Naturally energised leadership

Shakwa Nyambe, managing partner of SNC Incorporated in Windhoek, Namibia, is now in his third term as regional director for the African Chapter of the Association of International Energy Negotiators (AIEN). He shared some insights gained from the role with Africa Legal.

The AIEN is an independent, not-for-profit professional membership association that supports international energy negotiators around the world, enhancing their effectiveness and professionalism in the international community. Headquartered in Houston, Texas, USA, the AIEN produces model contracts that are widely used in the international energy industry.

A specialised energy, natural resources and commercial lawyer, Nyambe is also highly experienced in drafting, reviewing and negotiating contracts. He advises international corporations, state owned enterprises, service companies and individuals on energy, natural resources, commercial and dispute resolution matters.

Nyambe says his role as a regional director of AIEN has furthered his expertise by enabling him to acquire additional skills within the energy sector due to his involvement in various AIEN Committees. “This role has also increased my sector network,” he commented, “as I work with members from prominent African oil and gas countries such as Nigeria, Angola, Congo, Cameroon, Republic of Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, Senegal, Ghana, Mozambique, Uganda and Tanzania.”

In addition to being a regional director for AIEN, Nyambe serves on the drafting committees for the AIEN Joint Operating Agreement Committee, Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) Sale and Purchase Agreement (SPA) committee, Asset Sale and Purchase Agreement Committee, the Drilling Contract Committee and the Hydrogen Taskforce.

Changes and initiatives Nyambe has instituted in the African Chapter since becoming its head have resulted in great improvements to membership. “The first thing I did was to ensure that the AIEN Africa Chapter committee is composed of individuals who are from Africa, working in Africa, undertaking projects in Africa, or based in Africa to ensure we fully attend to the issues affecting Africans,” he said. “Despite the challenges brought by Covid 19, I and the AIEN Africa Chapter Committee managed to host a series of webinars with topics relevant to Africa which brought a lot of interest to a wider audience. Our new reforms and initiatives have resulted in the AIEN Africa membership increasing by 25%.”

Nyambe still has many plans in the pipeline, and says he and his committee would like to bring more AIEN workshops and conferences to Africa. They have already identified some of the major cities in Africa to host these events. “We are working with the AIEN staff at the Houston headquarters to ensure that we achieve this,” he said.

To join Africa Legal's mailing list please click here