Lagos: Benedict Peters is a significant figure in Africa's oil and gas sector, having transformed the Aiteo Group into one of the continent's largest indigenous energy companies. As the Founder and CEO, Peters has expanded the company beyond Nigeria through strategic acquisitions and a growing portfolio.

According to African Press Organization, Peters began his career at Ocean and Oil Services, now Oando, and MRS Oil and Gas, gaining hands-on experience in petroleum supply chains. In 1999, he founded Sigmund Communecci, which evolved into Aiteo Group in 2008. This rebranding marked a shift toward a fully integrated energy company, with operations across the energy value chain. Aiteo's prominent asset, the NNPC-Aiteo Oil Mining Lease (OML) 29 in Nigeria's Niger Delta, significantly increased its production capacity after acquiring it from Shell in 2015.

Aiteo's marketing operations remain a crucial part of its business, distributing various fuels through a network of service stations. The acquisition of OML 29 and the Nembe Creek Trunk Line has been pivotal for Aiteo, increasing production and contributing to Nigeria's crude output. Under Peters, Aiteo introduced Nembe crude, a new grade that has been exported to European refiners, marking a milestone for Nigerian entities on the global market.

Operating in the Niger Delta poses challenges, including infrastructure disruptions and oil theft. Aiteo has focused on operational resilience, resuming production at the Nembe field after a significant leak in 2024. This reflects the company's emphasis on safety and infrastructure maintenance.

Peters has also pursued expansion across Africa, acquiring a stake in Mozambique's Mazenga gas block and signing a deal to develop a large-scale refinery with the Government of Mozambique. These projects aim to reduce reliance on imported products and support regional energy distribution.

Aiteo is investing in gas processing and power generation, developing gas-fed power plants in Nigeria to increase electricity supply. Peters' leadership has been recognized internationally, and under his guidance, Aiteo has become a fully integrated African energy company.

NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber, praises Peters for his commitment to African energy development, highlighting his ability to remain grounded while leading Aiteo to compete with global majors.