AOW:Energy 2026 Advisory Network
The AOW:Energy Advisory Network represents the true heart of the African upstream sector, an assembly of the most trusted leaders, institutions, and innovators who collectively shape the direction of our industry. At Sankofa Events, we are proud to be the custodians and drivers of AOW:Energy, but the event itself is owned by the continent, the region, and the extraordinary community that has been built over 31 years. This is a platform defined by trust, a trust in the brand, a trust in the network, and trust that AOW:Energy will always remain the home of African oil and gas. Our Advisory Network and Program Committee embody that spirit, carrying the responsibility of ensuring the event reflects the ambitions, challenges, and opportunities of our sector.
The AOW:Energy Advisory Network is made up of the continent’s most influential operators, financiers, regulators, legal minds, geoscientists, and energy strategists and we co-create a world-class program over a 12-month period. This collaborative process ensures that AOW:Energy is not only reflective of industry reality but actively shapes the agenda for the future.
This unique assembly of dealmakers and decision-makers ensures that AOW:Energy remains an industry-owned platform, one that is shaped by the region and the sector, for the region and the sector. The Advisory Network is not symbolic; it is functional, strategic, and central to everything AOW:Energy stands for. It represents a commitment to partnership, to accelerated development, and to building the oil and gas future our continent deserves. Through the collective expertise of our Network, AOW:Energy continues to deliver a platform where meaningful deals are done, where national priorities meet global capital, and where the trajectory of the African upstream is shaped year after year.
The Power of Industry Leadership
The AOW Advisory Network plays a crucial role in determining the direction and focus of the event, ensuring that the conference stays relevant and delivers maximum value to the entire oil and gas community.
Comprised of sector leadership, the advisory network provides strategic input on the program, ensuring that it addresses the most pressing challenges, opportunities, and trends shaping the industry today. This collective expertise ensures that AOW remains an event of substance, grounded in the needs of the region and that of the sector.
Driven by Leading Figures
The advisory network for AOW 2025 is made up of an impressive roster of individuals who bring a wealth of experience and diverse perspectives. Their guidance is instrumental in shaping the agenda and content, ensuring that the event is relevant, insightful, and of the highest quality. The network's input is what allows AOW to offer delegates the opportunity to hear directly from the people shaping the future of the industry.
National Stakeholder Committee, Republic of Ghana
Meet the esteemed members of the AOW 2025 National Stakeholder Committee and Advisory Network

Ministry of Energy, Republic of Ghana
Ministry of State Energy, Republic of Ghana

GNPC
Ghana National Petroleum Corporation

TEMA
Tema Oil Refinery

PC
Petroleum Commission

NPA
National Petroleum Authority

BE
Bost Energies
The depth of knowledge and insight brought by each member is what makes AOW an event so unique to the topic matter and subjects closest to the AOW community. Their direct involvement ensures that the themes, topics, and discussions at AOW are focused on the real needs of the industry, driving collaboration, and generating tangible outcomes for all attendees.

