Africa requires bold and immediate interventions powered by innovation, collaboration, and equity to advance the continent’s march towards energy security and sustainable development, Wale Ajibade, Executive Director at global energy and infrastructure conglomerate, Sahara Group has said.
Speaking ahead of the African Refiners & Distributors Association (ARDA) Week 2025, Ajibade urged the adoption of actionable strategies that will empower Africa to achieve universal energy access, address critical infrastructure gaps, and propel an energy transition that takes cognizance of Africa’s developmental goals.
Led by Ajibade, Sahara’s delegation to ARDA 2025, holding in Cape Town, South Africa, from 7 – 11, 2025, includes, Alex Cole, Director, Sahara Group, Nomnso Dike, CEO, Asharami Synergy (a Sahara Group Downstream Company), and Tolu Fadipe, Sahara Group General Counsel, among others.
Themed “Africa First: Delivering Our Energy Future,” Bethel Obioma, Head, Corporate Communications, Sahara Group, said the conference will give Sahara and other stakeholders an opportunity to galvanize action towards “bringing energy to life responsibly to all Africans, leaving no one behind.”
Obioma said Sahara Group’s speaking delegation will reinforce the need for Africa to take the driver’s seat role in its quest for energy security.
Jerome Espinasse, Head of Trading at Sahara Energy International Geneva, will deliver a keynote speech on the conference theme, “Africa First: Delivering Our Energy Future.” With over two decades of experience in energy trading and infrastructure development, Espinasse will highlight the crucial role of “inclusive and equitable energy framework” to address the current situation that leaves over 600 million Africans without access to electricity.
Nathalie Musson-Genon, Head of Trade Finance at Sahara Energy, will join the panel on “The Africa Infrastructure Challenge: Critical Investments to Meet Future Energy Demand.” The International Energy Agency (IEA) projects that Africa’s energy consumption will rise by over 70 per cent in the next two decades. Musson-Genon will make a strong case for collaboration as Africa’s most promising “silver bullet” to tackle infrastructure deficit and increasing energy demand.
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