Engr. Wole Ogunsanya, PETAN Chairman
…Africa’s challenge remains energy access, affordability and reliability.
-Felix Douglas
Reflecting on a decade of impact, Sub-Saharan African International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (SAIPEC), was conceived as more than a conference. It was envisioned as a movement and a platform to amplify African capabilities, encourage collaboration, and redefine Africa’s role in the global energy landscape.
These were the words of Engr. Wole Ogunsanya, Chairman of Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN), during his opening address at the 10th SAIPEC.
The PETAN Chairman told participants that SAIPEC has driven strategic dialogue on energy policy and investment. It has elevated indigenous participation and local content development, connected African service companies to global opportunities.
The conversations have shaped and influence real projects outcomes.
“This decade of progress reflects the resilience, innovation, and determination of African industry players, particularly indigenous companies who have stepped up in the face of global volatility and energy transition pressures.”
The PETAN Chairman told operators in the oil service industry to acknowledge a fundamental truth that Africa’s energy future must be defined by Africans, for Africans.
Speaking further Engr. Ogunsanya was of the view that global energy transition continues to evolve; Africa’s immediate challenge remains energy access, affordability, and reliability. Over 600 million Africans still lack access to electricity, and industrial growth is constrained by energy deficits.
Energy transition is not about abandoning hydrocarbons but leveraging resources responsibly to drive development, while gradually integrating cleaner and renewable solutions.
Engr. Ogunsanya highlighted achievements of the past decade which has been the rise of indigenous capacity across Africa’s energy value chain.
In Nigeria, the impact of local content policies and deliberate capacity development is evident.
The PETAN Chairman pointed out that indigenous companies lead in drilling and well services, engineering, fabrication and construction.
They are also involved in asset acquisition, field development, technology deployment and innovation
PETAN members have evolved from service providers to strategic partners, delivering complex projects to international standards.
However, sustaining this progress requires, consistent policy implementation, access to financing, contract sanctity and timely project execution.
There has been stronger collaboration between operators and service companies.
Ogunsany said the next decade must be defined by investment and execution.
He stressed further that Africa needs capital and confidence. This confidence is built on regulatory clarity and stability, transparent processes, competitive fiscal frameworks with bankable projects.
Technology will also shape the future. Digitalization, automation, data-driven operations, and low-carbon solutions must be embraced to enhance efficiency, safety, and sustainability.
Africa’s energy sector will be built on partnerships between governments, regulators, indigenous companies, IOCs, financiers, and development institutions, the PETAN Chairman added.
The PETAN Chairman urged SAIPEC to recommit itself to moving from dialogue to delivery, accelerating gas development and infrastructure and deepening local content utilization.
He advocated for creating jobs and transferring skills by positioning Africa as a competitive and reliable energy destination
“SAIPEC must continue to be a platform where ideas become investments, and conversations translate into projects.”
“A decade ago, we set out to drive Africa’s energy future. Today, we stand not at the end of that journey, but at the beginning of a more ambitious chapter.”
Ogunsanya emphasized that PETAN remains fully committed to working with all stakeholders to build a resilient, inclusive, and sustainable energy industry that delivers prosperity for our people and value for its partners.
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