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Gulf Today
29-06-2025
- Business
- Gulf Today
African leaders' call to meet energy needs
At the Africa Energy Forum 2025 which opened at Cape Town in South Africa, there was a sense of urgency as ministers from many of the countries talked of the need to build infrastructure, integrate the grid and go for renewable energy to reach power to 600 million on the continent who do not have access to it. South Africa's Minister for Electricity Dr. Kgosientsho Ramokgopa called out saying, 'Africa can no longer be seen as a passive recipient of imported solutions. We have the natural resources. The human capital, and the ambition to drive our own energy transition.' African Development Bank President Dr. Akinwumi Adesina spelled the magnitude of the energy challenge that Africa faces. He said, 'Africa requires $90 billion in annual energy investment through 2030. This is achievable if the right partnerships, de-risk investment, and focus on sustainable, inclusive models.' By the end of June 17, EnergyNet managing director Simon Gosling, said, 'This forum is not about promises – it's about delivery. Africa stands at a historic crossroads. What we decide to do together in the days ahead will shape our energy future for generations.' The meetings will continue to achieve their goal. For the year and more, African leaders have been speaking clearly, loudly and even differently from other parts of the world. The African governments and leaders are determined to chart an independent path for the African continent. They have realized that depending on the advanced economies of Europe, America and Asia will not help Africa to solve its problems. The African leaders are now thinking differently and loudly. They realize that Africa has to build its own infrastructure, and that it has to be done through cooperation among different African countries, cutting across national and regional boundaries. It is this emphasis on pan-African approach that strikes the perfect, positive note. Given the political volatility prevailing in many parts of Africa, it might seem unrealistic to talk about pan-African approach. But the truth of the matter is that no country, including the relatively well-off and politically strong South Africa, cannot hope to achieve the economic goals that only a united Africa can hope to achieve. The experiment of European Union (EU) seemed a vague dream when it set out on a small scale in 1956, but it had been built brick by brick by sensible European leaders who were wise enough to realise that national rivalries are of not much use in the face of a modern economy. It will be argued and rightly too that to build something akin to the European Union in Africa would take decades. But it is an important fact that some of the African leaders are showing the statesmanship needed to build something for the future. It is going to be a hard struggle for Africa and its leaders. But what will work for them is the fact that their eyes are set on the common goal of strengthening Africa on the energy front. What is important is the recognition of the goal that Africa's needs can be met only at the continental level. Africa is resource rich continent, and its leaders have recognized that European powers, and now the new market agent of Asia, China, have looked to Africa to tap the natural resources which the African people have not tapped for themselves. They now seem to recognize the fact they Africans will have to help themselves. Can the Africans raise the huge amounts they need to build the infrastructure? They have to because they have no option. African leaders have accepted the fact that they need to plan and act together.
Al-Ahram Weekly
17-06-2025
- Business
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Africa Energy Forum 2025 opens with urgent calls for united action on power access - Energy
The Africa Energy Forum 2025 opened today at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, bringing together over 6,000 delegates to address the continent's energy challenges under the theme Africa United: Powering Our Common Future. Government officials, industry leaders, and financiers focused on expanding access to affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy. South Africa's Minister of Electricity, Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, urged Africa to take control of its energy transition. 'Africa can no longer be seen as a passive recipient of imported solutions. We have the natural resources, the human capital, and the ambition to drive our own energy transition,' he said. He called for urgent investment in grid infrastructure, regional integration, and renewables to close the access gap for 600 million people. Nigeria's Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, echoed the need for scale and coordination. 'We must think big, act boldly, and work together. Regional power markets, harmonised regulations, and major infrastructure projects are the only way we can provide energy security and drive industrialisation across the continent,' he said. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu addressed the forum via video, announcing reforms to cut energy project costs by up to 40 percent through faster permitting and regulation. He said Nigeria had secured more than $8 billion in energy investments over the past year. 'This shows that with the right policies, Africa can mobilise the resources it needs. Let us match words with action.' Former Ghanaian president John Dramani Mahama stressed inclusivity. 'Energy plans must serve our rural communities, not just our capitals. They must empower our youth, not just our corporations,' he said, calling for support for community-based and small energy enterprises. African Development Bank president Dr Akinwumi Adesina highlighted the scale of financing required. 