African Refiners and Distributors Association Executive Secretary Drives Downstream Energy Transition Dialogue at African Energy Week 2021
Executive Secretary Mr. Anibor Kragha is expected to drive a discussion on the role of clean fuels in Africa’s adapted energy transition.
The African Energy Chamber (AEC) is excited to announce that Mr. Anibor Kragha, Executive Secretary of the African Refiners and Distributors Association (ARDA) will attend and participate at Africa’s premier energy event, African Energy Week (AEW) 2021. Representing the only pan-African organization for Africa’s downstream oil sector, Mr. Kragha is expected to drive the discussion around the need for a unique African energy transition plan, emphasizing the role that clean fuels and targeted financing play in both Africa’s downstream oil sector and overall energy future.
Since his appointment to Executive Secretary in April 2020, Mr. Kragha has been instrumental in expanding Africa’s downstream sector, driving a strong narrative that Africa requires its own adapted energy transition plan. Notably, Mr. Kragha has been a key defender of Africa’s oil sector, reiterating that oil will continue to have a vital role to play in addressing increasing energy demand and accelerating socio-economic growth.
According to Mr. Kragha, the International Energy Agency’s Net Zero Emissions by 2050 plan does not take into consideration Africa’s rising population, significant energy crisis, or lack of development. Therefore, he proposes an alternative, Africa-centric plan that takes into account such factors, driving development through the adoption of clean fuels. He is expected to drive this narrative at AEW 2021, providing insight into the role and value of clean fuels in Africa’s energy sector.
Mr. Kragha has and continues to be a strong advocate for clean fuels, emphasizing the continent’s need to upgrade its existing 36 refineries to produce petroleum products with a planned level of Sulphur content. According to him, in order for the continent to address critical health concerns as well as ensure a viable energy supply for its growing urban population, an upgrade to cleaner fuels is vital. By upgrading refineries to produce low-sulphur fuels, replacing biomass with Liquified Petroleum Gas, and developing the right storage and distribution infrastructure to support cleaner fuels, Africa will be able to transition to cleaner fuel sources while taking into account growing demand.