By Ndubuisi Micheal Obineme
WAIPEC, the leading event for Sub Saharan Africa with representation from Nigeria, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, Angola, Equatorial Guinea, with other Sub Saharan countries, and attracting over 6000 visitors, 500 delegates, 300 participating companies and 80 industry experts which stands as not only the largest event in the centre of Nigeria’s oil and gas hub, but also the only truly industry-led event in the African region.
Speaking in an interview with our correspondent, Paul Gilbert, Event Director for WAIPEC, described the event as a platform that is been used to showcase the region’s oil and gas resources, explore business opportunities, get access to the best products and services both in the upstream, midstream and downstream.
According to him, WAIPEC was born off the back of the need for a real industry to industry platform where actual business is done. It covers not only Nigeria and West Africa but the whole of Sub Saharan Africa, enabling NOC’s to share experience, best practice and provide an opportunity for international companies to develop business in over ten countries in the region.
“WAIPEC has been used to develop the oil and gas industry across the whole of Sub Saharan Africa by providing a platform to meet with at least 12 national oil companies who attend, speak, sponsor and exhibit with private sector companies – these are the people who have the products, solutions and expertise to help each country develop its oil and gas resources,” Paul said.
In his words, the programme’s content is built around debate and discussions that will analyse the region’s potential and position on the global energy stage and work to enhance opportunities and build collaborations.
“The event creates opportunities throughout, whether you’re an IOC looking to bid on a new tender or service companies looking to meet operating companies. It also provides all related oil and gas companies the opportunity to sell directly to the end user and/or decision maker throughout the whole value chain.
“The international exhibition element of the conference, which is currently 80% sold out, has proven an effective platform for networking, exchanging business information, and crucially – a great basis from which to form fruitful joint ventures and partnerships.
“Further enhancing the networking opportunities, time are factored into the programme each year, specifically for this reason. All WAIPEC participants can use the event’s Business Matching service, which allows them to prearrange meetings with other attendees ahead of the event through an easy-to-use online platform. They are then allocated a specific time and location to meet during the conference in the Business Matching Lounge. The service was introduced in 2018 and proved hugely popular,” he added.
He further stated that the challenges and opportunities faced across the entire industry is a core part of the programme at each event, with each edition summarizing discussions from the previous and building recommendations and strategies for moving forward.
“The collaborations and participation of both the most senior and influential public and private sector representatives that we see annually at WAIPEC are a really effective form of driving oil and gas growth for many countries within Africa.”
The 3rd annual West African International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (WAIPEC) will take place at the Eko Hotel & Suites in Lagos from 23-24 January 2019. For full details and programme information, visit www.waipec.com or contact Paul Gilbert pagilbert@gep-events.com +44 7850 025295