Sahara Group has called for a fundamental rethinking of how Africa approaches energy transition, infrastructure financing and energy journalism, urging stakeholders to embrace solutions that reflect the continent’s realities while building the partnerships, institutions and investments required for long-term development.

The call formed the central thrust of discussions at the third edition of Asharami Square, a Sahara Group thought leadership initiative held under the theme “Energising Africa’s Future: Legacy, Impact and Transformation.”

Opening the discussions, Ejiro Gray, Director, Governance and Sustainability, Sahara Group, said the company’s Beyond XXX vision was rooted in looking ahead rather than dwelling on past accomplishments.

Gray noted that Africa’s energy future must be shaped by local realities and called for more balanced, evidence-based journalism capable of interrogating the complexities of energy transition, development and sustainability.

Delivering the keynote address, the Special Adviser to the President on Power Infrastructure, Sadiq Wanka, highlighted the opportunities emerging within Nigeria’s electricity sector as reforms continue to open new pathways for investment.

Wanka said reforms across the sector are creating opportunities in embedded generation, mini-grids, renewable energy, transmission infrastructure and industrial power solutions, while urging journalists to delve deeper into policy reforms, investment opportunities and implementation outcomes.

The programme featured a panel session. The panelists agreed that Africa possesses significant pools of capital capable of supporting infrastructure development, but that unlocking investment requires stronger governance, investor confidence and better project preparation.

Speaking on journalism and accountability, Prof. Ogwezzy-Ndisika called for more rigorous and solutions-focused reporting.

“Energy reporting must go beyond headline events and announcements. Journalists need to ask deeper questions, examine the evidence and connect policy decisions to their impact on communities and everyday lives.”

The event also featured the unveiling of the Asharami Square Energy Reporting Fellowship Judging Panel, reinforcing Sahara Group’s commitment to strengthening energy journalism and fostering more informed reporting on Africa’s energy future.

Speaking on the initiative, Head, Corporate Communications, Sahara Group, Bethel Obioma, said the Fellowship was designed to deepen journalists’ understanding of the technical, commercial, environmental and policy issues shaping the energy sector.

Obioma said the Fellowship aligns with Sahara Group’s Beyond XXX vision of investing in people and platforms that will help shape Africa’s future, adding that Prof Ogwezzy-Ndisika will serve as the lead assessor for the programme.