First Energy Africa Oil Corp. ("First Energy Africa" or the "Corporation"), a Calgary-based energy corporation, 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, positioning the company for enhanced strategic direction.
Simon Akit, founder and managing partner of a resource advisory firm, has over 25 years of experience in Canadian and U.S. capital markets, complemented by seven years of engineering and operations experience in the resource industry. He has held senior 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. Akit holds an MBA from the Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto, is a Professional Engineer (APEGA), and serves on several public and private company boards.
Frederick Kozak, a former oil and gas research analyst at Canaccord Genuity, is an award-winning financial analyst and corporate executive with more than 40 years of experience in the resource and capital markets sector, focusing on Africa and South America. He holds an MBA from the Ivey School of Business at the University of Western Ontario and is a Professional Engineer (APEGA) with Lifetime status in Alberta. Kozak currently serves on the board of one public 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 underscore First Energy Africa's commitment to upholding the highest standards of governance and sustainability as it continues to responsibly unlock value across its resource portfolio in sub-Saharan Africa. The Corporation remains focused on exploration and block acquisitions in the region, leveraging the new board members' expertise to navigate the complexities of the energy sector.
