2024 Government Attendees

Hon. Gwede Mantashe

Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources Republic of South Africa

Hon. Mamadou Sangafowa-Coulibaly

Minister of Mines, Petroleum and Energy Cote d'Ivoire​

Dr. Bongani Sayidini

COO Petroleum Agency SA (PASA)

Dr. Bongani Sayidini is Chief Operations Officer (COO) at Petroleum Agency SA. He started his Petroleum Industry career 20 years ago as a Production Engineer at PetroSA’s GTL Refinery. He later become a Reservoir Engineer and worked in multi-disciplinary project teams evaluating oil and gas opportunities in Africa.  

He rose up the ranks in Petroleum Engineering and reached the level of Principal Reservoir Engineer responsible for the wells and reservoir management of PetroSA’s indigenous oil fields/and or production optimization; using industry standards dynamic simulation models software such as bEclipse. He subsequently joined PetroSA’s Corporate Strategy and Planning Division as a Strategist/Head of Business Intelligence; where he spent the next 3 years of his career. Bongani rejoined the Upstream E&P in 2013 as Regional Manager – East Africa and was responsible for the identification; and techno-commercial evaluation of oil and gas opportunities in East Africa. Mr. Bongani’s role within PetroSA to expand in 2016 to cover E&P business development across Africa and Rest of the world; including unconventional resources in South Africa.  

Godfrey Moagi

Interim CEO SANPC

Godfrey Moagi is a highly skilled and successful Executive Director with a wealth of experience in the energy industry. Before his appointment as the Interim CEO for the South African National Petroleum Company (SANPC), Mr Moagi was the CEO for the Strategic Fuel Fund Association (SFF).  

His corporate governance experience includes serving as the Executive Director of the CEF Board during his tenure as the Acting Group CEO of CEF as well as the Chairperson of the AEMFC Board, a subsidiary of CEF Group. 

Before joining CEF, he was the General Manager: Integrated Supply & Trading (IST) Africa at BP Oil International based in South Africa where he formed part of the global IST team (incorporating the London and Singapore operations). Prior to this he was Strategy Manager (Light Ends) and Project Director (Condensates Trading Book) at BP Oil International based in London.  He also obtained valuable experience at Air BP (Africa) as General Manager and Logistics Project Manager, Distribution Manager and various roles in Africa Operations during his 18-year stint with BP. 

Dr Marit Y. Kitaw

Interim Director African Minerals Development Centre (AMDC-AU)

Dr. Tshepo Mokoka

Group COO Central Energy Fund (CEF)

Dr. Tshepo Mokoka has considerable experience in strategic entity oversight and stewardship of complex policy and operational processes from his role as a Special Advisor to the Minister of Science and Technology and the Minister of Tourism. In these positions, he also provided expert advice within the Economics Cluster in government to inform sectoral and country growth strategies, including the energy sector. He has professional expertise in macroeconomic and financial modelling and has published several academic articles in internationally recognised peer-reviewed journals. 

Dr. Mokoka’s responsibilities as Group COO entails supporting the Group CEO in strategy development and execution as well as improving the operational efficiency of the CEF Group. During this transitional period, Dr Mokoka is also serving as the Interim CEO for Petroleum Agency SA, a subsidiary of CEF which is responsible for the regulation of the petroleum exploration and production.  

Dr. Titus Mathe

Chief Executive Officer South African National Energy Development Institute (SANEDI)

Joshua Volz

Deputy Assistant Secretary of Energy US Department of Commerce

Joshua Volz is the Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Europe, Eurasia, Africa and the Middle East in the Office of International Affairs at the U.S. Department of Energy.  

Mr. Volz was previously Director for the Office of European and Eurasian Affairs in the Department’s Office of International Affairs. Prior to joining the agency, Mr. Volz led the Eastern Mediterranean team at the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Energy Resources and held numerous positions within the U.S. Department of Defense. He has served in Iraq, Afghanistan, Egypt, Jordan, Israel, and Syria.  

