Conference Agenda Sessions

PANEL DISCUSSION: Building the African operators of the future

Africa is seeing the rise of several new E&P companies that are set to become an integral part of its energy future in both established markets and new frontiers. Africa's independents landscape is diversifying with several countries now boasting their own local upstream operators while the continent keep attracting international independents. In this exclusive session, we gather E&P operators to talk about their needs, strategies and growth ambitions in the coming decade. 

Key areas of discussion:  

• What strategies have been most effective for independent E&P companies to enter the market and expand their operations, and what are the key challenges they face in doing so? 
• How can indigenous African E&P companies enhance their technological capabilities and expertise to compete with established international players, and what role do partnerships and collaborations play in achieving this? 
• What are the main barriers local and international independents encounter in accessing financing and investment, and what initiatives or mechanisms can be put in place to support their growth and sustainability 
• How can governments in Africa create an enabling environment and provide adequate support for the growth of medium-sized operators, including regulatory frameworks, local content policies, and fiscal incentives? 

PANEL DISCUSSION   Local Content: Exploring Regional Cooperation Avenues to Incentivise Foreign Inv

As local content requirements become more stringent, African countries must ensure that regulations strike an appropriate balance between building local-industry capacity and reducing costs without deterring foreign investments. In this conundrum, regional cooperation offers attractive opportunities for knowledge sharing, technology transfers and the sharing of best practices. We bring together organisations and representatives from some of the continent's most active services associations to discuss the right balance between protecting and growing local industries while remaining attractive to foreign investments across the value-chain. 

 
Key areas of discussion:  
•    What are the critical elements of an effective local content policy in the African hydrocarbons industry, and how can governments ensure successful implementation to maximize local participation and benefits? 
•    How can African countries collaborate regionally to enhance skills development and training programs tailored to the needs of the hydrocarbons sector, ensuring a skilled workforce capable of supporting local content goals? 
•    What strategies can be employed to facilitate technology transfer and promote local innovation in the African hydrocarbons industry, and how can regional cooperation support these efforts? 
•    How can regional integration and collaboration among African countries strengthen the local supply chain for the hydrocarbons sector, from upstream exploration to downstream services and manufacturing?