Speakers - AOW Energy

ADD ANYTHING HERE OR JUST REMOVE IT…

The Voices Driving Africa’s Energy Transformation

Celebrating the leaders and innovators shaping the future of oil, gas, and energy across the continent.

At AOW:Energy, we take immense pride in welcoming some of the most influential and forward-thinking leaders from across the global energy landscape. The calibre of speakers who have committed to AOW:Energy 2025 is a testament to the event’s position as the premier platform driving upstream development across Africa. These are the visionaries, dealmakers, and technical experts whose insight and leadership are shaping the future of the continent’s oil, gas, and energy sectors.

We extend our deepest gratitude to the industry for its unwavering support over the years and for entrusting AOW:Energy as the gathering where ideas become action and partnerships take shape. To our 2025 speakers, thank you for lending your voices, thank you for sharing your experiences, and thank you for your vision in what promises to be an unforgettable year. We look forward to hosting you in Accra for a week of collaboration, inspiration, and real progress for Africa’s energy future.

Alhaji Abdulmalik Halilu Mr. Abdulmalik Halilu was appointed Director, Planning, Research, and Statistics of NCDMB, on May 1, 2023. As Director PRS he is responsible for corporate planning and development of policies for the effective implementation of the NOGICD Act. He is also responsible for maintaining the repository of statistical data on local content indicators, administration of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Joint Qualification System, in addition to managing the Research & Development mandate of the Board, coordination of activities of the Nigerian Content Consultative Forum, Expatriate Quota administration and the operationalization of the E -Market place.

He was previously the General Manager, Research, Statistics and Development and was credited with championing transformational initiatives such as the Nigerian Content Research and Development Roadmap, Nigerian Content R&D Fund, driving the framework for the establishment of Technology Innovation and Incubation Center,  as well as serving as the Project Coordinator for Project 100. He also coordinates NCDMB Special Empowerment and Entrepreneurship Interventions as well as Pan-African collaboration aimed at deepening local content and hydrocarbon & mineral development in Africa.

Prior to joining NCDMB in 2011, Alhaji Abdulmalik worked for Accenture, a global management consulting, technology, and outsourcing firm, where he was involved in many transformation projects including the development of the Nigeria Vision 20:2020 economic transformation blueprint, the NNPC transformation project “PACE”, the National biofuels policy and renewable energy program, and the roll out of the Unique Taxpayer Identification Number (UTIN). He has been a teaching instructor at the Center for Professional Development St. Charles, Chicago, USA.

Mr. Halilu brings extensive expertise in oil and gas, development banking, utilities, agribusiness, manufacturing, renewable energy, supply chain management, and project management to the NCDMB. He was the pioneer Head of Strategy and Policy Development at NCDMB, and he was instrumental to the conceptualization of key Board initiatives such as the Nigerian Oil and Gas Park Scheme (NOGaPS), the Equipment Component Manufacturing Initiative (ECMI), the Marine Vessel Strategy, the Nigerian Content Intervention Fund (NCI Fund), and others.

A change management practitioner, certified project management professional and a policy development specialist, Mr. Halilu holds a master’s degree in development studies, a postgraduate diploma in management science, and a bachelor’s degree in agricultural technology. He is a member of the Kaduna golf club, a fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Management, member of Project Management Institute and the International Facility Management Association. He holds the traditional title of Gado damasun Nupe in the Nupe Emirate of Niger State and is married with children.

Eng. Charles J. Sangweni is the Director General of the Petroleum Upstream Regulatory Authority (PURA) and serves as the Secretary of the PURA Board of Directors. With over two decades of multidisciplinary expertise across the public and private sectors, Eng. Sangweni has been instrumental in shaping the regulatory and operational architecture of Tanzania’s upstream petroleum industry.

He holds an MSc in Gas Engineering and Management (with Distinction) from the University of Salford in the UK and a BSc in Chemical and Process Engineering from the University of Dar es Salaam. His career spans a wide range of technical, commercial, and leadership roles, including senior research and planning positions at the Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation (TPDC) and executive roles in the private sector with multinational energy firms such as Caltex Tanzania, Marshal Fowler Tanzania, and GAPCO Uganda.

