Eji Okorafor on her role in empowering the energy transition

Based out of New York, Eji Okorafor is an Audit & Assurance partner with Deloitte & Touche LLP, serving a vast portfolio of clients, including several within the complex energy sector. In addition, she oversees the Emerging Climate and Energy Tech practice in New York, a role that covers a wide array of areas, from renewables to carbon solutions and beyond.

The evolution of specialization

Eji’s entry into the energy sector was not something she planned. As a native of Nigeria, one of the world’s major oil-producing nations,¹ she aimed to forge her own path. However, the commencement of her professional journey in Houston led her to an upstream company. This engagement proved developmental for Eji as the team placed great focus on coaching and mentorship in addition to high-quality service delivery.

Throughout her career, Eji has made a conscious effort to expand her knowledge base, seeking to understand not just upstream but also the broader oil and gas subsectors including midstream, downstream, and trading companies. This curiosity also guided Eji to a two-year tenure with Deloitte’s SEC Reporting Group, focusing on SEC regulatory matters and gaining a more holistic view of the financial markets.

My journey into the energy sector wasn’t planned, but I joined a team in Houston that offered coaching and mentorship that I found valuable.

Engaging in energy transition and diverse industry participation

Eji’s career path has taken her from Houston to DC, and now to New York, where her attention has mostly shifted to emerging tech companies. In New York, she stands at the intersection of energy and tech, engaging with companies focused on energy transition and a sustainable future while maintaining energy security. Eji advises clients on how energy transition involves collective participation, from those discovering new reserves to those converting existing assets, and from those generating renewable energy to those improving existing processes.

For those considering a career in the energy and chemicals industry, Eji underscores that there can be a range of opportunities. She advocates for the inclusion of diverse voices in the dialogue, stating that energy transition can benefit from varying perspectives to keep the conversation moving forward. Outside her professional sphere, Eji is an endurance exerciser with a love for running and cycling. She prioritizes maintaining a balanced lifestyle and has a zeal for travel, aiming to explore different countries each year.

I prioritize a balanced lifestyle, combining a love for endurance exercises with a zeal for exploring different countries each year.

1_{US Energy Information Administration (EIA), “Nigeria was the top crude oil producer in Africa, but disruptions threaten production,” June 15, 2023.}