Mr. Volz holds a B.A. in Philosophy and Political Science from Kalamazoo College, an M.S. in National Security Strategy and Resourcing from the National Defense University, and lectures at the Johns Hopkins School for Advanced International Studies.  

Mr. Stephen Dihwa

Executive Director Southern African Power Pool (SAPP)

As Executive Director of the SAPP Coordination Centre I oversee the planning of the interconnected grid, operations of the system, environmental management aspects, project preparation and electricity trading. The Coordination Centre acts as the Market Operator of the SAPP competitive electricity market which currently runs month-ahead, week-ahead, day-ahead and intra-day markets. The region covers the 12 mainland Southern African Development Community (SADC) states. 

Engr William Ferreira de Pina Araujo

Director of Services Ministry of Energy

Dr. Winston O’Young

Senior Policy & International Relations Officer Energy Research & Planning Division, Ministry of Energy & Energy Industries

Dr. Abera Endeshaw Abebe

Senior Advisor to Minister & Lead Foreign Affairs Ministry of Water and Energy

Dr. Ishmael Poolo

Group CEO Central Energy Fund (CEF)

Dr Ishmael Poolo is the Group Chief Executive Officer for CEF, which is a state-owned entity involved in the search for appropriate energy solutions and the holding company of subsidiaries including the Petroleum Agency SA, iGAS, SFF, AEMFC, PetroSA and SANPC whose collective focus are on oil, gas, coal, renewable and clean energy options.  

He is a seasoned executive with over 20 years’ experience in the energy sector with  demonstrable ability and business acumen in initiating projects and delivering sustained results. His strength lies in strategizing and leading cross-functional teams in the improvement of business processes aim at delivering shareholder value – both as a leader and expert consultant in the energy sector. 

Prior to becoming the CEF GCEO, Dr Poolo served as South African Robotics Club Executive Chairperson, Centlec SOC Ltd CEO and Business Development Executive, City of Cape Town Services and Infrastructure Director and Eskom Regional Integration Manager and Property Maintenance and Asset Management Manager. He is also a skilled technician with an Artisan Fitter certificate.

Eng. Charles Sengweni

Director General Petroleum Upstream Regulatory Authority (PURA)

Dr. James Mataragio

Deputy Permanent Secretary of Energy Ministry of Energy

Hon Honourable Gervasio Engonba

Minister of Electricity & Renewable Energy Equatorial Guinea

Hon. Marilyn T. Logan

Director General Liberia Petroleum Regulatory Authority (LPRA)

Felix Bob Ocitti

Senior Policy Officer, Research Oil and Gas Programme Lead, African Energy Commission, African Union African Energy Commission (AFREC-AU)

Felix Bob Ocitti is a Senior Policy Officer in Charge of Research Oil and Gas Programme at the African Energy Commission (AFREC) of the African Union. He overseas energy policy development, advocacy and technical support to AU member states in the oil and gas sector. He previously served as Manager, Operations and Compliance and a Senior Geoscientist at the Petroleum Authority of Uganda (PAU) where he was instrumental in advising the Ministry of Energy and Minerals Development on the award of licences and monitoring compliance of oil and gas companies.  

Felix is a member of the United Nations Expert Group on Resource Management (EGRM) and member of Petroleum Working Group (PWG) under the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), he is also a member of African Minerals and Energy Resource Classification and Management System (AMREC) Working Group.  

He holds a Master’s in Petroleum Geoscience (Development & Production) from Imperial College London UK, Master’s in Petroleum Geology (Exploration) from China University of Geoscience, LLM International Oil and Gas Law and Policy from the University of Dundee UK and a Bachelor of Science, Industrial Chemistry from Makerere University Kampala Uganda.

Alioune Gueye

Chief Executive Officer Petrosen Holding

Hon. Arthur Bertrand Piri

Ministre du Developpement de l`Energie et des Ressources Central African Republic

The downstream oil industry forms an important sector in the country's economy with its annual petroleum tax revenue providing in excess of 50% of government indirect taxes. 

