By Aisha S. Michika
Women’s place in a typical African market setting is highly recognized in our continent. Their participation in markets square is to the extent that if they decide to pull out of markets, the whole place would be deserted. No wonder they are called ‘market women’ in most of the African countries and given support by various governments in recognition of the important economic role they play.
However, apart from these millions of hard-working women earning their living through the buying and selling of, mostly, essential commodities, there is also another group of women making a difference in the corporate world, particularly in the oil and gas industry in Africa and the impact is huge on the continent’s economy. Below are some notable women in the industry, making the women folk proud in what is assumed to be a ‘men’s world’.
Elizabeth Rogo (Kenya)
Elizabeth Rogo is owner of Tsavo Oilfield Services. Established in 2017; the company is a premier energy consultancy outfit, serving the oil and gas sector in Kenya. She has over 19 years international experience in the global Energy sector. She was a Business Development Manager for Weatherford International’s East Africa division based in Kampala, Uganda in 2001; with global companies including BP Services, Baker Hughes. Trained in Engineering, Operations, Project Management, Consultancy, Business Development and Management; she has excelled in the sector, earning coveted leadership roles. Between 2015 and 2017 She was appointed Country Manager for Kenya and East Africa Area Manager (including Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Mozambique and Ethiopia). She was the first woman in Weatherford’s Sub-Saharan division to hold both country and regional management roles. She is also an internationally sought-after speaker and moderator on gender diversity and local content in the oil and gas industry.
Catherine Uju Ifejika (Nigeria)
The first and only woman in Nigeria to become chair and CEO of an Upstream E&P Company; Brittania-U Nigeria Limited. She started her career in the petroleum industry by joining Texaco’s legal department and later became the Company Secretary in 1997. Thereafter, she held government and public affairs responsibilities for a while before she joined Brittania-U Nigeria Limited in 2007 as Chair /CEO and has since made impressive contributions to the sector. The company, through her guidance, has incredible achievements, among which is Ajapa Floating Production Storage Unit produced its first oil from drilling in 17 months.
Such an accomplishment is yet to be achieved by another company of its kind in Nigeria. She has set up six subsidiary companies in seven years and award recognitions from different organization such as Global Business Ambassador Award, Recognition for 45 Women of Excellence and Distinction, Nigeria Women 50-50 Award, African Oil and Gas Amazon of the Year Award, African Most Outstanding Businesswoman Gold Award of Excellence and African Businesswoman of the Year. These milestones indicate her enormous contribution and hard work towards the success of the oil and gas industry in Nigeria. She is pioneer in the industry, who has showcased how determination and hard work can lead to success. Ifejika is considered as Africa’s most successful female oil tycoon.
Mercedes Eworo Milam: (Equatorial Guinea)
Mercedes Eworo Milam is currently the Director General for the Ministry of Hydrocarbons in Equatorial Guinea. She is an Engineer of Mines, specializing in surveys and mineral exploration from the University of Salamanca. In 2004 She was appointed as the Head of the Technical Office and swiftly rose to the position of head of the Directorate General National Content between 2007 and 2009. Milam was the Chief Ministerial of Mines and Hydrocarbons between 2011 and 2013 and later was the director general of Hydrocarbons of the Ministry of Mines, Industry and Energy. In 2014, she received the Woman of the Year award at the Oil and Gas Awards. This accomplishment was attributed to her work in ensuring the sustainable development of the country’s oil and gas sector. She also made a lot of effort by ensuring women are hired and considered for jobs, training and promotions in the industry.
Khadijah A. BA: (Senegal)
Khadijah A. BA’s success story started as she gained experience through multinational Oil and Gas companies such as BP Canada Energy Group, Technip Abu Dhabi and Schlumberger Middle East. Her past experiences in international Oil and Gas companies have been a decisive milestone in defining her role in generating Der Mond Group business strategies. As the Founder, Executive Chairman and CEO of Der Mond Oil and Gas based in Abu Dhabi and Senegal, she oversees the main strategy of her Company and ensures the success of the company and maximizes both the growth and presence internationally. BA is the youngest member of the Middle East Petroleum Club and a supporter for more young women and men in the energy sector, she is one of the Influencers that the younger generation look up to as an inspiration leader in the industry.