Accra, Ghana – 27 – 28 February 2026
Ms. Djalila Abdourahim, Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the Société des Hydrocarbures du Tchad (SHT), has been honoured with the African Hydrocarbons Sector Institutional Leadership & Sustainable Energy Development Excellence Award at the 15th ALM Persons of the Year Ceremony held at the Movenpick Ambassador Hotel Accra.
The prestigious recognition celebrates her distinguished leadership in the hydrocarbon sector governance, institutional reform and sustainable energy strategy in the Republic of Chad. Under her stewardship, SHT has strengthened its strategic role in national energy planning, investment facilitation and regulatory oversight, reinforcing transparency and accountability within Chad’s oil and gas industry.
READ ALSO: Alexandre Carreira Honoured with Distinguished African Leadership Award in Insurance Innovation and Financial Excellence at the 15th ALM Persons of the Year Ceremony
As Director General, Ms. Abdourahim plays a central role in shaping Chad’s hydrocarbons policy framework, balancing economic growth objectives with responsible resource management. Her leadership has enhanced institutional efficiency, promoted sound financial governance and fostered constructive engagement with international partners and investors. She has represented SHT in high-level bilateral engagements and official briefings, positioning Chad as a credible and forward-looking energy producer within Africa’s evolving energy landscape.
Ms. Abdourahim is an experienced leader in audit, compliance, and corporate strategy. Before becoming Director General of Chad’s Hydrocarbons Company (SHT), she served as Deputy General Manager and led internal audit at the N’Djamena Refinery. Her international experience includes working in New York on revenue and compliance for Inc. Magazine.
The 15th ALM Persons of the Year Ceremony convened high-level political leaders, captains of industry, policymakers, diplomats and development partners from across Africa and beyond. The annual gathering remains a premier platform celebrating excellence in governance, energy leadership, business innovation and institutional advancement across the African continent.
Other Distinguished Honourees at the 15th Edition Include:
• Chief Lesi Maol, GMD, Giolee Global Resources Ltd, Nigeria – Community Development Leadership Award
• Mr Samuel Tafesse, Founder, Sunshine Investment Group, Ethiopia – African Philanthropist of the Year
• Rali Mampeule, Founder/CEO, South African Housing & Infrastructure Fund – Special African Philanthropist Icon Award
• Dr Helen Oritsejafor, Executive Chairman, Spring Sky Finance Company Limited, Nigeria – Special African Leadership Commendation Award
• First Bank of Nigeria – African Leadership Institutional Excellence Award
• African World Airlines – Africa’s Leading Global Connector
• DCG Isah Umar Gusau (Rtd), Deputy CG, Nigeria Customs Service – Distinguished Public Service Award
• Prof Barnabas Nawangwe, Vice Chancellor, Makerere University, Uganda – African Educationist of the Year
• Abdoul Karim Diallo, Director General, Société Nouvelle de Commerce S.A. (SONOCO Group), Guinea – African Leadership Excellence Award in Industrial Innovation & Economic Development
• General Abdelkérim Charfadine “Bèguera”, Director-General, National Mining and Marketing Company (SONEMIC), Chad – Special Africa Leadership Impact Award
• Mr Alexandre Carreira, Chief Executive Officer, Nova Sociedade de Seguros de Angola, S.A (NOSSA Seguros), Angola – Distinguished African Leadership Award in Insurance Innovation and Financial Excellence
• Mr Harry Anagnostaras-Adams, Executive Chairman, KEFI Gold and Copper PLC, Ethiopia – Special African Business Leadership Excellence Award
• Saxton Ghana Limited – Africa’s Media Innovation Partner
• H.E. Austelino Tavares Correia – African Lawmaker of the Year
• Mr Sakir Yavuz, Founder & President, ATAFOM University International, Central African Republic – African Leadership Impact Excellence Award
• Prof Ntobeko Ntusi, President & Chief Executive Officer, South African Medical Research Council – African Public Health Special Leadership Commendation
• Mr Khulekani Mathe, Chief Executive Officer, Business Unity South Africa (BUSA) – African Leadership Award for Excellence in Economic Policy & Private Sector Advocacy
• Dr Kelly Oluoch, Chief Executive Officer, Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) – African Health & Institutional Development Leadership Excellence Award
• Dr Dinesh Shukla, Chancellor and Founder President, American International University West Africa (AIU), Gambia – African Education Leadership Award
• Dr Philip Oti-Mensah, Managing Director, UMB Bank Ghana – Special African Banking Leadership Commendation Award & Digital Bank of the Year (Ghana)
• Madame Paule Avomo Assoumou Koki, Director General, Cameroon Civil Aviation Authority (CCAA) – Special African Aviation Regulatory Leadership Impact Award
• Dr Bruno Linyiru, OGW, Director General, Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) – African Regulatory Leadership Excellence Award (Agricultural Sector Development)
• Eng. Luka Kimeli, Director-General, Kenya National Highways Authority – African Regulatory Leadership Excellence Award (Transport Corridors & Infrastructure Development)
• General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, Chief of Defence Forces, Uganda People’s Defence Forces – Special African Leadership Award for Defence & National Security Excellence
• Debele Kabeta, Commissioner, Ethiopian Customs Commission – African Public Sector Leader of the Year
• Charles Anosike, DG/CEO, Nigeria Meteorological Agency – African Public Sector Leader of the Year
• Eku Ahmed Fantamadi Bangura, Minister of Finance, Sierra Leone – African Government Minister of the Year
• Kenneth Matiba, MBS, Chief Executive Officer, Kenya Institute of Supplies Management – African Regulatory Leadership Excellence Award (Public Procurement Integrity & Governance)
• Her Excellency Dr Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah – African Political Leader of the Year
• Her Excellency Esperança da Costa, Vice President of Angola – African Female Leader of the Year
• Prof Babagana Zulum, Governor of Borno State, Nigeria – African Public Service Excellence Award
• John Kufuor, Former President of Ghana
• His Excellency The Right Honourable Samuel Matekane, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Lesotho – African Inspirational Leadership & Good Governance Impact Award
• His Excellency Dr John Mahama, President of Ghana – African of the Year
The ceremony featured keynote addresses, award presentations and strategic networking engagements aimed at strengthening cross-border collaboration and leadership impact across Africa.
About ALM Persons of the Year
The ALM Persons of the Year Ceremony is an annual flagship event dedicated to recognising exceptional African leaders and institutions whose work has made significant contributions to governance, economic development, innovation and social transformation across the continent. Over the years, the platform has honoured Presidents, Prime Ministers, policymakers, business leaders and change-makers committed to advancing Africa’s progress on the global stage.
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King Richard
editor@africanleadership.co.uk
