By Irene Gaitirira
Published April 11, 2016
Players in the energy-generation industry are set to discuss investment opportunities in Africa’s power sector.
The 18th annual Africa Energy Forum (AEF) that shall have special focus on North and East Africa, is scheduled for June 22-24, 2016 in the British capital, London.
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Panel discussions are expected to bring together governments of northern and eastern Africa to explore possible collaboration to support cross-border power developments and energy infrastructure.
“More specific country-focused sessions,” event organisers EnergyNet say in a Press Statement, “will also explore the investment landscapes in Mozambique, Nigeria and Ghana.”
Among confirmed government representatives to address AEF are John Abdulai Jinapor, Acting Minister for Power (Ghana); Spéro Mensah, Minister for Energy, Petroleum and Mining Research, Water and Renewable Energy Development (Bénin); Mamadou Frankaly Keita, Minister for Energy and Water (Mali); Nick Hurd, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for International Development (United Kingdom); Brigadier General Emeldah Chola, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Energy and Water Development (Zambia) and Karén Breytenbach, Head of IPP Projects, IPP Office (South Africa).
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The agenda of 18th AEF, that is widely considered the meeting place for Africa’s power sector professionals to discuss opportunities for investment into the power sector, includes government keynote addresses; targeted industry seminars and plenary sessions; and discussing topics such as how to accelerate renewable energy uptake, increase the bankability of projects, and encourage partnerships between the public and private sector.
EnergyNet, the organisers of AEF, say an exhibition of 80 solution-providers shall be in place to enable attendees network throughout the three days of the conference.
Also available, courtesy of Access Power who are sponsoring AEF, will be a “competition for local clean power entrepreneurs in Africa, allowing developers to pitch their projects to a panel of specialists for the opportunity to win US$7 Million in prize funding.”
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To complete the lineup of activities is a ‘Festival of Energy’ concert on the evening of June 23 “to bring together high profile bands in the UK with African musicians from across the continent.”
‘The Festival of Energy’, EnergyNet say, “will highlight the role of commercial trade in delivering energy access to millions living beyond the grid.”
