Mohammed Sanusi Barkindo, secretary general of the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), will be honoured with the “Africa Oil Man of the Year” award during the Africa Oil & Power conference from 5-7 September 2018 in Cape Town
As secretary general, Barkindo has guided OPEC through one of its most turbulent periods, with a sustained oil price decline and a loss in global market share. He is also credited with restoring market stability on a global scale through the landmark deal between OPEC and non-OPEC members to cut oil production.
Barkindo, having previously served as Nigeria’s national representative for OPEC and the managing director of Nigeria’s national oil company, NNPC, took over as secretary general of OPEC in August 2016, as the oil and gas industry was struggling to prevent falling oil prices and declining confidence in the petroleum sector.
Speaking about Barkindo being named as “Africa Oil Man of the Year,” Gabriel Mbaga Obiang Lima, minister of mines and hydrocarbons of Equatorial Guinea and chairman of Africa Oil & Power’s advisory board, commented, “The secretary general has demonstrated remarkable leadership in steering OPEC through difficult times and proving to everyone again that if you want to go far, you go together. He has been an enormous champion of African countries and giving them a voice to help stabilise oil markets.”
The theme for Africa Oil & Power 2018, Energy Coalitions, will focus on Africa’s growing role in OPEC and the efforts by global institutions, governments and the private sector to collaborate on developing Africa’s energy institutions.
“In times of volatility and uncertainty, the industry needs leaders who ensure cooperation between strong and vital energy institutions,” said Guillaume Doane, CEO of Africa Oil & Power.
