Webinar 1: Energy Transition in Africa
-Adam Kendal, partner at McKinsey
Political and business leaders across Africa have declared themselves ready to leverage the continent’s resources to boost energy access and facilitate green growth. However, this transition also presents challenges, including the need for substantial investment, infrastructure development, and ensuring equitable access to energy for all populations.
In the July edition of its Energy Series, African Business convened a panel of experts to discuss how African countries can navigate the challenges and take full advantage of the opportunities presented by the transition. The panel included Amb. John Leonard Mugerwa, Uganda’s deputy high commissioner to the United Kingdom; Caroline Kende-Robb, senior director of strategy and operational policies at the African Development Bank; Mike Sangster, senior vice president for Africa at TotalEnergies; Fola Fagbule, deputy director and head of financial advisory at the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC); and Adam Kendall, a partner at consultancy McKinsey and head of sustainability practices in Africa. The discussion was moderated by Hannah Ryder, chief executive officer and founder of Development Reimagined.
Webinar 2: Oil & Gas in Africa
- Dr. Yemi Kale, Group Chief Economist, Afreximbank
The global oil and gas market is evolving, driven by climate and other considerations. However, Africa’s hydrocarbon sector remains crucial to several countries, some of whom are only just becoming players.
For some, it is a major contributor to gross domestic product as well as government revenues, supporting key sectors like health, education and infrastructure. At the micro level, natural gas is increasingly used for electricity and cooking, offering a cleaner alternative to coal, for example. For governments and investors, this presents some difficult choices, as they try to balance economic benefits against climate change obligations and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) commitments.
In the second African Business Energy Series webinar, experts and players in the sector assessed this and other factors relevant to the future of oil and gas in the continent. They included Her Excellency Linda Scott, High Commissioner and Ambassador of Namibia to the UK, Malta, Greece and Ireland; Dr. Yemi Kale, group chief economist and managing director at African Export-Import Bank; Pedro Omontuemhen, partner and Africa oil and gas leader at PwC and Mike Sangster, senior vice president for Africa at TotalEnergies. The discussion was moderated by David Thomas, editor of African Business.