The 25 Under 40 Energy Women Rising Starsis a list celebrating the remarkable achievements of a select group of women across Africa’s energy sector, such as Kanni Touray, Deputy Director General of the Petroleum Commission in The Gambia. As The Gambia’s youngest and first female Deputy Director General at the Petroleum Commission, Touray has enhanced the organization’s efficiency and visibility, positioning the country as a growing player in the global energy market. The African Energy Chamber spoke to Touray about her success and future aspirations.
How has your journey in the energy industry led to your current role? What key career milestones and achievements are you particularly proud of?
My journey in the energy industry started in 2017. I was a Senior State Counsel at the Attorney General’s Chambers and Ministry of Justice of The Gambia. I worked closely with the consultants and the then newly-established Petroleum Negotiations Committee, which comprised representatives from various government institutions that interact with the petroleum sector. It was during this time that the team from the Ministry of Petroleum noticed my performance and informed me about their intention to have a Deputy Commissioner of Petroleum with a law background. During my tenure in the energy industry, I have recorded many proud moments. I was part of the team that developed a new model agreement that played a key role in the success of our 2018 licensing round. I also played a key role in the drafting of the Petroleum Commission Bill in 2021, as well as assisting in the entire legislative process, which included defending the draft at our National Assembly.
The energy industry is known for its complexities. What challenges did you face along the way and how did you navigate them to achieve your goals?
Working at the Ministry of Justice, my work mainly revolved around drafting legislations, contracts, etc. Therefore, most of my work was done sitting at my desk. This changed the moment I was appointed Deputy Commissioner of Petroleum, which includes the promotion and marketing of our acreages and requires high-level interactions in the form of presentations, attending events and a plethora of meetings. Another hurdle that I faced at the beginning was the highly technical nature of the industry. Currently in The Gambia, we are at the exploration phase of the petroleum cycle and having the expertise in the geosciences is crucial.
What advice would you give to young women aspiring to excel in the energy sector? Are there any specific strategies that helped you to overcome obstacles and reach your current position?
My advice to young women aspiring to excel in the energy sector, which also includes the mindset that has helped me reach my current position, is to find your niche and do your absolute best at it. Create an enabling environment for your colleagues to thrive as you would want the enabling environment for you to thrive. Find someone that you look up to in the sector and make them your mentor. Take constructive criticism positively and utilize it as a motivation to improve yourself. Treat every position that you are in as if it is the pinnacle of success.
A career in energy can be demanding. Could you describe a typical day in your life?
My role is to assist the Director General in the execution of his/her functions, as well as to act as the Director General in his/her absence. My role also entails ensuring that the Commission’s work plan is implemented in accordance with the Commission’s vision and mission. I am also responsible for monitoring the overall performance of the organization and providing regular inputs and recommendations to ensure effectiveness and continuous improvement. I also oversee the Legal Directorate and serve as the interim Secretary to the Board of the Petroleum Commission.
Looking ahead, what changes or advancements do you hope to see in the energy sector? How do you envision your role in shaping that future?
For Africa, I hope to see the eradication of energy poverty. My role in shaping this future is continuing our work towards attracting investment in the exploration of oil and gas by creating a conducive environment and necessary incentives. In addition to this, creating the right legislative frameworks and strengthening our institutions to ensure the effective management of revenues from oil and gas. For women, I hope to see more women in all spheres of the industry. With the wealth of experiences and opportunities that lie ahead of us, it should not be that hard to emphatically redefine gender equity beyond checklists, tokens and gestures.
