
Africa Oil Week 2025 Advisory Board
A True Industry-Led Event
Africa Oil Week (AOW) has been at the forefront of driving meaningful conversations, partnerships, and transactions within the oil, gas, and energy sector for over three decades. One of the core principles that we believe in the new AOW is to ensure the event is run with the industry and regional leadership, for the long term success of our collective goals.
With the support of our Advisory Board, AOW will be uniquely shaped and directed by the insights, expertise, and guidance of the industry itself, composed and shaped by influential leaders and experts across the energy value chain.
The Power of Industry Leadership
The AOW Advisory Board 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 board 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 board 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 board'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 Board

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
The depth of knowledge and insight brought by each board 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.

Emmanuel Ibe Kachiku
Former Minister of State for Petroleum, Nigeria

Shakwa Nyambe
Partner SNC Law

Kadijah Amoah
CEO Pecan Energies

Obo Idornigie
SVP, Global Upstream Research, Welligence

Diederic Bax
Upstream Origination Manager, Shell

Alero Balogan
GM, HR & Business Support Group, Oando

Sharika Iddrisu
Commercial Operations Manager, Tullow Oil

Sharika Iddrisu
Commercial Operations Manager, Tullow Oil

Nick Baker
Country Manager, Heritage Oil

Hywel Upshall
Head of Exploration, Murphy Oil

Roger Brown
CEO, Seplat

Hamilton Esi
GM, Corporate Communications, Lekoil

Helio Cumbi
Head of Communications, ExxonMobil

Ann-Marie Scott
New Ventures/Exploration Africa, PETRONAS

Raymond Cahill
VP, EAGE

Mike Millington
Business Development Officer EAME, Shearwater

Emmanuel Nformi
Business Development Manager, Sub Saharan Africa, Viridien

Jeremy Asher
CEO, Tower Resources

Neil Hodgson
VP Geoscience, Searcher

Pål Gunnar Heistad
SVP Business Development, Yinson

Gianluca Ciricugno
Africa Director, Baker Hughes

Gianluca Ciricugno
VP Offshore Atlantic East EXD, SLB

Oise Ihonde
Director of Business Development, MODEC

Mohammed Abul-Razaq
SVP & Head Capital Mobilisation & Partnerships, AFC

Luca Vignati
Upstream Director, ENI

Grayson Andersen
VP Capital Markets, ReconAfrica

Charles Sangweni
Director General, Petroleum Upstream Regulatory Authority (PURA)

Maggy Shino
Petroleum Commission, Namibia

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

Gbenga Komolafe
Commission Chief Executive NUPRC

Lamé Verre
Co-Founder & Chair Advisory Board Lean In Equity & Sustainability

Giovanni Aquilina
Exploration Director Azule Energy

Matthieu Milandri
Head of Upstream Finance Trafigura

Steve Grant
CEO Castor Vali Group

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

Luke Woodard
Managing Director, Energy Investments and Structuring, Mercuria

Kevin Dadzie
Head of Country, Ghana, BP

Jan Pluis
Exploration Manager, Chevron

Pat van de Loosdrecht
Southern Africa Chair and Board member, Lean In Equity & Sustainability

Paul McDade
CEO Afentra
An Event for the Industry, by the Industry
With the advisory board leading the way, AOW 2025 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 2025 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.