The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC), Kwame Ntow Amoah, has been appointed Chairman of the African Petroleum Producers’ Organization (APPO).
The formal handover took place at the 7th APPO National Oil Companies CEOs Meeting in Accra, where Mr Amoah assumed leadership from Bienvenido Nguema Envo of Equatorial Guinea’s GEPetrol.
In his acceptance remarks, Mr Amoah described the new role as “a call to deepen our resolve” and outlined a vision for greater unity among African petroleum producers. “Africa's petroleum landscape is being reshaped by several factors including financing, technology, developing an appropriate workforce, and climate realities at a time of global energy transition,” he said.
He insisted that African nations must respond collectively rather than individually to these challenges. “Our shared vision is clear: to harness Africa’s vast hydrocarbon resources responsibly, sustainably, and strategically,” he declared.
The new APPO Chairman said his tenure would focus on strengthening cooperation around the Africa Energy Bank, promoting trading and innovation partnerships, and developing practical approaches to enhance trust and collaboration among member states. “Africa's energy future must be led by African voices, African institutions, and a strong African resolve,” he emphasised.
Outgoing Chairman Bienvenido Nguema Envo praised APPO as “a prime platform to share experiences and ideas for managing the ever-dynamic oil and gas industry.” He acknowledged the challenges facing the sector but described them as “opportunities for innovation, diversification, and sustainable development.”
The two-day summit in Accra drew chief executives and senior officials from nineteen African oil-producing nations. Discussions centred on regional collaboration, sustainable development, local content, and investment opportunities, and coincided with Africa Oil Week 2025. Ghana’s Minister for Energy and Green Transition, John Abdulai Jinapor, was among those in attendance.
APPO, founded in Lagos in January 1987 by eight countries, now boasts 18 member states, including Algeria, Nigeria, Angola, Ghana, and South Africa. The organisation acts as a platform for coordination and knowledge-sharing to maximise petroleum resources for the continent’s development.
Ghana’s hosting of this year’s forum further cements its position in Africa’s energy dialogue. Mr Amoah’s appointment as APPO Chairman signals an important step for Ghana, positioning it to play a more prominent role in shaping Africa’s petroleum future at a time when the continent is striving to balance resource development with global climate and energy transition commitments.