SAIPEC confirms first set of speakers for landmark 10th anniversary edition

The Sub-Saharan Africa International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (SAIPEC) has confirmed the first set of speakers for its 10th anniversary edition, drawing senior policymakers, regulators and national oil company executives from across Africa.

The organisers said many of the confirmed speakers have been part of SAIPEC since its inception, playing key roles in its growth from a regional gathering into one of Africa’s leading oil, gas and energy platforms.

Those confirmed to speak include the Acting Chief Executive Officer of Ghana’s Petroleum Commission, Dr Emeafa Hardcastle; the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, Engr. Felix Ogbe Omatsola; and Zimbabwe’s Deputy Minister for Mines and Mining Development and representative of the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority, Hon. Dr Eng. Caleb Makwiranzou.

Others are the Director General of Sierra Leone’s Petroleum Directorate, Foday Mansaray; Executive Director of the Petroleum Authority of Uganda, Dr Ernest Rubondo; and Dr Amadou Hassane, former General Director of Hydrocarbons at Niger Republic’s Ministry of Petroleum.

Also on the list are the Managing Director of the Gambia National Petroleum Corporation, Baboucarr Njie; Chief Executive Officer of the Uganda National Oil Company, Proscovia Nabbanja; President and CEO of the National Oil Company of Liberia, Fabian M. Lai; and Chief Executive Commissioner of Nigeria’s Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, Engr. Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan.

Industry representation includes the Chief Executive Officer of Geoplex Limited and Chairman of the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria, Engr. Wole Ogunsanya. Other speakers are Kwaku Boateng, Director of Economics and Local Content at Ghana’s Petroleum Commission, and Jean Michel Akossi, Director of Local Content at Côte d’Ivoire’s Directorate of Local Content.

According to the organisers, the speakers collectively represent institutions and markets that have consistently engaged with SAIPEC over the past decade, reinforcing the conference’s position as a platform for policy dialogue, regional cooperation and investment promotion.

SAIPEC 2026 is scheduled to hold from February 10 to 12, 2026, at the Eko Convention Centre, Lagos, marking 10 years since the event was launched. The conference is hosted by the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria in partnership with the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, NNPC Limited, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission and AOS Orwell.

A major focus of the anniversary edition will be Nigeria’s ongoing oil licensing round, with dedicated sessions expected to provide regulatory updates, details on available acreage and insights for prospective investors. Country spotlight sessions will also highlight upstream, gas and infrastructure opportunities across key African energy markets.

Organisers said networking will remain central to the event, with curated business meetings, executive receptions and industry networking sessions designed to facilitate partnerships and deal-making. The international exhibition, one of the largest in Sub-Saharan Africa, is expected to feature more than 150 exhibitors showcasing technologies and services across exploration, production, engineering, digitalisation and the energy transition.

Further speaker confirmations are expected in the coming weeks. The full programme is available on the SAIPEC website.