enabling environment that would stimulate investments and grant fiscal incentives on gas projects such as tax holidays, funding, risk mitigation among others.

According to him, the government and relevant stakeholders,  also need to encourage availability of capital pools; improve bankability of gas projects; give support to projects that have taken decarbonization seriously; and attract skills and develop the capabilities needed for the energy future.

In her presentation, Director, Governance and Sustainability, Sahara Group, Ejiro Gray, listed the most viable solutions for mitigating carbon emissions and meeting Africa’s development to include natural gas development; increase in use of renewables; protection and rehabilitation of African natural carbon sinks; innovation in low cost/low emissions clean energy solutions;  carbon culture storage/ carbon capture and re-utilisation and utilisation of domestic knowledge.

Gray stated that Sahara Group has continued to make improvements to its operations in order to reduce its carbon footprint and by extension, the continent footprint.

Some of the strategies, according to her, include; increase use of renewables; gas commercialisation; research and development; sustainable energy and carbon sinks; Carbon Capture Usage and Storage (CCUS); tree planting initiatives; and awareness campaigns for youths, among others.

Also speaking at the event, Regional Director, West Africa, Ford Foundation, Dr. Chichi Aniagolu-Okoye, noted that although Africa is contributing only about 4% to global warming, the continent has been severely affected by the phenomenon.

According to her, the fact that Africa holds up to 17% of the global population, yet contributes just 4% to global carbon emissions, means that the continent could do more for a sustainable environment through careful and strategic planning.

She suggested that Continent must focus not only on challenges, but also on opportunities that global warming presents.

“There are numerous opportunities to place Africa firmly at the forefront of climate debate and the media should lead the campaign,” she stressed.

Earlier, Head, Corporate Communications, Sahara Group, Bethel Obioma, said the Asharami Square has come to stay and would be organizing training and mentorship for journalists.

Obioma also said the Asharami Square would also be featuring Asharami Awards to appreciate those works that have contributed to building sustainability in Africa.

He disclosed that the body is already in partnership with University of Lagos and Pan Atlantic University in the quest to upscale skill on sustainability.

Sahara Group is a leading international energy and infrastructure conglomerate with operations in over 42 countries across Africa, Middle East, Europe and Asia.