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

 

Vivo Energy Ghana PLC, the exclusive distributor and marketer of Shell-branded fuels and lubricants has successfully hosted the ShePower Summit 2026 at the College of Engineering, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), bringing together over 500 students, academia, and industry leaders to inspire and empower the next generation of female engineers and innovators.

Organised as part of activities marking International Women's Day, the summit forms part of Vivo Energy Ghana’s flagship ShePower initiative, which aims to promote greater participation of women in STEM.

The summit provided a platform for female engineering students to engage with industry professionals through mentorship sessions, panel discussions, and innovation showcases designed to encourage young women 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 future energy workforce.

“At Vivo Energy Ghana, we believe the future of energy must be built on diversity, innovation, and opportunity. Through ShePower, we are creating platforms that connect young women with industry leaders, open doors to mentorship, and inspire them to see themselves as future engineers, innovators, and leaders shaping Ghana’s energy landscape,” he said.

He further noted that the company’s commitment to initiatives such as ShePower reflects its core values of Respect, Integrity, and Excellence, which guide its operations and its approach to developing people and communities.

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.

In his address, Professor Kwaku Amaning Adjei, Dean of the Faculty of Civil and Geo-Engineering at KNUST said the Summit was timely as the global energy industry undergoes significant transformation towards cleaner and more sustainable systems.

“The future of energy must also be inclusive. For far too long, women have been underrepresented in engineering, but gradually the narrative is changing,” he said. He added that initiatives such as the ShePower summit play an important role in accelerating progress by providing mentorship, exposure and networking opportunities for young women.

Delivering a keynote address, Professor David Ato Quansah, Director of the Brew-Hammond Energy Centre, said access to energy remains central to economic and human development. He also highlighted the persistent gender gap within the energy sector, citing data from the International Energy Agency.

“Women make up only 20% of the global energy workforce. Transforming this reality will not happen by chance—it requires intentional action to mainstream and fully integrate women across the sector”, he said.

Giving a speech on behalf of the Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr. Frank Amoakohene, the Municipal Chief Executive for Oforikrom Municipal Assembly, Hon. Anwel Sadat Ahmed commended Vivo Energy Ghana for its commitment to developing young talent and promoting gender inclusion in STEM.

“Initiatives such as the ShePower Summit are critical in shaping the next generation of leaders and innovators. By empowering young women to pursue careers in engineering and energy, we are investing in the human capital that will drive Ghana’s sustainable development,” he noted.

Participants also engaged in thought-provoking panel discussions including an all-female expert panel on “Empowering Women in Energy: Innovative Solutions for a Sustainable Ghana,” and an all-female student panel discussion on “Navigating Barriers as a Female Student in Engineering.” The Summit also featured a student innovation exhibition, where students showcased 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 on behalf of the University to strengthen academia-industry collaboration and create opportunities for students to develop innovative solutions to real-world challenges. A key component of the partnership is the NextGen Energy Innovators Challenge.

The ShePower Summit continues to serve as a strategic platform connecting students, academia, and industry, while reinforcing Vivo Energy Ghana’s vision to be Africa’s leading and most respected energy business.