The downstream oil industry forms an important sector in the country’s economy with its annual petroleum tax revenue providing in excess of 50% of government indirect taxes. Oil-derived products supply over 90% of the country’s commercial energy needs. 

In 1997, consumption of petroleum products was in the region of 94,000 tons per annum. The allocation of this consumption per product is as follows (figures from the US Department of Energy): 

 The current energy mix consists of hydro-electric and thermal. Some diesel power and solar photovoltaic panels are also used. Total primary energy supply (2018) was 1,092 ktoe. Biomass: Traditional biomass use for heating and lighting is still prevalent. According to AFREC 2020 statistics, the biomass intensity of the Central African Republic is currently sustainable. No studies have been conducted as to possible biomass uptake in the country. The total final consumption (TFC) in 2018 showed that, biofuel & waste represent 91% followed by oil product and electricity respectively 8% and 1%. 

Hon. Julius Mattai

Minister of Mines and Mineral Resources Sierra Leone

Hon. Olivier Herindrainy Rakotomalala

Minister of Mines and Strategic Resources Madagascar

Hon. Teddy Lwamba Mubba

Minister of Hydraulic Resources and Energy Democratic Republic of Congo

The Democratic Republic of Congo is well endowed with forest area and carbon stocks in forest biomass represent the second largest in the tropical world. Crude Oil production is about 1,074 ktoe as mentioned in the AFREC’s 2020 energy balance. There is no oil refinery in the country and as a result, all refined products including jet fuel and gasoline have to be imported. The total primary energy supply in 2018 was 30,212ktoe .The country produces a modest amount of coal. Hydropower resources are abundant, and the main sources of hydroelectricity are the 2 Inga dams, 140 miles south-west of Kinshasa. Despite having the potential to generate an estimated 40,000-45,000 MW per year just in hydroelectric power. The country’s physical area would require thousands of kilometres of electricity lines to reach users, so the electrification rate is just slightly below 20%. 

Opportunities 

The GDRC has launched a program to develop the energy sector, with the aim of developing the hydroelectric sector and exploiting the power of the numerous rivers in the Congo Basin.  The GDRC welcomes developers to supply power, build the transmission lines, or sell the necessary equipment.  There is also a tremendous need for off-grid electric solutions.  Along with hydroelectric power, the GDRC seeks to build and rehabilitate several geothermal stations across the country.  Several solar investors have explored the DRC market and are in the process of signing MOUs with the government.  The GDRC seeks firms with financing and experience to collaborate with local and parastatal firms to build these power-generating facilities.  

A high priority is rehabilitating Inga I and II’s turbines and building the third phase of the Inga Dam.  The third phase of the dam would generate an estimated 4,400 megawatts, with the bulk of the power supporting copper mining and smelting operations in Haut-Katanga province, and exports to South Africa.  Approximately one third of the expected power would be designated for parastatal utility National Electricity Corporation – Société National d’Électricité (SNEL) - to power Kinshasa.  The GDRC envisions Inga III as a step towards the construction of “Grand Inga,” an eight-dam project that could generate as much as 40,000 megawatts, which could meet most of the African continent’s current energy needs. 

Dr. Bi-Dia-Ayo Ibata

heffe de Division Associations et Relations Tutelle SNPC, Congo

Dr. Bi-Dia-Ayo IBATA, Head of Division of Joint-ventures and Governmental Relations, Société Nationale des Pétroles du Congo. 

Dr. Bi-Dia-Ayo IBATA joined the Société Nationale des Pétroles du Congo (SNPC) in 2009 after obtaining her PhD in Petroleum Economics from the Centre for Energy, Petroleum and Mineral Law and Policy at the University of Dundee in Scotland. She joined the company as an executive in the Portfolio and Joint-Ventures Department and then became Head of the New Business Department, Head of Department of Joint-ventures and Governmental Relations and Coordinator of the non-operated assets management units, before being promoted to her current position. During her studies, she did an internship at the International Energy Agency (IEA) in Paris. Her doctoral thesis was on the valorization of natural gas in the Republic of Congo. 

