The key players in the global downstream oil and gas industries will converge in Nigeria from 22 to 25 October for the 11th Oil Trading and Logistics (OTL) Africa Downstream Week. Widely regarded as the continent’s biggest downstream petroleum event, the OTL Africa Downstream Week brings together operators in the value chain of oil and gas supply, comprising international traders, refining, shipping, marketing, logistics, storage, retail, professional services, government and civil society.
The theme for this year’s event is “Downstream – Renewed Opportunities”. In view of an increasing focus by African countries on opening petroleum markets to price and value competition, the theme will see discussions during the week focused on the range of emerging opportunities inherent in the downstream value-chain which have hitherto been neglected. These issues range through value addition to crude oil through refining, to development of critical supply infrastructure across African States. Nigeria focused discussions will also be part of the event highlights with post-PIGB scenarios at the top of the agenda.
The OTL Africa Downstream Week seeks to promote the development of efficient markets in downstream petroleum by facilitating an interface between private sector perspectives and government concerns with the aim of achieving an easier environment for doing business on the continent. In addition, business to business meetings are always a key feature, with the range of service providers in the downstream value chain relishing the opportunity to identify and take advantage of products and services they would otherwise not have readily available.
More than twenty countries are expected to participate at this year’s event, with delegates already confirmed from Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, India, China, Angola, Cote d’Ivoire, Brazil, France, Switzerland and the United States of America. Many more countries are represented through organisations which will be showcasing products at the exhibition.
Keynote presentations will be made by the Minister of Energy for Ghana in charge of Petroleum Hon. Dr. Mohammed Amin Adam, while the Nigerian government interest will be represented by CEOs of the key regulatory agencies including PPMC, PPPRA, NNPC and the Ministry of Petroleum. The event has a total of ten sessions over three days with CEOs of the most important international suppliers, local trading and marketing companies and a range of service providers making presentations.
The annual OTL Africa Downstream Week is the continent’s leading business forum for market insights, emerging opportunities, products’ showcase and recognition of excellence in the African downstream petroleum value-chain. It features a strategic conference, dedicated industry exhibition and the annual OTL Downstream Industry Dinner. It is organised in collaboration with key partners in government and the industry.