Meet Gabonese oil tycoon Samuel Dossou-Aworet, who owns $170-million share in Nigeria’s top energy group

Samuel Dossou-Aworet, a Gabonese oil mogul, has etched his name into the annals of African business history with impressive investments and a stake in Nigeria’s largest listed energy group, Seplat Energy.

Through his wholly-owned oil conglomerate, Petrolin Group, Dossou-Aworet owns a 13.87-percent stake in the independent oil and gas company, solidifying his position as one of the richest investors on the Nigerian Exchange.

Dossou-Aworet’s meteoric rise from humble beginnings to the pinnacle of Africa’s energy elite is a tale of unwavering determination and razor-sharp business acumen. His journey is emblematic of the remarkable opportunities that abound in Africa’s energy landscape.

The story of Dossou-Aworet’s success finds its roots in an impressive educational background. Armed with a degree in petrochemistry and industrial organic synthesis from the prestigious Ecole Centrale de Marseille and an engineering degree from the French Institute of Petroleum, he delved into the oil and mining sector with passion and vigor.

With more than 40 years of industry experience, Dossou-Aworet holds high-ranking positions in both state structures and the private sector. He has been the chairman of OPEC’s Board of Governors and the Expert Committee of the African Petroleum Producers’ Organization.

He is also a founding member and the first chairman of the African Petroleum Institute and holds a prominent role in the African Energy Leaders Group. His strategic role in promoting and developing oil majors and African companies across several nations in the region further solidifies his status as one of Africa’s most influential businessmen.

The turning point in Dossou-Aworet’s illustrious career came in 1992 when he founded Petrolin Group, guided by a keen eye for recognizing opportunities in the energy sector.

Under his leadership, the group has evolved into a partner of choice in the petroleum domain, a support pillar for Africa, bridging local business opportunities with global realities.

Today, Petrolin Group owns a significant 13.87-percent stake in Seplat Energy. Founded in 2009 by Nigerian multimillionaires Ambrosie Bryant Orjiako and Austin Avuru, the independent oil and gas company has become a major player in Nigeria’s energy landscape.

With Seplat shares soaring in value and now trading at N1,693.6 ($2.14) at the time of writing, the company boasts a market capitalization of N906 billion ($1.15 billion), securing its position as Nigeria’s largest listed energy group and the ninth most valuable company on the Nigerian Exchange.

For Dossou-Aworet, this means that his 13.87-percent stake in Seplat, or 81,015,319 shares, holds a staggering market value of N23.8 billion ($173.6 million). With such a substantial investment, he is undoubtedly a force to be reckoned with on the African business scene.

Beyond Nigeria’s borders, Dossou-Aworet plays a strategic role in the promotion and development of oil companies in numerous African countries, including Cameroon, Congo, DRC, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Côte d’Ivoire, Namibia, Senegal, South Africa, and Uganda.

As a pioneering figure, he inspires a new generation of African entrepreneurs to seize the boundless opportunities present in the continent’s ever-growing energy sector.