With over a billion people in the world underserved- access to energy is a major component to solving key issues such as world hunger, access to medical care, and development in third world countries. Interestingly enough, one of the richest countries in oil is also one of the most impoverished. In 2012, President Barack Obama introduced the Power Africa Mission based on the common principle that energy can and will increase quality of life. There is a huge social benefit to bringing knowledge and power to the people in a rural area; power enables children to read at night, medication to be delivered quickly and efficiently, bringing trauma care to rural areas that have zero power supply. The twenty companies chosen to carry out this mission have the power to heal, sustain, and give life. They traveled with United States Department of Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker, an influential member on the mission. The Harlem Times was able to sit down with representatives, two successful entrepreneurs and members from the American Association of Blacks in Energy, from those selected to go on the African Trade Mission, this past May. These are their stories and successes behind the mission.
Kevon’s Story: Chairman/CEO & President of SEWW Energy Inc. (Sun Earth Wind Water)
The passion behind Kevon’s story was contagious and it was quite obvious that this is more than a power company, this is a service company that truly believes “Everyone Matters” as Kevon Makell stated throughout our interview. Known for their ability to face energy challenges head on, SEWW Energy has provided design and installation carefully based off their client’s needs and consultancy services.
A graduate from Bucknell University in 1980, Kevon has over 30 years of experience in the engineering and science field. As we spoke about engineering, he laughed and said he always wanted to be on the managerial side, this was clear as Kevon was able to break down exactly what SEWW was all about who might not have the technical backgrounds to understand the value behind the mission.
Harlem Times- What is the West African Trade Mission:
Makkell – In 2012, President Obama [introduced] a Power Africa initiative to improve bilateral relations with other nations by moving US products, services, and solutions through US based companies that have manufacturing, products, and services through the Department of Commerce in conjunction with the Department of State. A trade mission specifically for West Africa was focused primarily on Ghana and Nigeria. We were one of twenty companies selected…This was to enable companies to meet with business and banking leaders to understand what their power generation needs were. Understanding the infrastructure and utility requirements was [essential] to figuring out the best way to strike relationships. These deals would enable companies to move projects forward. SEWW found it successful because of these meeting and previous relationships and projects in West Africa.
Harlem Times- What caused you to take an interest in West African Trade Mission?
Makkell – The American Association of Blacks in Energy (Policies/Regulations) in the African American Community [was the driving force for our attendance], advocating on behalf of Blacks in the Energy space. This relationship was instrumental in the trade mission. This organization is crucial to linking people of color in ways we can serve and use energy and education as a means/platform for cultural exchange and international linkage.
Harlem Times- Tell me more about your success on the trade mission?
[We have] signed an agreement for $175 million (25 million/year for 7 years) for transmission and distribution in [West Africa] to support electricity companies in Ghana. We are authorized to move forward with seven entities of work. SEWW uses the “Power To” principal to change lives, provide comfort and make a difference by serving. That is our mission.
Harlem Times- You mentioned having other projects in West Africa, tell me more about that:
Makkell – These were mostly in the development phases of projects in Ethiopia and other projects in Ghana in terms of developing Microgrid Optimization, as well as education and real estate projects that require power supply and delivery – projects that will allow for development of residential areas and health care applications.
Harlem Times- For those of us not in the know, what is Micro-grid Optimization?
Makkell – We have the ability to bring quality and efficient electricity to communities all over the world. We can replace aging infrastructure systems, recover them and rebuild from the ground up. Our operation can deliver “Power To” the people by using electricity to transform their world. That is SEWW’s mission and how we guide and operate our company. Additionally, by working on in rural and urban centers, we can help the entity get the best possible return for their money. [SEWW] can develop, design, build, finance and procure this type of model for countries who now have the ability to make real time decisions.
Harlem Times- What was the biggest challenge?
Makkell – The demand for entrepreneurship within the sovereign nations was so high that during the ‘speed dating’ phase; there were more people lined up than we could meet with and service. Nigeria is one of the largest business economies in Africa and the key is getting American based companies there as quickly as possible to make a difference, without stampeding your way into opportunity.
Stephen’s Story: President/CEO of Hightowers Petroleum Co.
Born, raised and a current resident of Middletown, Ohio, Stephen Hightower is certainly a major player in the energy industry. Hightowers Janitorial Service was founded in 1956 by his father and in 1979, Stephen took his construction knowledge and Communications background to start a construction company before starting one of the largest African American petroleum companies in the country, selling wholesale gasoline and diesel fuel to major corporations throughout the US, Mexico, and Canada.. It’s no surprise that Hightower now sits on boards appointed by President Obama through the Secretary of Energy and the Department of Interior. Steve and Stephen Hightower II., COO of Hightowers Petroleum, represented the company on the African Trade Mission.
Harlem Times – What was your take on the West African Trade Mission?
Hightower – Hightowers Petroleum Co was there to provide refined products to private companies understanding the lack of refining capabilities in West Africa. These countries are net importers of gasoline yet being an oil rich country. Additionally, we wanted to be in a position to obtain crude oil contracts to lift and participate in the upstream oil and gas marketplace. We also offered have technologies, geared toward improving energy efficiencies. Another company owned by the Hightower family, HP Energy offers technologies that reduces energy consumption as an alternative method of power generation along with distributed generation solutions. While on the trip, Hightower was successful in partnering with a local Nigerian company that will be promoting these technologies on the continent. The mission was successful in all categories and now it’s just due process. There is no doubt in Hightowers opinion that success is imminent. “Patience is a virtue win dealing with these complex deals,” says Steve Hightower.
Harlem Times- What caused you to take an interest in West African Trade Mission?
Hightower – Hightowers Petroleum Co has built the family owned private business to over $350 million in revenue and views these partnerships in West Africa the opportunity to become a multi-billion dollar company. Understanding that it takes being in the right place at the right time in order to be eligible, the trade mission provided that platform. We are pleased to have been a part of the well-planed well executed USA business trade mission. The Secretary and her team did an exemplary job.
Harlem Times- What other projects in West Africa have you worked on?
Hightower – We’ve been in West Africa since 1983 when we participated in the trade mission to Cameroon, Egypt, Ivory Coast and Nigeria. Nigeria was chosen as the country we placed an office along with the State of Ohio who also opened an office in Lagos. Steve Hightower has experience conducting business on a smaller scale in Africa. We have had prior success transacting business in Nigeria without losing money and mitigating our risk. Our early experience included exporting banking – ATM machines and used tires. We now have a better understanding of the country and its various business needs but most importantly how to do business on the continent. To that end, it has taken the past 30 years to grow to a point where Hightower can be in a position to implement and execute in the oil sector.
Harlem Times- Talk to me about some of the challenges faced and who you met with.
Hightower – We met with at least 20 serious small and diverse businesses. Our challenge was to narrow down the opportunities to one or two partners for each country. We desire to move forward on an oil block and engage in a few opportunities to export refined product into Ghana and Nigeria that may include the partnering of storage facilities.
There is a great sense of security working with the Department of Commerce, and knowing that the State Department and the Commercial Service have screened the companies we are working with. This is a huge benefit participating in an official Trade Mission.
To both companies, the African Trade Mission was a success and an opportunity of a lifetime. The confidence and passion behind the players that attended is what is needed to drive the mission forward and light up Africa. Bringing power to the people will inevitably make West Africans able to extend their quality of life and put them on the map in terms of being a destination for business and pleasure.