Connect with us
Anglostratits

Business

NJ Ayuk on Five Years of Powering Africa’s Energy

Published

on

Energy

African Energy Week (AEW) was born out of a need to bring the discussion about Africa’s energy future back to the continent

SANDTON, South Africa, September 18, 2025/APO Group/ –Five years may seem a short time in the lifespan of an industry, but in the African energy space, it has been nothing short of a revolution. At the heart of that transformation stands NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber (https://EnergyChamber.org/), a figure who has become synonymous with unapologetic advocacy for African-led solutions, deal-making at scale, and an unrelenting drive to end energy poverty on the continent. His voice carries weight not just in Africa but across global boardrooms, where he has positioned Africa not as a bystander in the energy transition but as a decisive player.

 

Against this backdrop of ambition, grit, and unprecedented growth, Pan African Visions recently had a Q&A with NJ Ayuk, a conversation that captured both the triumphs of the African Energy Week (AEW) journey and the sharper edges of Africa’s energy reality. More than just a conference, AEW has grown into what Ayuk describes as a “movement,” one that in just five years has turned Cape Town into the epicenter of global energy dialogue.

In the exchange that follows, Ayuk speaks candidly about the birth of AEW, its achievements, the hurdles of perception, and the bold steps that still lie ahead. His words are not rehearsed slogans; they are infused with the lived intensity of someone who has fought to bring Africa’s energy story back to African soil—and won.

The fifth anniversary of this incredible conference fills me and the AEC team with pride as well as clarity of purpose. From our 2021 debut of 1,700 delegates, ministers, global executives, and financiers, we’ve evolved into the continent’s premier energy investment platform, with just short of 7,000 delegates attending in 2024, with 26 official delegations and 27 ministries. Celebrating this symbolic fifth year, the mood is electric – we’ve catalyzed multi-billion-dollar deals, shaped policy, and intensified regional collaboration. With renewed confidence, I can wholeheartedly say, AEW is the heartbeat of Africa’s energy ambitions. We feel fortitude, optimism, and an unwavering commitment to deliver deals that will make energy poverty in Africa history by 2030.

AEW was born out of a need to bring the discussion about Africa’s energy future back to the continent. For so long, we have seen major energy events discuss key topics about the continent in international locations. From Houston to Dubai to London. And during COVID-19, when it was even more imperative to protect Africa’s interests, we saw major conferences abandon the continent for Dubai. This not only took the discussion about Africa away from the continent but also took all of the economic benefits of hosting a conference away from the community as well. Africa deserves to not only be part of those discussions but drive them. AEW proved that the continent is capable of hosting international energy conferences.

In five years, AEW has delivered transformative outcomes: facilitating multi-billion-dollar deals, institutionalizing platforms like the African Farmout Forum and Deal Room, and shaping energy policy dialogue across Africa. We launched initiatives such as the African Green Energy initiative and the Just Energy Transition Concert, amplifying green energy investment and inclusive engagement. Strategic financing commitments have flowed – like Afreximbank channelling over $120 million in 2024, and impactful cross-border projects like hydrogen exploration in The Gambia and gas facility funding in Nigeria. We’ve built the continent’s prime energy forum – where deals happen, and barriers fall.

When we launched AEW in 2021, our vision was ambitious. Seeing dozens of ministers, presidents, multinationals, financiers, and international institutions converge annually exceeds initial expectations. What started as a bold conference has matured into a movement. We now convene the full spectrum – governments, national oil companies, investors, and technology providers – powering tangible capital mobilization and project acceleration. Today, the AEW ecosystem is broader, deeper, and more impactful than we dared to dream.

Behind closed doors, ministers and heads of state recognize both urgency and opportunity – their energy stakes are existential, tied to development, jobs, and security. We hear a unified call for enabling regulation, transparency, and finance. Many affirm meaningful political will: Nigeria’s Petroleum Industry Act, South Africa’s new petroleum company, the Republic of Congo’s Gas Master Plan. Each underscores commitment to reform and sector growth. That political will is real and rising, though implementation must accelerate. At AEW, declarations are becoming actionable through partnerships, policy alignment, and capital flow.

