Heirs Energies, Africa’s indigenous-owned integrated energy firm, says its record in turning around declining oil assets proves that African companies can unlock value where international players have walked away.
The company said this Thursday in a statement announcing that its Chief Executive Officer, Osa Igiehon, will lead conversations at the African Energy Week 2025 in Cape Town, South Africa, showing how local operators are reshaping Africa’s oil and gas story.
According to the statement, Igiehon is billed to speak at the Frontier Plays Within Africa’s Mature Basins session on September 30, where he will detail how Heirs Energies transformed Oil Mining Lease 17 into a model of African-led operational excellence.
“At Heirs Energies, we don’t just believe Africa’s mature and frontier assets hold promise; we have proven it. The OML 17 turnaround shows that with the right governance, innovation, and local execution, indigenous operators can unlock value where others saw decline,” Igiehon said.
On October 1, Igiehon will also feature in the Invest in the Republic of Congo Roundtable, sharing lessons from Nigeria’s oilfields to help new frontiers accelerate growth through brownfield expertise, community engagement, and investor confidence.
Heirs Energies’ Executive Director and Chief Financial Officer, Sam Nwanze, will join the Navigating Asset Divestments in Africa’s Upstream Sector panel, also on October 1.
Nwanze is expected to highlight how African independents can secure financing and build trust in a sector where global oil majors are divesting.
“The divestment wave creates opportunities for African players to lead, but credibility is key. Success depends on structuring investable projects, building trust with partners, and embedding impact into every deal,” Nwanze noted.
The company said its participation in the Cape Town event underscores its commitment to Africapitalism, the philosophy of Heirs Holdings Chairman, Tony Elumelu, “which places the private sector at the heart of Africa’s transformation.”
“From doubling production at OML 17 within 100 days to ensuring every molecule of gas produced powers Nigerian homes and industries, Heirs Energies has shown what’s possible when African companies take the lead,” the firm said.
