Sahara Group, an energy and infrastructure conglomerate, says deliberate and innovative human capital strategies are pivotal to positioning Africa’s energy sector.
Speaking at the 2025 Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists (NAPE) International Conference & Exhibition, Emilomo Arorote, group head, human resources at Sahara Group, noted the strategies are sustainable growth and competitiveness amid evolving global energy security challenges and emerging opportunities.
Arorote said energy professionals’ curiosity, competence, and courage to act, remain the most powerful lever for transformation in a transitioning world.
“Innovation in our industry has never been about systems alone, it always begins with people,” she said.
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Arorote said Sahara remains committed to advancing transformative human capital development as a cornerstone of Africa’s energy sustainability.
“At Sahara, we have seen how curiosity transforms into capability when young professionals start asking the right questions,” she said.
“A remarkable portion of our breakthroughs, including the landmark OKOS-04L well intervention in OML-148, were driven by young teams who dared to challenge convention and applied fresh thinking to complex problems.”
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Arorote added that the next frontier of the industry will depend not only on technological advancements but also on the mindset of the people driving them.
“As we navigate the energy transition from gas-to-power integration to automation and data-driven operations, the future will belong to those who combine curiosity with patience and precision,” she said.
“The young professionals who will redefine Africa’s energy story are those who are willing to learn deeply, think differently, and act decisively.”
Also, Arorote said Africa’s energy sector must develop sustainable systems that promote mentorship and knowledge transfer to younger professionals.
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This said it is essential to achieving robust, globally competitive energy operations and lasting impact.
Arorote said mentorship is a two-way bridge that allows “both emerging and seasoned professionals to learn, adapt, and grow together, blending the wisdom of experience with the ingenuity of youth”.
