Hermélia Hayes Mbadinga appointed General Administrator and Country Manager of VAALCO Gabon

She replaces Viannet Okouma, whose three-year term as Country Manager and Managing Director concluded. Mbadinga, previously Deputy General Manager of the Gabonese subsidiary, brings over 25 years of international experience in the energy and agribusiness sectors. Her career includes 17 years at Shell in Gabon and Brunei Darussalam, where she held technical and managerial roles in production, well and asset management, field development, corporate planning, and oil project feasibility studies.

She also served as Human Resources and External Relations Director at Assala Energy and as Senior Vice President of Human Resources at Gabon Plantations, Olam Palm & Rubber Gabon. Mbadinga's mandate includes leading the ongoing drilling program, continuing the development of Etame Marin, and preparing for future growth opportunities in Gabon. VAALCO also tasks her with maximizing production and operational performance, increasing reserves, optimizing infrastructure, and exploring new development possibilities.

George Maxwell, CEO of the VAALCO group, highlighted Mbadinga's experience and knowledge of the Gabonese business environment as key assets for this new phase of the group's operations in Gabon. The company also emphasizes its local presence, with approximately 96% of its workforce being Gabonese, and its commitment to local content, yo