As the world starts to return to some degree of normality, the appetite for meetings in person is on the increase.
Kuro Consulting is working with the Scottish Africa Business Association (SABA) to meet this need. The first high-profile step will be involvement with African Energy Week 2021, in Cape Town on November 9-12, organised by the African Energy Chamber (AEC).
SABA and Kuro will lead a delegation of Scottish companies to the South African conference. The stated aim is to “offer their services, foster partnerships and interact with African National Oil Companies”.
There are exploration opportunities in Africa but there is also growing demand, not least in terms of electricity accessibility. SABA noted that Scottish companies working there could benefit from the commercial ventures, while also playing a role in driving socioeconomic growth in Africa.
Kuro can offer due diligence, so that companies are working with the right partners, and market research.
Pastures new
“Africa offers lucrative trade and investment prospects for international stakeholders,” said AEC executive chairman NJ Ayuk.
“Participation by organisations such as SABA and KURO will not only further AEW 2021’s agenda of attracting global capital into African markets, but will allow African and Scottish companies to capitalise on long-term, mutually beneficial partnerships. Scottish companies can help fast-track Africa’s growth, making energy poverty history by 2030 a reality.”
Finding new ways to do gas projects and drilling for 2022 will be at the heart of the AEW 2021 event. SABA has experience in bridging the gap between Scottish businesses and opportunities in Africa, helping numerous companies enter markets since its establishment in 2018.
“The new ‘Zoom’ culture has been helpful. But as soon as we can, we want to start taking companies back to Africa,” SABA CEO Frazer Lang said. The challenge is to ensure that visits focus on achieving the right outcomes.
Lang went on to note opportunities for companies in Aberdeen and Dundee to support the energy transition and skills development.
“A key area of interest is the challenge in some geographies across the continent that aging assets bring, and the need to safely decommission these assets making sure there is no environmental damage. We want to continue doing that, and also contribute to the development of newer forms of energy where Scotland is taking an industry leading role in the development of renewable energy”, Lang continued.
COVID concerns
There may be challenges in reassuring delegates that South Africa is a safe place for such a meeting. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), there have been 2.3 million cases of COVID-19 in 2021 thus far.
The South African government allows international travel for any purpose. It has imposed sporadic bans on the sale of alcohol, which may threaten some of the convivial post-conference chatter.
The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) warns against all but essential travel to South Africa. The US’ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) counsels travellers to avoid the country. It warns that even fully vaccinated people are at risk.
The conference will not be held at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC). This is currently being used as a vaccination centre.
SABA and Kuro are aware of the challenges of planning such an event. The organisations expressed the hope that the Scottish delegation would be in person, noting various health and safety protocols.
There are going to be contingency plans, with options to combine in person and virtual – or purely virtual – attendance. The conference organisers are taking a number of precautions to keep attendees safe.
Local links
AEW 2021 faces some difficulties. But it is clear that working with local organisations is the way to enter new markets.
Kuro managing director James Crawford said the work with the AEC demonstrated such co-operation.
The “partnership will create compelling and sustainable value for Scottish companies and delegates by leveraging the strength of knowledge and expertise available to create opportunities and partnerships, which are mutually beneficial across the entire African energy sector value chain”, he said.
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