Mr. Paul Eardley-Taylor, Head Oil & Gas Southern Africa, Standard Bank Group
Industry experts and key sector stakeholders convened in Gaborone for an Oil & Gas conference hosted by Stanbic Bank Botswana Corporate and Investment Banking. The primary objective of the conference was to create a foundation for Industry stakeholders, across the upstream, midstream and downstream sub-sectors to network and share industry views, experiences and best practice and prepare for the future of the growing industry in Botswana and to be well positioned to unlock its full potential.
Held on Thursday 23rd April 2015, the conference touched on the African sub region Oil & Gas industry and later focused on the Botswana context highlighting its potential on energy as a whole and how to monetise the resources our beautiful country is endowed with. Mr. Sheperd Aisam, Head of Client Coverage, Corporate & Investment Banking, Stanbic Bank Botswana pointed out that “the Oil & Gas sector is an important subset of the key strategic focus areas in Corporate and Investment Banking globally. “We are a bank firmly rooted in the African continent and our opinion is that economies require sufficient energy to create sustainable growth.
Through Standard Bank Group, we have a wealth of knowledge and experience in advising and arranging capital for projects in the energy sector. This event was to position our thinking around the industry in Botswana and it was exciting to see that other stakeholders share the same passion and are determined to see success. It is a journey and we need to be courageous about the decisions we take today that will empower the economy into the future.”
Presenters forming the conference discussion panel included, from Standard Bank, Mr. Paul Eardley-Taylor, and Mr. Nicholas Green. Mr Mahube Mpugwa, CEO of Puma Energy Botswana, and Mr Mosetlho Kenamile, General Manager Operations at Botswana Oil Ltd. Paul looked at Oil & Gas in Africa and Botswana in particular, and focussed on key themes such as the impact of falling brent crude oil prices, the upstream and downstream developments, the case of coal bed methane, shale gas and coal-to-liquids. He pointed out that “Botswana has the potential to reduce its energy dependence on neighbouring countries by exploiting its own domestic Oil & Gas potential.”
Mr. Mpugwa shared, on behalf of the oil marketing companies, an industry perspective and touched on the regulatory framework. Mr Kenamile talked about the role of Botswana Oil in the market as well their vision and mandate.
Standard Bank is one of the leading Oil and Gas Banks in Sub Saharan Africa. Our “on the ground” presence in all major African oil and Gas regions enables us to carry out in-depth analyses of commodity trends and stay abreast of the latest developments in the industry. This is complemented by strong skills with the requisite industry experience, relationships and access.
