Bongani Phillip

HEAD, BL GROUP

Mr. Bongani Phillip has more than a decade of experience in energy and the international oil business.
Mr. Phillip has been Energy Consultant focused mainly on policy issues related to oil, gas and energy
in general (i.e. electricity, renewable, oil and gas) in South Africa. While as an Energy Consultant he
participated in various projects such liquid fuel charter, drafting of Petroleum pipeline Act, Gas Act e.t.c.
In 2001 he joined the National Electricity Regulator, which now is called National Energy Regulator
where he headed energy efficiency and demand side management on electricity issues in South Africa
particularly focusing policies and financing issues. In 2003, he was head hunted by South Africa
National Oil Company called Petroleum Oil and Gas South Africa (“PetroSA”) to establish a new
department on Government Relation.
This department was to lead in developing relationship with governments of oil and gas producing
countries particularly in Africa, particularly dealing directly with Senior Government Officials such
Ministers, Director Generals etc to lobby on certain business issues. The purpose for building these
relationships were to access upstream, midstream and downstream opportunities for PetroSA particularly
on government-to- government deals. As results of this lobbying function, he build solid relationship at
all level of government in South Africa, particularly with Department of Minerals and Energy and with
other Governments from oil producing countries.
He has worked with various National Oil Companies and government Officials from countries such as
Angola, Nigeria, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, Sudan, Namibia, Chad etc with sole purpose of business
development upstream and trading opportunities for PetroSA. He has also build sold relationship with
various South Africa departments particularly with Department of Minerals and Energy at both Ministry
and official basis.
He has been instrumental in various negotiation and project teams for PetroSA various projects in
upstream and downstream, such 400 000 bbl/d Coega refinery in Port Elizabeth, PetroSA and Sasol
negotiation on PetroSA penetration South Africa chemical business, PetroSA investments in storage and
handling facilities, Feasibility study on Coal to Liquid (CTL) study etc. Within PetroSA he has been in
forefront in assist Black Economic Empowerment Company to trade with PetroSA on finished product.
He also been instrumental in negotiating with oil industry in South Africa for commercial agreement for
up-liftment PetroSA finished products (petrol and diesel).
He is None-Executive Director in number of companies including Bulang (Pty) Ltd (Joint Venture with
Wescape Petroleum (Pty) Ltd ), Inkosi Energy (Pty) Ltd, and Bornfree Investments 95 (Pty) Ltd,
which is a shareholder in Batho Bonke (ABSA BEE initiative) and the Sanlam BEE initiative with
Patrice Motsepe. Mr. Phillip went on to study a Master Degree in Energy and Development from
University of Cape Town (UCT) and also have certificate on energy and economist from WITS
Business School in Johannesburg.