A leading pan-African advocacy organisation, the African Energy Chamber (AEC), has urged the continent’s oil and gas industry to boycott the 2026 Africa Energies Summit, scheduled to be held between May 12 and 14 in London, over the lack of black African representation.

In a statement on Wednesday, the AEC accused Frontier Energy Network, the organisation hosting the summit titled ‘Africa’s Premier Global Upstream Conference’, of refusing to hire black professionals, citing the absence of Black African talent in its leadership structure.

The AEC argued that, despite the organisation branding the event as Africa-focused, Frontier has allegedly refused to provide black African representation within the company.

“The voice of the African energy sector is calling for an industry-wide boycott of the upcoming Africa Energies Summit. Hosted by Frontier Energy Network in London from May 12-14, the event has dubbed itself as ‘Africa’s Premier Global Upstream Conference’.

“Yet, the company – led by Daniel Davidson – does not feature any Black African professionals in its leadership. This stark contrast underscores how the summit’s Africa-focused branding is not being matched by meaningful Black African representation within the organisation itself – it is merely a tool to make profits,” the AEC said.

The advocacy group further noted that issues concerning Africa should not be used as props for conferences and policy papers, but that organisations must reflect them through hiring, leadership, and opportunities for Black African representation.

“Local content cannot remain a talking point reserved for conference stages and policy papers. It cannot be used as a promotional tool ahead of a London conference. It must be reflected in hiring, leadership development, supplier opportunities and access across the energy value chain,” the AEC stated.

“An Africa-first business model that does not create space for African professionals is one that risks losing credibility in the market it claims to serve.”

Commenting on the issue, NJ Ayuk, the executive chairman of AEC, reiterated that the organisation would not accept black Africans to be sidelined in the oil and gas sector.

“We will not accept being ‘Blacked-out’ of the oil and gas industry. We want an industry that is welcoming and open, that is inclusive and supportive.

“People like Daniel Davidson take the opposite approach by refusing to hire black Africans. They take it one step further by even banning people from entering the room,” Mr Ayuk said.