Shedding light on Africa’s paradox - rich in natural resources yet plagued by energy poverty, Dr. Kachikwu recounts a conversation that questions why energy access remains a privilege rather than a right. He explores Africa’s vast energy potential, the failures in resource monetization, and the urgent need for strategic policies. The talk challenges African leaders, policymakers, and the populace to rethink energy, infrastructure, and self-reliance, urging them to harness local resources, think globally, and prioritize value creation for the African people, as the only way for the continent to effectively progress. Prof. Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu is a former Minister of State Petroleum Resources of The Federal Republic of Nigeria and Chairman of the Board of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) 2015 - 2019. He also served as Group Managing Director, NNPC from 2015-2016 and became the only Nigerian to have held at the same time, portfolios of Group Managing Director, NNPC, Minister of State Petroleum, President of OPEC, president Of GECF, and President of APPO. He was the Executive Vice Chairman of Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited and General Counsel for ExxonMobil Nigeria affiliate Upstream and Downstream Companies in Nigeria before his time in government.Prof. Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu is a visiting Professor in several universities globally including Harvard and three Nigerian universities. He is the author of over 12 law books on energy, contract, investment & petroleum. He is an international consultant on petroleum and energy policy matters to various countries & companies. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx