British American Tobacco Cameroun (BATC) is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Elias Pupesie Pungong as Chairman of its Non-executive Board (NeB), effective 16th August 2024.
Dr. Elias Pungong, a globally recognised stateman has established himself as a distinguished advisor in leadership and governance, particularly within the African energy sector. He brings an unparalleled depth of expertise and visionary leadership to BAT Cameroun.
His experience as a Senior Partner and Oil & Gas Leader for Africa with Ernst & Young and PriceWaterhouseCoopers, along with his collaborations with leading global corporations such as Shell, Exxon, and Total, has endowed him with profound insights into corporate transformation and sustainable development. His strategic guidance has been instrumental in promoting regulatory and fiscal frameworks that balance environmental protection with foreign investment in Africa and also earned him international recognition by the World Economic Forum in the commonwealth.
As the Chairman of BATC’s NeB, Dr. Pungong will leverage his vast experience and deep commitment to provide strategic guidance to advancing the company’s continued success and dedication in the dynamic and evolving market.
Speaking on his appointment, Yarub Al Bahrani, Managing Director, BAT West and Central Africa, said,” We are delighted to welcome Dr. Pungong to chair our Non-executive Board Board. His profound expertise, particularly in the areas of energy, governance, and sustainable development will help us strengthen our commitment and enhance our impact in the Cameroon community”. Yarub noted.
Commenting on his appointment, Dr Elias Pungong, expressed his excitement, stating, “I am honoured to take on the role of the Non-executive Board’s Chairman at BAT Cameroun. This opportunity allows me to contribute to an organisation that is not only committed to business excellence but also to advancing sustainability and social responsibility across the region. I look forward to collaborating with the board of directors and management to support the company’s long-term vision for growth and development.”
A truly international statesman and strategist, Dr. Elias Prombo Pupesie Pungong’s education was
fashioned by many of the world’s top universities and has evolved to become an established and
renowned global advisor in leadership and governance. His primary expertise resides within the African
energy sector following decades as a strategic advisor serving a spectrum of leading international clients
and governments in Belgium, France, England, Latin America and Africa pertaining to the development,
financing and operation of large-scale infrastructure projects.
Following an epiphany, his vision has since shifted towards leading Africa toward a 21st Century
technological and economic transformation. Deep technical and practical insights from the project finance market, including energy, utilities, mining, financial services and telecommunications have culminated in a leadership capacity through successfully developing, empowering, and managing multicultural teams.
He retains a strong commitment to youth leadership, corporate social responsibility, carbon
offsets and the effectiveness of public-private partnerships, constantly keeping abreast with political,
financial and economic trends.
Dr. Pungong was recognised as one of the illustrious and respected band of Young Global Leaders by the
World Economic Forum, nominated as one of the 100 Most Talented and Senior Leaders in the
Commonwealth and deemed to be one of Africa’s 50 Most Influential Thought Leaders within the Energy
Sector. As a former Senior Partner and Oil & Gas Leader for Africa with the Global Firms Ernst & Young
and PriceWaterhouseCoopers, he has gleaned deep insights into how corporations can become
transformational, joining forces with BHP Billiton, Rio Tinto, Shell, Exxon, Total, Tullow and Chevron.
In particular, his in-depth knowledge of the African oil & Gas Sector has enabled him to promote a
development agenda by encouraging governments to implement and stabilise a regulatory and fiscal
framework while safeguarding both the environment and foreign investments in Africa.
Elias Pungong has written and published extensively on Africa’s fossil fuel legacy and how these profits
can be transmuted into the green energy and technology of tomorrow. As such, he has become a regular
commentator on CNBC Africa, RFI, and JeuneAfrique.
Elias is especially passionate about the development of Young African Leaders, corporate social
responsibility, and the low carbon agenda. Having worked extensively across Europe and Africa, his
natural penchant for development and supporting social causes is immeasurably sewn into his persona.
Meanwhile, in his home nation of Cameroon, he has helped young Africans and businesses by promoting
education and using football scholarships to encourage young people to strive for the future.
As co-founder of a Gas-to-Liquid company, he has driven the implementation of this technology in five
countries across Sub-Saharan Africa in addition to mineral exploration and development in various
companies that he owns and operates in Central Africa, some of which are listed in Australia and London.
In July 2017, Dr. Elias Pungong was installed as the United Kingdom’s Honorary Consul in Douala, Republicof Cameroon.
As an alumnus of the Harvard Kennedy School, Yale School of Management, a Fellow at the
Institute of Chartered Accountants of England, Wales and mathematics alumnus of the St Catherine’s
College University of Oxford. Having recently completed his Doctorate in Business Administration degree
from the Prestigious French GrandeEcole (IPA) in Renewable Energy Policy in Cameroon, Elias Pungong is
now ready to contribute to the irreversible ongoing transformation process in Africa with a strong focus
on Climate Change and Energy Transition
BAT Cameroun established several decades ago, has grown to become a leading player in the industry. Over the decades, the company has built a strong reputation by adhering to the highest standards of corporate governance and sustainability. BATC is committed to contributing to the economic and social development to foster positive change in Cameroon.
Through this appointment, BATC reinforces its long-term commitment to doing business in Cameroon and its pledge to continue to invest, so long as the company is empowered to do this in a conducive business environment.
