Africa Energy Forum (AEF) 2017, the global investment meeting for Africa’s power, energy, infrastructure and industrial sectors, officially opened in Copenhagen on 7 June
The forum was officially declared open today after the ribbon cutting ceremony by African ministers of energy. Fifteen ministers from across Africa are participating in the forum this year.
A highlight of the day was the presentation of the lifetime achievement award to South African politician and anti-apartheid activist HE Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma. Dr Dlamini-Zuma adressed the audience after receiving the award.
The day also witnessed Nigeria Focus round table discussion, where key insights were shared on the topic, "How can private investors help improve Nigeria's T&D?"
Nineteen years in the running, AEF brings together senior-level representatives from governments, utilities, regulators, power developers, financial institutions, technology providers, consultants, law firms and large energy consumers to form partnerships, identify opportunities and collectively move the industry forward.
An attraction of AEF 2017 is the ‘Off the Grid Village,’ conceived as the destination and networking hub for the Energy Access and Off Grid Community. The 2017 edition of the forum celebrates the anniversary of the launch of the Off the Grid Club - EnergyNet’s business accelerator and networking hub for the Rural Energy Access community. The Off the Grid Village occupies premium space at the front of the main exhibition hall and features exhibition stands for leading off Grid companies and dedicated networking functions.
Located in the Off the Grid Village, the Innovation Theatre hosts interesting panels, workshops demonstrations and seminars as part of a dedicated off grid Stream of the AEF agenda. The Theatre is open to all AEF delegates, and is designed to provide additional platforms for the off grid community to communicate at AEF 2017.