The 18th edition of the OTL Africa Downstream Energy Week, themed “Alliances for Growth,” will take place from October 28 to 31, 2024, at the Oriental Hotel, Lagos. It will be packed full of activities that will further facilitate the smooth operations of the downstream subsector of the oil and gas industry.
Participants are expected to visit African countries, share their experiences in their various countries, and cross-fertilize ideas.
The 2024 edition is expected to further strengthen collaboration between industry players, regulators, and policymakers, driving growth and innovation across the sector.
Mrs. Joyce Akabogu, Chief Executive Officer at OTL Downstream Development in Africa, briefed the press about the upcoming through a virtual press conference with key media partners and energy correspondents on Wednesday.
According to her, “One of the key things we have achieved is engaging regulators across the midstream, downstream, and maritime industries to ensure they align their policies and processes with the realities of the sector.
She revealed that the conference’s discussions will revolve around refining operations, petroleum products pricing & trading, logistics, shipping, LPG, lubricants, petrochemicals, and enabling government policies critical influencing growth.
Participants are expected from key stakeholders beyond Nigeria, such as Senegal’s PetroSen and representatives from Ghana, with plans to expand engagement across sub-Saharan Africa.
“OTLAfrica is committed to increasing regional representation. We are working towards broader participation to create an inclusive platform for cross-border collaborations,” she added while fielding questions from Platforms Africa.
She further said, “Their participation this year will provide industry players with firsthand insights into regulatory policies and strategic guidance for navigating emerging challenges.
“The event integrates a strategic conference, exhibition, and networking events, offering a platform for knowledge exchange and business promotion across the value chain.
“Over the past 18 years, the event has served as a catalyst for industry development, setting the agenda for midstream and downstream business operations across Africa.
“With stakeholders from across the value chain expected to attend, the event promises to address critical issues in refining, shipping, financial services, and policy frameworks that shape the industry.
“The OTL Africa promises an enriched agenda featuring 13 different sessions running concurrently with the exhibition.
“The sessions will address key industry themes while also introducing fresh perspectives with non-traditional discussions.
She further explained that this year’s event will include several “soft sessions” that go beyond core industry topics.
“These will cover areas like health and wellness, and the role of Artificial Intelligence and Big Data in enhancing decision-making processes in the downstream sector.
“A new addition to the event is the Founder’s Fireside session, which will spotlight an entrepreneurial guest from the downstream sector each year.
“This session is designed to offer personal insights and share inspirational journeys of individuals who have made significant strides in the industry,” she explained.
He further emphasized that OTL Africa operates on a four-pronged focus: capacity building, business matchmaking, advocacy, and research; Capacity Building, Matchmaking, Advocacy and industry Research.
“This event is a product of bigger thinking, enabling discussions that allow regulators to feel the pulse of the industry,” Akabogu explained.
Emphasizing the conference’s importance to the sector’s growth, Mrs. Akabogu stated, “Prior to OTL’s inception, the industry lacked a cohesive platform to express its expectations and advocate for policy reforms.
“Today, through strategic collaborations with key associations like the Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN) and the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN), the event has become a strong voice for the industry.
“OTL Africa’s annual conference has also been instrumental in shaping the entrepreneurial journeys of numerous participants, with many attributing their business growth and valuable insights to their involvement in OTL Africa Week.
“For the past two years, approximately 70% of NMDPRA’s directors have participated in our events, offering industry stakeholders direct access to key regulators.
“These interactions have allowed participants to discuss critical issues with regulators and gain clarity on policy shifts,” Akabogu noted.
The MD/CEO of OTL Africa Downstream Development in Africa Ltd. has therefore noted that the conference’s communique, which highlights key outcomes, will be reintroduced this year to ensure that recommendations are submitted to the appropriate ministries and regulatory bodies for implementation.
“One of the key things we have accomplished is engaging with the essential regulators in the midstream, downstream, and maritime industries.
“This collaboration enables them to implement changes that align with the policies and processes they develop,” she said.