As a Senior Research Officer at TPDC, Eng. Sangweni played a key role in the design and implementation of the National Natural Gas Infrastructure Project (NNGIP), coordinated Tanzania’s Natural Gas for Vehicles (NGV) initiative, and contributed to several landmark initiatives, including the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) and fertilizer plant projects.

Since assuming leadership at PURA in 2017, he has overseen the development of operational frameworks and institutional structures aligned with the Petroleum Act of 2015, and has successfully positioned PURA as a central regulatory authority in the upstream sub-sector.

Eng. Sangweni has also contributed to national energy and sustainability policy through participation in high-level technical Bodies and Committees, including the Energy Regulators Association of East Africa, Society of Petroleum Engineers, National Biofuels Task Force, ISO Sustainability Criteria for Bioenergy, and Bulk Procurement Technical Committee. He is also a Board member of Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) Africa Advisory Board since October 2024 to date.

From February 2021 to April 2025, Eng. Sangweni served as the Chairperson of the Government Negotiation Team for the Tanzania Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Project, a transformative initiative poised to reshape the country’s energy landscape and elevate Tanzania as a key LNG exporter in the global market.

His work continues to shape Tanzania’s path toward sustainable and regulated energy development.

Engr. Dr. Emeka Okwuosa, CON, Group Chief Executive Officer, Oilserv Group, is a seasoned Engineer, administrator, entrepreneur and visionary leader who was born on August 19, 1961 at Jos, Nigeria.

Engr. Okwuosa, a 1982 graduate of Electronic and Electrical Engineering from the then University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University), Osun State, Nigeria, has been riding the Nigerian economy like a colossus, with focus on his chosen fields of socio-economic investments, engineering, entrepreneurship, administration and care for the less privileged.

With 40 years in the oil and gas sector, he has vast experience in different fields of engineering including maintenance and operations, teaching, wireline logging and interpretation, seismic acquisition, processing and interpretation, procurement and construction, EPC, project management, drilling and drilling service spanning across Europe, North Africa, West Africa, Gulf/Central Africa and Indonesia in positions ranging from Field Engineer to Technical Manager.

Engr. Okwuosa’s varied experience is not limited to the oil and gas industry, he started his career as a management trainee (engineering) with the Nigerian Breweries Limited before joining Schlumberger Energy Services as a field engineer, a year after. He worked with Schlumberger as an international staff in different parts of the world; and held various positions in Schlumberger as base manager, equipment/tool test coordinator and technical manager.

Engr. Okwuosa is the founder and Chairman of Oilserv Limited, Frazimex Engineering Limited, FrazPower Limited, FrazOil E&P Limited, Ekcel Farms Limited, EnviFraz Limited and Crown Energy Resources Ltd. His flagship Company; Oilserv, is Nigeria’s EPC giant that has been delivering turnkey projects using top notch quality and safety standards since inception. The company has currently commissioned the 48-inch x 127km OB/OB-OBEN Gas Transmission Pipeline (OB3 LOT B Project), the largest pipeline in Nigeria with the associated Gas Treatment Plant (GTP) which is the largest of its type (capacity of 2 billion scf/day) for the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC).

Emeka is passionate about development of human capacity in high technology areas of Oil and Gas Industry. This is being achieved via various schemes that have been instituted through the companies and Foundation that he has founded and runs.

Together with other key practitioners in the Oil and Gas Engineering, Exploration and Production sectors, Emeka contributed to the enactment of Nigerian Oil and Gas Local Content Law about ten years ago. This Law has helped to institutionalize the development of sustainable local capacity in the Oil & Gas industry.

He is a registered member of COREN (Council for the Regulation of Engineering) and belongs to the following local and international Professional bodies;

The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)

Society of Professional Well Log Analysts (SPWLA)

Pipeline Professional Association of Nigeria (PLAN).

Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN)

Nigeria Society of Engineers (NSE) – Fellow

Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE)

Nigerian Gas Association (NGA)

Institute of Directors (IoD) – Fellow

In addition to the awards of Honorary Doctorate Degree in Engineering (D.Eng) by Enugu State University of Technology (ESUT) and Honorary Doctorate Degree in Business Administration by University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) in 2016, for his exceptional leadership, integrity and dedication to duty, Emeka Okwuosa has won several awards namely:

US Africa International Oil & Gas Leadership Award, Best of Africa – 2013

Lifetime Achievement Award by Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN) – 2015

Award of Excellence by the Nanotechnology Research Group of the Physics Department, University of Nigeria Nsukka in 2014, 2016, 2018 and 2021.

Nigeria Advancement Award for Creativity and Enterprise – 2016

International Socrates Award (UK) – 2016

Award of Excellence by Nigerian Gas Association (NGA) – 2016

PETAN Corporate Social Responsibility Award – 2016

PETAN Capacity Development Award – 2016

Industrialist of the Year Award – 2016

Agro Entrepreneur of the Year Award – 2016

Award of excellence in Engineering, Association of Anambra State Development Union – 2017

Award of excellence in Engineering, Nigerian Institution of Highway & Transportation Engineers – 2017

Oil & Gas Organization of the Year Award by African Entrepreneurs Foundation – 2017

National Productivity Order of Merit Award (NPOM) by President Muhammadu Buhari – 2017

Investor of the Year Award by SUN Newspaper 2017

OTC/PETAN) Offshore Technology Conference/Petroleum Technology Association) Awards of Excellence in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018 and 2019 (in Houston, Texas)

Best Partner Award by the Ministry of Mines and Water/SEMICA, Republic of Benin, 2018

Distinguished Anambra State Commander Medal, 2022

Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON), Federal Republic of Nigeria, 2022

Dr. Emeka is the founder of Sir Emeka Okwuosa Foundation, which has recorded several contributions in education, road, erosion control, provision of portable water, electricity infrastructure, etc. The Foundation completed the building of a multi-billion Naira specialist hospital in Oraifite, Anambra State (Dame Nneka Okwuosa Medical Hospital) and a Four (4) floor Administration/Classroom block at the Dame Irene Nneka Okwuosa Memorial convent, Oraifite. In August 2023, the Foundation donated the Christ Church (Anglican Communion) Auditorium and facilities at Irefi, Oraifite in Anambra State, Nigeria for the public’s use.

Engr Emeka Okwuosa has contributed immensely to improving the lives of Africans through his businesses and continues to support over 2,000 staff and contractors through the Oilserv Group activities and Sir Emeka Okwuosa Foundation.

He is a Knight of St. Christopher (KSC) of the Anglican Communion.

Mr. Joe K. Mensah is an accomplished executive and a visionary leader whose extensive experience in organizational development and restructuring spans over 30 years.

Joe has led Kosmos Energy Ghana since 2015 and in 2019 he was promoted to the position of Senior Vice President and Head of Ghana Business Unit, Kosmos Energy LLC. His strategic direction for the company in Ghana with the tagline ‘A Partner in Energizing Ghana’ and puts him in charge of the overall performance of the Ghana business unit, maintaining strong relationships with partners, government and civil society, and advancing the company’s social investment programs, including the activities of the Kosmos Innovation Center which he is the Board Chairman. He is also the chairman of the board of the Ghana Upstream Petroleum Chamber, an entity which spearheads the interest of IOCs in the country.

Prior to joining Kosmos Energy, he worked for IBM for over twenty-five (25) years both in the United States and in Ghana. At IBM Ghana, from concept to execution, he was instrumental in facilitating improved IT infrastructure of the Ghana government and for some key financial institutions and other organizations in Ghana.

Joe serves on several advisory boards, including the Design Technology Institute, KNUST Engineering Education Project, and the Saint Francis Hospital Foundation in Hartford, Connecticut. He has served on a number of advisory boards, including the Ghana Telecom University College, and was the former president of the American Chamber of Commerce in Ghana. He was the former president of the Opoku Ware Secondary School Alumni Association of America for four years. For six (6) years, he was President of the Ghana Cultural Group in all six New England states. In 1978, he was the first President of the Yale University Black Athletes Organization, and in 1983, he was the President of IBM Sales Education Class.

