Legendary Event, Legendary Winners: The 30th Edition of The Big Five Board Awards
As the ninth Africa Energies Summit drew to a close in central London, the landmark 30th Anniversary Edition of the Big Five Awards, headline sponsored by Rhino Resources, once again shone a spotlight on the individuals and organisations shaping the future of Africa’s upstream energy industry.
Recognised as one of the industry’s most respected honours, the peer-nominated awards celebrate excellence across corporate leadership, regulation, innovation, finance, legal, community impact and individual achievement, reflecting the vital role the African upstream industry continues to play in supporting economic growth and energy security across the continent, as well as its growing impact on a wider geographic landscape.
Serving as a fitting finale to the Summit, the ceremony brought together African and international energy leaders for an evening dedicated to recognising progress, leadership and collaboration across the sector.
Following opening remarks from Frontier Founder & CEO, Gayle Meikle, guests heard from CEO of Rhino Resources, Travis Smithard, and together they set the tone for an evening of celebration, reflection and a distinct heralding of Africa’s upstream future.
The Africa Energies Summit and Frontier Energy Network extend their congratulations to all this year’s winners, while also recognising the achievements of the category finalists and global upstream community whose commitment and innovation continue to drive Africa’s energy industry forward.
The winners of the 30th Big Five Board awards are:
⭐ Emerging Leaders in African Energy - Rising Star Award: Olaide Shaw, Director, Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC)
⭐ Leading Women in African Energy – Recognising Pioneering Leadership: Cany Jobe, Director General, Petroleum Commission, The Gambia
⭐ African Energy Deal of the Year - Accelerating Transformational Investment Across Africa: Energean
⭐ Africa Energy Legal Excellence Award - Championing Legal Excellence: National Oil Company of Liberia (NOCAL)
⭐ African Energy Financier of the Year - Powering Growth and Innovation: Standard Chartered
⭐ Local Impact Award - Driving Positive Change in African Communities: Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC Foundation)
⭐ Elephant Award - Distinguished Individual Contribution: Kristian Johansen, Chief Executive Officer, TGS
⭐ Lion Award – Distinguished Corporate Contribution: Eni
⭐ Leopard Award – Africa’s Independent Player of the Year: Murphy Oil Corporation
⭐ Buffalo Award – Africa’s Service & Supply Company of the Year: TGS
⭐ Rhino Award – Africa’s NOC/Regulator of the Year: ANPG, Angola
⭐Africa’s Legend Award – Celebrating Lifetime Achievement and Legacy: Paulino Jeronimo, Chief Executive Officer, ANPG Angola
Thank you to our category sponsors for their generous support: Dug, Exceed, ExxonMobil, Galp, IHRDC, KBR, ReconAfrica, SLB, TGS.
