ARDA Executive Secretary Anibor Kragha Highlights Company Achievements in 2024

By Samuel Ouma

The African Refiners & Distributors Association (ARDA) marked a transformative year in 2024, celebrating significant milestones, partnerships, and advocacy efforts for Africa’s downstream energy sector.

In a reflective end-of-year message, Executive Secretary Anibor Kragha stated the Association’s accomplishments and shared plans for ongoing growth in 2025.

This year, ARDA enhanced its presence and influence, with Mr. Kragha visiting 13 countries, including nine across Africa, to connect with members, sponsors, and stakeholders. These interactions have been crucial in building collaborations and promoting shared objectives within the continent's energy sector.

The year kicked off with ARDA's participation in prominent energy discussions, such as the OPEC-Africa Energy Dialogue at the Egypt Energy Show (EGYPES) in Cairo and the London Energy Forum during International Energy Week.

In April, ARDA Week in Cape Town stood out as a major success, attracting representatives from over 45 countries, making it the Association's most-attended conference in years. This event also saw the launch of ARDA's first Investment Forum, a strategic initiative aimed at drawing funding to Africa's downstream sector.

A pivotal moment occurred in May when ARDA, in collaboration with the Global LPG Partnership (GLPGP), unveiled a groundbreaking $1 billion fund at the International Energy Agency’s Summit on Clean Cooking in Africa in Paris. This fund is designed to enhance investments in LPG and renewable bioLPG, promoting sustainable and low-carbon solutions for the continent.

“In May, in partnership with the Global LPG Partnership (GLPGP), we announced a $1 billion fund at the IEA’s Summit on Clean Cooking in Africa in Paris,” said Anibor Kragha.

During the summer, ARDA delegations travelled to Senegal and Côte d'Ivoire, setting the stage for two significant autumn forums: the Storage & Distribution and Jet Fuel Forum in Addis Ababa, along with the inaugural LPG Forum in Abidjan. Both events were celebrated as major successes and are expected to be key highlights in ARDA’s future calendar.

In October and November, ARDA ramped up its efforts for a fair energy transition at several prominent events, such as the Angola Oil & Gas conference in Luanda and Africa Energy Week in Cape Town. During COP 29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, ARDA highlighted essential factors for adopting clean cooking solutions, underscoring the downstream sector’s contribution to Africa’s economic development.

Training was a key focus in 2024, with two ARDA training sessions taking place in Abidjan in November. Sponsored by Soudotec and Neuman & Esser, these events prioritized knowledge sharing and capacity building among participants.

ARDA wrapped up the year with a significant presence at the inaugural SIREXE conference in Abidjan. This pioneering event showcased the interconnected roles of the mining, petroleum, and renewable sectors within Africa's energy framework.

Building on the achievements of 2024, ARDA is preparing for ARDA Week 2025, themed “Africa First: Delivering Our Energy Future.” The Association is committed to continuing its efforts to unite stakeholders, exchange best practices, and advocate for a fair energy transition throughout the continent.

“Our focus remains on expanding our vibrant, unified community of downstream energy sector stakeholders, sharing best practices, and contributing to a just and equitable energy transition in Africa,” he noted.