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

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.