African Energy - a global issue

As Global Director of Sales for Frontier Energy Network, you’d be forgiven for thinking that my working day is driven by targets. But you’d be wrong.?Yes, I have targets to reach – who doesn’t? But at the heart of my motivation is a genuine desire to make a change through what I do.

Jo’burg born and bred, I am, of course, passionate about Africa and the development of the continent. Perhaps even more so, having been based in the UK for two decades. Absence may make the heart grow fonder, but it also gives me real clarity on how my skills can help make a difference to the place I call home.

For as long as I can remember, my mantra has been pretty simple:

1)????You cannot be number 2

2)????You’ve got to be number 1

This approach synergises perfectly with the team behind the Africa Energies Summit, so it’s no wonder I’m completely passionate about what it can achieve. Our collective aim is to find and facilitate the solution to the challenge of a developing Sub-Saharan Africa, and to do that I believe we need to bring the challenge to the home of the solution. In other words, by holding an African summit in London, we’re providing the governments and NOCs with the opportunity to make is abundantly clear that they are up for this. We know that travelling to the UK requires resources, time and can create significant amounts of administration but it is such a statement of intent from countries who are legitimately looking to find that solution.

But why it the Summit so successful at what it does? Why do the African governments, the NOCs, the operators, the investors, and so many others class it as an indispensable fixture in their calendar?

In my opinion, we have set the Sub-Saharan Africa energy industry on a par with any other regional energy development. Previously for operators and investors, the African energy “issue” was siloed; it was something to be dealt with separately to all other international strategies. So how can a Summit possibly influence a change to this? The real difference is that we’ve provided a holistic approach to the continent’s energy question. If you’re interested in the development of energy across the board, Africa is where the exciting potential lies. The opportunities for success, for in-country development (across all industries) and for genuinely blazing a trail - they’re almost limitless. Mirroring that, we’re bringing all energies to the agenda and providing a balanced platform from which to discuss them. From there, the future becomes clearer.

Africa Energies Summit lets those who are seeking investment showcase their objectives, their strategies and their capabilities in a whole new light. The Summit encourages engagement between those seeking investment and the investors, providing a forum in which to engage and understand each other. It’s a platform for some really ground breaking discussions and debates, and it's the starting point for many a transformative relationship.

The Energy Transition is a global issue. Our job is to ensure that the Africa energy industry is on that global stage.?