Tullow Oil launches “Invest in Africa” Initiative to woo investors
Tullow Oil, Africa focused oil company, on Tuesday launched a new business initiative aimed at attracting and facilitating further investment on the continent.
Dubbed, ‘Invest in Africa’, the initiative aims to encourage long-term investment across the continent to help build and develop local capacity, boost domestic job markets, develop skills and stimulate economic growth.
The programme’s call to action will be supported through a partnership with English Premier League Football Club Sunderland AFC to raise awareness about business opportunities in Africa to facilitate inward investment and sustainable development through investor forums, organised business delegation visits and networking events.
Mr Aidan Heavey, Tullow Chief Executive, said despite the enormous economic progress made by countries on the continent, many investors were still scared about exploiting existing opportunities.
“Tullow is investing in Africa for the long term and we want more businesses to do the same. Africa has been good to us, and we have been successful, but we want that success to bring growth for local people and economies too,” he said.
Mr Heavey said the partnership with Sunderland would allow the message about the investment opportunities in Africa to reach global audience and called on other companies who share in the vision of selling Africa to the world to join the crusade.
“One of our key aims is to look at how international business can work in partnership with local businesses in order to develop local business capacity, “he said.
Mr Niall Quinn, Director of International Development Sunderland AFC, expressed the club’s excitement about the opportunity to use the global appeal of the Premier League as a tool for change through the innovative partnership with Invest in Africa.
“Africa’s passion for football is both heart-warming and inspirational and as a football club with community people and international aspirations firmly at its core, there is a natural synergy between us and this wonderful continent. We look forward to growing and developing the partnership in the coming months,” he said.
As part of the initiative, a year-round schedule of Invest in Africa partner events will be organised to provide a platform for international business audience the opportunity to interact and discuss new investment opportunities.
Mr Ike Duker, Executive Chairman of Tullow Ghana, said although the company was at the fore-front of the new business programme, all corporate institutions should come on board to make it a success.
Further details of the initiative including the additional partners which join the campaign will be announced at the end of the Premier League season.
Source: GNA