By Ajong Mbapndah L In an era of high stakes in the energy sector, Africa is sending strong signals that rather than its typical traditional role of spectator, the continent is ready and resolute to become a player. While the indicators on this trend are many, the emergence of the African Energy Week has given the African voice the critical jolt that was needed to amplify this new dawn. An appendage of the African Energy Chamber, and only in its second year, the African Energy week taking place in Cape Town, South Africa from 18-21 October is one of the most sought-after energy events in the continent. With the ringing endorsement and strong participation of power players across the continent, and the teeming presence of key actors from all corners of the globe, the African Energy Week is one of the most appropriate barometers to measure the changing dynamics of the energy sector in Africa. No Longer Business As Usual When the African Oil Week-AOW fled from Cape Town to Dubai for its 2021 edition citing COVID 19 restrictions, the backlash was not only so strong, but precipitated the emergence of the African energy week. “Delivering the event to the high standard to which our audience is accustomed and ensuring the safety and wellbeing of our attendees has always been our top priority. We believe that hosting the 2021 edition in Dubai will enable us to ensure that the event experience is both safe and premium for our customers,” the AOW said in a statement posted on their website in justification of the move. Reactions did not take long to come with the African Energy Chamber led by NJ Ayuk leading the charge in calling for a stronger commitment to conferences of African nature being held on African terrain. Mothballing a conference in South Africa, an African nation that has handled the Covid-19 pandemic remarkably well, is a clear sign of opportunism and detachment from the pledge to support African venues and our continent, the Chamber lashed out. [caption id="attachment_101144" align="alignnone" width="2500"] Through AEW 2021, we demonstrated that Africa is ready and capable to hold a continent-wide energy event in Africa , says AEC Executive Chairman NJ Ayuk[/caption] “While Dubai is a fabulous venue in its own right, we do believe that events of African nature should show strong commitment to African communities, cities, and the local workforce. An event of the magnitude of Africa Oil Week is a big local employer. Reneging on its long-standing partner, the African people and the continent, is a truly unfortunate sign of disinterest in African values of trust, loyalty and companionship, and is in fact very unscrupulous in nature,” said NJ Ayuk, Executive Chair of the African Energy Chamber. “Keeping to Covid-19 travel restrictions and how they have particularly placed a strenuous burden on the conferencing industry, there are smart ways to hold hybrid conferences of both online and offline nature. Further, vaccination rates are increasing rapidly across the Northern hemisphere, which would allow business travelers to visit South Africa in a safe manner by November,” Ayuk added. The discontent from the African Energy Chamber on the AOW decision resonated with many Africans who used diverse platforms to call for the prioritization of African venues for African events. The event’s move from Cape Town to Dubai was wrong, short-term in its thinking, and sent a negative message about Africa, said Florival Mucave, President of Mozambican Oil and Gas Chamber (CPGM). “The move underestimates our preparedness to host events that define our future economic and energy sector success. Imagine the Africa Cup of Nations football tournament being hosted in Dubai because one company says Africa is not the right place anymore because of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Mucave said in condemnation of the relocation. The excuses and final decision to move the event were both unacceptable and wrong and sent a message that when things are hard because of COVID-19, Africa should be abandoned for other locations irrespective of the loyalty and the sponsorship Africa had shown for more than two decades, Mucave charged. “As a former Patron of the African Institute of Petroleum, I concur that a move of AOW from an African location to any other continent is not just disrespectful to Africans whose resources are being talked about, but considerably delusional,” fumed Robin Vela, Chairman, Lonsa Group Limited, Mauritius. “I thought I was the only one who saw something very wrong with this decision. Africa as a continent is the least affected by COVID in the whole world, we have lesser death rates, came up with several initiatives and innovations to tackle the scourge. In my opinion, Africa