From Oil Trading to Powering African Nations: The Genesis Energy Story

In this episode of The Energy Executive 360 Podcast, we sit down with Akinwole Omoboriowo II, Chairman of Genesis Energy, to explore one of the most important — and misunderstood — challenges in global energy: building scalable power systems in emerging markets.Akinwole breaks down what it really takes to deliver electricity where it doesn’t exist — and why in regions like Sub-Saharan Africa, the priority is not climate narratives, but access, reliability, and economic survival.He explains how Genesis combines renewables, gas, and local grid infrastructure to solve both access and availability challenges — and why solar alone isn’t enough without flexible power.We also explore his transition from oil trading to long-term infrastructure, the mindset required to build in markets without a playbook, and why partnerships, experimentation, and reinvestment are critical to scaling impact.From energy access to food security and economic development, this conversation connects energy to real-world outcomes — and challenges how we think about the energy transition.What you'll learn:⬛ Why energy access — not climate — is the real priority in emerging markets⬛ The difference between energy access and energy availability⬛ Why solar alone cannot support industrialisation⬛ How gas-to-power enables renewable scale⬛ Why integrated energy systems outperform single solutions⬛ The business case behind solving food security through energy⬛ Why Genesis reinvested 98% of its earnings into growth⬛ The mindset shift from short-term trading to long-term infrastructure⬛ Why partnerships — not “going alone” — drive real progress⬛ How to think about risk, uncertainty, and decision-making under pressure⬛ Why overthinking kills execution — and what to do instead⬛ The link between profit, purpose, and long-term impactChaptersFollow Akinwole Omoboriowo II & Genesis EnergyLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/akinwole-ii-omoboriowo-620b573/ Website: https://www.genesisenergygroup.net/ The Energy Executive 360 with Emilio FaulmataFollow Emilio on all platforms: https://linktr.ee/EmilioFaulmataTEE360 Studio: https://www.emiliofaulmata.com► TEE360 Future Energy Leaders Network: https://www.skool.com/tee360-global-energy-network-7260/aboutWe’ve recently launched the TEE360 Future Energy Leaders Network — a global community designed for ambitious young professionals, entrepreneurs, and students in energy who want to level up their careers.Get access to the right connections, build relationships across the global energy industry, and learn directly from executives and CEOs shaping the future of the sector.If you’re serious about becoming an energy leader, join us today.#energyleadership #africa #energyaccess #power #renewablesolutions #gas #energytransition #infrastructure #entrepreneurship #leadership #emergingmarkets #energyleadership