March 9, 2025 (EIRNS)—U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright announced a major reversal of U.S. energy policy toward Africa at the 10th Powering Africa Summit in Washington, D.C., March 6-7, where he was a keynote speaker on March 6. He said that climate change was not a sufficient reason for Africa not to develop its hydrocarbon energy sources. Nineteen African governments as well as many businessmen were present.
“This government has no desire to tell you what you should do with your energy system,” he said. “It’s a paternalistic post-colonial attitude that I just can’t stand,” Wright said. Western governments, he said, including the United States, have been “shamelessly” telling Africa that they must stop burning coal.
“That’s just nonsense, 100 percent nonsense. Coal transformed our world and made it better, extended life expectancy and grew opportunities, and coal globally will be the largest source of electricity for decades to come. That’s not a policy, that’s not a desire, that’s just a reality,” he said.