Expect AEW 2025 to raise the bar. Highlights include expanded Big-5 Premium Content Stages, African Farmout Forum, and Deal Room. We’re introducing high-impact elements: the G20 Energy Leaders Roundtable, OPEC-Africa Roundtable, COP30 positioning sessions, and country spotlight forums for nations like Senegal, Equatorial Guinea, Namibia, and more. Pre-conference workshops, technical hubs, fireside chats, African Energy Awards, and the Just Energy Transition Concert also return, fueling innovation, recognition, and high-value networking. AEW 2025 delivers new formats and cutting-edge content.

Financing momentum is accelerating, with Africa’s oil and gas capital expenditure jumping to $47 billion in 2024 – a 23% year-on-year increase. Institutional elements like the African Energy Bank, launching with $5 billion this year, signal a new African-led financing era. Cross-border collaboration also strengthens – from joint LNG developments to regional pipeline planning and farm-out partnerships across the continent. While challenges persist, capital and cooperation are surging – proof that Africa is writing its own energy narratives.

Our global mission is shifting perception. Africa is not an energy laggard but a frontier of high-growth and resilient opportunity. Investors now see us not as a risk, but as full-sized players in oil, gas, and renewables. However, the myths remain: that Africa lacks governance, scale, and legitimacy. AEW counters that. Through real deals, ministerial validation, and deliverables. That lens is changing. We are now positioned as energy champions, not bystanders. But we still combat outdated tropes about instability and poor capacity – and events like AEW are the antidote.

We hope that Africa emerges as a global energy powerhouse, leveraging oil, gas, and renewables to power inclusive industrialization, growth, and energy justice. Financing, policymaking, and implementation must not falter. AEW’s future is to deepen impact, expanding satellite forums, reinforcing policy-to-project pipelines, and embedding digital integration and sustainability at every stage. We aim to revolve AEW into a year-round engine for capital flow, institutional building, and continuous energy transformation.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

Business

Aggreko Strengthens Commitment to Nigeria with Appointment of New General Manager

Published

on

Aggreko

Greatorex assumed leadership of Aggreko’s Nigeria operations in early June, bringing more than three decades of international experience across the energy, utilities, oil and gas, petrochemical and industrial sectors

LAGOS, Nigeria, July 22, 2026/APO Group/ –Aggreko (https://www.Aggreko.com/en-za), a global leader in energy solutions, has reaffirmed its commitment to Nigeria with the appointment of Nigel Greatorex as General Manager for Nigeria, marking an important milestone in the company’s renewed focus on one of Africa’s most strategically significant energy markets.

 

Greatorex assumed leadership of Aggreko’s Nigeria operations in early June, bringing more than three decades of international experience across the energy, utilities, oil and gas, petrochemical and industrial sectors. His appointment comes as Aggreko accelerates its growth ambitions in Nigeria, strengthening its local presence and expanding its ability to support customers with reliable, flexible and sustainable energy solutions.

Nigeria remains one of Africa’s largest and most dynamic economies, with growing demand for dependable power across industries ranging from oil and gas and manufacturing to mining, infrastructure and commercial operations. As businesses increasingly seek resilient energy solutions that can support both operational continuity and sustainability objectives, Aggreko is positioning itself to play an even greater role in enabling economic growth and industrial development across the country.

Extensive global and African energy experience

Greatorex joins Aggreko from ABB, where he most recently served as Global Industry Business Manager for Carbon Capture and Storage. In that role, he led global strategy and growth initiatives focused on energy transition technologies and decarbonisation. He also brings extensive experience operating across Africa, including Nigeria, giving him a strong understanding of the unique opportunities and challenges facing businesses in the region.

Nigel’s appointment reflects our commitment to investing in leadership and strengthening our presence in the country

Throughout his career, Greatorex has held numerous senior leadership positions, successfully leading business transformations, driving operational excellence and expanding market presence in complex and highly competitive environments.

Investing in local leadership

Commenting on the appointment, Edith Kikonyogo, Managing Director of Aggreko Africa said: “Nigeria is a key part of our growth strategy across Africa. Nigel’s appointment reflects our commitment to investing in leadership and strengthening our presence in the country. His extensive industry experience, proven leadership capabilities and deep understanding of the African energy landscape make him ideally positioned to lead the next phase of our growth in Nigeria.”

Greatorex said he was excited to join Aggreko at a pivotal moment for both the company and the Nigerian market. “Nigeria presents tremendous opportunities for innovation, growth and partnership. I am delighted to be joining Aggreko as the company strengthens its commitment to the country and its customers. Aggreko has a strong reputation for delivering critical energy solutions that help businesses overcome challenges and unlock new opportunities. I look forward to working with our customers, partners and team to build on that legacy and support Nigeria’s continued development.”