Alero Balogan
GM, HR & Business Support Group, Oando

Ana Duque
Official Advisory Board Member

Ana Mafalda Lopes
Official Advisory Board Member

Bimbola Kolawole
Official Advisory Board Member

Bongani Sayidini
Official Advisory Board Member

Cany Jobe
Director of E&P, Gambia National Petroleum Corporation

Charles Sangweni
Official Advisory Board Member

Chemsdine Sow Deina
Official Advisory Board Member

Chris Drage
Official Advisory Board Member

Daniel Kiptoo Bargoria
Official Advisory Board Member

Esimaje Brikinn
Official Advisory Board Member

Fabian Lai
Official Advisory Board Member

Gianluca Ciricugno
Official Advisory Board Member

Giovanni Aquilina
Official Advisory Board Member

Jan Pluis
Official Advisory Board Member

Jeremy Asher
Official Advisory Board Member

Kadijah Amoah
Official Advisory Board Member

Kevin Dadzie
Official Advisory Board Member

Kiraitu Murungi
Official Advisory Board Member

Luke Woodard
Official Advisory Board Member

Mark Llamas
Official Advisory Board Member

Nahed Kahloul
Official Advisory Board Member

Neil Hodgson
Official Advisory Board Member

Nina Bowyer
Official Advisory Board Member

Obo Idornigie
Official Advisory Board Member

Oise Ihonde
Official Advisory Board Member

Olajumoke Cecilia Ajayi (FNAPE)
Official Advisory Board Member

Olumide Ogunfowora
Official Advisory Board Member

Pål Gunnar Heistad
Official Advisory Board Member

Pedro Pinto
Official Advisory Board Member

Peter Hooper
Official Advisory Board Member

Shakwa Nyambe
Official Advisory Board Member

Shirley Webber
Official Advisory Board Member

Simone Santi
Official Advisory Board Member

Smee Anwar
Official Advisory Board Member

Steve Husbands
Official Advisory Board Member

Tony Paul
Official Advisory Board Member

Victoria Sibeya
Official Advisory Board Member

Zubin Bamji
Official Advisory Board Member

Nick Baker
Country Manager, Heritage Oil

Emmanuel Nformi
Business Development Manager, Sub Saharan Africa, Viridien

Jeremy Asher
CEO, Tower Resources

Neil Hodgson
VP Geoscience, Searcher

Luca Vignati
Upstream Director, ENI

Grayson Andersen
VP Capital Markets, ReconAfrica

Ade Adeola
Managing Director, Energy & Natural Resources Standard Chartered Bank

Gbenga Komolafe
Former Commission Chief Executive NUPRC

Kevin Dadzie
Head of Country, Ghana, BP

Jan Pluis
Exploration Manager, Chevron

Paul McDade
CEO Afentra

Abasiemediong Etuk
Senior Associate
Kenna

Alero Balogan
Oando

Ana Duque
Shell

Ana Mafalda Lopes
Galp

Arthur Ename
NOV

Bimbola Kolawole
Rystad

Brikinn Esimaje
Chevron

C. Derek Campbell
Executive Chairman
LVC Global Holdings

Cany Jobe
GNPC Gambia

Carlo Mcleod
Presidency Namibia

Charles Sangweni
PURA

Chemsadine Deina
Mauritania

Chris Drage
TGS

Daniel Kiptoo
Director General
EPRA

Dr Bongani Sayidini
Petroleum Engineer and Doctor of Law
Petroleum Agency SA

Dr Obinna Ezeobi
NCDMB

Emeafa Hardcastle
Petroleum Commission

Fabian Lai
NOCAL

Fahmi A. Alawad
General Director
Sudapet

Fathima Hussain
Managing Director & Africa Regional Head
Standard Chartered Bank

Ricardo A Rosa Fernandes
Area Manager

Gbenga Komolafe
Former Commission Chief Executive
NUPRC

Gianluca Ciricugno
Baker Hughes

Giovanni Aquilina
Azule

Hatem Salem
Baker Hughes

Helio Cumbi
ExxonMobil

Iman Hill
Vaalco

Issifou Yari
BENIN NOC

Jan Pluis
Chevron

Jeremy Asher
Tower Resources

Kadijah Amoah
Pecan

Kevin Dadzie
BP

Kevin Nwanze
ES

Kiraitu Murungi
NOCK

Luke Woodard
Mecuria

Mark Llamas
Co-Founder & Managing Partner
LAB

Neil Hodgeson
Searcher

Nikhil Bhandari
Director
DFC

Nina Bowyer
Corporate Partner & Regional Managing Partner
DFC

Obo Idornigie
Welligence

Oise Ihonde
MODEC

Olajumoke Ajayi
Ingentia Oil and Gas

Olumide OGUNFOWORA
Founding Partner
Ingentia Oil and Gas

Pål Gunner Heistad
SVP Business Development
Ingentia Oil and Gas

Pedro Pinto
Director of Business Office & Business Development and CFO
Galp

Peter Hooper
Shearwater

Shakwa Nyembe
SNC

Shirely Webber
ABSA

Simone Santi
Leonardo Group

Smee Anwar
Murphy

Tony Paul
Independent

Victoria Sibeya
NAMCOR

Zubin Bamji
World Bank
An Event for the Industry, by the Industry
With the advisory network leading the way, AOW 2026 will feature a carefully curated program that addresses the critical issues, opportunities, and challenges facing the oil, gas, and energy sector today. It will create an unparalleled platform for networking, sharing insights, and driving deal-making among key stakeholders—from governments to the private sector, and from operators to service providers.
Join us at AOW 2026 in Accra, Ghana, to be part of an event that truly embodies the spirit of collaboration and industry leadership, shaping the future of energy in Africa and beyond.