Vivo Energy Ghana Hosts ShePower Summit 2026 to Inspire the Next Generation of Women in STEM

Kumasi: Vivo Energy Ghana PLC, the exclusive distributor and marketer of Shell-branded fuels and lubricants, has successfully hosted the ShePower Summit 2026 at KNUST in Kumasi. The event gathered over 500 students, academia, and industry leaders to inspire and empower the next generation of female engineers and innovators. According to Ghana News Agency, the summit was organized as part of activities marking International Women's Day and is a key component of Vivo Energy Ghana's flagship ShePower initiative. This initiative aims to promote greater participation of women in STEM fields. The summit provided a platform for female engineering students to engage with industry professionals through mentorship sessions, panel discussions, and innovation showcases, encouraging them to pursue leadership roles in the evolving energy landscape. Speaking at the summit, Mr. Christian Li, Managing Director of Vivo Energy Ghana, reaffirmed the company's commitment to empowering young women and strengthening Ghana's futur e energy workforce. He emphasized the importance of diversity, innovation, and opportunity in building the future of energy. Mr. Li noted that ShePower creates platforms connecting young women with industry leaders, opening doors to mentorship, and inspiring them to become future engineers, innovators, and leaders in Ghana's energy sector. A major highlight of the summit was the unveiling of the NextGen Energy Innovators Challenge, an initiative designed to encourage students to develop innovative and practical solutions to Ghana's evolving energy needs. Professor Kwaku Amaning Adjei, Dean of the Faculty of Civil and Geo-Engineering at KNUST, remarked that the summit was timely given the significant transformation occurring in the global energy industry towards cleaner and more sustainable systems. He highlighted the role of initiatives like ShePower in accelerating progress by providing mentorship, exposure, and networking opportunities for young women. In his keynote address, Professor David Ato Quansah, Director of the Brew-Hammond Energy Centre, discussed the persistent gender gap within the energy sector, citing data from the International Energy Agency. He stressed the need for intentional action to mainstream and fully integrate women across the sector. Dr. Frank Amoakohene, through a speech delivered on behalf of the Ashanti Regional Minister by Mr. Anwel Sadat Ahmed, the Municipal Chief Executive for Oforikrom Municipal Assembly, commended Vivo Energy Ghana for its commitment to developing young talent and promoting gender inclusion in STEM. He noted that initiatives like the ShePower Summit are critical in shaping the next generation of leaders and innovators, investing in the human capital that will drive Ghana's sustainable development. Participants engaged in thought-provoking panel discussions, including an all-female expert panel on 'Empowering Women in Energy: Innovative Solutions for a Sustainable Ghana,' and a student panel on 'Navigating Barriers as a Female Student in Engineering.' The sum mit also featured a student innovation exhibition showcasing engineering prototypes and ideas addressing real-world energy challenges. Following the summit, Mr. Christian Li and members of the management team of Vivo Energy Ghana signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Professor David Asamoah, Pro-Vice Chancellor of KNUST, to strengthen academia-industry collaboration. This partnership aims to create opportunities for students to develop innovative solutions to real-world challenges, with the NextGen Energy Innovators Challenge being a key component. The ShePower Summit continues to serve as a strategic platform connecting students, academia, and industry, reinforcing Vivo Energy Ghana's vision to be Africa's leading and most respected energy business.