As part of courtesy visits and missions of sensitization and exchange with Member Countries and Observers countries, the Secretary General of the APPO, Dr. Omar Farouk Ibrahim was received audience this September 21 by HE Mme. Sophie Gladima, Minister of Petroleum and Energies of the Republic of Senegal, accompanied by her Office and all the national companies under the supervision of the Ministry.
During this meeting, the main matters discussed were Senegal’s membership to the APPO, the first Summit of Heads of State of APPO Member Countries, the issue of energy transition and the subscription to the African Energy Investment Corporation (AEICorp).
Regarding Senegal’s membership and as a follow up of the letter of the APPO President, the Minister of Petroleum and Energy welcomed this commendable step taken by the Secretary General and reassured him that all the steps have been taken and the procedure launched for the membership of his country to the APPO after 25 years of collaboration with APPO as observer country.
It should be said that during this meeting, a presentation of the APPO was made with essential points on the Vision, Mission and some important achievements of APPO, examples of successful cooperation both between Member Countries and between the National Oil Companies of Member Countries. This was followed by a presentation on the African Energy Investment Company, by its Managing Director, Mr. Zakaria Dosso.
Regarding the Energy Transition, a brief presentation on the future of the oil and gas industry in Africa in the light of COP 21 and COVID19 was made by the Secretariat on the study that is being finalized. The issue of energy transition being essential and is the hot topic now. The Secretary General therefore summarized the first conclusions of the Study with the actors of the sector in Senegal who did not hesitate to express their interest in this study of capital importance for African countries.
Exchanges through question-and-answer sessions that followed shed light on APPO and AEICorp to the assistance.
The Minister reassured the Secretary General of the APPO of the full support of her country in the position of APPO pertaining to energy transition which, according to her, should be done gradually.
In Abidjan, September 22, the second stage of the tour, the Minister of Mines, Petroleum and Energy, HE Mr Thomas Camara received the APPO delegation led by Dr. Omar Farouk Ibrahim with whom they reviewed the Secretariat’s work programme since the reform phase initiated by the APPO Council of Ministers; the 1st Summit of Heads of State, scheduled to be held in the first quarter of 2022 in the country of the Headquarters, Brazzaville. The Secretary General of APPO took the opportunity to solicit the support of the Minister to inform the highest authorities for the participation of Côte d’Ivoire in this very first Summit; the 8th edition of the African Petroleum Congress and Exhibition (CAPE), scheduled to be held in June 2022 in Luanda, Angola. The Secretary General made a brief reminder on the history and objectives of CAPE while giving a brief overview of the previous editions, and especially the particularity of the next edition during which will also be held the 2nd Round Table on African Local Content and the 1st Meeting of the General Directors of the National Hydrocarbons Companies. The Minister was asked to encourage Ivorian oil companies and those installed in Côte d’Ivoire to take part in this event.
Dr. Omar Farouk Ibrahim was also keen to congratulate Côte d’Ivoire on the major discovery a few days ago of an important oil reserve in the Ivorian subsoil.
On AEICORP, It was especially question of the subscription of Côte d’Ivoire to the Capital the Corporation.
Indeed, the Member Countries will have to provide an additional Fund amounting to more than 240 million US Dollars to the seed capital of the company. The minimum subscription is US$10 million per Member Country.
It should be noted that following the recapitalization process, the governance of AEICorp will be conducted by a Board of Directors that will administer by delegation of authority from the General Assembly of shareholders.
Before the meeting with the Minister Camara, the delegation of the Secretary General of APPO met with the Director General of PETROCI, the National Oil Operations Company of Côte d’Ivoire, Mr. Vamissa Bamba, accompanied by his deputy Director General, Mr. Georges Kam Sié. This meeting focused on the role of the NOCs Forum within the new APPO and the preparation of the 1st meeting of the Managing Directors/CEOs of NOCs scheduled to be held on the sidelines of CAPE VIII in Angola in June 2022. Faced with the challenges related to the energy transition, the Director General reassured the Secretary General of APPO of his full support in what it undertakes as awareness of Member Countries. For him, Africa and Africans must take their destiny in hand.