- Heirs Energies CEO Osa Igiehon highlighted the company’s rapid turnaround of OML 17 as proof of Africa’s ability to lead in energy.
- At the Namibia Oil & Gas Conference, he urged African nations to build local capacity and pledged Heirs Energies’ support for Namibia’s emerging energy sector.
Heirs Energies Chief Executive Officer Osa Igiehon delivered an inspiring fireside chat at the Namibia Oil & Gas Conference, presenting a bold vision for Africa’s energy leadership and the role of indigenous companies in shaping the continent’s future.
Speaking to African policymakers, international investors, and industry leaders, Igiehon positioned Heirs Energies as a blueprint for indigenous energy success, showing how African companies can compete globally while delivering lasting social impact.
He highlighted the company’s transformation of Nigeria’s OML 17 from a struggling asset into one of West Africa’s most successful indigenous-operated facilities. Within three months, Heirs Energies doubled production, far ahead of the two-year plan, while achieving a 99.8% production reconciliation factor with a 100% Nigerian workforce and 95% indigenous contractors.
“Nigeria is an example for other countries earlier in the journey. We have taken the pain of being a forerunner, made mistakes and successes available for other countries to emulate,” Igiehon said, stressing that African nations can accelerate development by learning from established markets.
Drawing from the Africapitalism philosophy of Heirs Holdings Chairman Tony O. Elumelu, Igiehon outlined the hallmarks of African energy leadership: building local capacity while staying globally connected, setting bold goals with clear roadmaps, taking ownership of Africa’s destiny, and creating human connections that treat stakeholders as family and community.
On Namibia’s prospects, he said: “This visit has been a valuable opportunity to engage with Namibia’s energy community, exchange ideas, and better understand the landscape. We look forward to building on these connections and exploring areas where our expertise can add value.”
As Namibia’s Orange Basin attracts billions in new investment, Igiehon said the key question is not whether African companies can compete, but how quickly they can scale and lead.
The session reinforced Heirs Energies’ commitment to combining commercial excellence with social impact, underscoring its ambition to help shape Africa’s energy future.