Oil and Gas Sector in the East Africa Region; Challenges and Opportunities

Abstract

The Kenya Pipeline Company Ltd partnered with the University of Nairobi to host the inaugural oil and gas public lecture on 1st July 2016 at the University of Nairobi’s Taifa Hall. Over 500 participants drawn from the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum, Chief Executives from oil companies, the Business Fraternity, KPC and University of Nairobi staff and Students from the School of Engineering and Physical Sciences. The meeting was opened by the by the Cabinet Secretary MoEP, Hon. Charles Keter and discussions were centred on the challenges and opportunities in the oil and gas sector. The inaugural oil and gas public lecture series was held on July 1 2016 to discuss the Oil and Gas Sector in the East African Region with a focus on the Challenges and Opportunities in the sector. Over five hundred participants drawn from the Government, private oil companies, staff and students from the University of Nairobi engaged in oil and gas discussions focusing on the challenges and opportunities that Kenya faces in this sector. The meeting was opened by the Cabinet Secretary Ministry of Energy and Petroleum (MoEP), Hon. Charles Keter. Other key panelists who took lead in the panel discussions include Dr. Eng. Joseph Njoroge, PS, State Department of Energy, Mr. Andrew Kamau, PS, State Department of Petroleum, Eng. James N. Mwangi, Chairman, Energy and Extractives Sector Board, KEPSA, Mr. Joe Sang, Managing Director, Kenya Pipeline Company, Mr. Powell Maimba, Chairman, Petroleum Institute of East Africa and Mr. Daniel Kiptoo, Petroleum Legal Advisor, MoEP. From a broad perspective of the oil and gas sector, the meeting examined challenges and opportunities that face the industry. Throughout the public lecture, ample opportunities were provided for interactive discussions. For Kenya to benefit from this resource, a few things must be set right. The right legislation and institutional structure must be put in place and the Government must maximize on all economic returns. Community engagement is also critical to increase public trust and manage public expectations. Capacity building also plays a critical role to enable all actors in the oil and gas sector perform their roles as required to spur the economic growth of our country. Good governance, transparency, accountability and participation are prerequisites. With proper legislation in place, the petroleum bill should lay a firm foundation for the following:  Management of Petroleum Resources with a long-term perspective;  The whole country will benefit from the resource;  Proper management of resources to secure revenues to the country; and  The oil and gas sector shall contribute to the employment, welfare, safe environment and industrial development. The meeting was convened and co-hosted by the University of Nairobi (UoN) in partnership with the Kenya Pipeline Company Ltd. At the end of the public lecture, the participants were able to agree on some major recommendations. It was also agreed that the public lecture series be held regularly either annually or bi-annually under the aegis of UoN/KPC.