The JA Company Program in Togo encouraged participants to develop business ideas that address sustainability challenges in their communities. The program included several key entrepreneurship modules, including identifying problems and opportunities, creativity and idea generation, market research, business model design, business plan development, basic financial management, marketing and communications, pitching and project presentation, and sustainable business management.

Through this structured learning, students gained practical skills to identify community needs and create and manage their own businesses responsibly.

“In Africa, young people have the ideas and energy to drive meaningful change,” said Henok Teferra Shawl, Boeing managing director for Africa. “Our partnership with JA Africa has already helped more than 5,000 young people across the continent unlock their potential. I am proud that the program in Togo produced 45 student-led small businesses, creating local economic opportunities in West Africa.”

The program culminated in the national youth entrepreneurship competition, held on March 14 in Lomé. Forty students from shortlisted teams, representing ten schools from Lomé and the Maritime region, presented their business projects to a panel of judges.

The grand prize was awarded to SmartAir from CS BAPTISTE, Kangnikopé, which proposed an Intelligent Fan, a ventilation system that automatically activates based on temperature.

“When young people are given the opportunity to build and run real companies, they begin to see themselves differently — as creators of value and drivers of change,” said Vincent Supparayen, director of strategy and development for non-anglophone Africa at Junior Achievement Africa. “Through the JA Company Program, we equip young people in Togo with the entrepreneurial skills and sustainability mindset they need to thrive in their communities.”

“At YMCA Togo, we believe that every young person has the potential to transform their community. The JA Company Program not only provides them with the tools to create and manage a business, but also gives them the opportunity to become sustainable change-makers in their environment,” said Mr. Dodji Kevin FIASHINOU, national president of YMCA-Togo. “We are proud to support these young people in their entrepreneurial journey and to see their ideas come to life in projects that strengthen the local economy.”

JA Africa and Boeing have been partners since 2021, delivering entrepreneurship and sustainability programs in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ghana, Madagascar, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, and now Togo. Alumni of the programs have consistently demonstrated success, with many launching their own businesses and creating jobs in their communities.

Such outcomes are vital for Africa, home to the world’s fastest-growing youth population. According to the International Labor Organization, young people in Sub-Saharan Africa are more likely than adults to face unemployment or underemployment. In Togo, limited formal job creation has also contributed to irregular migration as young people seek opportunities abroad, a trend highlighted by the World Bank. The program aims to tackle youth unemployment head-on.

The Invest in African Energy (IAE) 2026 Forum in Paris gains strategic weight with the scheduled participation of Dr. Philip Mshelbila, the newly appointed Secretary General of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF). His insight comes at a pivotal juncture for African gas and LNG markets, where energy security concerns, investment flows and global demand dynamics are reshaping the continent’s role in the global energy landscape.

Dr. Mshelbila assumed office at the GECF on January 1, 2026, bringing over three decades of gas, LNG and energy value‑chain experience – including senior leadership roles at Nigeria LNG and Atlantic LNG – to the helm of the intergovernmental body that represents major gas producers worldwide.

In its Global Gas Outlook and related analyses, the GECF has projected that Africa could attract up to $115 billion in gas midstream investment between 2031 and 2040, driven largely by LNG and liquefaction spending. The continent is expected to account for nearly a quarter of global liquefaction investments by 2050, with major projects in Mozambique, Nigeria, Senegal-Mauritania and Gabon leading the charge. This frames Africa not only as a resource base for traditional markets, but as a strategic export hub in global gas supply chains.

Those projections align with the region’s real‑time evolution. New LNG developments such as Greater Tortue Ahmeyim on the Senegal–Mauritania maritime border have reached commercial milestones, while Mozambique’s Coral South FLNG and Nigeria’s Train 7 expansion at NLNG support infrastructure highlight growing activity. At the same time, assets in the Rovuma Basin, emerging fields in Tanzania and planned expansions in Egypt’s Zohr and offshore Mediterranean plays signal a broadening base of competitive gas resources across West, East and North Africa.

Beyond export potential, the continent’s domestic gas consumption continues to rise, driven by industrial demand, power generation needs and expanding LNG import infrastructure in markets such as South Africa and Ghana. According to recent market data, Africa’s gas consumption climbed to 183 billion cubic meters in 2025, reflecting year‑on‑year growth and underscoring gas’s growing role in the energy mix.

Mshelbila has also been vocal about the broader socioeconomic dimensions of gas development. He highlighted that more than 600 million Africans still lack access to electricity and an even larger number lack clean cooking solutions, noting that overall energy consumption on the continent must at least triple by 2050 to eliminate energy poverty. For investors, this underscores a dual opportunity: capitalizing on export‑oriented LNG projects while supporting solutions that address chronic domestic shortfalls.

The GECF’s engagement with global forums – from the G20 Energy Transition Working Group to continental leadership dialogues – reinforces its advocacy for gas as both a transitional and long‑term energy source that can support industrialization, electrification and lower‑emission outcomes relative to other fossil fuels.

At IAE 2026, Mshelbila’s participation will give investors a clearer view of how producer coordination, policy alignment and investment frameworks are evolving across Africa’s gas sector. As governments and international partners navigate security risks, financing constraints and regulatory complexities, these dynamics are increasingly shaping how projects move from discovery to development.

