Renaissance CEO Attah, Waltersmith’s Filani to discuss Africa’s Energy Security at AISF 2026
Tony Attah, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Renaissance Africa Energy Company Ltd., will join Dapo Filani, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Waltersmith Petroman Oil Ltd., and sustainability expert Lamé Verre to discuss Africa’s energy security and transition at the Africa Interviews Sustainability Forum (AISF) 2026.
The forum, scheduled for Oct. 21 in Lagos, is themed “Energy Security and Africa’s Energy Transition: Defining the Role of Gas.” It will bring together industry leaders to examine how natural gas can strengthen energy security, support industrial development and attract investment across Africa.
Attah, an energy industry executive with more than 30 years of experience, has held several senior leadership positions in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, including Managing Director and CEO of Nigeria LNG Ltd. and Managing Director of Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCo).
During his tenure at Nigeria LNG, he led the company through a significant expansion phase, including the Final Investment Decision on its Train 7 project, a major investment aimed at increasing Nigeria’s liquefied natural gas production capacity.
His career at Shell also covered operations, corporate affairs, human resources and commercial management, alongside international assignments in Russia and the Netherlands.
Attah holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Ibadan and an MBA from the University of Benin. His expertise spans gas development, major energy projects, investment and corporate leadership.
At Renaissance, he leads an indigenous energy company that acquired Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Ltd. in 2025, marking a significant shift in the ownership of a major player in Nigeria’s upstream oil and gas industry.
Filani, a petroleum engineer with more than 26 years of experience, brings expertise in exploration and production, gas commercialisation, asset development, corporate strategy and operational management.
Before joining Waltersmith, he held senior positions at First Exploration & Petroleum Development Company Ltd., where he served as Deputy General Manager, Corporate Strategy and Business Delivery.
His career also includes technical and management roles at Addax Petroleum and Eland Oil & Gas, covering field development, reservoir engineering, technical planning and gas development.
Filani holds a degree in Petroleum Engineering from the University of Ibadan, an MBA in Oil and Gas Management from Robert Gordon University, Scotland, and is an alumnus of London Business School.
His experience across the technical and commercial aspects of the energy industry is expected to enrich discussions on developing Africa’s gas resources, attracting investment and translating the continent’s energy potential into commercially viable projects.
Verre, co-founder and Chair of the Advisory Board of Lean In Equity & Sustainability (LiNES), will bring perspectives on sustainability, investment and the broader considerations shaping Africa’s energy transition.
The forum comes as African countries seek to expand energy access, develop domestic industries and attract investment in critical infrastructure while responding to global energy-transition priorities.
Natural gas remains central to these discussions, particularly for economies seeking to increase electricity generation, strengthen industrial production and improve access to reliable and affordable energy.
Realising this potential will require substantial investment in infrastructure, stronger technical capabilities and commercially viable projects.
AISF 2026 will examine practical approaches to financing energy infrastructure, strengthening indigenous technical capacity and creating an enabling environment for sustainable investment. Discussions will also explore how African countries can develop energy strategies that reflect their economic circumstances, resource endowments and long-term transition objectives.
Supported by Waltersmith and Sahara Group, the forum will hold at Capital Club, Lagos, with the panel session scheduled for 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Organised by Africa Interviews, AISF 2026 is strictly by invitation.
