The African Energy Week (AEW) 2023 gala dinner and awards ceremony celebrated the remarkable achievements and pioneering efforts of leading professionals and organisations in Africa’s energy sector.

The event, which took place on October 17 in Cape Town on the eve of the first day of the conference, served as both a celebration and inspiration that set a strong benchmark for others on the continent.

With Africa’s energy sector experiencing unprecedented growth and a boom, the efforts by the awarded companies and individuals were recognised as critical to African economies. The AEW2023 award winners included:

AEC Lifetime Achievement Award: Namibian President Hage Geingob and Senegalese President Macky Sall.

Celebrating individuals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, innovation and impact in Africa, the 2023 AEC Lifetime Achievement Award recognises two leaders in Africa. These are President Hage Geingob of Namibia and President Macky Sall of Senegal.

President Geingob is credited with shaping Namibia’s regulatory environment in a way that has made it highly attractive for foreign players. As a result, the country witnessed five major discoveries in two years while a series of projects have kicked off across the green hydrogen, mining and infrastructure sectors.

In Senegal, President Sall has shown inspirational leadership, with significant progress made in energy. The country is set to produce first oil and gas from the Sangomar and Greater Tortue Ahmeyim fields next year while continues to attract significant investment across the entire economy.

Mohamed S. Barkindo Award: Keith Hill

Representing the highest honour bestowed upon an individual, the Mohamed S. Barkindo Award recognises the outstanding and enduring contributions made by individuals in Africa’s energy sector. This year, the Mohamed S. Barkindo Award celebrates the outstanding achievements of Keith Hill, former President and CEO of Africa Oil Corp. 

National Oil Company of the Year Award: Sonangol

Angola’s National Oil Company (NOC) Sonangol represented the winner of the NOC of the Year Award for 2023, in recognition of the company’s forward-thinking approach, commitment to local content and drive towards making energy poverty history by 2030.

Gas Monetization of the Year Award: Congo LNG

Awarded to the company making notable strides towards monetizing the continent’s gas reserves, the winner of the Gas Monetization of the Year Award for 2023 was Congo LNG – a company committed to supplying sustainable gas to both Africa and the global market.

CEO of the Year Award: Mike Sangster

As SVP of Investor Relations for French multinational energy company TotalEnergies, Mike Sangster has been on the forefront of much of the company’s success. This year, Sangster scooped the CEO of the Year Award for his ongoing efforts and unwavering commitment to the energy industry.

ESG Leader Award: Oando

In the age of the energy transition, Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) is a critical component of energy developments and Nigerian-based Oando PLC is spearheading efforts to deliver sustainable energy solutions through innovative measures. Oando represented the winner of the ESG Leader Award during AEW 2023.

Operational Excellence Leader Award: Perenco

Honouring exceptional achievements in operational efficiency, performance and best practices within the energy industry, the Operational Excellence Leader Award for 2023 was given to Perenco, an independent oil and gas company advancing sustainable developments continent-wide.

Media Award: Iain Essau and Ajong Mbapndah

The AEW 2023 Media Award recognises the outstanding achievements within the journalism, communication and media coverage industry. This year, the winners included Iain Essau from Upstream. Essau has, for over two decades, delivered accurate and timely reports on Africa’s energy industry, and his work has been instrumental in informing decision-making continent-wide. Additionally, Ajong Mbapndah, a driving force behind Pan African Visions, has shown dedication to providing insightful coverage on Africa’s energy industry.

The panel discussion represented the first of the #AEW2023 conference in Cape Town. AEW2023 takes place this week in Cape Town under a mandate to make energy poverty history by 2030.

• A Tell report