When delegates gather in Cape Town for ARDA Week 2025, the African Refiners & Distributors Association (ARDA) will call on its members, sponsors, and strategic partners to take urgent and decisive action to drive Africa towards energy self-sufficiency.
Since its inception in 2006, ARDA Week has remained the premier annual gathering for Africa’s downstream oil sector, with over 500 delegates attending and 45 countries represented in 2024. This year’s event is expected to surpass these numbers, reflecting the growing need to unite policymakers, industry leaders, and energy experts to share best practices, promote collaboration, and attract the vital investment needed to deliver sustainable solutions for the continent.
Africa First: Delivering Our Energy Future
The theme for ARDA Week 2025, “Africa First: Delivering Our Energy Future,” is a rallying cry for the continent to assume control of its own energy destiny.
Dr. Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, ARDA President, commented: “Africa accounts for 16% of the global population yet faces profound energy access challenges, with over 600 million people living without electricity. Given the continent’s burgeoning population and the industrialisation that accompanies it, Africa’s energy demand is poised for a dramatic increase.
“To address this challenge, our theme for ARDA Week 2025 highlights the need to tackle Africa’s immediate energy demands through regulatory reforms, faster development of local infrastructure, and investment in human capital. These actions are equally important to reducing our reliance on fuel imports and supporting the continent’s sustainable development. In an increasingly uncertain world, it is imperative that our efforts focus not only on lifting millions out of energy poverty in the short term, but also on ensuring long-term energy security for Africa”.
Anibor Kragha, ARDA Executive Secretary, highlights how his Association’s agenda aligns with broader goals of economic growth, job creation, and energy accessibility across Africa.
Mr Kragha said: “As we approach our 20th anniversary next year, the importance of ARDA’s mission has never been clearer. We are dedicated to ensuring a just and equitable energy transition for Africa, while also strengthening energy security across the continent. ARDA Week 2025 plays a vital role in achieving this goal. It offers high-level opportunities for networking and collaboration between industry leaders, policymakers, investors, and other key stakeholders with the ability to drive meaningful change in Africa.
“Our Investment Forum, featured on day 3 of the conference, will showcase new project opportunities, providing delegates with the chance to explore, ask questions about, and potentially partner on emerging energy projects that will boost investment and innovation across Africa.”
One thing is certain: ARDA Week 2025 will feature a dynamic programme, with keynote speeches from VIP speakers and specialist discussion sessions led by global leaders and experts in energy and related fields. Panel discussions will cover a range of critical topics, including:
· The ESG imperative – Post COP 29: impact on business
· Transition Fuels: Meeting Africa’s Future Energy Demand
· LPG For Clean Cooking: Africa’s Best Near-Term Option to Reduce Carbon Emissions
· The African Infrastructure Challenge: Critical Investments to Meet Future Energy Demand
· Tomorrow’s Technologies Today: Exploring Immediate Technology Must-Haves for African Downstream
· The Changing Face of African Retail Operations
· Investing in Human Capital: Empowering the Next Generation of Industry Leaders
ARDA Week 2025 will take place from 7th to 11th April 2025 at the Century City Conference Centre in Cape Town, South Africa.
