Finance, Logistics, Technology Experts Join African Energy Week 2024 as Commercial Energy Opportunities Unfold

As countries accelerate the pace of project development in Africa, the demand for legal, financial and logistics services continues to grow

With Africa’s energy demand on track to grow more than three-fold by 2040, investments are being directed towards large-scale, near-field development opportunities. The continent’s natural gas sector alone anticipates a more than $800-billion, 20-year upstream capital expenditure program while frontier discoveries and incremental production efforts are expected to bolster output in both emerging and mature oil markets.

As projects continue to be driven forward, the demand for supportive services such as legal, financial, logistics, technological and market intelligence is at an all-time high. Companies from across these industries have joined the African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energy conference – scheduled for November 4-8 in Cape Town – to discuss the impact of foreign investment in Africa and how associated industries can support the pace and success of project rollout.

While African oil and gas resources have been historically exported as raw materials, efforts to reduce the reliance on imported petroleum by scaling-up regional refining and distribution have created significant opportunities for service providers and logistics firms. At the same time, to reduce emissions across oil and gas projects while concurrently advancing operational efficiency, project developers are seeking newfound technological expertise, highlighting a vital opportunity for tech companies. Logistics, technology and service providers will provide further insight into these opportunities at AEW: Invest in African Energy 2024. Speakers include:  

• Cesare Canevese, CEO, Dietsmann Maintaining Energy
• Johann Jansen van Rensburg, Senior Director, NOV
• Kristian Johansen, CEO, TGS ASA
• Landry Pouna, Operations Director, KAESO Energy Services
• Mahesh Swaminathan, Senior Vice President – Global Business Vertical Head, Member of EXCOM, McDermott International
• Naphtally Mafa, Managing Director, African Resources Development
• Winstone Jordaan, Managing Director, GridCars

The global energy market is both complex and in a constant state of fluctuation owing to shifting geopolitics, supply-demand dynamics and the emergence of new players in international supply chains. For African investors and projects, this complexity offers newfound challenges and opportunities and global market intelligence firms stand ready to support decision-making. During AEW: Invest in African Energy, representatives from S&P Global Commodity Insight, Wood Mackenzie, Rystad Energy and more will provide insight into market trends and forecasts. Speakers include:

• Ashutosh Singh, Head of Energy Transition, S&P Global Commodity Insight
• Atul Atya, Senior Vice President and Chief Energy Strategist, S&P Global Commodity Insight
• Carlos Torres Diaz, Senior Vice President, Rystad Energy
• Daniel Evans, Vice President, Global Head, Fuels and Refining, S&P Global Commodity Insight
• Etienne Kolly, Associate Director, Upstream Intelligence, S&P Global Commodity Insight
• Gavin Thompson, Vice Chairman, Europe, Middle East & Africa, Wood Mackenzie
• Ian Thom, Direction, Upstream Research, Wood Mackenzie
• Justin Cochrane, Head of African Upstream Research, S&P Global Commodity Insights
• Mansur Mohammed, Head of West Africa Upstream Research, Wood Mackenzie
• Mike Wynne, Vice President, Upstream Solutions, S&P Global Commodity Insight
• Nivedh Das Thaikoottathil, Renewables & Power Analyst, Rystad Energy
• Pranav Joshi, Vice President and Analyst, Rystad Energy
• Rehan Burger, Associate Director, S&P Global Commodity Insights

Meanwhile, to support project development, a number of legal, finance and advisory organizations are strengthening their presence in Africa, engaging with project developers and governments alike to advance energy access. From providing legal support in contracts and deals to facilitating dialogue among stakeholders to mobilizing capital for SMEs, projects and communities, these organizations play a central part in alleviating energy poverty in Africa. At AEW: Invest in African Energy, speakers from these industries will include:

• Chanine Williams, Senior Investment Manager, Norfund
• Gabriel Onagoruwa, Partner, Olaniwun Ajayi
• Ibitola Ukabam, Associate Vice President, Natural Resources, Africa Finance Corporation
• Leoncio Amada NZE, Executive President, African Energy Chamber: CEMAC Region
• Mpho Makwana, Chairman, Epitome Investments
• Nadège Hopman, Deputy Head of Regional Representation, European Investment Bank
• Olumide Ogunfowora, Founding Partner, Argentil Capital Management
• Osam Lyahen, Director, Africa Finance Corporation
• Peter George, Partner and Investment Director, Spark+ Africa Fund
• Sergio Pugliese, Executive President, Angola, the African Energy Chamber
• Tominiyi Owolabi, Managing Partner, Olaniwun Ajayi
• Wole Lawuyi, Chief Investment Officer, African Development Bank Group