African Energy Chamber calls for boycott of Energies Summit over representation and local content concerns

The African Energy Chamber (AEC) has called on stakeholders across the continent’s oil and gas industry to boycott the upcoming Africa Energies Summit, citing concerns about African representation and commitment to local content.

The summit, organised by Frontier Energy Network and scheduled to take place in London from 12 to 14 May, describes itself as Africa’s premier global upstream conference. However, the AEC says the company, led by Daniel Davidson, has no Black African professionals in its leadership structure.

According to the chamber, the situation highlights a disconnect between the summit’s branding as an Africa-focused platform and the level of African representation within the organisation behind it.

For years, African professionals and institutions such as the AEC have worked to support and strengthen the continent’s oil and gas industry. Their efforts have included advocacy for improved fiscal frameworks, enabling policies, licensing opportunities and an energy transition that reflects Africa’s development priorities.

Despite this progress, the chamber argues that African talent remains underrepresented in parts of the industry that rely on the continent’s resources and markets.

The AEC said local content should extend beyond policy discussions and conference presentations to tangible commitments in recruitment, leadership development, supplier participation and broader access across the energy value chain. It warned that business models focused on African markets must demonstrate meaningful opportunities for African professionals if they are to retain credibility.

“We will not accept being ‘Blacked-out’ the oil and gas industry. We want an industry that is welcoming and open, that is inclusive and supportive. People like Daniel Davidson take the opposite approach by refusing to hire black Africans. They take it one step further by even banning people from entering the room,” states NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman, AEC.

The chamber pointed to examples within the sector that it believes demonstrate a stronger commitment to African inclusion. Among them is Africa Fortesa Corporation, an independent oil and gas company led by Rogers Beall.

Operating the Gadiaga onshore gas field in Senegal, the company has supplied gas to meet domestic energy demand for two decades. According to the AEC, the firm has distinguished itself by prioritising African employment and placing local professionals at the centre of its operations.

“We are inspired everyday by people such as Rogers Beall. When you go to Senegal and see what he has done with Fortesa, you will be amazed. He has achieved this with majority African employees. Even in difficult circumstances such as COVID, the company stood with their employees. We are also passionate about companies that stood with Mozambique during difficult times and kept pushing the country’s LNG projects. We are passionate about people that invest in local talent, create policies that support capacity building and ensure African professionals are not just part of, but leading Africa’s energy discussions,” added Ayuk.

Industry observers note that the issue of local participation has become increasingly important as more African graduates enter the energy workforce. Advocates argue that students who complete professional training and technical education should have access to opportunities based on their expertise and qualifications.

Beyond recruitment, the chamber also warned that the industry’s global reputation could be affected if it fails to demonstrate inclusive practices. The oil and gas sector has faced growing scrutiny from environmental and anti-fossil fuel campaigners, and critics often point to perceived inequalities in how the industry engages with African communities.

“When Frontier, Daniel Davidson and Africa Energies Summit engages in these discriminatory behaviors, do you know what that says? It feeds into the same narrative as the Greta Thunberg’s and all those anti-fossil fuel people that go out and say the industry doesn’t care about black people or African communities. Daniel Davidson and Frontier justify that narrative,” adds Ayuk.

The AEC said the future of Africa’s oil and gas sector should be built not only on the continent’s resources but also on the meaningful inclusion of African professionals, adding that the industry must ensure Africans play a central role in shaping the continent’s energy discussions.