Big Five Board Awards 2027

Big Five Board Awards Winner

Frontier Announces Winners of 30th Big Five Board Awards 2026

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31st Anniversary Edition

The Big Five Board Awards, the longest-running in Africa’s oil and gas sector, celebrate outstanding leaders each year. 

A logo with a map of Africa made of yellow dots and the text 'Big Five' and other award categories, including 'Frontier'

Sponsored by:

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31st Anniversary Edition

31st Anniversary Edition

The Big Five Board Awards Ceremony will take place on the final evening of the Africa Energies Summit!

Serving as the grand finale to the Africa Energies Summit, the 31st 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 31st 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 Categories

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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. 

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Logo for the Big Five Border Awards featuring a stylized dotted outline of the African continent and text reading "Big Five Border Awards" with a subtitle "Frontier".

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. 

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Silhouette of the African continent made of white dots on a black background, with the text 'Big Five' next to it, and additional words 'Border Awards' and 'Frontier' partially visible.

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. 

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Design for the Big Five Border Awards, featuring a large intuitive map of Africa made of white dots, with text highlighting categories such as Big Five, Border Awards, and Frontier.

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. 

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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. 

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Logo for the Big Five Board Awards, featuring stylized dots forming the shape of the African continent, with text overlay reading 'Big Five Board Awards' and 'Frontier'.

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 

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Leading Women in African Energy

Recognising Pioneering Leadership

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

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Text listing awards: Big Five, Board Awards, Frontier.

Emerging Leaders in African Energy

Rising Star Award

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

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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.

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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.

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African Energy Deal 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.

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Local Impact

Driving Positive Change in Africa 

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

Big Five Board Awards 2027 Sponsor

We are proud to showcase confirmed Sponsor of the Big Five Board Awards 2027, 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.

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Big Five Board Awards Sponsor

A geometric outline of a rhinoceros above the text 'RHINO RESOURCES' in gray.

Big Five Board Awards
Photo Gallery - 1996 to 2026

Recognising Excellence in Africa for 30 Years!

A speaker in a white dress giving a presentation at the Big Five Board Awards in front of an audience seated on tiered wooden seating. The event is the 30th anniversary edition, with a large banner displaying the event's name and theme next to the sp
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Three people standing on a stage at the Big Five Board Awards, 30th Anniversary Edition, with a backdrop featuring a large image of an elephant and text announcing the event. The woman in the middle is holding a trophy
A group of five well-dressed people standing in front of a backdrop that reads 'Big Five Board Awards 30th Anniversary Edition.' They are at an award ceremony, with four men in suits and a woman in a white dress. The man in the middle holds a black a
Three people standing in front of a backdrop with text celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Big Five Board Awards. The woman on the left is wearing a white dress, the man in the middle is in a blue suit with a red tie, and the man on the right is
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Group of diverse professionals posing for a photo at the 30th anniversary edition of the Big Five Board Awards, with a blue backdrop displaying event information and city skyline visible through large windows.
Three people, two women and a man, standing together smiling at an awards event with a black backdrop that reads 'Big Five Board Awards 30th Anniversary Edition'. One woman is holding an award, and the woman on the left is wearing a white dress, the
Group of eight people standing in front of a black backdrop with yellow and white text reading 'Big Five Board Awards' and '30th Anniversary Edition.' The group includes both men and women dressed in formal and business casual attire, smiling and pos
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Group of five people, three men and two women, standing together at an awards event with a backdrop that reads 'Big Five Board Awards 30th Anniversary Edition.' One woman in a red dress is holding a glass award, smiling for the photo. The others are
An older man in a suit and a woman in a black dress posing at an award event, holding a trophy. They are smiling in front of a backdrop featuring Africa-shaped dots and text related to Africa energies summit and Big Five Board Awards.
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Three people smiling pose for a photo at an awards event, with a dark backdrop featuring the event's name 'Big Five Board Awards' and a map of Africa with a lion logo. The woman on the left is wearing a patterned blouse and white pants, the woman in
Woman with curly black hair and glasses speaking at a podium during the Big Five Board Awards at the Africa Energies Summit, sponsored by eni, with a large screen displaying the event's logo behind her.
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A man in a blue suit and pink tie speaking at an awards ceremony behind a lectern. The background features black banners with yellow logos of a lion and the word 'eni,' and white text that reads 'Big Five Board Awards.' The man is holding a trophy in
Three people, two women and one man, standing together at an awards event, holding an award and a small stuffed animal. The background features a black wall with white text reading 'Big Five Board Awards' and a map of Africa. The woman on the left is
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