B orn as an independent oil and gas exploration and production company with its headquarters in Lagos, Amni International is on its way to becoming one of Africa’s leading indigenous power producers. From undertaking the acquisition and interpretation of seismic data and drilling exploration and appraisal wells, to conducting field development that resulted in production, Amni has succeeded in acquiring unparalleled field-wide experience in the complete exploration and production life cycle and is now in the process of securing large gas deposits in West Africa. “We are respected and admired for our enterprising spirit and for delivering value to our stakeholders and to Nigeria”, explains company CEO Mr. Tunde J. Afolabi.
The company in fact has always had a large stake on offshore gas, and their project of expansion into Ghana, as well as the development of their own FLNG (floating liquefied natural gas plant), are proof of the company’s intention of sticking to what they know best and taking the lead in their field. “Amni is a gas company that found oil along the way”, explains Mr. Afolabi with a smile, “and we are actively seeking out new assets because we see great opportunities in West Africa”.
With a planned growth of 5 to 10 billion dollars in five years from their present 1.5 billion, the company is gearing up for a challenge that will see it catapulted into the top tier of oil and gas exploration companies not only in the sub-region, but in the continent. “The route of our expansion is through Ghana and other countries in the region”, explains Mr. Afolabi, “but we are also preparing to venture into other sources of energy”.
Among the reasons for their success is the company’s office in Houston, which works as a technology center from which all engineers in the field are coordinated. This provides them with great flexibility while dealing with international partners, and it also ensures reliability in their communications and results. Yet according to Mr. Afolabi, the real secret ingredient is not only their nimble setup, but the strictness of their work ethics. “Transparency and trustworthiness are what sets us apart from our competitors, they are the reason we have kept all our partnerships along the years and continue to build more”.
The timing of their expansion is not coincidental, as the company has great hope in the new government’s ability to attract investors from the US and Europe by increasing the ease of doing business and spreading the news regarding the great potential of Nigeria’s large market and increasingly prepared workforce. “The US market used to be quite unknowledgeable of Nigerian business”, explains Mr. Afolabi, “but they are now learning about us, and we are learning about them, and the possibilities will be endless when we come together”
In an industry often lead by giants, Amni has made the best of their indigenous know-how when it comes to Nigeria’s energy deposits and has found and advantage in agility provided by their relatively small size. “That is why I’m still at the head of the company after all these years”, says Mr. Afolabi with a smile: “there is still much room for growth, and if you wanted done right, you have to do it yourself”.
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