Joe’s leadership qualities cannot be gainsaid as it extends beyond his career environment. Since 1998, he has held the highly respected and important traditional office as the Apagyahene of the Kumawu traditional area in the Ashanti Region.

Joe Mensah holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering and a Master of Business Administration, both from the Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA.

Joe is married to Mavis and they have two children.

Olajumoke Cecilia Ajayi is the Managing Director/CEO of Ingentia Energies Limited, a position she assumed in October 2022. With over two decades of remarkable experience in the oil and gas industry, she has become one of the pioneering female leaders in Africa’s upstream sector. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Applied Geophysics from the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) and a Master of Science degree in Applied Geophysics from the University of Lagos.

Her journey began at Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited (ExxonMobil), and over the years, her outstanding leadership and technical expertise saw her advance through several reputable organizations, including Asharami Energy Ltd. (the upstream arm of Sahara Group), Centrica Resources Nig. Ltd. (British Gas), Peak Petroleum Limited, and Degeconek Consulting. Currently, as the Managing Director of Ingentia Energies Limited, Olajumoke is guiding the company through pivotal milestones. Olajumoke successfully led high-impact projects, including the re-entry and completion of one of the wells in the field, construction and installation of a 5,000 bopd Early Production Facility (EPF), and achieving a 2,600 bopd production output from the Extended Well Test (EWT). Projects are consistently delivered within budget and in record time, demonstrating her commitment to operational excellence. Additionally, she has fostered strong relationships with the local community, ensuring that Ingentia operates as a responsible corporate citizen dedicated to community engagement and support.

At Asharami Energy, Olajumoke’s tenure was marked by numerous achievements. As Exploration Manager and later General Manager – Exploration, she led the exploration and production team to drill and successfully deliver Asharami’s first five wells. Upon her promotion to Managing Director at a critical time when oil prices fell below USD30, she skilfully guided the company’s transition from an exploration-focused entity to one producing 20,000 barrels of oil per day. Olajumoke secured over $100 million in funding for new well drilling initiatives, generating significant incremental value and driving business growth.

Olajumoke is an active member of several esteemed industry organizations, including the American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG), European Association of Geoscientists and Engineers (EAGE), Society of Exploration Geophysicists (SEG), and the Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists (NAPE), where she is currently the President Elect. In NAPE’s first 40 years, she became the first woman to serve as its Vice President. Her zeal has earned her numerous accolades, both locally and internationally. In 2021 She was recognized by Africanshapers.com as one of the top 100 outstanding female executives in the African oil and gas industry and ranked among the 50 most inspirational energy executives by Africa Oil Week and Lean in Energy. In 2022, Women in Maritime and Energy (WIME) honoured her as one of the outstanding women in energy (Upstream International), and in March 2025, she was recognised by The Guardian as one of Nigeria’s Most Impactful Women in Leadership. Beyond her professional achievements, Olajumoke is deeply committed to philanthropy. She actively supports children, women, emerging entrepreneurs, and young professionals. She serves on the Governing Council of Elizade University and is a board member of SheCan Nigeria Ltd. Olajumoke’s vision, expertise, anddedication continue to inspire and pave the way for future generations in the energy sector.

Rebeca Lewis is a highly accomplished and visionary leader whose career is defined by a relentless commitment to driving positive societal and environmental change, with extensive experience in sustainability reporting, particularly in Impact and Climate transition. She has a proven track record of steering projects and fostering impactful partnerships across sectors, earning prestigious awards and nominations for her dedication to sustainability and the urgent need for a just transition. Throughout her professional journey, Rebeca has cultivated an extensive and influential network of contacts in the U.S. and UK, leveraging it to drive tangible results aligned with her commitment to sustainability and international collaboration. Her mission centers on facilitating climate resilience and fostering collaboration between the United States, the United Kingdom, and Africa. She is dedicated to removing constraints on governments, organizations, and individuals while championing inclusive solutions for a sustainable and equitable world. Recognizing the paramount importance of Green Skills, upskilling, and reskilling, Rebeca integrates these elements into her leadership approach and sustainability reporting frameworks.

