Sahara Group Highlights Approach To Africa’s Energy Transition At AEW 2025
By Naija Enquirer Staff
Sahara Group, a leading global energy and infrastructure conglomerate, will spotlight cooperation, innovation and sustainability as core pillars for Africa’s energy transition during the Africa Energy Week (AEW) 2025 in Cape Town.
AEW Theme and Sahara’s Mandate
The 2025 Africa Energy Week, scheduled for September 29 to October 3, 2025, runs under the theme “Invest in African Energies: Positioning Africa as the Global Energy Champion.” Sahara Group, which has spent three decades expanding energy access across the continent, will urge policy makers, industry stakeholders, and governments to adopt Africa-centric solutions across the energy value chain.
Leadership View
Speaking ahead of the event, Ade Odunsi, Executive Director at Sahara Group, said: “Sahara Group believes Africa can shape a future that secures energy access for Africans safely, reliably, and sustainably by leveraging technology, innovation, and collaborating on policies to drive affordable, reliable, and cleaner energy across the continent.”
Delegation and Key Focus Areas
Sahara Group’s delegation to AEW 2025 includes Leste Aihevba (Chief Technical Officer, Asharami Energy), Dr. Tosin Etomi (Head of Commercial and Planning, Asharami Energy), Mariah Lucciano-Gabriel (Head of Integrated Gas Ventures, Asharami Energy), and Bethel Obioma (Head, Corporate Communications, Sahara Group).
Digital Oilfields and Local Capacity
Leste Aihevba will showcase how advancing digital oilfield technologies and domesticating global best practices can accelerate local capacity building, operational efficiency, and climate-conscious initiatives. “Asharami Energy is aligning global best practices with local realities, building capacity, and driving operational excellence across our portfolio,” Aihevba said.
Data-Driven Growth
Dr. Tosin Etomi will highlight the importance of data in improving asset performance and unlocking financing pathways. “Data has become the most powerful currency in building efficiency and resilience. By applying advanced analytics to our operations across Africa, we are improving asset performance, enhancing transparency, and unlocking financing pathways that ensure African energy projects compete on a global stage,” Etomi said.
Gas Commercialisation and Climate Action
Mariah Lucciano-Gabriel will speak on gas commercialisation, positioning gas as a bridge to cleaner energy. “With projects focused on capturing and monetising flare gas, Asharami Energy is supporting the Nigerian Decade of Gas strategy while curbing emissions and accelerating sustainable growth across the continent,” she said.
Rethinking Utility Models
Bethel Obioma, who will moderate a session titled “Rethinking Utility Models to Build Resilient and Affordable Electricity Markets,” said: “The future of electricity in Africa will be defined by models that support a mix of microgrids, mini-grids, national grids and renewable solutions, designed to serve communities and industries sustainably.”
Integrated Energy Commitment
With an integrated model spanning upstream, midstream, downstream, power, and infrastructure across Africa, Asia, Europe and the Middle East, Sahara Group reaffirmed its commitment to driving innovation, local capacity, and a just energy transition for Africa.
