ENERGY TRANSITION: IMPLICATIONS FOR HYDROCARBON-PRODUCING AFRICAN NATIONS

This article examined the legal challenges and opportunities facing hydrocarbon-producing African nations in the context of global energy transition demand. It analyzed the complex interaction between domestic energy laws, international climate commitments, and the crucial need for sustainable development. The paper explored the historical background of oil and gas laws in Africa and then examined key national legislations and regional agreements governing non-renewable energy production. The paper investigated the international legal frameworks driving energy transition, focusing on the Paris Agreement and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The paper identified key legal impediments through the doctrinal approach, including likely breaches of existing contractual obligations, the risk of stranded assets, and the need to balance human rights with environmental concerns. It highlighted opportunities for legal innovation, such as developing comprehensive legal and policy frameworks for renewable energy and economic diversification. The paper illustrated diverse legal approaches to managing the energy transition through case studies of Nigeria, Ghana, and Kenya. It concluded with policy and legal recommendations for African nations, emphasizing the need for adaptive legal frameworks to balancing ongoing hydrocarbon production with transition goals.