With the GECF playing a central role in global gas dialogue, Mshelbila’s perspective will also place African developments within the broader push to diversify global supply chains amid geopolitical shifts and rising demand in Europe and Asia – insights that are directly relevant for investors evaluating new opportunities across the gas value chain.

IAE 2026 (https://apo-opa.co/4bqyp4L) is an exclusive forum designed to connect African energy markets with global investors, serving as a key platform for deal-making in the lead-up to African Energy Week. Scheduled for April 22–23, 2026, in Paris, the event will provide delegates with two days of in-depth engagement with industry experts, project developers, investors and policymakers. For more information, visit www.Invest-Africa-Energy.com. To sponsor or register as a delegate, please contact sales@energycapitalpower.com

Held as one of the flagship moments of AEW: Invest in African Energies, the awards recognize excellence across the continent’s oil, gas and broader energy value chain. The opening of nominations marks the start of the search for this year’s most outstanding industry leaders and achievements.

Visit www.AECWeek.com to submit your nomination!

“As our industry evolves, it is critical that we recognize the people and organizations making a tangible difference across the continent. We encourage stakeholders from across the sector to submit their nominations and help spotlight the excellence driving African energy forward,” states NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman, African Energy Chamber.

Mohammed S. Barkindo Lifetime Achievement Award (non-voting category)

The Mohammed S. Barkindo Lifetime Achievement Award – the highest distinction in the industry – celebrates individuals who have made remarkable and lasting contributions to the oil, gas and energy sectors in Africa. The award celebrates the visionary leadership, innovation and profound impact of individuals, recognizing their tireless dedication and unwavering commitment to growth.

Lifetime Achievement Award (non-voting category)

Recognizing an individual whose career has left a lasting mark on Africa’s energy industry, the Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes decades of leadership, dedication and influence in advancing the development of the continent’s energy sector. The recipient has not only played a pivotal role in their respective field, but impacted policy, driven investment and strengthened industry collaboration – leaving a legacy that continues to guide the African energy industry’s growth.

Energy Person of the Year (non-voting category)

The Energy Person of the Year award celebrates an individual who has made significant and impactful contributions to the energy sector. It recognizes exceptional leadership, visionary thinking and a commitment to driving progress and innovation within the industry. The recipient’s efforts have substantially advanced the energy landscape, benefiting both their organization and the broader community.

Exploration & Production Leader of the Year

Recognizing outstanding leadership and innovation in upstream exploration and production, this award honors individuals driving new production and discoveries in Africa’s energy sector. Nominees demonstrate exceptional vision and operational excellence in unlocking the continent’s hydrocarbon potential and new production

Gas Monetization Award

This award recognizes companies and projects revolutionizing gas monetization in Africa to bridge the energy poverty gap. It honors innovative strategies and successful commercialization efforts that demonstrate outstanding leadership in maximizing the value of gas resources.

Deal of the Year

The Deal of the Year award recognizes the most transformative and impactful deal in the energy sector ­– honoring excellence in negotiation, strategic alignment, innovation and collaboration ­– and celebrates deals that drive advancements in energy and economic growth.

International Service Provider of the Year

The International Service Provider of the Year award celebrates an exceptional service provider that has demonstrated outstanding commitment and innovation in supporting Africa’s energy industry. The award honors service providers who have demonstrated a deep understanding of the industry’s challenges and opportunities, offering tailored solutions that drive efficiency, productivity and sustainability in the energy sector.

African Service Provider of the Year

The African Service Provider of the Year recognizes an indigenous firm that has demonstrated excellence in supporting the continent’s energy industry through high-quality services, technical expertise and operational reliability. From enabling project development to strengthening supply chains to enhancing efficiency and driving projects forward, the recipient of the African Service Provider of the Year has demonstrated African expertise in an ever-changing industry.

African Local Content Champion

This award celebrates an organization that has demonstrated exceptional dedication and success in promoting and implementing local content initiatives in Africa’s energy sector. The award recognizes champions who have gone above and beyond to ensure that the benefits of the energy industry are shared equitably, fostering inclusive growth and prosperity across the continent

International Local Content Champion

This International Local Content Champion award honors international companies and partners that have made a significant impact in advancing local content objectives across Africa. The nominated firms have fostered meaningful partnerships, invested in capacity-building programs and empowered local talent and suppliers to support long-term economic growth in the communities where they operate.

Reformer & Change Maker of the Year Award

This award honors a government or public sector entity that has demonstrated exceptional leadership and commitment to reforming the energy sector in Africa. It recognizes the efforts of governments and public sector institutions that have driven change, fostering an enabling environment for energy growth, economic development, and social progress.

CSR Project of the Year

The CSR Project of the Year award recognizes a standout corporate social responsibility initiative within Africa’s energy sector that has delivered measurable social, economic or environmental impact. It honors projects that go beyond compliance to actively uplift communities, support sustainable development and demonstrate a long-term commitment to responsible energy practices.

Media Personality or Agency of the Year

This award acknowledges outstanding achievements in journalism, communication and media coverage within the energy sector. It celebrates individuals or media organizations demonstrating exceptional storytelling, in-depth analysis, and effective communication of energy-related topics to a wide audience.

Technology Innovator of the Year  

The Technology Innovator of the Year celebrates an organization that has introduced groundbreaking technologies which continue to transform the African energy landscape. Through the deployment of solutions that enhance efficiency, sustainability and operational performance across the industry, the recipient has reshaped the sector, supporting the development of a more resilient and future-ready energy ecosystem in Africa.