As I turn my attention globally in preparation for the World Energies Summit promised by team a note on key Licensing Rounds to watch in H2 and as luck would have it, it makes a perfect CEO Brief for the week for me to share with you too.

As industry convenor of the 9th Africa Energies Summit, and having spent the week moderating discussions and speaking privately with governments, operators, investors and technical leaders from across the world, these are my reflections on the major themes shaping Africa’s upstream sector today.

As we make the final preparations for the 9th Edition of the Africa Energies Summit | Africa’s Premier Global Upstream Conference | 11th - 14th May 2026, it would be remiss of me not to focus on Africa this week.

It means a great deal to me to carry forward the legacy of the Big Five Awards, first established by my uncle, Dr. Duncan Clarke, in Cape Town, and now entering their 30th year.

At our recent Frontier’s Upstream Insights discussion titled "New Frontiers: The Next Guyana", we set out to examine one of the most important questions in global exploration today: where will the next major frontier success come from?

Reflecting on reconnecting with old friends and making new ones; it is surely the people that make this industry special and unique, coupled with the profound and enduring strategic importance of hydrocarbons to the engine of global growth and wealth creation.

Reflecting on the timely panel that I moderated at our Global Upstream Leaders Forum in London last week titled Capital Discipline and Energy Security: Where Are Investors Placing Bets in Global Upstream?

As a female Founder, CEO and entrepreneur in the oil and gas industry, I am conscious that I occupy a space where women are still relatively rare.

Recent geopolitical tensions in the Gulf region have once again demonstrated how closely global energy markets are linked to political and security developments, which in my opinion makes the oil and gas industry one of the most interesting to work in.

As I am sure you won't be surprised to hear, this is a question I have been reflecting on a lot recently and discussing with those that I respect including the sage and knowledgeable African I am lucky enough to call my uncle - Dr. Duncan Clarke: What is an African? It is a question that appears simple, yet in reality it is layered, complex and an especially pertinent topic now for the industry.

Through Frontier’s PetroInvest platform, I work closely with governments across Africa and globally to shape and execute their upstream licensing strategies - advising on positioning, investor engagement, and how to compete effectively for international capital.

Africa’s upstream future will not be built by any one organisation or individual. It will be built by governments, regulators, NOC's, indigenous companies, international operators and investors working together with mutual respect and shared purpose.

This week in Luanda, Frontier hosted the Global Upstream Leaders Forum bringing the industry together in the beautiful and vibrant city of Luanda.

As we prepare for the 9th edition of this remarkable gathering that is the Africa Energies Summit, I have once again taken time to reflect on our shared journey across Africa’s upstream sector.

I’m delighted to share the release of our World Energies Post-Summit Report, capturing the themes, analysis and actionable insights that emerged from this year’s gathering of global upstream leaders in London. 

As I reflect on the 3rd edition of the World Energies Summit this month in London, I am reminded of the importance of collaboration in shaping meaningful analysis and sound insight on the future of global energy demand.

Attending the AIEN NOC Conference and Workshops in London as CEO of Frontier offered a rare opportunity to reflect on the evolving role of National Oil Companies (NOCs) at a time of profound change and uncertainty in the global energy industry.

Entering the oil and gas sector for the first time is never simple. For governments, it means balancing sovereignty and competitiveness; for investors, aligning ambition with complex political realities.

The upstream sector has always been global in nature, this is what makes it so exciting to be a part of - capital moves across borders, technology is shared across basins, and discoveries and changes in policy in one part of the world can shift sentiment everywhere else as illustrated by Trump's policies.