The Corporate Council on Africa Brings Together Key U.S. and African Energy Players in Houston

17 November 2003
Content from a Premium Partner
Corporate Council on Africa (Washington, DC)
press release

Confirmed Countries include Angola, Chad, Republic of Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, The Gambia, Morocco, Nigeria, Senegal and South Africa

Major African oil executives and decision makers, including the leader of the new African Petroleum Producers Association (APPA), a rising player in global oil issues, will be in Houston this week for the second annual Africa Oil & Gas Forum, hosted by the Washington, D.C.-based Corporate Council on Africa (CCA). The conference, being held November 19-21, is designed to foster increased opportunities for U.S. energy executives to invest in an area of growing strategic importance to American energy needs.

"The attendance of Dave A. Lafiaji, Executive Secretary of the APPA, is of particular significance," said Stephen Hayes, President and CEO of the Corporate Council on Africa. "APPA aims to reinforce cooperation among regional producers and stabilize prices, and is key to breaking our dependence on Middle East oil reserves."

Approximately 180 oil executives from Africa and the United States are expected to attend. In addition to representation from ten African countries, some of our nation's top experts on Africa and international security will be at the conference, including Dr. Stephen Morrison, Africa director of the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, D.C.

Mr. Hayes spoke to the significance of the conference, "We are very excited about this event. We have assembled an extraordinary program, and it offers an opportunity that anyone interested in the African energy sector cannot afford to miss. Nearly every oil-rich country in Africa will be in attendance, as will those who make financing of these projects possible. The conference could save an attendee thousands of dollars in research and travel. In fact, this forum offers the opportunity to meet key players that they might never be able to meet in Africa."

The U.S. is seeking to diversify its energy suppliers, and Africa has become one of the hottest places in the world for oil and gas exploration. Nearly 15% of U.S. oil imports come from Africa, and by 2015 the figure is expected to rise to 25%. Africa has been identified as an energy powerhouse enjoying a strategic geographic location, relative stability and low labor and infrastructure costs. Additionally, the discovery rate in Africa boasts nearly 50%, surpassing all other regions over the past five years.

For a full listing of confirmed dignitaries, a detailed agenda and to register online, please visit CCA's website at www.africacncl.org.

The conference is sponsored by ChevronTexaco, ConocoPhillips, Halliburton, Vanco, Baker & Hostetler LLP, Kroll, J. Ray McDermott and ExxonMobil.

CCA, established in 1993, is a nonpartisan 501 (c) (3) membership organization of over 180 U.S. companies dedicated to strengthening the commercial relationship between the U.S. and Africa. CCA members represent nearly 85 percent of total U.S. private sector investments in Africa.

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