Laughable-AEC & Partners Throw Cold Water On Attempts To Derail AEW 24

By Samuel Ouma

The 2024 African Energy remains firmly on course and will take place as scheduled from November 4-8 in Cape Town, South Africa, says the African Energy Chamber-AEC. The reassurance comes in the midst of thinly veiled attempts to stem the surging tide of preparation and cascade of high-profile endorsements with fake flyers on social media announcing the cancelation of the event and urging members to join the increasingly maligned African Oil Week-AOW

“This flat-out childish falsehood from lazy people is the latest attack in a silly season where desperate people have promised to stop at nothing in an effort to tarnish your beloved AEC African Energy Week “ says the AEC Executive Chairman NJ Ayuk in a LinkedIn Post.

Their game of confusion has no place in Africa (they should take it to Dubai, Peckham or Thamesmead) and we don’t or won’t engage in them, NJ Ayuk says.

“We are so focused. We would continue to outwork them. We believe in our energy future. We believe in Energy growth and our energy security and a Just Transition. See you in Cape Town November 4th to 8^th,” the AEC Executive Chairman enthused.

Joining Ayuk in condemnation of the sinister moves are a rapidly growing army of energy aficionados running riot at what is considered a sick joke.

“Very shameful and embarrassing. The evidence of small minds. May they be found and charged for damages. Africa is big, opportunities abound for all but most importantly this event brings opportunities for all Africans, This sabotage does not only serve the perpetrators selfish interest but destroys the benefits that AEW generates for all Africans. Super shallow minds,” said Michael Adjei, an International Business Development Specialist at Órama Corporate Services and Executive Director at Clamic Global Ltd.

“Shameful display. But if haters hate, let them. They even used the dates from last year’s event. They can’t even do a good fake, fumes Ken McGhee International Social Investment & Community Development Practitioner.

The funny thing is that theirs is in October and ours is in November. Yet they tremble, laughs Alexandra Tchomte.

“We as an organization in our area of expertise and contribution, support the AEW and their conference in Cape Town as truly addressing the issues of energy development and assembling the leadership needed to tackle these challenges. We’ve never missed a show, “says Robert W Taylor Vice President and Instructor, Global Business Development at IHRDC

For Francis Oguaju a Global Business Advisor, as long as you have a longer staying power than your detractors, you will be fine. All you need is to remain focused on the goal, and all the funny creatures will keep falling on the wayside.

Announced with pomp and billed as a celebration of thirty years of presence in Africa, questions are being asked on the nature and relevance of the partnership between the London-based entity that runs the AOW and the continent. In 2021, when South Africa and Africa were grappling with the ravages of Covid 19, the African Oil Week turned its back on the continent by relocating from Cape Town to Dubai. The move seemed to have taken the scales off the eyes of many Africans who continue to view the AOW with skepticism.

Despite the change in leadership, the AOW continues to attract criticisms from issues ranging from diversity to vision and overall contribution and relevance to the evolving energy dynamics and stakes for Africa.

“AEW and AOW are two entirely separate events. AEW is solely focused on advancing Africa’s energy sector with an emphasis on inclusivity and local development, unlike events that fail to reflect Africa’s true needs. The Chamber and AEW are driven by a powerful mandate: to eradicate energy poverty by and for the people of Africa. Any confusion or misleading claims are not only false but serve to undermine the genuine progress we are making for Africa,” states NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the AEC.

“The AOW, now under the leadership of Sankofa Events and Paul Sinclair, has different priorities and orientations. In the past, AOW’s actions ­– taking an African event out of Africa and into Dubai­ – have clearly demonstrated a disregard for Africa’s energy sector and its needs. Its failure to adhere to local content policies and the absence of African leadership reveal a troubling preference for external interests over genuine support for Africa’s development. By relocating its event outside of Africa, AOW perpetuated harmful stereotypes and power dynamics, depriving African energy professionals, entrepreneurs and policymakers of a vital platform to drive progress and address critical energy challenges,” says the African Energy Chamber in striking a contrast.

Scheduled from November 4-8 in Cape Town and hosted by the AEC, AEW is dedicated to the advancement of African energy and the development of African talent and resources. Under this year’s theme, Enabling Growth Through and Enabling Environment, AEW’s focus is on the empowerment of Africa’s energy sector, emphasizing inclusivity and growth for the continent. The mission is to ensure that Africa’s energy narrative is led by African voices and that the continent’s potential is fully recognized and utilized, says the AEC .