In 2003, she obtained a Diploma of Applied Studies (DEA) in Energy Economics at the French Petroleum Institute of Rueil-Malmaison in France. 

Dr. IBATA has been awarded the rank of Commander of the Congolese Order of Merit. She is a member of the Board of Directors of SNPC, Société des Forages Pétroliers (SFP) and SNPC DISTIBUTION. 

Hon. Kgosientsho Ramokgopa

Minister of Electricity & Energy South Africa​

Bakary Traoré

Head of the Secretary General's Office African Petroleum Producers' Organization (APPO)

Hon Judith Kapinga

Deputy Minister of Energy Tanzania

Hon Dr. Eng. Habtamu Itefa

Minister of Water and Energy Ethiopia​

Hon Opiyo Wandayi

Cabinet Secretary Kenya

Hon. Nani Juwara

Minister of Petroleum and Energy The Gambia

The Gambia is geologically situated within Mauritania, Senegal, Gambia, [Guinea] Bissau, and [Guinea] Conakry (MSGBC) Basin.  There are four offshore and two onshore oil blocks, and licensing to these blocks is conducted by The Ministry of Petroleum and Energy.  The ministry houses the Gambia National Petroleum Agency (GNPC) which is responsible for fuel storage and supply.  The Gambia depends on imported petroleum to meet its commercial energy needs, including the generation of electricity which relies on the importation of Heavy Fuel Oils (HFOs).  Permits to import HFOs are fully liberalized. The Ministry of Petroleum and Energy engages in direct negotiations and accepts proposals from oil companies that express interest in the country, rather than issuing tenders for companies to submit bids, a process it calls “expensive.” 

The total installed electricity capacity of The Gambia is just over 100 megawatts (MW) with actual generation levels at approximately 40MW and excess demand levels at 50 MW.  Nationwide, approximately 42 percent of Gambians have access to electricity, leaving significant room for growth in the energy market to bolster economic activity throughout the country.  The GOTG’s 2018 Electricity Roadmap coordinates the electricity sector stabilization efforts at the public and private sector levels.   

Opportunities 

There are several opportunities in the energy market with energy listed as a priority sector in the National Development Plan (2018 – 2022).  It seeks to increase installed capacity from 102 to 250 MW by 2025. The World Bank, the African Development Bank and the Islamic Development Bank are each financing projects in The Gambian energy market.  Due to capacity and supply-side constraints in the local industry, virtually all projects funded require procurement of foreign equipment and expertise.  Training of generator technicians at NAWEC is another area where there are opportunities to invest in the energy sector.  These two areas present opportunities in the short term (within the year). 

The renewable energy sector provides significant areas of entry for US businesses.  Currently, all equipment used in the budding solar industry is sourced from China.  However, there is increasing demand for higher quality equipment, which can provide entry opportunities for US exporters.  The renewable energy sector and fast-track power through Heavy Fuel Oils (HFOs) present several opportunities in the medium term. 

Hon Herbert Krapa

Minister of State for Energy Ghana​

Hon. Djami Diallo

Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development Guinea-Conakry

According to AFREC 2020 energy balance, the main primary energy sources that make up the energy mix in Guinea are biomass, and oil while electricity is mainly generated from hydro-electricity sources and fossil thermal sources. With 77% biomass (mostly charcoal) has the largest contribution in primary energy consumption in Guinea. More than 84% of households have access to biomass. All petroleum products consumed in Guinea are imported. Guinea also imports small quantities of LPG; its relatively high price can only be afforded by the wealthiest of buyers. 

The mining industry is the most energy consuming sector in Guinea, as it consumes a majority of the hydrocarbon imports. The industrial sector is the largest electricity consumer, with a share of 48% of national consumption. Other sectors, like household and communication and public sectors, amount to about 46% and 6% respectively of electricity available. The total primary energy supply in 2018 was 5,028ktoe. Despite the high predominance of fuel woods (wood and charcoal) in the energy balance of the country, its actual potential remains unknown. 

