President and Chief Executive Officer of Transcorp Group, Owen Omogiafo, has drawn a powerful connection between Africa’s energy poverty and rising migration, stressing that many young Africans leave their countries not out of desire, but as a matter of survival.
Speaking during the Changemakers Panel at the Future Investment Initiative (FII9) in Riyadh, Omogiafo said millions of Africans are being pushed to migrate because of limited access to reliable electricity, which continues to stifle opportunities and industrial growth across the continent.
“People aren’t migrating because they hate their homes; they’re migrating because they feel they have to,” Omogiafo said, highlighting the human toll of Africa’s energy challenges.
She noted that despite Africa’s vast natural resources, a significant portion of its population still lives without access to electricity, a situation that fuels unemployment, poverty, and displacement.
According to her, fixing the continent’s power deficit is key to unlocking productivity and reducing the pressure that drives migration.
Omogiafo’s remarks at FII9 resonated across the audience as she underscored the urgent need for inclusive energy development, explaining that economic stability and social progress in Africa depend on reliable access to power.
Okay News reports that her statement reflects a broader call for collaboration between African governments, private investors, and international partners to bridge the continent’s power gap and ensure that Africa’s young and growing population can thrive at home.
