The African Energy Chamber (AEC) has criticized a non-profit organization (NGO), Dialogue Earth, in a statement for allegedly attempting to discredit Africa's largest refinery, Dangote.
The NGO Dialogue Earth reportedly tried to recruit Nigerian journalist David Hundeyin to write an article criticizing the refinery's impact on Nigeria's climate. Hundeyin exposed the article as an attempt by the Western NGO to manipulate "African voices," ultimately hindering Africa's energy progress.
"The AEC fully supports Hundeyin and commends him for standing up to Dialogue Earth. We are totally opposed to a Western NGO trying to use African voices to advance its own biased agenda," NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the AEC, said in a statement.
The AEC strongly condemned Dialogue Earth’s tactics, emphasizing the crucial role oil and gas play in Africa’s economic development and energy transition. Projects like Dangote are essential for reducing reliance on imported fuel, creating jobs, and promoting cleaner energy sources, the statement read.
Dialogue Earth’s actions underline a pattern of Western NGOs attempting to undermine Africa’s energy sector under the guise of environmental concerns, according to the statement.
Ayuk highlighted that Western NGOs have similarly targeted other African energy projects, including pipelines and LNG facilities, which are vital for addressing energy poverty and fostering economic growth in the region.