By Ajong Mbapndah L & Samuel Ouma
The African Energy Chamber (AEC) on July 17 announced French multinational integrated energy and petroleum company, TotalEnergies as Diamond Sponsor.
In a statement, AEC said the French company will also be the Sustainable Energy Partner for African Energy Week (AEW) 2023, slated for October 16-20 in Cape Town, South Africa.
As an AEW partner, TotalEnergies will support the high-level panel discussions, country spotlight sessions and networking events.
The company will also showcase its latest advancements in renewable energy technologies and local content, driving various workshops and collaborative discussions.
“We are delighted to welcome TotalEnergies as a Diamond Sponsor and the Sustainable Energy Partner for AEW,” states NJ Ayuk, the Executive Chairman of the AEC.
“Whether it is conducting exploration in North Africa or making discoveries in West Africa or driving large-scale LNG facilities in East Africa, TotalEnergies represents a worthy partner for our continent.”
According to NJ Ayuk, TotalEnergies remains one of the companies that has become one of Africa's largest taxpayers and employers, with most of its operations in Africa spearheaded by Africans.
He further noted that the company has empowered Africans to take on leadership and drive developments. More is expected from them as AEC drive gas development and energy security across the continent.
“Their global leadership in the energy sector and commitment to sustainable development align perfectly with the goals and vision of Africans,” added Mr. Ayuk.
The corporation will use the sponsorship to promote Africa's energy industry, support sustainable development efforts, and usher in a new age of energy security and economic success.
It is also anticipated to deliver economical, clean, and dependable energy solutions that contribute to African people's well-being and the continent's growth.
TotalEnergies has established a comprehensive plan focusing on increasing overall operating efficiency and supporting sustainability to achieve Net Zero by 2050 while advancing energy security and resilience.
It is also taking steps such as streamlining processes, technologies, and infrastructure to reduce energy waste and the company's carbon footprint.
Furthermore, the energy company targets local content, significant advancements, and collaborations, adopting a 'Africa-first' strategy for industry growth and investment.
The firm further prioritizes environmental, social, and governance issues and inclusion and opportunity for women and youth in Africa's energy sector.
TotalEnergies has recorded several achievements in Africa. In Nigeria, TotalEnergies is active in several areas, including oil and gas exploration, production, natural gas liquefaction, and retail operations.
The firm has five exploration licenses in South Africa, a refinery, and a stake in the Prieska the sun's project. It was also responsible for two significant gas finds in 2019 and 2020: Brulpadda and Luiperd.
TotalEnergies has been present in Libya for over 60 years, with stakes in various oil concessions, including the Al Jurf, El Sharara, Waha, and Mabruk fields, as well as the Murzuk basin.
The energy company has worked in Algeria since 1952, holding many oil and gas fields. TotalEnergies distributes gas to the French market through its producing fields via the Fos Cavaou LNG facility.
TotalEnergies also has a significant position in the Egyptian energy sector, with stakes in the Ikdu LNG facility (Train 1), two offshore oil exploration blocks in the Mediterranean, and two solar projects under development.
The energy company is leading the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) and the Tilenga project in Uganda. The 1,443-kilometer-long EACOP is essential for moving oil from Uganda's Kingfisher and Tilenga oilfields to international markets via Tanzania.
Further south, TotalEnergies is making headway on the Mozambique LNG project, a $20 billion project aimed at producing up to 12.8 million tons of LNG per year.
It also worked with QatarEnergy and NAMCOR in Namibia's Orange Basin, resulting in substantial oil finds, including Venus-1X.
Established in 2021 under the premise to make energy poverty history by 2030, African Energy Week (AEW) is the African Energy Chamber’s annual event, uniting African energy leaders, global investors and executives from across the public and private sector for four days of intense dialogue on the future of the African energy industry.
The interactive conference, exhibition and networking event, panel discussions, investor forums, industry summits and one-on-one meeting opportunities are tailored to bolster key discussions that will reshape the trajectory of the continent’s energy development.
Representing the Southeast African region at African Energy Week (AEW) will be Clement Fleury, a Senior Exploration Geophysicist who is expected to bring forth his rich background, expertise, and extensive involvement in TotalEnergies’ endeavors in Africa. With a decade of experience at TotalEnergies, Fleury has been instrumental in advancing the field of geophysics and contributing to the success of various energy projects across the globe. His proficiency and extensive knowledge make him an ideal candidate to address the pressing energy challenges faced by the African continent. His insights and contributions are poised to shape sustainable solutions for Africa’s energy future, says the African Energy Chamber.
Under the theme The African Energy Renaissance: Prioritizing Energy Poverty, People, the Planet, Industrialization, and Free Markets, AEW 2023 returns bigger and better than ever before, serving as the official meeting place for Africa’s energy elite. At the forefront of the African energy industry, AEW promotes the role Africa plays in global energy matters, centered around African-led dialogue and decision making. Covering the entire energy sector and value chain, AEW represents the only conference on the continent representative of the entire sector.
The endorsement of TotalEnergies is the latest in the cascade of key energy actors and stakeholders from across the globe who have confirmed presence and participation at the AEW 2023.