handled the pandemic even better than the rest of the world, so why should the continent be counted out on grounds of the global pandemic,” Margaret Nongo -Okojokwu , a 2017 Mandela Washington Fellow and social entrepreneur from Nigeria questioned. To the CEO of Turaco Aviation Group Abdul Bigirumwami from Rwanda ,African events should stay in Africa, Rwanda had handled the COVID-19 pandemic well and could support such events. For Senior Tax and Legal Counsel from Senegal Abdoulaye DIA, “we cannot make Africa without Africans and out of Africa.” “This is so sad for our struggling South African Event/Expo Industry. It’s all about money and bugger everyone else. “Africa” Oil Week… Dubai has never been or will ever be in Africa. Change the name of the event,” Simon Aubrey Onsite, Project / Site Manager for Overlay of Exhibitions / Sport Events opined. Beyond the criticisms on moving the AOC to Dubai, the controversial decision has prompted the Africa Energy Chamber to start exploring other avenues on what it perceives as injustice, its chairman said in statement. “As a first step, the Chamber will encourage, advocate and provide support for an energy event in October or November this year with African ministries, entrepreneurs, NOC’s, IOC’s, Civil society and possibly four African heads of States. The Chamber will continue to be the voice of the sector and work towards building bridges that bring together governments and companies in the African energy industry to find a common ground.,” the AEC said in a statement which metamorphosed into the announcement of the maiden edition of the African Energy Week in Cape Town from 9-12 November 2021. [caption id="attachment_101145" align="alignnone" width="2048"] The way forward is for Africa to make the most of its existing and applicable resources, said South Africa's Gwede Mantashe[/caption] A Wining Start For the AEC, the event was meant to unite African and Global energy stakeholders, drive industry growth, and promote Africa as the destination for Africa focused events. That the event actually took place was a strong motive of satisfaction for the chamber, a restoration of wounded African pride, and a palpable message that the continent meant business about taking ownership of its energy fortunes. “Cape Town, South Africa, has always been the welcoming home of the African energy industry. They said it was not possible, and it could not be done in Africa, that it was not the right time to meet together and talk about the issues we face as Africans. At the end of the day, it is about people, and this is why we are hosting the event in Cape Town. We are going to have an energy transition, there is no question about that, but it has to be just, and we are not going to apologize for that. While some people believe we should give up our natural resources, at this time, Africa is going to be the voice of humanity. As we hold various dialogues in Cape Town, it is time for us to stand together. We have to take some responsibility to do better, and drive better,” said NJ Ayuk Executive Chairman of the AEC in flagging off the event. Defying the challenging regime imposed by the COVID -19 pandemic, the remarks of other speakers vindicated the AEC on its doggedness in organizing the AEW. “We at APPO believe that Africa’s position in fossil fuels should be respected. As early as the 1900’s, we knew that emissions from fossil fuels were affecting the climate, but concerns were ignored and suppressed by industrialized nations who needed the fossil fuels. A century later, when these countries have succeeded in developing, people suddenly remembered that these fossil fuels are bad. While not denying the changing climate and Africa’s contribution, why must we abandon fossil fuel resources and fail to make use of these resources like the developed nations already have? Since the world seems to be united in tackling the menace of climate change, it is only fair that the world works with the African continent, especially oil and gas, to enhance fossil fuels in a practical manner to make fossil fuels environmentally friendly,” said Dr Omar Farouk Ibrahim, Secretary General, African Petroleum Producers Association (APPO). [caption id="attachment_101146" align="alignnone" width="1280"] The world should work with the African continent to enhance fossil fuels in a practical manner to make fossil fuels environmentally friendly, said Dr Omar Farouk[/caption] Welcoming Delegates to Cape Town, Gwede Mantashe, Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy, did not mince words in articulating the position of the South African government. “Africa and the world were confronted by a global pandemic, and for developing nations, the challenges are untold. Our