South African companies operating in the energy sector will get an opportunity to assist their Nigerian counterparts to generate energy for continent’s most populated country.
The Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Ms Elizabeth Thabethe met with the Minister of Power in Nigeria, Professor Chinedu Nebo earlier in the week to discuss possible collaboration and how South African companies could assist Nigeria with generation of power. The Nigerian Ministry has already established a technical team which detailed possible cooperation with the Newly Independent Power Producers (NIPP).
Lebogang Moepeng of Uniq Holdings in Gauteng whose company is in the renewable energy sector said he was surprised by the type of eagerness and enthusiasm shown by the Nigerian government and business people to tap into the expertise that South African companies have in the generation of energy.
“I did not expect that the mission would yield results so quickly. This country has such great appetite for our business and now the ball is in our court to ensure that we grab this opportunity,” he added.
According to Moepeng, the technical team which has since met looked at how South African companies can be assisted to register, collaborate and the steps to take to get the necessary approval. He said the Nigerians are mostly interested into tapping into South African expertise into utilising coal to generate energy.
Moepeng says he has already started with the development of a proposal outlining how he will tap into the market.
Deputy Minister Thabethe and Minister of Power in Nigeria, Professor Chinedu Nebo.
Enquiries:
Sidwell Medupe, Departmental Spokesperson
Tel: 012 394 1650
Mobile: 079 492 1774
E-mail: MSMedupe@thedti.gov.za
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