By Silverline Ifeanyi Onyeabor
The Sub-Saharan Africa International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (SAIPEC) has confirmed the first series of speakers for its landmark 10th Anniversary programme, setting the tone for a milestone edition that reflects a decade of sustained pan-African leadership in the oil, gas and wider energy sector.
Announced on 12 January 2026, the initial list brings together senior policymakers, regulators and National Oil Company (NOC) executives from across Africa, many of whom have been part of SAIPEC’s journey since its inception. Their continued participation underscores how the event has evolved from a regional gathering into one of Africa’s most influential energy platforms, trusted for policy dialogue, investment promotion and regional collaboration.
A Decade-Long Community of African Energy Leaders
The confirmed speakers represent a cross-section of Africa’s regulatory institutions, NOCs and industry leadership. They include Dr Emeafa Hardcastle, Acting CEO of the Petroleum Commission, Ghana; Engr Felix Ogbe Omatsola, Executive Secretary of Nigeria’s Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB); and Hon. Dr Eng. Caleb Makwiranzou, Zimbabwe’s Deputy Minister for Mines and Mining Development and a senior figure at the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority.
Also confirmed are Foday Mansaray, Director General of Sierra Leone’s Petroleum Directorate; Dr Ernest Rubondo, Executive Director of Uganda’s Petroleum Authority; and Dr Amadou Hassane, former General Director of Hydrocarbons at the Republic of Niger’s Ministry of Petroleum. NOC leadership will be represented by Baboucarr Njie of the Gambia National Petroleum Corporation, Proscovia Nabbanja of the Uganda National Oil Company, and Fabian M. Lai, President and CEO of Liberia’s National Oil Company.
Nigeria’s regulatory and industry ecosystem will also feature prominently, with speakers including Engr. Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, Commission Chief Executive of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), and Engr. Wole Ogunsanya, CEO of Geoplex Limited and Chairman of the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN). The list is further strengthened by experts in economics and local content, including Kwaku Boateng of the Petroleum Commission, Ghana and Jean Michel Akossi, Director of Local Content in Côte d’Ivoire.
Collectively, these leaders represent institutions and markets that have consistently engaged with SAIPEC over the past ten years, reinforcing the event’s credibility as a platform where African energy priorities are debated, refined and advanced.
SAIPEC 2026: A Milestone Edition
SAIPEC 2026 will take place from 10 to 12 February 2026 at the Eko Convention Centre in Lagos, marking ten years since the event’s launch. Hosted by PETAN in strategic partnership with NCDMB, NNPC Limited, NUPRC and AOS Orwell, the anniversary edition is expected to convene regulators, NOCs, operators, investors and service providers from across Africa and beyond.
A central focus of the 10th anniversary programme will be Nigeria’s ongoing oil licensing round. Dedicated sessions will provide participants with up-to-date regulatory guidance, insights into available acreages, and perspectives on investment opportunities within Nigeria’s upstream sector. These sessions are expected to attract strong interest from both indigenous and international investors seeking clarity and confidence in the market.
Complementing this will be a series of country spotlight sessions, highlighting upstream gas and infrastructure opportunities across major African energy markets. These discussions are designed to showcase the diversity of opportunities across the continent, while encouraging cross-border partnerships and regional value creation.
Networking, Deal-Making and Innovation
Beyond the conference agenda, SAIPEC’s strength lies in its networking architecture. The 2026 edition will feature curated business meetings, executive receptions and industry networking events aimed at facilitating partnerships and accelerating deal-making. The international exhibition, one of the largest in Sub-Saharan Africa, will host over 150 exhibitors, showcasing technologies, services and solutions spanning exploration, production, engineering, digitalisation and the evolving energy transition.
As SAIPEC marks its 10th anniversary, the early confirmation of speakers signals both continuity and ambition. It reflects an event rooted in long-standing relationships, yet firmly focused on shaping Africa’s next decade of energy development.
