Reported by Weng Patrick Atokor l Journalist at Weng Global
The chief executives of Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited and Waltersmith Petroman Oil Limited will join other industry leaders to discuss Africa’s energy security and the role of natural gas at a forum in Lagos on October 21, 2026.
Tony Attah, managing director and chief executive officer of Renaissance Africa Energy, and Dapo Filani, managing director and chief executive officer of Waltersmith Petroman Oil, will participate in the 2026 Africa Interviews Sustainability Forum (AISF), which will examine how gas development can support industrial growth, energy access and investment across the continent.
The forum will hold at Capital Club in Victoria Island, Lagos, under the theme, “Energy Security and Africa’s Energy Transition: Defining the Role of Gas.”
Sustainability executive Lamé Verre, co-founder and chair of the advisory board of Lean In Equity & Sustainability (LiNES), will also participate in the discussions.
According to the event organisers, the forum will focus on the challenges of financing energy infrastructure, developing local technical capacity and attracting investment into commercially viable projects.
Gas investment and Africa’s energy needs
Natural gas remains an important part of Africa’s energy development debate as countries seek to expand electricity generation, strengthen manufacturing and improve access to reliable power.
Nigeria has substantial natural gas resources, but converting those resources into dependable energy supplies requires investment in processing facilities, pipelines, power plants and distribution infrastructure.
The availability of gas does not automatically translate into affordable electricity for households or reliable energy for businesses. Infrastructure constraints, financing difficulties and weaknesses across the energy value chain can limit the benefits of domestic production.
The forum is expected to examine how governments, energy companies and investors can address these challenges while developing projects capable of delivering long-term economic value.
For African economies seeking to expand industrial production, reliable energy is essential to business operations, investment and job creation. Gas-fired power generation and industrial gas supplies can contribute to these objectives where infrastructure, pricing and supply arrangements are commercially viable.
However, developing the sector requires substantial capital and clear regulatory frameworks to give investors confidence in long-term projects.
Energy transition presents additional challenges
The discussions will also address the relationship between energy security and Africa’s transition towards lower-carbon energy systems.
African countries face different energy circumstances, with some struggling to provide reliable electricity to households and industries while others seek to expand production from their natural resources.
This creates a policy challenge for governments attempting to meet immediate energy needs while responding to international pressure to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Natural gas can support electricity generation and industrial activity, but it remains a fossil fuel that produces carbon dioxide when burned. Methane emissions during production and transportation are also an environmental concern.
The economic and environmental benefits of gas development therefore depend on how projects are designed, regulated and integrated into broader national energy strategies.
The forum is expected to consider how African countries can develop approaches that reflect their energy needs, available resources and long-term development priorities.
Experience from Nigeria’s energy industry
Attah brings more than three decades of experience in the energy sector. He previously served as managing director and chief executive officer of Nigeria LNG Limited and held a senior leadership position at Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company.
During his tenure at Nigeria LNG, the company advanced its Train 7 expansion project, which is intended to increase Nigeria’s liquefied natural gas production capacity.
Attah now leads Renaissance Africa Energy, which acquired Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited in 2025.
Filani has more than 26 years of experience in the Nigerian oil and gas industry, covering exploration and production, gas commercialisation, asset development and corporate strategy.
Before joining Waltersmith Petroman Oil, he held technical and management positions at First Exploration & Petroleum Development Company, Addax Petroleum and Eland Oil & Gas.
Their participation is expected to bring industry experience to discussions on developing gas resources, strengthening investment and expanding the role of African energy companies in the continent’s economic development.
Verre is expected to contribute perspectives on sustainability and investment, including the considerations that shape energy development and the transition to lower-carbon systems.
What the forum means for Africa
The Africa Interviews Sustainability Forum is in its third edition, following earlier gatherings in 2024 and 2025. It brings together stakeholders from the energy industry, finance, government, investment organisations and sustainability sectors.
The 2026 event is supported by Waltersmith Petroman Oil and Sahara Group and is scheduled to run from 9 a.m. to noon. The panel discussion is expected to take place between 10:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. Attendance is by invitation.
The central issue for participating countries and businesses is how to turn Africa’s energy resources into reliable supplies that support economic activity. This requires more than resource development; it also involves financing infrastructure, improving technical capacity and creating conditions that allow projects to reach consumers.
The forum is expected to provide an opportunity for industry leaders to examine these challenges. Any specific investment commitments, policy changes or project announcements arising from the discussions will need to be confirmed by the relevant organisations.
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Sources
- The Guardian Nigeria: https://guardian.ng/energy/renaissance-waltersmith-ceos-to-discuss-africas-gas-future/
- Africa Interviews: https://www.africainterviews.com/africa-interviews-sustainability-forum-2026-to-examine-gas-energy-security-africas-transition/
- BusinessDay: https://businessday.ng/energy/oilandgas/article/renaissance-waltersmith-ceos-to-debate-who-will-finance-africas-gas-future/
