Africa Oil Week (AOW) – an Africa-hosted oil and gasoline convention – will probably be acquired by Sankofa Occasions, a London startup created in July 2024, led by Paul Sinclair – former Authorities Relations Government of Africa Oil Week. Aimed toward reworking the occasion, the acquisition will see the convention take a brand new course because it continues to advertise funding and improvement throughout the African vitality sector. Representing the voice of the African vitality sector, the African Vitality Chamber (AEC) (https://EnergyChamber.org) views this strategic acquisition as a vital step in the direction of creating extra inclusive dialogue relating to African vitality issues. Below new possession, AOW has the prospect to redefine itself as an occasion that isn’t solely African-based however African-driven.
For over 25 years, AOW has held an annual occasion in South Africa centered round supporting funding in African oil and gasoline tasks. Whereas the occasion has performed a job in facilitating dialogue between African and international stakeholders, the choice to maneuver the occasion to Dubai following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021 dropped at consideration the dearth of respect for the continent. Whereas Africa – particularly South Africa – was well-equipped and totally able to internet hosting a global convention in a protected and productive method, the choice to take the dialog about African vitality out of the continent successfully silenced and marginalized African voices. This was particularly devastating given the truth that at a time when Africa most-needed funding, it was omitted of the dialogue.
The repercussions of AOW’s resolution have been far-reaching and damaging. It perpetuated the notion that African points are higher addressed outdoors of Africa, reinforcing dangerous stereotypes and energy dynamics. Furthermore, it disadvantaged African vitality professionals, entrepreneurs, key gamers, policymakers and African residents of a vital platform to drive progress. By prioritizing comfort and revenue over precept and solidarity, AOW betrayed its dedication to Africa’s vitality improvement. Regardless of the concentrate on many African nations and their potential in vitality, most have been unable to journey to the occasion because of COVID-19-related journey restrictions. As such, the transfer to Dubai was a painful reminder of the business’s historic exploitation and neglect of African pursuits.
“To attain its objectives of changing into an electrified and industrialized economic system, Africa wants collaboration, unity and partnerships. The choice to maneuver AOW to international soil straight opposed all of those features. Sankofa Occasions has a novel and strategic alternative to show this convention round, addressing polarization and divisions perpetuated by earlier possession,” acknowledged NJ Ayuk, Government Chairman of the AEC.
Now, Sankofa Occasions – by means of its acquisition of AOW – goals to deal with this unjust resolution head-on by reworking the occasion into an African-led platform. The acquisition not solely creates the chance for a change in possession however the introduction of contemporary views that align intently with Africa’s objectives as a continent. Led by an African startup, AOW has the prospect to redefine its narrative and play a extra central position in driving impactful change in Africa.
“As a number one advocate for Africa’s vitality improvement, the AEC appears ahead to working with Sankofa Occasions to advertise the continent’s vitality potential, foster financial progress and improve cooperation amongst African vitality stakeholders. We consider that this new chapter for AOW will contribute to a extra unified and affluent vitality group in Africa,” added Ayuk.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Vitality Chamber.