'Africa requires at least $90 billion in annual energy investment through 2030. This is achievable if we build the right partnerships, de-risk investments, and focus on sustainable, inclusive models,' Adesina said. Delegates shared success stories, including cross-border transmission lines, utility-scale renewables, and battery storage, which improved grid reliability. Cape Town was praised for local innovation, such as rooftop solar incentives, battery installations, and pumped hydro plans. The Youth Energy Summit drew over 4,000 young professionals, students, and entrepreneurs for pitches, mentoring, and networking—giving the next generation a voice in shaping Africa's energy future. In the deal-making zone, agreements were signed for a 300MW wind farm joint venture, expanded mini-grid partnerships in East Africa, and new battery storage investments in North Africa. Investors expressed optimism, contingent on continued regulatory reforms. Closing Day 1, EnergyNet managing director Simon Gosling said: 'This forum is not about promises — it's about delivery. Africa stands at a historic crossroads. What we decide to do together in the days ahead will shape our energy future for generations.' The forum continues through the week with sessions on energy finance, regulation, regional markets, green hydrogen, and emerging technologies. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Zawya
30-01-2025
- Business
- Zawya
East Africa Energy Cooperation Summit (EA-ECS) and the East African Community (EAC): Driving Energy Across the Region
The expansion of the East African regional energy sector is happening right now and is set for future growth. This was the clear message from the East Africa Energy Cooperation Summit (EA-ECS) as the two-day summit kicked off in Arusha. Africa's energy IPPs, EPCF stakeholders, investors and policy makers were welcomed to a summit set to shape the future of East Africa's energy landscape by Jean-Baptiste Havugimana, Director Productive Sectors, East African Community (EAC). Speaking at the opening ceremony, he noted that the access to electricity in the East African region is currently below 50 percent on average, although countries such as Kenya have gone beyond 75 percent. "The EAC Secretariat is cooperating with all Member States to increase the rate of access. This is being achieved through shared mini hydro power grids strategically placed along border regions. The EAC is also working to establish a regional power exchange market for shared resources,' said Abundant resource discoveries and large-scale projects highlight East Africa's readiness for market expansion like never before. In the round table titled "Powering East Africa—The Time Is Now," leaders from the public sector and utilities from Malawi, Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania discussed the vision and roadmap for the future. Costa Rubagumya, Deputy MD, TANESCO, Tanzania said, "Our country connects an average of 500,000 new clients per year. But with Tanzania being among the 12 signatories of Mission 300, from the recent African Energy Summit, the country targets to triple the number to 1.6 million new customers per annum." With the theme "Resource Wealth. Energy Access. Investment Opportunities' the two-day summit will explore what this means for private sector opportunities in depth. Some of the discussions expected to take center stage is the push for alternative sources of energy. Stakeholders have emphasized the importance of a diversified energy mix to ensure grid stability and support large-scale industrial expansion and commercial and industrial (C&I) power generation. Joseph Siror , the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Kenya Power and Lighting (KPLC) said the East African countries should now move away from over dependency on Hydro sources of energy. He pointed out that, with climate change and fluctuating weather patterns, hydroelectricity is no longer reliable and the EAC region must now consider auxiliary power sources such as Geothermal, Solar, Wind and Biogas. EA-ECS is welcoming prominent politicians and leaders from across the EAC and its energy sector. They join the private sector business developers shaping the future of East Africa's energy landscape. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of EnergyNet Ltd.. About EnergyNet: FACILITATING ENERGY INVESTMENT IN FAST-GROWING ECONOMIES - EnergyNet has produced investment forums and executive dialogues for Africa and Latin America's power sectors for the last 25 years - in Europe, the USA, Asia and across Africa and Latin America. We work with governments and national utilities to facilitate investment summits where credible international investors can build relationships with public sector stakeholders to advance access to power. Best known for the Africa Energy Forum, the longest-serving business development meeting place for senior-level decision makers in Africa's power sector, other leading investment summits that provide strategic perspectives on the investment landscape and project preparation include the Tanzania Energy Cooperation Summit, East Africa Energy Cooperation Summit, West Africa Energy Cooperation Summit, H2 Africa, Offshore Technology Africa, Powering Africa Summit, Latin American Energy Forum and Latin American&Caribbean Gas Conference and Exhibition. YES! Youth Energy Summit and YES! Youth Energy Day are part of the portfolio, with a focus on creating a platform and network to boost the skills, connections and business readiness of a new generation of African energy leaders. Having this focus on public and private sector partnerships provides us with a valuable lens through which we can offer independent perspectives and support the business development activities of companies from around the world operating in these fast-growing markets. Headquarters: London, UK
