Women in Oil & Energy SA

Challenges and Experiences in the Liquid Fuels Sector

Bongani Mthombeni-Möller01 November 2012

Presentation OverviewPresentation Overview

Introduction to WOESA

Challenges

Curbing the Challenges

Personal Experience in Liquid Fuels Sector

Women in Oil and Energy SA

WOESA is a section 21 company

Aim: to facilitate and promote business opportunities for, and enhance theparticipation of South African women inthe oil and energy sector

Vision: To be the leading organisation in facilitating the participation of women in business ventures in the oil, gas and other energy sectors.

WOESA section 21

WOESA Investments

(Pty) Ltd

WOESA Investment Holdings

WOESA Group of CompaniesWOESA Group of Companies

WOESA Individual Shareholders /Members

30% 70%

100%

Roles we want women to playRoles we want women to play To be active in the energy sector as equals

To have a growing share in the ownership of the economy (energy industry).

30 – 40 percent of top management in oil sector and energy sectors

To grow the South African economy in a way that a bigger number of ordinary households are able to have a sustainable income and therefore a sustainable way of life.

CHALLENGES

Financial ChallengesFinancial Challenges Maintaining an organisation with nearly 300 members

and regional representation is time consuming Budget for overheads and running the organisation is

modest Oil companies unwilling to contribute to overheads

and largely wish to fund projects only BUT projects cannot be implemented in the absence of

an organisational structure! WOESA Investments was established to address this

dichotomy

20% of dividends from WOESA Investments will flow to WOESA to cover overhead costs

It will take 3-5 years before there are positive cash flows from WOESA Investments

The success of WOESA Investments is critical to the sustainability of WOESA – It is not “just another women’s investment company”!

WOESA will need support to cover overheads as well as support for agreed projects for at least the next 3 years

Financial ChallengesFinancial Challenges

Women’s participation- grassroots facilitation

Add value to projects

Access to Equity Finance - Members seek opportunities which are not available

Financial ChallengesFinancial Challenges

A well resourced platform and network for women in the sector

Academic and training institutions which respond to the need of women as it is related to society.

Skills development and training

Well supported and resourced women’s associations

Infrastructural ChallengesInfrastructural Challenges

Clear national plan of action of how to ensure women’s empowerment.

Clear national Targets for women empowerment

A body with the necessary resources, and authority chosen by women to monitor progress.

An advisory body which can package interventions if targets are not met.

Curbing the ChallengesCurbing the Challenges

Financial Support:– From the Industry: TOTAL, BPSA, SASOL, PetroSA, Shell

– From Government and institutions closely linked to government: dti, dme, ESKOM

– Financial sector; Banks, investment companies

Curbing the ChallengesCurbing the Challenges

SuccessesSuccesses WOESA created an investment company which allowed

poor people the opportunity to invest. Majority of WOESA’s shareholders have bought shares

for between R1000-R2000 We have invested in projects that will one day payout

dividends. Few of our members are now running their own petrol

stations Some women have been able to participate in equity

stakes in oil companies.

Personal Experience in Liquid Personal Experience in Liquid Fuels SectorFuels Sector