A long-term commitment to Nigeria

The appointment underscores Aggreko’s confidence in Nigeria’s long-term economic potential and its commitment to helping organisations navigate evolving energy requirements through flexible, efficient and sustainable power solutions.

As the company continues to expand its footprint in the country, Aggreko remains focused on delivering the expertise, technology and local support needed to help businesses thrive in an increasingly complex energy environment.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Aggreko plc.

 

Continue Reading

Business

SPIRO publishes its first Sustainability Report and confirms strong economic, social and climate impact

Published

on

SPIRO

The publication provides a comprehensive overview of the environmental, social and economic impact of its operations

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, July 21, 2026/APO Group/ —

  • Spiro’s inaugural Sustainability Report provides the first comprehensive overview of the environmental, social and economic impact of Spiro’s operations.
  • The company also unveils ambitious objectives and targets net-zero Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2040 and up to 0.7 million tonnes of CO₂ emissions avoided from product use annually by 2030.

SPIRO (www.Spironet.com), Africa’s leading electric mobility company, today published its inaugural Sustainability Report. The publication provides a comprehensive overview of the environmental, social and economic impact of its operations and aims at establishing a baseline, to track future progress on its path to scale clean transport infrastructure and affordable mobility solutions.

Download Report: https://apo-opa.co/4wPw7VP

 

Having grown up in India, I have witnessed firsthand the impact of vehicle emissions on public health and urban environments. At SPIRO, our responsibility as founders is not only to scale innovation, but to ensure that the systems we build endure economically, socially, and environmentally for generations to come”, said Gagan Gupta, Founder of SPIRO and Chairman of Equitane.

 

“This report reflects how far SPIRO has come—not only in terms of growth, but in our ability to measure and improve our impact. As we expand across Africa, sustainability will remain a core business driver, shaping how we invest, manufacture, innovate and partner for the long term”, highlighted Anant Badjatya, Group Chief Executive Officer, SPIRO.

 

This report reflects how far SPIRO has come—not only in terms of growth, but in our ability to measure and improve our impact

“By establishing our first comprehensive ESG baseline, including Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions, we are creating the foundations needed to track progress, set measurable targets and strengthen transparency as SPIRO continues to scale across Africa. Sustainability is not a standalone initiative—it is integrated into how we operate, innovate and create long-term value”, said Imtinen Hamlaoui, Head of ESG and Sustainability.

 

Among key highlights :

 

  • As part of its sustainability roadmap, SPIRO completed its first end-to-end greenhouse gas inventory, covering Scope 1, Scope 2 and Scope 3 emissions across its operations and value chain.

 

  • Among others, operational efficiency measures taken last year delivered an estimated 15–25% reduction in energy use at assembly facilities, reinforcing SPIRO’s commitment to continuously improving energy efficiency and reducing the environmental footprint of its operations.

 

  • The report outlines SPIRO’s long-term sustainability roadmap, including its ambition to achieve net-zero Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions by 2040. As the company expands, its electric mobility ecosystem is projected to help avoid approximately 700,000 tonnes of CO₂ emissions annually by 2030. To further strengthen energy resilience and reduce grid dependency, SPIRO is evaluating the deployment of 80–125 KVA on-site solar solutions across selected battery-swapping stations, while smart energy management initiatives implemented at its assembly facilities have already delivered an estimated 15–25% reduction in energy consumption.

 

  • The report highlights SPIRO’s growing investment in people and local capabilities. Through the Spiro Academy, the company trained more than 4,000 individuals across Africa in 2025 in areas including EV maintenance, battery management and technical operations. Initiatives such as Africa’s first women electric motorcycle assembly line further reinforce SPIRO’s commitment to skills development, workforce inclusion and local industrial growth.

 

  • Beyond environmental performance, the report underlines the growing economic benefits of electric mobility. Commercial riders using SPIRO motorcycles reduce operating costs by 70–80% compared with petrol-powered alternatives, while benefiting from lower maintenance costs and reduced exposure to fuel price volatility.

 

Download (https://apo-opa.co/4ptV32MSPIRO First Sustainability Report

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Spiro.

