Expert Advocates Youth-centered Tech Innovations

The chairman of PANA Holdings and group chief executive officer of PE Energy Limited, Dr Daere Akobo, has advocated youth-centred tech innovations for national growth and development.

He stated this at the Sub-Saharan Africa International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (SAIPEC) 2025, held in Lagos.

He said, “Industry leaders should focus on mentorship, innovation and global competitiveness in technology-driven sectors. Our policymakers need to understand that policy without people is a fiasco.”

Akobo commended the Nigerian Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NPRC) for its mentoring initiatives, highlighting their crucial role in shaping the next generation of industry professionals.

He stressed the urgent need to prevent a ‘youthquake,’ a disruptive gap in youth engagement, by equipping young talents with the skills necessary to transform Africa’s economic landscape.

Speaking further, he challenged the current direction of youth engagement in digital platforms, urging a shift from entertainment-focused applications to solutions that address critical sectors such as agriculture, energy, and industrial development.

According to him, Africa must prioritise return on investment (ROI) in talent development and ensure that policymakers align their strategies with human capital growth for long-term economic success.

The SAIPEC 2025 conference, held in Lagos is not only the largest event in the centre of the region’s energy, oil and gas hub but also the only truly industry-led event, held in partnership with the country’s petroleum sector. It brings together key stakeholders from the energy, technology, and policy sectors with discussions exploring pathways for Africa’s sustainable growth in a rapidly evolving global economy.