Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Tony Attah, and Waltersmith Petroman Oil Limited’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Dapo Filani, will discuss the role of natural gas in Africa’s energy security and transition at a forum in Lagos on October 21.

They will be joined by co-founder and chair of the advisory board of Lean In Equity & Sustainability (LiNES), Lamé Verre at the 2026 Africa Interviews Sustainability Forum (AISF), themed “Energy Security and Africa’s Energy Transition: Defining the Role of Gas.”

The discussions will focus on how natural gas can support energy security, industrial development and investment in Africa’s energy sector, as countries seek to expand energy access and develop domestic industries.

The forum will also examine the challenges of financing energy infrastructure, developing indigenous technical capacity and attracting investment into commercially viable projects.

Attah has more than 30 years of experience in the energy industry. He previously served as managing director and chief executive officer of Nigeria LNG Limited and managing director of Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCo).

At Nigeria LNG, he led the company through a period of expansion that included the final investment decision on its Train 7 project, aimed at increasing Nigeria’s liquefied natural gas production capacity. His career at Shell included responsibilities in operations, corporate affairs, human resources and commercial management, as well as international assignments in Russia and the Netherlands.

A mechanical engineering graduate of the University of Ibadan, Attah holds an MBA from the University of Benin. He currently leads Renaissance, which acquired Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited in 2025.

Filani has more than 26 years of experience in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry, spanning exploration and production, gas commercialisation, asset development, corporate strategy and operational management.

Before joining Waltersmith, he served as deputy general manager, corporate strategy and business delivery, at First Exploration & Petroleum Development Company Limited. He also held technical and management positions at Addax Petroleum and Eland Oil & Gas, covering field development, reservoir engineering, technical planning and gas development.

He holds a degree in petroleum engineering from the University of Ibadan and an MBA in oil and gas management from Robert Gordon University in Scotland. He is also an alumnus of London Business School.

Verre’s work in sustainability and investment is expected to inform discussions on the broader considerations shaping Africa’s energy transition.

The forum comes as African countries seek to develop their energy resources while responding to energy-transition priorities. Natural gas remains part of discussions on expanding electricity generation and industrial production, although developing the necessary infrastructure requires substantial investment and technical capacity.

Organised by Africa Interviews and supported by Waltersmith Petroman Oil Limited and Sahara Group, AISF 2026 will hold at the Capital Club, Lagos, with the panel discussion scheduled for 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m, with attendance strictly by invitation.