Not money, or nationality, or privileged
positions keeps the control of vast energy resources out of the
hands of many Africans. It’s knowledge, or lack thereof which
often handicaps African energy players.
In my travels, I’ve met many talented and
knowledgeable African energy managers, directors and ministers.
In oil fields, knowledge-filled African engineers work. In
multinational companies, staff of African nationality contribute
greatly to business decisions
With all this said though, strong, strong emphasis must
be given to constantly acquiring more and wider knowledge, especially on
the operational and finance side as compared to the technical side.
Too many times, Africans with deep technical
knowledge fail to successfully launch or maintain their projects because
of their lack of knowledge in finance , operations, and business
practices. I know that there are closed doors to financing. However,
sometimes the key to opening them lie in greater knowledge of business
analysis, financial options and the knowledge of how to best package
your proposal to energy financiers.
Sacrifice to know. If your company won’t pay
for you to attend some of the courses or conferences that you know will
expand your knowledge, pay for it with your own dime and on your own
time.
If you are not finding the level of success
you desire in your own country, learn about opportunities in other
places. In this month’s issue, Afrik Energy News brings you the story of
Prince Arthur Eze. Eze is a local Nigerian oil independent, who besides
operating in Nigeria, expanded into Equatorial Guinea, Sierra Leone and
Liberia. He was the first Nigerian independent to own a block
outside of Nigeria.
If you don’t know anyone in your network who
will help you achieve what you are seeking to accomplish, get to know
new people. The conferences, forums, classes and other events on the
Afrik Energy News calendar pages will give you a great opportunity to
get to know those people.
Is the game fair to African players? NO. But
knowledge will make it more of an even playing field.
gpearson@afrikenergy.com
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