As the voice of the African energy sector, the African Energy Chamber (AEC) is honored and proud that two AEC Board Members have been featured on NewAfrican Magazine’s list of 100 Most Influential Africans 2024 . As a credit to their distinguished careers, Rene Awambeng and Nicolas Pompigne-Mognard have proven themselves trailblazers in the African energy and commercial space and pioneering leaders driving the continent’s sustainable transformation.

Awambeng has established himself as one of Africa’s foremost dealmakers. In 2024, the renowned banker and financier launched Premier Invest, a new advisory firm with ambitious plans, including the creation of an investment fund and a trade finance bank. The firm has already secured mandates to raise billions in funding for a variety of African projects and to structure new major transactions. A passionate pan-Africanist, Awambeng was honored last year with the prestigious Global Executive Leader Award and is now leading efforts to attract international investment into diverse African industries.

Meanwhile, Pompigne-Mognard, founder of APO Group, has solidified his position as a key influencer across Africa. Trusted by global brands and entrepreneurs, his company is the largest press release distribution service on the continent. Pompigne-Mognard also advises top leaders and organizations, with recent roles including Strategic Advisor to the EU-Africa Chamber of Commerce and Royal African Society. His influence spans sectors from technology to sports, contributing to Africa’s growing global presence.

“On behalf of the AEC, I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to Rene Awambeng and Nicolas Pompigne-Mognard for being named among the 100 Most Influential Africans of 2024 . Their leadership, vision and commitment to driving sustainable transformation in Africa’s energy sector are truly inspiring. We are proud to have them as key members of our board, and their recognition further underscores the critical role that African leaders play in shaping a prosperous and energy-secure future for the continent,” stated AEC Executive Chairman NJ Ayuk.

Also featured on the list are key supporters of the Chamber, which includes Oando PLC CEO Wale Tinubu, who delivered a keynote address at the African Energy Week: Invest in African Energies conference this year, Nigerian businessman and industrialist Aliko Dangote and Nigerian economist Prof .Benedict Okey Oramah. Their unsurprising inclusion on this esteemed list serves as a powerful acknowledgment of their leadership, vision and the contributions they’ve made to the continent’s developments in areas such as business, politics, technology and social change.

From day one, these inductees have embraced the AEC’s calls for an African Energy Bank, supported our advocacy for a just energy transition and been adamant advocates for energy growth, sustainable development and intra-African trade. Important for Africa, their inclusion on this list boosts the visibility of individuals who are striving to transform the continent into a burgeoning and prosperous continent and elevating their profiles by including them on this prestigious roster opens pathways to new opportunities for many young African’s that want to follow in their footsteps.

Other notable inclusions on the list include Patrice Motsepe, South Africa; Bassirou Diomaye Faye, Senegal; King Mohammed VI, Morocco; Idris Elba, Sierra Leone/Ghana; Helmy Abouleish, Egypt; Adebayo Ogunlesi, Nigeria; and Jeremy Awori, Kenya, to name a few.

“The Chamber is honored to have these people part of this important list. We believe that with their support, we will continue going from strength to strength. The AEC strongly believes that Africa’s energy potential is yet to be fully realized, and through the support of industry leaders such as Tinubu, Dangote and Prof. Oramah, we will continue to make strides towards unlocking investment, supporting sustainable development and driving long-term economic growth in Africa,” added Ayuk.