NJ Ayuk named among New African’s most influential Africans of 2025

African Energy Chamber Executive Chairman NJ Ayuk has been selected as one of The Most Influential Africans of 2025 by New African, the pan-African magazine published by IC Publications. The recognition places Ayuk alongside political leaders, business executives, creatives and policymakers shaping Africa’s direction on the global stage.

The annual list, one of New African’s most widely followed editorial features, draws on insights from correspondents and collaborators across the continent. It highlights individuals whose influence extends beyond national borders, either through international visibility or decisive leadership within their respective sectors.

This year’s honorees include sitting heads of state, senior government officials, financial leaders, entrepreneurs and cultural figures. The list underscores the magazine’s long-standing aim of elevating African voices while showcasing role models whose work resonates across generations.

NJ Ayuk earns recognition on New African’s Most Influential Africans of 2025 list for his leadership on Africa’s energy future.

Championing Africa’s energy choices

Ayuk’s inclusion reflects his growing profile as a vocal defender of Africa’s right to chart its own energy future. As global debates around climate policy intensify, he has consistently reframed the conversation around Africa’s immediate development realities, particularly widespread energy poverty.

With hundreds of millions of Africans still without electricity and clean cooking fuels, Ayuk has argued that oil and gas, especially natural gas, remain critical to economic growth and industrialization. Through his leadership, the African Energy Chamber has pushed back against what it views as unequal global standards that discourage African production while allowing continued hydrocarbon investment elsewhere.

Under Ayuk, the Chamber has positioned itself as a unifying platform for producers, investors, policymakers and service companies. It has advanced a development-first narrative that emphasizes fairness, sovereignty and pragmatism in the energy transition, insisting that Africa’s starting point must guide policy and financing decisions.

Building a continental platform

Over the years, the African Energy Chamber has expanded its reach through high-profile events, sustained media engagement and policy advocacy. These efforts have helped African stakeholders articulate their priorities directly, while also reinvigorating investment discussions across multiple energy-producing regions.

Ayuk has repeatedly credited the broader African energy workforce for the Chamber’s momentum, stressing the sector’s role in job creation and national revenues. He has maintained that defending the industry is inseparable from addressing everyday hardships faced by communities still lacking reliable power and modern fuels.

The recognition by New African adds to Ayuk’s standing as a prominent figure in Africa’s energy discourse. As debates over development, climate and industrialization continue, he has pledged to remain an outspoken advocate for policies aimed at ending energy poverty and supporting sustainable economic growth across the continent.