Juba, Saturday (May 13, 2023) – The Founder and Chairman of Trinity Energy Limited, Akol Emmanuel Ayii, has been named among top 100 most influential people under the age of 40 by Most Influential People of African Descent (MIPAD).
In an event held Tuesday this week, Ayii, who is also a member of Board of Directors for Corporate Council of Africa, won the nomination under the Business and Entrepreneurship category having made significant contributions to the energy sector in South Sudan.
Ayii’s recognition as one of the most influential people under 40 came less than a month after he graduated from Harvard Business School in April 2023 in Owner and President Management Program, which adds to the pull of his academic excellence at United States International University – Africa and EU Business School, which he attended from 2010 – 2011 and 2006 – 2008, acquiring Global Executive Master of Business Administration and Bachelors Degree in Accounting and Business Finance respectively.
The energy entrepreneur credited his recognition to hard work and persistence in the face of pressing circumstances.
“Trinity Energy has to date invested over $13 million in its current retail network in Juba and a further over $5 million in the largest petroleum storage terminal in South Sudan. We are the leading corporate employer and taxpayer in South Sudan and are proud of the significant role we are playing in the socio-economic transformation of South Sudan,” he told Pan African Vision.
Ayii added that Trinity Energy was now focusing on expanding its retail footprint in the country to an additional 100 stations spread across various states in South Sudan over the next four years and invest in an additional 150 million liters of fuel storage in order to safeguard the country against supply disruptions that are perennially being faced in the country due to a lack of adequate storage facilities.
“As we do this, we are also aiming to add value to the petroleum resource of South Sudan by developing the 40,000 barrels per day Paluoch refinery to locally process South Sudan’s crude oil helping to unlock further significant economic and social gains for the country.
“As we move towards securing energy sustainability for South Sudan, we are also diversifying our business to provide electricity to millions of South Sudanese who do not have access to grid power. In addition, we have spelled out an ambitious pan-African growth agenda with a view to becoming a leading Pan-African integrated energy company in the next seven years. So it is about vision, hard work and dedication; my sincere gratitude to MIPAD for the recognition.”
MIPAD is a global civil society initiative in support of the International Decade for People of African Descent, proclaimed by United Nation’s General Assembly resolution 68/237, to be observed from 2015 to 2024.
MIPAD identifies high achievers of African descent in public and private sectors from all around the world as a progressive network of relevant actors to join together in the spirit of recognition, justice and development.
This year, MIPAD announced the Class of 2023 honorees in two global 100 lists; Health & Wellness Edition and 100 Under 40 Edition. In the spirit of recognition and in accordance with the first pillar of the International Decade for People of African Descent, MIPAD highlights individuals, organizations and governments who have distinguished themselves in the advancement of people of African descent worldwide.
Kamil Olufowobi, Chief Executive Officer, MIPAD, said that the global lists are in continuation of the group’s effort towards highlighting the positive contributions made by people of African descent worldwide.
“We continue to amplify global black narratives and showcase the many untold stories of our struggles and triumphs in every corner of the world, sometimes in unexpected places and high positions,” he added.