As Co-Founder and CEO of AscendGlobal Inc., Rebeca leads a transformative movement to empower the global African diaspora, tackling healthcare disparities, economic inequity, and marginalization. AscendGlobal drives sustainable change through STEAM inclusion, financial empowerment, and community resilience, fostering generational wealth and equity. The organization will launch AscendInnovators at AOW’s Summit in Ghana 2025, a mentorship program empowering young women in STEAM to unlock career opportunities and drive innovation.

As a former U.S. diplomat, Rebeca helped shape policies promoting equity and inclusion in the environment, science, technology, and health sectors at the U.S. Embassy in London, advancing sustainable development and community engagement. Her contributions earned the Meritorious Ambassador’s Honor Award and a nomination for the State Department’s Perkins Award.

As CEO of Inside Out Clothing Project (CIC) in London, Rebeca empowers recently released ex-offenders through sustainable fashion, securing corporate sponsorships and driving community impact.

Mr. Rotimi Adefarasin (“RA”)

DEPUTY GENERAL MANAGER

RA is a highly accomplished and results-driven oil and gas executive with a distinguished career spanning over three decades across the upstream, midstream, and downstream sectors. He holds a First-Class Honors in Mechanical Engineering and a Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering (majoring in Thermofluids) from the University of Lagos.

Prior to his extensive career in the oil industry, RA gained foundational experience as a freelance engineer in the Nigerian downstream Oil & Gas sector, followed by a role as operations manager for a wholesale Computer Products Company in Lagos until 1994, where he honed his early management and operational skills.

RA spent approximately 19 years with Shell Nigeria, where he accumulated vast international experience across four continents, holding diverse and increasingly senior roles. His responsibilities spanned critical areas including Asset Management, Wells Reservoir and Facility Management (WRFM), Production Engineering in Upstream Projects Development, and Pipeline Operations and Integrity Management.

Beyond technical roles, his expertise diversified to include Contracting & Procurement, Production & Business Planning, Organisational Change Management, Joint Venture (JV) Management, design & implementation of Business Controls, Technical and HSE Auditing, and New Business Development.

In 2015, following an early retirement offer from Shell, RA joined FIRST Exploration & Petroleum Development Company (FIRST E&P). He initially served as Offshore Asset Manager/Deputy General Manager Operations, where he was instrumental in establishing the framework for Operation Readiness & Assurance systems for the Anyala/Madu development. He subsequently advanced through various roles within FIRST E&P, culminating in his position as General Manager Non-Operated Ventures & Business Planning.

From 2019, RA served for over five years as the Managing Director of West African Exploration & Production Company Limited. In this significant leadership role, he successfully spearheaded a high-profile project focused on restoring the integrity of existing offshore structures and upgrading a floating production, storage, and offloading (FPSO) system. This critical initiative would pave the way for the resumption of circa 15,000 barrels of oil per day production from a key hydrocarbon field in the Niger Delta.

Currently, RA is leading the corporate efforts to advancing FIRST E&P’s Midstream/Downstream ambitions in Nigeria and exploring emerging opportunities across Sub-Saharan Africa.

A strong advocate for professional development, RA is actively involved in mentoring and coaching young technical and non-technical professionals to help them actualize their potential. He maintains an active membership with the Society of Petroleum Engineers, having previously served as a member of the SPE Nigeria Council. In his personal time, he enjoys playing chess, table tennis, and lawn tennis, and dedicates ample time to volunteering for Christian faith-based organisations both within and outside Nigeria.

Meet Macdonald Chimandas Vasnani, a distinguished figure in the logistics and transportation industry, with vast extensive expertise in international trade, supply chains, and logistics to the forefront.

As the Founder & C.E.O. of CONSHIP GROUP which comprises of Consolidated Shipping Agencies Ltd., EcoAlpha Services Limited, EcoAlpha Solutions Limited, and Conship Logistics Limited, VAS as he is affectionately known has been at the helm of an organization that operates across various sectors, including logistics, freight, transportation, and projects in areas like oil and gas and mining, Project Logistics as well as warehousing services. His leadership has been instrumental in steering the company’s growth and success.

