Nigeria has handed over the headquarters of the African Energy Bank (AEB) in Abuja, marking a pivotal step toward Africa’s energy sovereignty as the institution geared up to begin operations by June, 2026.
The official ceremony unfolded on the sidelines of the 9th Nigeria International Energy Summit (NIES), where Côte d’Ivoire’s Minister of Mines, Petroleum and Energy, Mamadou Colibaly—also president of the African Petroleum Producers’ Organisation (APPO)—commended Nigeria’s leadership.
He further announced that the Bank is expected to commence operations in June.
“We are committed to launching this Bank no later than June. I sincerely thank our partners for providing the headquarters and office that make this take-off possible. The African Energy Bank, represents Africa’s commitment to finance, develop, and secure its own energy future by Africans, for Africans,” Mamadou Colibaly said.
The AEB is a joint initiative of APPO member-states and the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank). Its core mandate is to mobilise domestic and regional capital for energy infrastructure, reduce Africa’s reliance on external financing, and align energy investments with the continent’s long-term development and industrialisation goals.
While performing the hand-over, Nigeria’s minister of state for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, said that “Nigeria has met every obligation as host. The headquarters is ready, strategically located, and fully equipped and we are prepared for immediate take-off.”
The ceremony underscored a unified African resolve to take greater ownership of the continent’s abundant natural resources. By offering targeted financial instruments, the Bank will support projects across the energy value chain, including exploration, refining, renewable energy integration, and local content development, ensuring that Africa’s resources translate into tangible economic value and job creation.
Speakers at the event emphasised that the African Energy Bank is not merely a financial institution, but a cornerstone of Africa’s broader quest for economic independence and lasting energy security. The handover, they noted, signals the beginning of a new era in which Africans are determined to finance, produce, and sustain their own energy future.
The African Energy Bank is a pan-African financial institution jointly established by APPO member states and Afreximbank to provide tailored financing solutions for energy projects across Africa. The Bank aims to strengthen regional energy markets, enhance value addition, and support sustainable development through increased access to capital.