view is that natural gas will be part of the transition, and yet we are told that all fossil fuels are bad. Africa must position its oil and gas at the forefront of global energy. When we commit to net zero, we do so with the reality that energy can guarantee economic growth and industrialisation. The way forward is for Africa to make the most of its existing and applicable resources. The African continent must develop new technology and strategies to ensure it continues to develop its resources,” he said. With the presence of high-profile continental power players like Bruno Jean-Richard Itoua, Minister of Hydrocarbons, Republic of the Congo; Gabriel Mbaga Obiang Lima, Minister of Mines and Hydrocarbons, Equatorial Guinea; Tom Alweendo, Minister of Mines and Energy, Namibia. Mahamane Sani Mahamadou, Minister of Petroleum, Energy and Renewable Energies, Niger. Ernesto Max Elias Tonela, Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy, Mozambique; Diamantino Azevedo, Minister of Mineral Resources, Petroleum and Gas, Angola. Puot Kang Chol, Minister of Petroleum, South Sudan; . Mohamed Oun, Minister of Oil and Gas, Libya; and Dr Mohammed Amin Adam, Deputy Minister of Energy, Ghana, Mallam Mele Kolo Kyari, Group Managing Director & CEO, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Nigeria, the African Energy Chamber scored a home run with the maiden edition of the African Energy Week. For these leaders, it was not a safari trip to Cape Town as each of them came with a message to the world on the African take on the energy debate. “It is so important to be discussing issues faced in Africa on the African continent. AEW 2021 comes at a time where drastic action is required in order to accelerate energy developments and electrify Africa. Representing the first and only Africa-focused energy event to take place in Africa in 2021, AEW 2021 will serve as a catalyst that will help transform the African energy space, making energy poverty alleviation a reality by 2030. With national electricity plans being implemented across the continent, and the widespread redirecting towards renewable power generation alternatives, significant developments have emerged within the solar, wind, and hydroelectric industries,” said Tom Alweendo, Minister of Mines and Energy, Namibia None of us is against renewable energy. But we are all saying, and continue to repeat ourselves, that it must be inclusive, equitable, and we must all sit on the table and agree, said Puot Kang Chol, Petroleum Minister of South Sudan. “South Sudan’s budget depends on oil by 98%. Yes, we need to transition and are committed to it. But if the basic reason is that it affects human life, those of us that cannot produce what we have will suffer, making it even more important that it is a process and is inclusive. For the first time ever, South Sudan will hold its first oil license block featuring five open blocks in June 2021, inviting investors to present and explore. And yes, I am promoting it and inviting people to bid. Of the two blocks that we have offered, they have been offered to Africans,” Minister Chol affirmed. [caption id="attachment_101147" align="alignnone" width="1912"] Equatorial Guinea’s Minister of Mines and Hydrocarbons Gabriel Mbaga Obiang Lima put the world on notice that Africa is the least polluter[/caption] We are here because we care and are able to represent our countries in discussing important matters said Equatorial Guinea’s Minister of Mines and Hydrocarbons Gabriel Mbaga Obiang Lima. Our countries have unfinished business with development, and it is unfathomable that I will go to Houston or Dubai to discuss problems about electricity in Africa because they will not understand, he went on. Minister Gabriel Mbaga Obiang Lima also made the point of putting the world on notice that Africa is the least polluter. The robust discussion at AEW 2021 were spiced with important side events, networking sessions, and deals to foster Africa’s energy growth, and by proxy, enhanced partnerships and domestic capacity. In light of the lucrative opportunities in Africa, international delegations from Germany, Russia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Norway and Canada, and more attended AEW 2021 Here To Stay If the African Energy Chamber thought the AEW was going to be a onetime thing, its tremendous success led to a change of plans. Before leaving Cape Town, the Chamber reassured participants that there will be another edition of the African Energy Week in 2022. With preparations in high gear for the 18-22 October 2022 edition, there has been a surge in the number of confirmed participants and partners. “In 2021, they said it could not be done in Cape Town and we all must go to Dubai. With