Vas’ journey in this dynamic industry began with the founding of his company in 1996. He started as a customs house agent and has since transformed The Conship Group Ltd. into the multifaceted logistics and transportation powerhouse it is today.

His educational background is marked by significant qualifications, including an Honorary PhD in Oil & Gas from the Commonwealth University (2015). and a degree from the prestigious Chicago School of Business (Booth, 2008). VAS is also a distinguished Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (C.I.L.T.). A Member of the Ghana Institute of Freight Forwarders (G.I.F.F.) C.E.O. of the year Upstream Industry- 2017,2018 and 2020. A Hall of Fame Award from the Ghana Entrepreneurs Foundation amongst others. These qualifications have provided him with a robust foundation for navigating the intricacies of the industry.

Throughout his career, VAS has played pivotal roles in key projects and initiatives that have significantly contributed to his success. These include involvement in projects like the West Africa Gas Pipeline Project, onshore logistics bases in Takoradi, and major ventures with industry giants like Tullow Oil, Modec Ghana, Technip FMC and Newmont Ghana just to name a few.

One of his proudest professional accomplishments includes successfully overseeing the transit of two F.P.S.O. (Floating Production, Storage, and Offloading) vessels from Singapore to Ghana, a testament to his exceptional leadership and logistical prowess.

VAS has attended and participated in several local and international conferences and seminars include the Global Anti-Bribery Conference as a panellist.

He is particularly excited about the prospect of automation revolutionizing logistics for faster and more efficient operations.

He is on several boards as well as a Board Chairman for a Micro Finance company,

Board of Trustee with the Entrepreneur Technical Institute

Currently the President of the Ghana German Economic Association He is a partner of Heliconia EAS Ghana, an offshore aviation operating in Ghana.

Yann Pierre Albert Livulibutt YANGARI, is a distinguished investment professional with a stellar career in finance and hydrocarbons. He graduated with honors in Economics and International Relations from the University of the West of England – Bristol in 2011.

In 2013, Yann earned a Master of Science in Oil and Gas Enterprise Management from the University of Aberdeen – Scotland (UK), propelling him into impactful roles in the industry.

Joining Gabon Oil Company (GOC) in 2014, Yann became a linchpin as a petroleum economist, significantly contributing to tax modeling for oil permits and playing a pivotal role in key acquisitions. In 2015, he assumed commercial responsibilities, leading the creation of GOC’s Trading and Marketing department and managing the VITOL account, reconciling transactions exceeding $640 million.

In 2019, as CEO of Gab’Oil, a GOC subsidiary, Yann secured a groundbreaking 15-year contract for the supply of over 10 million liters of Diesel annually and established Gab’Oil’s distribution network, featuring five private service stations.

Transitioning to the New Strategy and Economic Intelligence Business Department, Yann played a crucial role in developing the acquisition strategy of oil assets, adding six million barrels per year to the production portfolio.

Since September 2020, as Head of the Gas Department, Yann has led GOC’s gas strategy, spearheading the Mboumba Micro LNG Pilot Project with the World Bank’s GGFR. This initiative decarbonized GOC’s oil production and maximized the value of flare gas.

In January 2021, Yann was appointed Project Manager for the Gas Strategy Task Force by the Gabonese Government, orchestrating collaborative efforts among industry stakeholders to define Gabon’s Gas Strategy and organizing the first summit on Oil, Gas, and Energy Transition in Gabon in October 2021.

Complementing his extensive experience, Yann earned a Postgraduate Executive Diploma in Financial Strategy from the Said Business School, University of Oxford, in 2023.

Passionate about consultancy and expertise, Yann collaborates with companies and governments in Gabon and Central Africa, focusing on flared gas valorization, gas-to-power initiatives, energy transition, and climate finance.

With a proven track record of leadership, strategic vision, and successful project management, Yann is poised to bring his wealth of experience and expertise to your projects.