Opportunities 

The Guinean government is assessing ways to repair its dilapidated energy grid and may seek new avenues to access petroleum products for its power plants to diversify its energy sources. 

The National Petroleum Agency (SONAP) is also seeking investments in offshore oil & gas exploration in Guinea. 

Hon. H.E Engr. Malam Sambu

Minister of Natural Resources Guinea Bissau​

Hon. Viriato Luis Soares Cassama

Minister of Environment, Biodiversity & Climate Action Guinea Bissau​

Hon. Yacouba Zabre Gouba

Minister of Energy, Mines & Quarries Burkina Faso

Hon. Yema Mimi Sobba-Stephens

Deputy Minister of Environment and Climate Change Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone is moving with great resolve and determination on the road of development and prosperity under the Medium-Term National Development Plan (MTNDP). In line with the MTNDP, the oil and gas sector will play an essential role in transforming Sierra Leone, driving the country's economic development and growth. 

AFREC’s energy balance 2020 show that the total primary energy supply in Sierra Leone was 3134.1 ktoe. Traditional biomass accounts for an estimated 85% of total energy used. Modern energy services, electricity, petroleum products, including LPG, and non-biomass renewable, represent only a small percentage of energy used. Overall, Sierra Leone imports more energy than it outputs and consumes more energy than it produces. There are no indigenous sources of coal or natural gas. There is no oil refinery in Sierra Leone. All petroleum products are currently imported. 

The government has demonstrated a strong commitment to expanding the energy sector despite many major challenges over the past years. The enactment of relevant legislative reforms laid the foundation for the restructuring of the sector, creating the Electricity and Water Regulatory Commission (EWRC) in 2014; unbundling the former National Power Authority (NPA) into the Electricity Generation and Transmission Company (EGTC) and the Electricity Distribution and Supply Authority (EDSA) in 2015; and enabling the development of Independent Power Producers (IPP) projects. The EWRC focuses mainly on the regulatory aspects of the sector and sets tariffs for consumers and tariffs between EGTC and IPPs, while the EGTC focuses on electricity generation and transmission. EDSA holds a monopoly as the single buyer from IPPs and the single seller to consumers. 

Other initiatives undertaken by the government include the establishment of a Rural Renewable Energy Project to support increased access to rural energy resources, a Rural Electricity Board and Rural Electricity Fund to promote and make electrification widely available in all regions, and a Renewable Energy Empowerment Project to develop a knowledge base of existing renewable energy policies. Additionally, the Côte d’Ivoire-Liberia-Sierra Leone-Guinea (CLSG) interconnector project, under the West African Power Pool (WAPP) program, aims to provide an increased supply of electricity to these countries to meet the growing demand and will create an incentive for hydropower potentials that exist in Sierra Leone. 

Opportunities 

Sierra Leone offers investment opportunities in several segments of the energy industry including wind energy, solar energy, hydro, and bioenergy. The Government of Sierra Leone is also seeking infrastructure investment to support expansion of energy distribution and transmission networks. Sierra Leone has good access to natural resources necessary for energy production such as access to viable wind speeds and sunshine for renewable wind and solar projects. The country is also well positioned to support hydro-electric power with high rainfall levels at 2500mm/year. The many rivers with numerous waterfalls and the abundant sunlight for solar energy create considerable capabilities for power generation. U.S. firms command exceptional energy generation expertise and produce high-quality power equipment. This expertise and these products are of priority in the region and are in considerable demand. 

Hon. Dr Ruth Nankabirwa Ssentamu

Minister of Energy and Mineral Development Uganda

Uganda has seen significant investment in the oil sector. In January 2024 Uganda launched its first oil drilling programme, its petroleum agency said, a key milestone as the country races to meet its target of first oil output in 2025. 

