Appointment of Executive Director

Afren plc (AFR LN)

Appointment of Executive Director

London, 24 March 2010 - Afren plc ("Afren" or the "Company") announces the appointment of the Group Finance Director, Mr Darra Comyn to the Afren Board of Directors.

Darra Comyn joins the Board with immediate effect and will be responsible for leading and directing Afren's group-wide finance function. Key responsibilities include the review and maintenance of internal financial control systems and processes, adherence to strict cost control and discipline, corporate planning, taxation and ensuring strict compliance to all corporate governance requirements.

Darra Comyn joined Afren in December 2009 as Group Finance Director. His has significant international experience as a finance practitioner, gained over 24 years in various senior positions. He was most recently the Group Finance Director for Expomedia Group plc and ITE Group Plc (both international corporates with emerging markets focus), and has in the past held senior finance positions with Chevron Oil UK and Dragon Oil.

Mr Comyn is a Chartered Accountant with a degree in Economics from Trinity College, University of Dublin.

Egbert Imomoh, Chairman of Afren, commented:

"I am delighted to welcome Darra Comyn to the Board. Darra is a senior professional who brings significant financial management, control and UK public company experience to the Board, particularly important as Afren embarks on its most active drilling campaign and production growth in our history."

Notes to Editors

Afren is an African focused independent oil and gas exploration and production company listed on the main market of the London Stock Exchange. Afren is currently producing from its assets offshore Nigeria and Côte d'Ivoire, with a significant appraisal and development project due onstream in 2010 from Nigeria. Afren has operated exploration interests in Ghana, Côte d'Ivoire and Nigeria, with minority exploration interests in Congo Brazzaville, Gabon and the Joint Development Zone of Nigeria - São Tomé & Príncipe.

For further information please refer to www.afren.com.