President William Ruto at the Africa Energy Forum in Nairobi, June 2023. (Image source: EnergyNet Ltd)

More than 33 ministers and 100 high-level public sector officials from across Africa will travel to Spain for the 26th edition of the Africa Energy Forum (aef), from 25-28 June, at the Fira de Montjuïc, Barcelona

With Spain’s commitment of US$2.3bn in funding to South Africa and its recently announced support for green hydrogen projects in Mauritania, the country joins France, Germany, Italy, the EU and the UK as European nations step up their commitment to clean energy development in the African continent.

But is the private sector ready for the investment opportunities that could potentially double those commitments?

Renewable energy capacity in Africa has almost doubled in the last decade, but it’s not enough. A recent study from Climate Analytics indicates that Africa needs US$100bn a year in climate finance – five times current investment levels – to meet the renewable energy goals agreed at COP28. As investors from nearly 90 countries around the world prepare to arrive in Barcelona for aef24, Simon Gosling, EnergyNet, said, "The private sector has already demonstrated its willingness to commit billions to projects, but projects still aren’t moving fast enough."

"It’s the industrialised nations that will be most affected if Africa cannot significantly increase its electrification rates and unlock the investment landscape that is inhibiting proven private sector players."

"World food security, access to minerals, textiles, and industrial growth are critical to future economic growth, health, and sustainability. With Africa forecast to be home to a quarter of the world’s population under 25 years by 2050, red tape must be reduced, and projects must start happening at scale and pace."

This year’s theme, ‘Energy Systems for the Future – Balancing Africa’s Needs with Global Goals’ is set to tackle these barriers head on.

Public and private sector stakeholders will spend almost a full half-day together, behind closed doors, discussing the challenges both sides are facing. All attending ministers and vice-presidents, as well as heads of utilities (national and municipal), regulatory bodies, DFIs, and private investors, will be in the room.
The new Corporate Leadership Roundtable will also give private sector developers and investors a platform to debate the opportunities and challenges they face in moving projects forward, sparking vital discussions before they meet with Ministers and utilities to establish an improved path for Africa’s energy sector.

This innovative format will create the most high-level sessions ever held at the Africa Energy Forum, where business leaders can spend exclusive, quality time with public sector counterparts.

Key topics on the agenda across the four days include the potential of hydrogen on the continent; grid management; energy storage and distribution; the future roles of gas and mining; advancing renewable energy projects, distributed power, and commercial and industrial (C&I) projects to accelerate universal access; navigating power markets; and Africa’s broader energy transition.

Among the nearly 2,500 delegates attending, an unprecedented number of ministers from across Africa will be in attendance, including ministers from Nigeria, Egypt, Sierra Leone, Kenya, Senegal, Ghana, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Togo, Gabon, Central African Republic and Zambia.

As global stakeholders in energy, including the World Bank, Engie, Power Africa, and TotalEnergies, return to aef for 2024, they will be joined by new, significant partners such as Pele Green Energy and Juwi Renewable Energy, as the forum continues to expand its reach and influence year on year.

The stage is set.

For more information, visit the official Africa Energy Forum website: https://www.africa-energy-forum.com/

GE Vernova will be showcasing its range of innovative solutions at Enlit Africa. (Image source: GE Vernova)

Enlit Africa, a critical business event gathering the entire value chain across the energy and water sectors, has begun in Cape Town, South Africa, with doors remaining open for three-day event at the Cape Town International Convention Center

Under the tagline of “We power your interactions”, the structured event is dedicated to opening up conversations, creating opportunities and shaping the future of the African continent. As a self-styled catalyst for growth and progress, it offers the opportunities for attendees to connect with industry leaders and explore transformative solutions.

GE Vernova gets involved at Enlit

A range of top-level energy companies have been eagerly awaiting the start of the conference, including GE Vernova which has encouraged attendees to visit its exhibition at booth C22 in Hall 3.

The company has indicated that visitors will be able to explore and interact with innovations spanning across the power generation, transmission and distribution sectors.

“Energy enables growth and progress – which is why investing in reliable and affordable power is as critical as advancing lower carbon power to support health, connectivity, safety, security, and improved quality of life,” commented Kenneth Oyakhire, MD & CEO of services in sub-Saharan Africa for Gas Power at GE Vernova. “At GE Vernova, we believe that the strategic deployment of renewables and gas power together can help accelerate the continent’s energy transition efforts, enabling substantive reductions in emissions quickly and at scale, while continuing to advance the technologies for low or near-zero carbon power generation.

“We also recognise that there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Multiple technologies and fuel sources will be needed, together with investments in transmission and distribution systems, as well as software solutions, with local conditions dictating what works best. The public, private, and not-for-profit sectors must work together, with governments taking the lead to structure transparent and predictable market mechanisms and policies, incentivise reductions in power sector carbon intensity, allow life-cycle economics to drive investment decisions, and encourage research on new technologies and business models.”

More than 120 brands will be on display and exhibiting their solutions and services. (Image source: Propak Ghana)

Propak Ghana 2024, being held in the Grand Arena, International Conference Centre, Accra, has opened its doors to host packaging, plastics, print and food processing industry stakeholders who will be taking part in the conference until its close on the 25 April

WFES is focused on creating the blueprints for a sustainable future. (Image source; WFES)

The World Future Energy Summit (WFES), hosted by Masdar at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre from 16-18 April, is being delivered with a bid to accelerate the progress made at COP28 last year