OTL Africa 2017 sparks interest in new opportunities in Nigeria’s downstream sector
In a bid to promote the development of efficient markets in downstream petroleum and to facilitate an interface between private sector and the government with an overall view of achieving an easier environment for doing business on the continent , Oil Trading and Logistics will be converging its African Downstream Week from 22 to 25 October 2017.
In a press briefing organised at the company’s office in Lagos on October 12, Emeka Akabogu, Chairman OTL Africa Downstream, the theme for this year’s event is “Downstream- Renewed Opportunities”. The focus is on emerging opportunities inherent in the downstream value chain, which have hitherto been neglected. These issues range from value addition to crude oil through refining, to development of critical supply infrastructure across African states.
“The OTL Africa Downstream Week brings together operators in the value chain of oil and gas supply, comprising international traders, refining, shipping, marketing, logistics, storage, retail, professional services, government and civil society. It is the continent’s leading business forum for market insights, emerging opportunities, products showcase and recognition of excellence in the African Downstream.” Akabogu said.
In this year’s edition, over twenty countries are to participate at this year’s event, with delegates from Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, India, China, Angola, Cote d’Ivoire, Brazil, France, Switzerland, and the united states of America expected to showcase products at the exhibition.
Keynote presentations will be made by the minister of Energy for Ghana in charge of Petroleum Mohammed Amin Adam, while the Nigerian government interest will be represented by CEOs of the key regulatory agencies including PPMC, NNPC, and the ministry of petroleum.
The event has a total of ten sessions over three days with CEO’s of the most important suppliers, local trading and marketing companies and a range of service providers making presentations.
Globally acknowledged as the biggest platform for downstream oil and gas businesses on the continent, the OTL Africa Downstream Week, has consistently promoted African downstream interests and projected its innovations and contemporary energy solutions to the international community.
The event has as its theme, “Downstream – Renewed Opportunities”, and will generate discussions to address salient issues hindering accelerated development in the continent’s downstream industry. Issues to be discussed include prospects for refining in Africa, finance for downstream trading and infrastructure projects and breaking trans-national oil marketing barriers.
Discourse will also revolve around the sector’s disruptive influences, the rising profile and application of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) across the continent, as well as investments in lubricants and petrochemicals production facilities. The downstream sector has also witnessed increased investments seeking to optimize the opportunities available in the petroleum products retail landscape.
This year’s event will further empower African oil and gas companies to harness the economic potential of the downstream sector. OTL presents enormous opportunity for downstream players in Africa to converge said the organisers.
ISAAC ANYAOGU & CHINYERE OKEKE