The Ugandan government expects that the oil sector development will require several billion dollars of infrastructure investment to build and support a refinery, two central processing facilities, and the 1,445 km EACOP pipeline — the world’s longest heated pipeline. At peak, Uganda plans to produce about 230,000 barrels of crude oil per day. The country’s crude reserves are estimated at 6.5 billion barrels, of which 1.4 billion barrels are recoverable. 

Approximately 1.4 billion of Uganda’s 6.5 billion barrels of proven oil reserves, located mostly on its western border with the DRC, are estimated to be economically recoverable.  

International oil companies are increasingly looking for service subcontractors including engineers, housing construction, road infrastructure design and construction, environmental hazard controls, and vocational training services. The Kingfisher field is part of a $10bn scheme to develop Uganda’s oil reserves under Lake Albert in the west of the country and build a vast pipeline to ship the crude to international markets via an Indian Ocean port in Tanzania. 

Hon. Jeannot Kalima

Minister of Energy & Hydraulic Resources Gabon​

Ibrahim Matola

Minister of Energy Malawi

Hon HRH Prince Lonkhokhela

Minister of Natural Resources & Energy Eswatini

Hon. Abdiwahab Abdi Omar

Deputy Minister of Petroleum & Mineral Resources Somalia

Hon. Charles Umehai

Deputy Minister of Energy Liberia

Hon. Abdirizak Omar Mohamed

Minister of Petroleum & Mineral Resources Somalia

Mehdi Khouili

Programme Lead, Country Support and Capacity Building African Energy Commission, African Union

Mehdi Khouili is the Programme Lead for capacity building, partnerships, and Member States’ support at the African Energy Commission (AFREC) of the African union. 

In his current role, Mehdi spearheads initiatives to enhance capacities, manages strategic partnerships, and coordinates country support efforts across the Continent. His responsibilities include developing and implementing AFREC’s capacity building programmes for AU Member States, Regional Economic Communities, and other stakeholders, while addressing both individual and institutional skills gaps in the African energy sector.  

Mehdi also oversees existing and potential partnerships with African institutions, international organizations, and regional bodies to promote long-term collaboration in energy research and innovation. With over a decade of diverse experience in international development, Mehdi has supported the implementation of key regional programmes in his roles at the African Development Bank, the African Union, and several UN institutions. 

As a licensed engineer, Mehdi has successfully led significant infrastructure and energy projects and programmes across Africa. He is fluent in French, English, and Arabic, and outside work he enjoys traveling and spending quality time with family and friends.   

Moussa Cisse

General Director Société Nationale des Pétroles de Guinée (SONAP)

Mr Ahmed Tejan Bah

Petroleum Geologist Petroleum Directorate of Sierra Leone (PDSL)

Mr Alpha Yaya Ouattara

Director of Exploration and Production of Hydrocarbons Directorate General of Hydrocarbons (DGH)

Mr Bienvenu Kouamé Esse

Director General Directorate General of Hydrocarbons (DGH)

Mr Francis Didier Sodea

Director General of Petroleum Ministry of Mines and Geology

Mr James Namalima

Principal Energy Officer National Oil Company of Malawi

Mr João Lona Tchedna

Director-General Guinea-Bissau Environment Institute

Mr Martin Negonga

Asset Manager National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia (NAMCOR)

Mr Mohamed Amin Haji Hassan

Senior Geophysicist Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources

Mr Padde Semu

Senior Geologist Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development

Mr Pape Samba Ba

Director of Hydrocarbons, Director of Hydrocarbons,

Mr. Ali Khalil Mirza

Board Chairman Zanzibar Petroleum Regulatory Authority (ZPRA)

Mr. Ali Khalil Mirza

Board Chairman Zanzibar Petroleum Regulatory Authority (ZPRA)

Mr. Baboucarr Njie

Managing Director Gambia National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC)

