Sahara Group has called for a fresh approach to Africa’s energy transition, infrastructure financing and energy journalism, urging stakeholders to adopt strategies that reflect the continent’s unique realities.

The company made the call on Wednesday during the third edition of its thought leadership forum, Asharami Square, themed “Energising Africa’s Future: Legacy, Impact and Transformation.”

Speaking at the event, Sahara Group’s Director of Governance and Sustainability, Ejiro Gray, said the company’s “Beyond XXX” vision is focused on shaping the future rather than celebrating past achievements.

Gray stressed that Africa’s energy transition should be driven by local realities and supported by balanced, evidence-based journalism capable of examining the complexities of energy development and sustainability.

“Effective journalism should not only tell us what happened; it should help us understand why it matters, whose interests are affected and what perspectives are missing from the conversation,” she said.

Delivering the keynote address, the Special Adviser to the President on Power Infrastructure, Sadiq Wanka, said reforms in Nigeria’s electricity sector are creating new opportunities for investment.

According to him, the major challenge facing the sector is no longer technology but mobilising capital, developing bankable projects and creating an environment that attracts long-term investment.

“The issue is no longer technology. The real challenge is mobilising capital at scale, structuring bankable opportunities and creating an ecosystem that attracts long-term financing,” Wanka said.

He noted that ongoing reforms are opening investment opportunities in embedded generation, mini-grids, renewable energy, transmission infrastructure and industrial power solutions, while encouraging journalists to report more extensively on policy implementation and investment opportunities.

A panel discussion featuring Professor Abigail Ogwezzy-Ndisika of the University of Lagos, Chief Executive Officer of the Lagos State Electricity Regulatory Commission, Temitope George, Managing Director of Investment Banking at Chapel Hill Denham, Kemi Awodein, and moderated by Argus Media Associate Editor for Africa, Adebiyi Olusolape, examined financing options for Africa’s energy future.

The panelists agreed that although Africa has significant domestic capital, attracting greater investment will require stronger governance, improved investor confidence and better project preparation.

Speaking on the role of the media, Professor Ogwezzy-Ndisika called for more investigative and solutions-driven reporting on the energy sector.

“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,” she said.

George highlighted the importance of ensuring projects are investment-ready, while Awodein said governance, transparency and clear value creation remain essential for attracting long-term capital.

The event also featured the unveiling of the Asharami Square Energy Reporting Fellowship Judging Panel, an initiative aimed at strengthening energy journalism across Africa.

Sahara Group’s Head of Corporate Communications, Bethel Obioma, said the fellowship is designed to equip journalists with a deeper understanding of the technical, commercial, environmental and policy issues shaping the energy sector.

He added that the initiative aligns with the company’s “Beyond XXX” vision of investing in people and platforms that will contribute to Africa’s energy future, with Professor Ogwezzy-Ndisika serving as the programme’s lead assessor.