Uche Cecil Izuora
Sahara Group has urged leaders in Africa to take bold and immediate interventions powered by innovation, collaboration, and equity to advance the continent’s march towards energy security and sustainable development.
Speaking ahead of the African Refiners & Distributors Association (ARDA) Week 2025, Wale Ajibade, Executive Director, Sahara Group urged the adoption of actionable strategies that will empower Africa to achieve universal energy access, address critical infrastructure gaps, and propel an energy transition that takes cognizance of Africa’s developmental goals.
Led by Ajibade, Sahara’s delegation to ARDA 2025, holding in Cape Town, South Africa, from 7 – 11, 2025, includes, Alex Cole, Director, Sahara Group, Nomnso Dike, CEO, Asharami Synergy (a Sahara Group Downstream Company), and Tolu Fadipe, Sahara Group General Counsel, among others.
Themed “Africa First: Delivering Our Energy Future,” Bethel Obioma, Head, Corporate Communications, Sahara Group, said the conference will give Sahara and other stakeholders an opportunity to galvanize action towards “bringing energy to life responsibly to all Africans, leaving no one behind.”
Obioma, Sahara Group’s speaking delegation will reinforce the need for Africa to take the driver’s seat role in its quest for energy security.
Jerome Espinasse, Head of Trading at Sahara Energy International Geneva, will deliver a keynote speech on the conference theme, “Africa First: Delivering Our Energy Future.” With over two decades of experience in energy trading and infrastructure development, Espinasse will highlight the crucial role of “inclusive and equitable energy framework” to address the current situation that leaves over 600 million Africans without access to electricity.
Nathalie Musson-Genon, Head of Trade Finance at Sahara Energy, will join the panel on “The Africa Infrastructure Challenge: Critical Investments to Meet Future Energy Demand.” The International Energy Agency (IEA) projects that Africa’s energy consumption will rise by over 70 per cent in the next two decades. Musson-Genon will make a strong case for collaboration as Africa’s most promising “silver bullet” to tackle infrastructure deficit and increasing energy demand.
“Reports indicate that the universal energy access target by 2030 will require annual investments of about $25 billion. To drive this, Africa needs strong partnerships between governments, private sector players, and development agencies. Sahara Group is already promoting and supporting such partnerships that will help Africa unlock the benefits of infrastructure development,” Obioma stated.
The panel on “Investing in Human Capital – Empowering the Next Generation of Industry Leaders,” will feature Jessica Akintade, Regional HR Manager at Sahara Group. Akintade, a product of Sahara’s robust leadership development policies, will advocate strategies to intentionally develop young Africans in line with ongoing transformation of the energy sector. “Africa’s youth comprise over 60 per cent of its population and this is projected to double by 2050. We need a proactive people strategy that is transgenerational. Sahara Group is already driving this through sundry graduate management trainee programs that cut across the energy value chain, Obioma added.
According to Obioma, Sahara Group continues to lead Africa’s energy security quest through innovative solutions, partnerships, and sustainable interventions. “We believe that ARDA 2025 should give traction to the Africa for Africa vision, with the continent playing a lead role in its energy future and development agenda, alongside global support from other stakeholders,” he concluded.
Recognised as the foremost African downstream oil industry event, ARDA 2025 will host over 500 delegates, including African players and international stakeholders, government ministries, banks, regulators, and global development agencies, among others