For her dedication to the African energy sector, Pam Darwin, Retired Vice President, Sub-Saharan Africa, Exploration and New Ventures, ExxonMobil, won the Mohammed S. Barkindo Lifetime Achievement Award at the African Energy Week 2022 Awards.
Under the theme, ‘Exploring and Investing in Africa’s Energy Future while Driving an Enabling Environment,’ the 2022 edition of African Energy Week (AEW) saw high-level energy stakeholders convene in Cape Town for four days of networking and dialogue. On the first day of the event, the esteemed African Energy Awards and Gala Dinner took place, with a number of leading market players walking away with several awards, all of which were dedicated to the individuals and companies who have and continue to drive the continent’s energy sector growth.
Among the winners was Pam Darwin, Retired Vice President, Sub-Saharan Africa, Exploration and New Ventures at ExxonMobil, who was one of the five winners of the esteemed Mohammed S. Barkindo Lifetime Achievement Award – awarded to individuals who have played an instrumental role in shaping Africa’s energy market success.
For her part, Darwin has driven exploration and production across Africa’s energy landscape, having served in various roles at global energy major, ExxonMobil, since joining the company in 1984. During her 35-year-long career, Darwin worked in numerous countries across the world, with her work in Africa, specifically, earning her respect and admiration among colleagues and energy stakeholders alike. Under her leadership, ExxonMobil not only expanded its footprint across Africa’s high potential energy sector, but saw several large-scale projects launched that are set to bring significant benefits to economies and people continent-wide.
Meanwhile, notwithstanding her dedication to African energy and her role in a variety of projects across sub-Saharan Africa’s exploration landscape, Darwin has played a pivotal role in supporting women in energy in Africa, advocating for women through several programs and initiatives such as ExxonMobil’s Women’s Economic Opportunity Initiative – a global effort launched in 2005 to support women in fulfilling their economic potential and drive economic and social change in their communities.
As such, Darwin’s work and ongoing commitment to African energy has translated into a lifetime of achievements, warranting her the Mohammed S. Barkindo Lifetime Achievement Award at Africa’s biggest gathering of energy stakeholders: AEW 2022. With the award, the sector recognizes Darwin’s instrumental role in expanding Africa’s exploration and production sector, supporting the participation of women across the entire energy value chain, and delivering a series of large-scale and impactful projects in Africa.
“Darwin has played an instrumental role in Africa’s energy sector, prioritizing the continent’s development and placing Africa on the map regarding oil and gas. Over her career, Darwin has served as a role model for generations to come, embodying the courage that is so important and needed in today’s world when it comes to exploration and Africa’s energy future. Darwin’s quiet strength, dignity and persistence in the face of challenges have and continue to be an inspiration to all Africans,” states NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the AEC, “Thank you to global energy intelligence firm, Rystad Energy, as well as AEC Advisory Board Members for making the African Energy Awards 2022 such a success.”
