The inaugural U.S.-Nigeria Strategic Energy Dialogue, held on September 11-12, 2024, emphasized recent developments in bilateral energy cooperation between the two nations.
Key initiatives discussed included:
- The Department of State's Energy and Mineral Governance Program (EMGP) committing to renewed technical assistance aimed at helping the Government of Nigeria and Nigerian National Petroleum Company reduce methane emissions from the oil and gas sector.
- USAID's Power Africa program committing an additional $75-85 million in technical assistance to Nigeria. This award aims to finalize its implementing partner by the end of 2024. Over the next five years, it seeks to enhance electricity delivery and sustainability while accelerating decarbonization efforts in Nigeria’s power sector. Power Africa plans to provide more Nigerian homes, businesses, and institutions with sustainable access to electricity through this initiative.
- The Department of State launching the Clean Energy Alliance of Nigeria (CLEAN). In support of the Clean Energy Demand Initiative, the Department’s Power Sector Program (PSP) will establish a “clean energy buyers’ club” in fall 2024. This coalition will include corporate consumers, public sector leaders, and other stakeholders advocating for clean, reliable, and affordable energy resources. Additionally, PSP will offer regulatory technical assistance to encourage clean energy investments in Nigeria.
- The Department of Energy’s (DOE) Net Zero World program pledging over $1.3 million for clean energy technical support to Nigerian partners. DOE is facilitating clean energy capacity building with Nigeria through five priority workstreams: methane mitigation from the oil and gas sector; comprehensive energy sector planning and policy support; scaling up national energy distribution; expanding power sector support; and advancing regional energy markets. Furthermore, DOE values Nigerian participation in multilateral engagements like the Carbon Management Challenge and Measurement, Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification (MMRV) partnership.
- The U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) preparing for the Nigeria Methane Abatement and Flare Gas Utilization Solutions Reverse Trade Mission (RTM) scheduled for October 20-30. During their visit to Washington D.C., Pittsburgh, Permian Basin, and Houston, delegates from Nigeria’s public and private sectors will explore advanced U.S. technologies for methane abatement and flare gas utilization in the oil and gas industry.
Additionally:
- Collaboration under the Foundational Infrastructure for Responsible Use of Small Modular Reactor Technology (FIRST) capacity-building program was also discussed. Upcoming workshops aim to advance consideration of advanced nuclear technologies within Nigeria's clean energy mix while adhering to high standards of nuclear security, safety, and nonproliferation.
For further media information regarding these initiatives or others discussed during this dialogue session can be directed to enr-pd-clearances@state.gov.
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