Calls for greater inclusion of young professionals, women, local businesses and host communities in the energy value chain shaped discussions at the 3rd Ghana Biennial International Summit and Exhibition (GHBISE 2026), with industry leaders stressing that Africa’s energy future must be “practical, resilient, sustainable” and ultimately deliver outcomes that “work for Africans”.
The Chamber of Oil Marketing Companies (COMAC) participated in the high-level summit, joining policymakers, operators, and development partners to deliberate on pathways toward a balanced energy transition across the continent. The forum served as a platform for technical exchange and policy dialogue on how Africa can align energy security objectives with long-term decarbonisation goals.
Speaking at the event, Dr Riverson Oppong, Chief Executive Officer of COMAC and SPE Africa Regional Director, underscored the need for a transition framework that reflects Africa’s structural realities. He cautioned that the continent’s energy shift must be anchored in “energy security” alongside sustainability ambitions, noting that oil and gas will continue to play a central role in financing development, supporting infrastructure expansion, and underpinning power generation capacity.
Oppong further highlighted the strategic relevance of natural gas in stabilising power systems across emerging economies, describing it as a key transitional fuel for maintaining reliability while cleaner technologies scale up. He also emphasised the importance of “strong governance systems” and sustained investment in local capacity development to ensure that the sector remains competitive and inclusive.
The COMAC CEO called for deeper regional collaboration and innovation-driven investment models to unlock Africa’s broader energy potential. He emphasised that partnerships among public institutions, private operators, and development actors are crucial to accelerate infrastructure delivery and enhance efficiency throughout the value chain.
A recurring theme in his address was inclusion, with Oppong advocating for the deliberate integration of young professionals, women, local enterprises and host communities into the energy ecosystem. He described this as critical to ensuring that growth in the sector is both equitable and sustainable, while also strengthening local participation in value creation.
