Big Five Board Awards 2026

Special 30th Anniversary Edition

Sponsorship opportunities for the Big Five Awards 2026 offer a prestigious platform to showcase your brand and align with excellence across Africa’s energy sector. Highlight your commitment to industry leadership, celebrate standout achievements, and engage directly with senior executives and influential stakeholders in a high-profile setting designed to elevate your visibility and impact.

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Headline Sponsor:

30th Anniversary Edition

Mark your calendar - The Big Five Board Awards Ceremony takes place on the evening of 14th May 2026!

Serving as the grand finale to the Africa Energies Summit, the 30th Anniversary Edition of the Big Five
Board Awards marks a major milestone for the African energy industry - celebrating three decades of excellence, innovation, and leadership across the continent’s dynamic upstream sector. Since their inception, these awards have become a defining symbol of recognition, honouring the individuals, projects, and companies driving Africa’s upstream transformation. This landmark year not only celebrates the pioneers shaping the industry today but also reflects on three decades of remarkable progress, partnership, and growth. As Africa continues to unlock new opportunities, the 30th Big Five Board Awards stand as a powerful tribute to the vision and resilience of the individuals, companies and government entities that continue to fuel the continent’s energy future.

Big Five Board Awards 2026 Categories

Elephant

Distinguished Individual Contribution to the African Energy Industry

Honouring an individual whose vision, leadership, and dedication have left an indelible mark on Africa’s oil and gas industry, the Elephant Award recognizes unparalleled contributions that have shaped the sector’s growth and sustainability.

Lion

Distinguished Corporate Contribution to the African Energy Industry

Celebrating organisations that exemplify excellence and innovation in African petroleum, the Lion Award highlights companies whose strategic initiatives and impact continue to propel the continent’s oil and gas industry to new heights.

Leopard

Africa’s Independent Player of the Year

The Leopard Award applauds independent players who have demonstrated agility, resilience, and exceptional performance in exploring, producing, or investing in Africa’s diverse energy landscape.

Rhino

Africa’s NOC/Regulator of the Year

Recognising outstanding achievement in driving national energy goals and fostering development, the Rhino Award honours the African National Oil Company or Regulator that has demonstrated leadership, innovation, and commitment to Africa’s oil & gas.

Buffalo

Africa’s Service & Supply Company of the Year

The Buffalo Award acknowledges service and supply companies that have consistently delivered excellence, reliability, and groundbreaking solutions to support Africa’s oil and gas operations.

Africa’s Legend

Special Category The Legend

Reserved for an icon whose enduring legacy has shaped Africa’s energy industry, Africa’s Legend Award celebrates those whose achievements and transformative influence continue to inspire and impress the industry

Leading Women in African Energy

Recognising Pioneering Leadership

Celebrating dynamic young professionals who are shaping Africa’s energy future through innovation, ambition, and standout achievements

Emerging Leaders in African Energy

Rising Star Award

Honouring women trailblazers driving transformation, inspiring others, and redefining leadership across Africa’s energy sector.

African Energy Financier of the Year

Powering Growth and Innovation

Recognising financiers whose strategic investment and vision are accelerating Africa’s energy development and innovation.

Africa Energy Legal Excellence Award

Championing Legal Excellence in Africa’s Energy Sector

Honouring the law firm providing exceptional support and leadership in advancing Africa’s energy landscape and contributing to sustainable community growth.

African Energy Investment of the Year

Accelerating Transformational Investment Across Africa

Recognising the project or transaction delivering significant upstream or energy-sector value, driving growth, and bringing lasting benefits to African economies and communities.

Local Impact

Driving Positive Change in African Communities

Applauding companies and individuals making significant meaningful contributions to the social and economic wellbeing of local African communities.

We are proud to showcase these distinguished companies as confirmed Sponsors & Partners of the Big Five Board Awards 2026, an elite celebration of excellence and leadership in Africa’s energy sector. Their support helps us bring together the industry’s top players, creating a prestigious platform to recognise outstanding achievement and set new benchmarks for governance, innovation, and performance across the continent.

Big Five Board Awards Sponsors & Partners 2026

Big Five Board Awards Headline Sponsor

Sponsor an individual Award and
align your brand with industry excellence!

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Nominations Opening Soon!

Celebrating the outstanding individual and corporate contributions shaping Africa’s upstream landscape, nominations for the 30th Anniversary Big Five Board Awards will open soon.

Mark your calendar — the Big Five Board Awards Ceremony, the grand finale of the Africa Energies Summit, will take place on the evening of 14 May 2026!

Big Five 2026 Awards Timeline

Nominations Phase

Nominations Open - 14th January 2026
Nominations Close - 13th March 2026

Shortlisting

Shortlisting (Judging & Internal Review) - 16th - 20th March 2026
Shortlist Notified - 23rd -27th March 2026

Africa Top 50

Top 50 Announced Publicly - 30th March 2026

Peer Voting (during Africa Energies Summit)

Voting Opens - 12th May 2026
Voting Closes - 14th May 2026

Awards Ceremony - 14th May 2026

Big Five Sponsorship Opportunities

Discover the opportunities available with the 2026 Big Five Board Awards, and request a copy of the sponsorship prospectus for 2026 to see how your company can participate in this wonderful occasion, where we celebrate the best individuals, companies and government entities active in the Africa upstream.