By Emmanuel Emeka, Abuja
Pana Holdings has unveiled an ambitious plan for Africa’s energy transformation, calling for a balance between growth, environmental sustainability, and ethical governance.
The company shared its vision at the 4th Biennial International Conference on Hydrocarbon Science and Technology (ICHST), held on October 22–23 at the PTDF Towers in Abuja.
Speaking through his Technical Adviser, the Group Chief Executive Officer of Pana Holdings, Dr. Daere Akobo, said a clear roadmap is needed to secure Africa’s energy future.
Citing data from the International Energy Agency, he noted that Africa holds more than 125 billion barrels of oil and over 620 trillion cubic feet of natural gas, yet over 600 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa remain without electricity, while nearly a billion still lack clean cooking fuel.
He said Pana Holdings is guided by three main pillars: operational excellence, decarbonisation, and ethical governance through digital transformation.
He stated that “a dream without a deadline is a nightmare,” stressing that Pana Holdings and its subsidiaries ; EMP Limited, AKG Solution, and Pana Academy, are focused on innovation, sustainability, and long-term value creation across the continent.
On operational excellence, Akobo explained that the company seeks to improve efficiency, safety, cost control, and environmental management across the hydrocarbon value chain.
On decarbonisation, he called for urgent measures to reduce gas flaring and promote gas utilisation, warning that Nigeria’s associated gas flaring increased by eight percent from 2023 to 2024, with local companies contributing significantly.
He further emphasised the importance of strong governance and the use of digital technologies such as artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, and digital twins to build capacity and drive Africa’s energy transition.
He reminded participants that although Sub-Saharan Africa emits less than four percent of global greenhouse gases, it remains among the regions most affected by climate change.
Akobo urged industry leaders, government, academia, and host communities to work together in building an African model where energy access, affordability, security, and environmental sustainability are achieved side by side.