Mr. Buba Bajo

Director, Resource Management The Gambia Petroleum Commission

Mr. Clement Kanyama

Chief Executive Officer National Oil Company of Malawi

Mr. Godluck Shirima

Commissioner for Petroleum and Gas Ministry of Energy

Mr. Halfani Halfani

Board Chairman Petroleum Upstream Regulatory Authority (PURA)

Mr. Issifou Moussa Yari

Managing Director Société Nationale des Hydrocarbures du Benin (SNH

Mr. Joseph C. Otieno

Commissioner for Petroleum Ministry of Energy and Petroleum

Mr. Joseph Wilson

National Petroleum Authority, Director Research, Monitoring & Evaluation

Mr. Maixent Raoul Ominga

Managing Director Société Nationale Des Pétroles Du Congo (SNPC

Mr. Mohamed Zine

Director of Promotion and Hydrocarbon Asset Management National Office of Hydrocarbons and Mines (ONHYM)

Mr. Mohammed Said

Managing Director Zanzibar Petroleum Regulatory Authority (ZPRA)

Mr. Ricardo Corte Real

Senior Geologist ANPG

Mr. Rodrigue Rogandji

Technical Advisor to the Minister Ministry of Oil, Energy and Hydraulic Resources

Mr. Sabieu Sahid Conteh

Senior Accounting Manager Petroleum Directorate of Sierra Leone (PDSL)

Mr. Tukayana Bragança

Negotiations Coordinator ANPG

Mr. Zahor Kassim Mohamed El-Kharousy

Deputy Principal Secretary Ministry of Blue Economy and Fisheries

Mrs. Mansata M. Darboe

Deputy Permanent Secretary Ministry of Petroleum and Energy

Mrs. Naseema Abdullah Ali

Director of Exploration and Production Somalia Petroleum Authority (SPA)

Mrs. Ntokozo Nzimande

Deputy Director General Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE)

Ms Charity Cheruiyot

Manager Upstream Petroleum Exploration, Energy & Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA

Ms Daisy Perreira

Economic, Administrative, Financial and Human Resources Director National Petroleum Agency of Sao Tome and Principe (ANP-STP)

Ms Kimberly Harrington

Deputy Assistant Secretary Bureau of Energy Resources, U.S. Department of State

Ms Thandazile Dlamini

Principal Energy Officer Ministry of Natural Resources & Energy

Ms Veronica Lee

Director, Energy Office, Power Africa (U.S. Agency for International Development)

Ms Xolile Nxumalo

Principal Planning Officer Ministry of Natural Resources & Energy

Nantenaina Rasolonirina

General Manager Office des Mines Nationales et des Industries Stratégiques (OMNIS)

Rashid Ali Abdallah

Executive Director African Energy Commission (AFREC-AU)

Mr. Rashid Ali Abdallah is the Executive Director of African Energy Commission (AFREC) of the African Union, a position he has held since November 2018. Under his leadership, the AFREC has gone through significant transformation both in staff development and continental reach of its flagship programmes, doubling its impact in supporting the African Union Member States.   

Under Mr. Abdallah, AFREC has expanded its initiatives from mainly energy information system to ensuring energy security by expanding its programmes to include renewable energies, enhancing energy efficiency, modernizing African bioenergy, supporting energy transition, promoting clean cooking services in Africa and advancing comprehensive capacity building for African energy sector among others.  

Before taking up the Executive Director role at AFREC, Mr. Abdallah served as the Principle Policy Officer and later Head of the Energy Division at the African Union Commission.   

