ExxonMobil Program Fosters Growth and Development in Local Communities in Africa
Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM) announced today it will host a workshop at the Corporate Council on Africa's 2007 U.S.-Africa Business Summit to highlight its development of national employees and suppliers and strategic community investments in Africa. ExxonMobil is a corporate sponsor of the Nov. 14-16, 2007, summit at the Cape Town, South Africa, Convention Center to promote opportunities for international trade and investment in Africa. "Enhancing the economic and social opportunities associated with finding, developing and producing oil and gas is a strategic focus area for ExxonMobil. One of the most important contributions we make to the countries where we operate is supporting economic growth and improving the quality of life," said Mike Fry, vice president for Africa, ExxonMobil Production Company. "What is attainable in each country has varied depending on infrastructure, industrial base, suppliers, and government laws and regulations."
But in each case, said Fry, the goal is the same. "We want the benefits of our projects to be designed such that they are sustainable over the long term."
During the workshop, ExxonMobil affiliate speakers will discuss case studies involving:
- Training local people in technical and professional skills that are needed for existing and future projects and operations.
- Increasing suppliers' capability to meet the global standards of ExxonMobil and others in order to qualify for contracts.
- Investing in communities to support improved health and educational programs and infrastructure support.
For example, in Angola, almost two-thirds of our work force is Angolan. Recent affiliate development projects purchased over $1 billion in local goods and services, including substantial subcontracts to Angolan companies.
In Equatorial Guinea, our affiliate has invested more than $25 million to build human capacity, which includes training and educating national employees abroad.
In Nigeria, our ExxonMobil affiliate-operated Erha/Erha North deepwater project achieved significant milestones, including the first subsea integration test executed in West Africa and the manufacture of significant project components in Nigeria.
In Chad and Cameroon, our ExxonMobil affiliate-operated project has purchased more than $1.5 billion of local goods and services and has made community investments of more than $9 million.
"So while we're providing energy to meet global needs, we are doing something just as important -- working with our partners, suppliers, communities and host governments to help deliver economic and social development," Fry said.
