OTL Africa Downstream Energy Week – A Catalyst for Innovation and Collaboration Across Africa’s Energy Sector

In his welcome address at the 18th OTL Africa Downstream Energy Week, Adetunji Oyebanji, Chairman of the Advisory Board, highlighted the significance of the OTL conference as a premier platform for collaboration, innovation, and dialogue within Africa’s downstream energy sector. Oyebanji emphasized that OTL brings together leading minds across the energy value chain annually, fostering discussions that drive the industry forward.

“This year’s event occurs amid two transformative industry milestones: the full deregulation of Nigeria’s downstream sector and the market-based gasoline pricing system. Deregulation opens new doors for competition, transparency, and efficiency, while market-driven pricing promotes stability and equitable value distribution,” Oyebanji noted.

Another key highlight was the commissioning of the 650,000-barrel-per-day Dangote Refinery, a landmark project that underscores Nigeria’s industrial capabilities and is set to reshape energy dynamics across West Africa. Together, these developments will have far-reaching impacts on refining, distribution, market competition, and consumer access, Oyebanji explained.

With a diverse gathering of industry stakeholders—ranging from refiners, marketers, and regulators to technology providers and service partners—Oyebanji encouraged attendees to leverage the unique opportunity for knowledge exchange and partnerships. “Whether you’re here to share best practices, explore new partnerships, or showcase cutting-edge technologies, this space is crafted for meaningful change and innovation,” he said.

The conference agenda covers essential topics, including:

• Energy Markets: An exploration of global and regional supply and demand trends, providing insights into Africa’s energy market trajectory.
• Pricing Policy and Market Access: A look at the effects of market-based pricing on profitability, consumer access, and fair pricing across the industry.
• Refining Operations and Value Chain Dynamics: With the Dangote Refinery, Nigeria is poised for a significant shift in refining capacity, affecting the broader petroleum value chain.
• New Energy Order: Focused on LPG, CNG, LNG, and renewables, this session examines the role of alternative energies in a sustainable, resilient energy landscape.
• Petroleum and Crude Oil Shipping: Addressing regulatory and logistical hurdles in petroleum shipping and strategies to streamline this critical value chain component.
• Margin Management and