CAPE TOWN, South Africa, October 2, 2025 – bp has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing women’s participation in Africa’s energy sector by promoting female engineers and leaders through the landmark Greater Tortue Ahmeyim (GTA) gas project, situated on the maritime border of Mauritania and Senegal.
The initiative was spotlighted during a high-level panel discussion titled “Energy Security in Africa: Why Women’s Participation in Africa’s Resource Governance Matters”, hosted by the African Women Business Energy Network at African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energies 2025.
Taelo Mojapelo, CEO of bp Southern Africa, emphasized that full integration of women into decision-making and technical roles is essential for both energy security and inclusive economic growth.
“Your customer base in many parts of the energy sector will be women, so ensure your supply chain reflects that reality. For example, in the GTA project we trained women engineers because 65% of beneficiaries are women. This creates role models within the industry,” Mojapelo stated.
Training and Education as Catalysts
The panel underscored training and education as the foundation of progress.
Dr. Tina Unachukwu, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director at One Titanium Tubulars Ltd., stressed,
“When you train a woman, you train a generation. If a woman does not have a seat at the table, half of Africa’s population is excluded. Women’s participation in Africa’s energy sector ensures diversity of opinions and innovation.”
Stephanie Comardelle, Chief Experience Officer at S&P Global Commodity Insights, added that resiliency and leadership are tied to education.
“Education is critical in the energy sector to promote more women’s participation. Both private organizations and NGOs must take an active role in driving this change,” she said.
Policy and Financing for Inclusion
Policy reforms were highlighted as a vital enabler of progress. Adam Sow, Group CFO at Petroci Holding, pointed to Ivory Coast’s initiatives:
“We have a policy to promote gender parity in the workplace. Initiatives like this, combined with public campaigns, create systemic change. Ultimately, women suffer the most when there is lack of energy security.”
On financing, Marieme Sav Sow, Vice President for Engagement and Advocacy at TotalEnergies, emphasized the need to earmark resources:
“We must dedicate specific portions of budgets to women’s initiatives. It makes sense to engage with SMEs run by women, as they contribute directly to community development and energy access.”
She added, “Women are master strategists. I remember how skillful my mom was at stretching a dollar—there are millions of women doing the same. Imagine channeling that resourcefulness into an energy project.”
Women’s Participation and Energy Security
The discussion at AEW 2025 made it clear that strengthening women’s participation in Africa’s energy sector is not only about gender equality but also about achieving long-term energy security.
With women representing a significant share of energy consumers, their perspectives are crucial in shaping sustainable solutions across oil, gas, and renewables.
The GTA project, led by bp, has become a practical example of how multinational companies can advance inclusion.
By equipping women engineers with technical skills and leadership roles, the project is building a talent pipeline that contributes to Africa’s broader development goals.
Building the Future through Collaboration
Speakers at the panel agreed that collaboration between governments, private companies, and civil society is key to scaling impact.
From training programs and scholarship schemes to gender-sensitive policy reforms and targeted financing, a holistic approach is needed.
The session concluded with a call to action for energy leaders across the continent to ensure that women’s participation in Africa’s energy sector is prioritized in policy frameworks, investment strategies, and project execution.
By embedding inclusion at every stage of the value chain, stakeholders aim to create a more equitable and sustainable energy future for Africa.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.
SOURCE: African Energy Chamber
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