H.E. Dr. Omar Farouk Ibrahim

Secretary General African Petroleum Producers' Organization (APPO)

Mr Ousman Moussa

Director General of Energy Development Minister of Energy Development & Hydraulic Resources

Dr. Gatluak Ruon Jal

Senior Advisor to Minister & Lead Foreign Affairs, Ethiopia

Egbert Faibille Jnr

CEO Petroleum Commission Ghana

Egbert holds a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) from the University of Ghana, Legon. 
Mr. Faibille Jnr worked with the GNPC during which period he was seconded to the West African Gas Pipeline Project (WAGP) as the Ghana Country Communication Representative of the project.
He subsequently joined the British American Tobacco (BAT) as Corporate & Regulatory Affairs Manager.
He was called to the Bar in October, 2004.
Egbert holds an LLM in Oil and Gas Law from the University of Aberdeen, and a Certificate in Strategic Management of Regulatory and Enforcement Agencies from the John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University.
Mr Faibille Jnr was appointed as Chief Executive Officer of the Petroleum Commission in August, 2017.
He is a member of the Board of the Petroleum Commission and chairs the Local Content Committee. 

Joseph Dadzie

Chief Executive Officer Ghana National Petroleum Corporation

Freddy Gama

Director of Bureau of Studies Guinea Bissau

Pierre Lamah

Executive Secretary National Designated Authority of the Green Climate Fund

Daniel Kiptoo

Director General Energy & Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA), Kenya

Maggy Shino

Petroleum Commissioner Ministry of Mines and Energy Ministry of Mines and Energy

John Uwajumogu

Special Adviser to the President on Industry,Trade & Investment Nigeria

Amb. Nicholas Agbo Ella

Permanent Secretary Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources

Eng. Ziria Waako

Chief Executive Officer Electricity Regulatory Authority

Jean Madzongwe

Transaction Director Southern African Power Pool

Kaman Sadji Diallo

Directeur Général, FAPGAZ Republic of Guinea

Alvaro Silva

Executive Director National Petroleum Agency of Sao Tome and Principe (ANP-STP)

Mohamud Abdulkadir Aden

Chief Executive Officer Somalia Petroleum Authority (SPA)

Ms Marily Logan

Director General Liberia Petroleum Regulatory Agency​

Gbenga Komolafe

Commission Chief Executive, Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC)

Hon. Rufin Benam Beltoungou

Minister of Mines and Geology, Ministry of Mines and Geology Central African Republic

Ms. Ayanda Noah

Group Chairperson Central Energy Fund (CEF)

Thierno Seydou LY

Director General Petrosen E&P

Victoria Sibeya

Executive: Upstream Exploration Namcor

Victoria serves as the Executive for Upstream Exploration at NAMCOR, her role entails leading the Upstream Exploration team in order to grow NAMCOR's hydrocarbon exploration portfolio by developing business opportunities in line with the company strategy. 

She is a Geologist by profession and she holds a Master's degree in Geology from the University of Nambia.

Xolile Sizani

Chief Executive Officer PetroSA

Xolile Sizani is the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Petroleum Oil and Gas Corporation of South Africa (PetroSA) and is a seasoned Senior Executive with over 24 years experience that spans across the Petro-chemical, FMCG, Gases, Engineering, Oil & Gas, Healthcare, Pharmaceutical, Energy, Facilities Management industries and Consulting Services. He has leadership experience and expertise in General Business Management, Strategy Development & Execution, Sales & Marketing, Business Development, Mergers & Acquisitions, Leadership Development & Executive Development, Projects & Engineering Management, Change Management, Process Engineering & Business Process Improvement, SHERQ, Digital Transformation & Technology and Supply Chain.  

Mr. Sizani is recognized by the Engineering Council as a Registered Professional Engineer and holds a Government Certificate of Competency. He has two Master’s Degrees in Mechanical Engineering and Business Leadership and has completed an Executive Development Programme with the Said Business School at Oxford University in London, through Linde University. He is also a member of IoDSA and has completed Being A Director Training with IoDSA and a trained Lean Six Sigma Black Belt.  

He has been appointed as an Executive Director, Non-executive Director, and Chairman of Boards of Directors and Committees in several companies locally and globally. His strengths and passion include, amongst others - Strategy, High Performance, Leadership Development, Business Support & Turnaround, Investment, Risk Management, including several years of experience in Corporate Governance and Ethics. 

Yagouba Traoré

Head of Policy Planning and Strategy African Energy Commission (AFREC-AU)