First Energy Africa Oil Corp., 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, signaling the company's commitment to enhancing its strategic oversight and governance.
Simon Akit, founder and managing partner of a resource advisory firm, has over 25 years of experience in Canadian and U.S. capital markets, along with seven years of engineering and operations experience. He has held senior 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 and is a Professional Engineer (APEGA). He currently serves on the boards of several public and private companies.
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, with a focus 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 boards of one public company 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 come as First Energy Africa continues to pursue exploration and block acquisitions in sub-Saharan Africa. The company, headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, remains committed to upholding high standards of governance and sustainability as it responsibly unlocks value across its resource portfolio. The addition of Akit and Kozak is expected to bolster the board's expertise in navigating the complexities of the energy sector and capital markets, potentially impacting the company's strategic direction and investor confidence.
