Financial Energy Review
“WAPIC was the place to do business”
The continued growth in the quality and the numbers attending the West African Power Industry Convention (WAPIC) reflects the increased confidence of the region’s power sector says WAPIC programme director Natalie Bacon. The 12th edition of the region’s leading power and energy conference and trade expo took place in November in Lagos and was attended by a record 1815 power professionals, up 37% compared to 2014.
“The buzz around the exhibition floor was electric with visitors wanting to learn about the latest products and services” says WAPIC’s Natalie Bacon, “and during the opening of the conference the private sector unleashed their solutions for how to increase the current pace of electricity generation. From economic insight, funding requirements, political motivations, domestic gas foresight to innovative recruitment of the next generation of energy leaders…… due to the honest and well researched presentations the speakers had the room captivated and bursting with ideas!”
Esteemed speakers from across West Africa at WAPIC included:
– Iyinoluwa Aboyeji, Co-founder, Andela, Nigeria
– Christopher Broughton, Resident Country Director, Millennium Challenge Corporation, Benin
– Robert Dickerman, MD/CEO, Enugu Electricity Distribution Company, Nigeria
– Eyo Ekpo, Former Commissioner, NERC & Team Lead, Presidential Task Force on Power, Nigeria
– Olufunke Jones, Country Head, Power and Energy, Ecobank, Nigeria
– Mason Oghenejobo, Strategy and Portfolio Adviser, Seplat, Nigeria
– Alex Osei, General Manager, MIS, Electricity Company of Ghana, Ghana
– Mustapha Zakaria-Ciss, Co-Ordinator, West African Power Pool, Benin
WAPIC the place to do business
“From a glamorous gala dinner to private behind the scenes meetings” says Natalie Bacon, “WAPIC was the place to do business. Attended by the movers and shakers of the regional power industry, there were many opportunities to meet and exchange business cards with the senior delegation of decision makers.”
Some 200 top power professionals gathered for the second edition of the sold-out gala dinner at the West African Power Industry Awards to cheer on and celebrate well-known industry pioneers and companies in seven different awards categories.
Joseph Makoju, Honorary Advisor for the Dangote Group, was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Regional Award. Akon Lighting Africa scored a double nod of approval from the industry with two awards, namely Best Renewable Energy Project and CSR Initiative of the Year. The African Development Bank walked away with the Project Transaction of the Year accolade for its OMVG Energy Project.
