The Big Five Top 50 Leaders: Honouring the Trailblazers of Africa's Energy Industry
London, 9th April 2025
The Africa Energies Summit is proud to unveil the Big Five Top 50 Leaders, celebrating the visionaries, innovators, and institutions shaping the future of Africa’s energy sector. As finalists of the Big Five Awards, this prestigious, peer-nominated list recognises excellence across corporate, regulatory, individual, and community contributions in an industry central to the continent’s economic growth and energy security.
Held as part of the prestigious Africa Energies Summit, the Big Five Awards and associated award categories spotlight those who are driving meaningful change and leading Africa's energy journey with resilience and foresight.
This year marks the 29th Edition of the Big Five Awards, which will take place on the evening of Thursday 15th May from 16:00 until late at a special venue in London. The ceremony promises to be a landmark occasion, uniting African and global leaders in celebration of extraordinary achievement, leadership, and progress across the continent's energy landscape.
The Big Five Awards 2025 will be presented by Gayle Meikle, CEO of Frontier, alongside by our esteemed Guest of Honour, Maggy Shino, Petroleum Commissioner of Namibia.
“It means a great deal to me to carry on the traditions of my uncle, Dr. Duncan Clarke, who gifted me the Big Five Awards now entering their 29th year, as well as his love for Africa’s energy industry. His legacy of celebrating African excellence in energy continues to inspire our work at the Summit, and it’s an honour to champion this platform. This year we will celebrate in style.
“The Big Five Awards Ceremony will take place in the evening of our final night together in London, 15th May and will be a fitting celebration of what our nominees and winners have achieved this year in Africa!”
- Gayle Meikle, CEO, Frontier
🏆 The Big 5: Industry Leaders Driving African Energy
The Big Five Board Awards 2025 shortlist includes;
🦏 Rhino Award – Africa’s NOC/Regulator of the Year
Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC)
Société Nationale d'Opérations Pétrolières de la Côte d'Ivoire (PETROCI)
Agência Nacional de Petróleo, Gás e Biocombustíveis (ANPG)
Agência Nacional de Petróleo de São Tomé e Príncipe (ANP-STP)
SMH (Mauritania) & PETROSEN (Senegal) – Greater Tortue Ahmeyim First Oil
(supported by bp/ Kosmos)
🐘 Elephant Award – Distinguished Individual Contribution
Alcides Andrade, Executive Board Member, ANPG
Engr. Gbenga Komolafe, Commission Chief Executive, NUPRC
John Ardill, Vice President, ExxonMobil
Nantenaina Rasolonirina, Acting General Manager, OMNIS
Ernest Rubondo, Executive Director, Petroleum Authority of Uganda
🦁 Lion Award – Distinguished Corporate Contribution
Woodside
ExxonMobil
Azule Energy
Chevron
Shell
🐆 Leopard Award – Africa’s Independent Player of the Year
Rhino Resources
Invictus Energy
Murphy Oil
Oando
Panoro Energy
🐃 Buffalo Award – Africa’s Service & Supply Company of the Year
Viridien
SLB
Halliburton
Baker Hughes
TGS
🏅 Africa’s Legend Award – Celebrating Lifetime Achievement and Legacy
H.E. Diamantino Azevedo, Minister of Mineral Resources, Petroleum and Gas, Angola
H.E. Eng. Karim Badawi, Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Egypt
H.E. Dr Omar Farouk Ibrahim, Secretary General, APPO
Kristian Johansen, CEO, TGS
Ade Adeola, Managing Director, Energy & Natural Resources, Standard Chartered Bank
🌟 Leading Women in African Energy – Recognising Pioneering Leadership
Proscovia Nabbanja, CEO, UNOC
Nahed Kahloul, VP Offshore Atlantic East, SLB
Katrina Fisher, President, ExxonMobil Angola
Sylvia Anjos, Executive Director, E&P, Petrobras
Khady Dior Ndiaye, VP & Country Manager, Côte d'Ivoire, Kosmos
💰 African Energy Financier of the Year - Powering Growth and Innovation
ABSA
Standard Bank
Equity Bank
First Bank Nigeria
US EXIM Bank
🌍 Local Impact Award - Driving Positive Change in African Communities
EXCEED Trust
The Schlumberger Foundation
Azule Energy - HALO Trust
Perenco Foundation
ExxonMobil Foundation - STEM Africa
🌱 Emerging Leaders in African Energy - Rising Star Award
Victoria Sibeya, Acting MD, NAMCOR
Mohammed Said, Managing Director, ZPRA
Kenneth Mutaonga, Co-Founder, Asilia Energy
Asmae Benarchid, Director of Exploration, ONHYM
Shigela Malosha, Director of Contracts & Licensing, PURA
🔝 Big Five Top 50 – Africa’s Most Influential Leaders in Energy
Full profiles to be released in a forthcoming feature announcement.
Media Contact: Rachel Creegan