 

Continue Reading

Business

eWAKA Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Selected as a 2026 Cartier Women’s Initiative Fellow

Published

on

eWAKA

eWAKA Joins the Cartier Women’s Initiative to Accelerate Africa’s Transition to Clean Mobility

NAIROBI, Kenya, July 21, 2026/APO Group/ –eWAKA (www.eWAKA.tech) today announced the company’s Co-founder and CEO, Céleste Tchetgen Vogel, has been selected as a 2026 Cartier Women’s Initiative Fellow. Vogel was recognized for her work to electrify Africa’s last mile, giving riders clean vehicles they can own and a better way to earn. Chosen from applicants around the world, Vogel represents the Anglophone and Lusophone Africa category of the 2026 Cartier Women’s Initiative Awards, which celebrate women entrepreneurs using business as a force for positive change.

 

eWAKA is an early-stage company with a clear ambition: to make Africa’s last mile clean, affordable, and within reach of the people who move it. Today it provides electric motorcycles and cargo bikes, financing that lets riders own their vehicles affordably, and charging and battery-swap to keep them moving. It coordinates deliveries and fleet operations through its own software. It aims to grow this into a managed electric delivery network, where businesses get reliable, lower-cost delivery and riders earn a steady living. Operating in Kenya and Rwanda, eWAKA is actively expanding into Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo, demonstrating its confidence in regional growth and impact.

 

eWAKA at a Glance

 

  • Nearly 1,500 active riders in Kenya and Rwanda
  • More than one million deliveries completed, up by over 80,000 on the prior year
  • More than 550 vendors onboarded onto the company’s merchant ordering platform
  • Approximately Ksh 25 million (about US$190,000 or CHF 150,000) earned by riders, up more than Ksh 6 million on the prior year
  • More than 1,500 jobs were created, with over 85% of riders aged 18 to 30
  • More than 3000 metric tons of CO₂ emissions avoided through clean mobility operations
  • Woman-founded and woman-led, with women working as riders, vendors, and agents across the network

 

We are delighted to welcome Céleste Tchetgen Vogel to the Cartier Women’s Initiative community

By bringing electric vehicles, financing, and software together in a single operation, eWAKA is building a model it can carry from one city to the next, so that each new market means more riders earning, more businesses served, and cleaner air to breathe. The company’s early backers include the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), through its Start-up Fund, alongside impact investors and development finance partners.

 

eWAKA Co-founder and CEO Céleste Tchetgen Vogel said, “Mobility should open doors, not close them. When a rider can own a clean vehicle and earn a living with it, a whole family moves forward, and the city breathes a little easier. That is the future eWAKA is building, one electric mile at a time. To be welcomed into the Cartier Women’s Initiative, in its twentieth year, tells us the path is real, and gives us the resolve to walk it much further.”

 

eWAKA is building Africa’s next-generation electric mobility platform, operating in Kenya and Rwanda and expanding into Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Originally from Cameroon, Vogel is an African entrepreneur who co-founded eWAKA in 2021 after a career in senior legal and executive roles at Credit Suisse, ABB, and Swiss Re. She holds a degree in economics and international relations from Ohio Wesleyan University and a law degree from Northwestern University’s Pritzker School of Law, both in the United States. She was named among the Most Influential Women in Mobility in 2024 and to the Meaningful Business 100 in 2025. eWAKA works with ETH Zurich as a technical partner on battery and fleet data.

 

Cartier Women’s Initiative Director Kiyo Taga-Witkin commented, “We are delighted to welcome Céleste Tchetgen Vogel to the Cartier Women’s Initiative community. Through eWAKA, she exemplifies how entrepreneurship can drive meaningful, positive change. We look forward to supporting her journey and celebrating the impact she is creating.”

 

The Cartier Women’s Initiative is an international entrepreneurship program established in 2006 to support women impact entrepreneurs who are building a more inclusive society for generations to come. Since its inception, the program has been dedicated to identifying and accompanying women whose businesses address the world’s most pressing social and environmental challenges. Through a comprehensive approach combining financial support, access to a global network, and tailored leadership development, the Cartier Women’s Initiative enables fellows to scale their businesses while strengthening their capacity to lead and create lasting impact.

 

Over the years, the initiative has grown into a vibrant international community of more than 520 community members, united by a shared ambition to drive meaningful change within their respective ecosystems. At its core, the Cartier Women’s Initiative is guided by a set of enduring convictions: the belief that women are powerful agents of transformation, that talent is universal, while opportunities are not, that continuous learning is essential to progress, and that sustainable impact is rooted in a deep commitment to the communities it serves.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of eWAKA.

 

Continue Reading

Trending