NJ Ayuk

NJ Ayuk is executive chairperson of the African Energy Chamber, a pan-African organisation advocating for the continent's oil, gas and energy sectors. He is a Cameroonian lawyer and energy entrepreneur who has become one of Africa's most prominent voices on energy policy and resource development. Ayuk founded the Centurion Law Group, a corporate law firm with offices across Africa, and has built a career advising governments, international corporations and African businesses on energy deals, regulatory frameworks and investment structures. He is a vocal proponent of African energy sovereignty, arguing that the continent should develop its oil and gas resources to address energy poverty and drive industrialisation, even as global pressure mounts for a rapid transition to renewables. Ayuk has authored several books on African energy, including "Billions at Play: The Future of African Energy and Doing Deals" and "Big Barrels: African Oil and Gas and the Quest for Prosperity", which outline his vision for leveraging hydrocarbon wealth to fund economic development and infrastructure. He frequently speaks at international energy conferences and contributes to policy debates on local content, skills development and the role of natural gas as a transition fuel. His advocacy emphasises the need for African countries to maximise value from their resources, build local capacity and negotiate better terms with international oil companies. Ayuk's influence extends across industry, policy and civil society, making him a central figure in discussions about Africa's energy future and the balance between development imperatives and climate commitments.