massive support from the City of Cape Town, the government of South Africa IOC’s and NOC’s and alternative energy companies, we demonstrated that Africa is ready and capable to hold a continent-wide energy event in Africa and we held the largest event on the continent. Even in the midst of the pandemic, AEW took place, ushering in a new era of safe, accessible, and industry-focused events. This year will be huge for the African energy industry. We expect a range of investments to be made and developments to take off that will drive the continent’s economic advancement,” says NJ Ayuk. [caption id="attachment_101148" align="alignnone" width="624"] NJ Ayuk and a delegation of the AEC with President Felipe Nyusi. The President of Mozambique is expected to address the AEW 2022[/caption] “During this year’s edition of AEW, an emphasis will be placed on finance, natural gas, electrification, hydrogen, upstream and a just transition as we believe these sectors have a specific role to play in Africa. By developing our gas resources, Africa can meet the growing demand for energy while reducing emissions. From AEW 2022, we will be going to COP27 to meet with global leaders and discuss African energy – from Cape to Cairo,” Ayuk says. With energy representing a catalyst for sustainable economic progress, AEW 2022 aims to drive the continent into a new era of enhanced industry growth by providing the best platform for deals to be signed and relationships formed that will improve investment and development. The African Energy Chamber believes that as the continent continues to deal with reduced funding for hydrocarbon projects, AEW 2022 will offer new insights into how Africa’s oil and gas projects can raise capital in a post-COVID-19, energy transition context. In pursuit of this lofty ideals, panel discussions and investor forums will place a focus on finance, enabling environments, and the role that African Energy Banks will play in financing the future of the industry. By introducing African stakeholders to innovative capital raising, AEW 2022 is committed to the growth of African oil and gas. “Regarding gas, Africa is not only rich with resources but opportunities. Markets such as Nigeria, Mozambique, Mauritania, Senegal, Tanzania, Equatorial Guinea, the Republic of the Congo, and Ghana have significant untapped resources. Already, there has been an influx in investment and development within the gas sector, and yet a range of opportunities remain, particularly within the gas-to-power and Liquefied Natural Gas space. AEW 2022, therefore, has placed a strong emphasis on the role that gas will play in electrifying Africa, driving socio-economic growth and industrialization for years to come. By introducing project profiles, highlighting key discoveries, and emphasizing how gas will drive a just transition in Africa, AEW 2022 has placed gas at the center of its program agenda,” the AEC said in a statement touting the merits of AEW 2022. [caption id="attachment_101149" align="alignnone" width="624"] Some African National Oil Companies participants at AEW 2021. We expect a range of investments to be made and developments that will drive the continent’s economic advancement,says NJ Ayuk.[/caption] Over the years and in between events, the African Energy Chamber has been one of the most vocal and credible voices in the articulation of African themed energy issues, stakes and perspectives. It has spared no efforts in the defence of African interests, marketing opportunities, representing the continent on challenging turfs, facilitating dialogue with key stake holders, sourcing for new investments and more. Connoisseurs of the energy industry see it noble that the premier energy event in the continent today should have the imprimatur of the Chamber. Meanwhile as preparations enter fever pitch for the 18-21 October 2022 edition of the AEW, the African Energy Chamber has already inked a date for AEW 2023. Billed for October 16-20, Chairman NJ Ayuk is already promising that the 2023 event will be even bigger and better than before and will highlight major achievements, developments, deals and discoveries made throughout the African continent. “AEW 2023 will be the place for investors to be introduced to African opportunities, driving the continent’s energy transformation and associated socio-economic growth. Next year’s event will further highlight the role that enabling environments will play in attracting investment and make a strong case for ease of doing business in Africa’s energy sector. AEW 2023 will continue to be the beacon and platform where discussions and actions about making energy poverty history by 2030 will take place,” says NJ Ayuk. *Culled from September Issue Of PAV Magazine