Energy conferences still clashing in build-up to events

AOW vs AEW

SOUTH AFRICA: With the 30^th edition of Africa Oil Week (AOW) scheduled for this coming week – new owners will host the milestone event as litigation continues from their adversary in the space, African Energy Week (AEW) which is due to take place less than a month later at the same venue.

The ongoing battle to claim the position as the premier African oil and gas conference continued this month as the African Energy Chamber (AEC), organisers of AEW, announced that their $5 million lawsuit would be expanded to include Sankofa Events and Paul Sinclair who have taken over as the new owner of AOW.

Although no longer the owner of AOW, the Hyve Group has confirmed that they will be providing support to new organisers, Sankofa, for this year’s event.

Initially viewing the acquisition of AOW by Sinclair and Sankofa as a positive step, the African Energy Chamber issued a statement in July this year suggesting that, under the new ownership, “AOW has the chance to redefine itself as an event that is not only African-based but African-driven.”

Sinclair stepped down as CEO of AOW in June last year and, in March this year, joined the Chamber’s Advisory Board where he was lauded as an “industry expert”. The relationship, however, soon soured and the AEC addressed their affiliation last month to promote clarity:

“The AEC wishes to address a matter of clarity regarding Paul Sinclair's involvement with our organisation. Paul Sinclair joined our board but withdrew his membership within 24 hours, utilising his brief association to negotiate a deal with Hyve. We categorically deny any ongoing affiliation with Paul Sinclair or his subsequent endeavours.”

The case took a step forward in July this year when Judge Unterhalter took the decision to send the defamation case against the AEC to a trial court – citing lack of merits for a summary judgment.

The Chamber welcomed the development saying: “Our counterclaim against AOW will continue, seeking justice for the African energy industry and all Africans fighting energy poverty. We look forward to a spirited litigation and defence against AOW's allegations.”

As both events continue the battle to emerge as the continent’s energy event, the decision by the Hyve Group to move their event to Dubai in 2020 is seen as the catalyst for the emergence of African Energy Week.

The Chamber has continued to criticise this decision and labelled it a definitive demonstration of Hyve’s lack of commitment to the continent’s energy sector.

“The repercussions of AOW’s decision were far-reaching and damaging. It perpetuated the notion that African issues are better addressed outside of Africa, reinforcing harmful stereotypes and power dynamics. Moreover, it deprived African energy professionals, entrepreneurs, key players, policymakers and African citizens of a critical platform to drive progress.”

It’s interesting to note that both conferences remain well sponsored and endorsed, with South Africa’s Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources listed as the host Government Department by the competing events.

While there is significant overlap of content and objectives, it still seems as though some industry stakeholders choose one of the other when it comes to sponsorship and attendance. Industry sources in Cape Town who have a better opportunity to attend both the events admit that the price attached to both AEW and AOW remain high. Many periphery events have also been instigated to take advantage of attracting the visiting delegates offsite to conduct business and network outside of the two events.