South Sudan Oil & Power (SSOP) returns to Juba for its sixth edition from 14-16 June with the aim of promoting the country as the engine of East African growth
The country’s Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Dier Tong Ngor, will open the conference together with the Minister of Petroleum, the Minister of Energy and Dams, the Minister of Mining and the Minister of Investment.
Consolidating the event’s position as the platform where energy deals are made, and following the Minister’s keynote, a finance panel will explore how to invest in the country, opportunities for regional expansion and strategies for capital raising. Cheick-Oumar Sylla, regional director for North Africa at the International Finance Corporation, will drive discussions on strengthening private sector capital in East Africa and discuss investment and how to address them. The panel will also feature Zakaria Dosso, managing director of the Africa Energy Investment Corporation (AEICORP). Responsible for mobilising funds towards the development of energy in Africa, AEICORP plays a key part in advancing access to finance.
Returning for another year, Ryan O’Grady, CEO of South Sudanese financial institution Kush Bank will discuss local rules and regulations, investment protection and multilateral partnerships. Having signed two industry-advancing deals during SSOP 2022, O’Grady will facilitate investment across the country’s energy sector while driving dialogue around investing in East Africa. SSOP is pleased to welcome Kush Bank as a platinum sponsor this year.
Facilitating discussions on market access and financing solutions, Admassu Tadesse, group president emeritus and managing director of the Trade & Development Bank, will also join the finance panel. As South Sudan consolidates its role as the engine of East African growth, Tadesse’s insights into trade and development financing will advance regional collaboration and deals.
African financial institutions Afreximbank and Stanbic Bank will also feature on the panel. Afreximbank continues to be instrumental in unlocking access to private sector capital for African energy players. Stanbic Bank, a leading regional bank, is growing its footprint in South Sudan’s energy sector and has supported the industry for many years with local banking services.
“SSOP is where energy deals are made in 2023. At a time when national energy opportunities are on the rise and regional nations look towards large-scale developments of their own, South Sudan’s position as the engine of East African growth will trigger newfound investments across the entire regional value chain. SSOP’s finance panel lays the foundation for deals to be signed,” stated James Chester, senior director at SSOP event organiser Energy Capital & Power.
