By Adewale Sanyaolu
Sahara Energy Group has said that an annual investment of $25 billion is required to ensure universal energy access.The Head of Corporate Communications, Sahara Group, Mr. Bethel Obioma, stated this ahead of the African Refiners and Distributors Association (ARDA) Week 2025 scheduled to begin in Cape Town, South Africa from April 7 to 11, 2025.
To drive the project, he said that Africa needs strong partnerships between governments, private sector players and development agencies, saying that Sahara Group was already promoting and supporting such partnerships that will help Africa unlock the benefits of infrastructure development.
Themed “Africa First: Delivering Our Energy Future,” Obioma, said the conference will give Sahara and other stakeholders an opportunity to galvanise action towards “bringing energy to life responsibly to all Africans, leaving no one behind.”
He added that Sahara Group’s speaking delegation will reinforce the need for Africa to take the driver’s seat role in its quest for energy security.
Executive Director at global energy and infrastructure conglomerate, Sahara Group, Wale Ajibade, said Africa requires bold and immediate interventions powered by innovation, collaboration, and equity to advance the continent’s march towards energy security and sustainable development.
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.
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.
The panel on “Investing in Human Capital – Empowering the Next Generation of Industry Leaders,” will feature Jessica Akintade, Regional HR Manager at Sahara Group. Akintade, a product of Sahara’s robust leadership development policies, will advocate strategies to intentionally develop young Africans in line with ongoing transformation of the energy sector.