First Energy Africa Oil Corp. ("First Energy Africa" or the "Corporation"), a Calgary-based energy corporation, today announced the appointment of Simon Akit and Frederick Kozak to its Board of Directors, effective July 13th, 2026. The new directors bring a combined 60 years of experience in capital markets and the resource industry, signaling the company's commitment to strengthening its governance and strategic direction as it pursues exploration and block acquisitions in sub-Saharan Africa.
Mr. Akit, founder and managing partner of a resource advisory firm, has over 25 years of experience in Canadian and U.S. capital markets and seven years of engineering and operations experience in the resource industry. He has held senior capital markets and leadership roles at Ventum Financial and Canaccord Genuity, among others, and has raised over $5 billion in equity and debt financing for resource companies from institutional investors across Canada, the United States, Europe, and Asia. Mr. Akit holds an MBA from the Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto, is a Professional Engineer (APEGA), and currently serves on the boards of several public and private companies.
Mr. Kozak, a former Canaccord Genuity oil and gas research analyst, is an award-winning financial analyst and corporate executive with more than 40 years of experience in the resource and capital markets sector, with a focus in Africa and South America. He holds an MBA from the Ivey School of Business at the University of Western Ontario, is a Professional Engineer (APEGA) with Lifetime status in Alberta, and currently serves on the boards of one public company and one private company.
"Simon and Fred are bringing complementary technical and capital markets seniority required for our complex business. We are confident their contributions will set the right approach on our strategic priorities," said Jeff Ruskowsky, President of First Energy Africa. The appointments come as the Corporation continues to responsibly unlock value across its resource portfolio, maintaining a focus on high standards of governance and sustainability.
First Energy Africa Oil Corp. is a privately held Canadian corporation pursuing exploration and block acquisitions in sub-Saharan Africa, headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The addition of directors with extensive capital markets expertise is expected to enhance the company's ability to navigate the complexities of the resource sector and attract institutional investment. The appointments underscore the company's strategic intent to leverage deep industry knowledge and financial acumen to drive growth and operational excellence.
