News, Analysis, Views, Commentary and Strategic Reports
on Energy, Human Development & Corporate Affairs in Africa

Energy & Corporate Africa has received a certificate of special congressional recognition by United States Member of Congress Al Green on the occasion of the organization’s recently concluded Sub-Saharan Africa Oil and Gas Conference. The conference which took place in Houston from June 16 to June 18, 2008 had the theme: Investment Opportunities, Partnership and Challenges in Sub-Sahara Africa Oil and Gas Industry, and Outcomes of Local Content Policies.

According to Sunny Lawrence-Oputa, the chief executive officer of Energy & Corporate Africa, “the region has great potentials for growth and is very attractive to investors. A conference of this nature unlocks the gate to the African market and provides forum for information sharing. However, governments of African nations should seriously consider investing in human resources and infrastructure in order to meet up the challenges of the burgeoning global economy.”

The conference which was well attended and sponsored by ERHC, INC had NOC's such as PETROSEN showcasing the available opportunities in Senegal Basin. The conference also provided immense opportunities for independent oil and gas companies such as Fortesa with operational base in Senegal, and ERHC, Inc which has strong presence in the Gulf of Guinea to present relevant case studies and their various experiences.

Delegates agreed that local content laws are a welcomed development in the African market. The panelists in the discussion were of the opinion that the use of local human and material resources for the provision of goods and services will help in stimulating the development of indigenous capacities. However, they cautioned that goods and services must be within acceptable quality, health, safety and environmental standards. It was also indicated that investors, local operators and foreign oil companies must work towards understanding various legal frame works in which businesses are conducted in African countries. Human capital development, infrastructure, political development and funding in research and development are other areas that were highlighted that required urgent attention so that investments in Africa will yield well both for the local communities and investors.

(R-L) Sunny Lawrence-Oputa,CEO Energy & Corporate Africa, Pakodzi Gabor, Project Manager Hungary Oil Company, Lydia Sunny-Oputa, Event Coordinator, Graham Milne, Business Dev. Manager Schlumberger U.K, Charlemagne kuekam, Dep. Gen. Mgr Libya Oil Cameroon