Africa Energy Forum

Africa Energy Forum 2026

Dubai World Trade Centre

Africa is done being framed by deficit. At the Africa Energy Forum (aef) 2026, the conversation shifts from access as an endpoint to power as an enabler of industry, growth and scale.

This is about what it takes to industrialise: reliable baseload, modern grids, diversified energy systems and hard infrastructure built to run factories, data centres and fast-growing cities—24/7. From Dubai, a city shaped by pragmatic ambition, aef 2026 champions an African energy narrative grounded in delivery, growth and a just transition that works for Africa.

Building Africa’s Industrialised Future starts here.

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aef 2025

aef 2025 facilitated dynamic discussions around accelerating energy project, improving infrastructure, scaling finance, and achieving electricity access for 300 million people by 2030. Ministers, regulators, developers, and investors came together with a shared focus on delivering tangible progress for Africa’s energy future.

Last year, EnergyNet hosted YES! alongside aef. With over 6,000 youth registered, 3,200 attending in person, over 230 expert speakers, 80 sessions over 3 days – covering masterclasses, panel discussions, recruitment presentations, entrepreneurs pitching station and ask the experts sessions.

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Leadership

A Conversation on Power, Policy, and the Future of Energy in Africa

Finance

Dr. Enos Banda on How CfDs Could Unlock Renewable Energy Investments in Africa

Elsa Strydom on South Africa’s IPP Programme: Powering a Constrained Grid Sustainably

Finance

Building Utility-Scale Renewables in Africa: Insights from Stuart MacWilliam at Mulilo

Finance

Standard Bank’s Rentia van Tonder & Aadil Cajee: The Strategic Role of Finance in Energy

Great location to host aef. The organisation was perfect and high-quality attendees and one-to-one discussions. Looking forward to 2026 with double the number of visitors, hopefully.

Jihad Aoun Head of Sales Africa – Power Segment, Everllence

I had good interactions with diverse people, learnt quite a lot from their real-life examples, networked and got more insights on different technologies in energy generation.

Regina Ndire Bonya Senior Projects Accountant, Electricity Generation Company Malawi

I would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the entire team for the outstanding organisation of the Africa Energy Forum. Thank you sincerely for all the support, assistance, and thoughtful arrangements throughout the event. Your professionalism and dedication made our participation smooth and enjoyable. It was an honour to contribute to such a high-level and impactful platform. We look forward to future collaborations and wish you continued success.

H.E. Honourable Amadou Hott former Special Envoy of the President of the AfDB for the Alliance for Green Infrastructure in Africa, Former Minister of Economy, Planning & International Cooperation, Senegal

The forum provided the platform to interact with regulators, private sector actors, and the knowledge-sharing experience really stood out!

Abu Dekontee Sanso Director, Technical Regulations, Liberia Electricity Regulatory Commission

Dear aef team, Thanks for all the facilities you provided us during the event, especially the meeting room for his Excellency. This was really appreciated. We enjoyed our time in Barcelona and had great conversations with current and potential partners. Looking forward to meeting you again soon. Best regards

Philippe Jr. Ossoucah Directeur Général, Gabon Power Company, Gabon

Well done on superb organisation, our best experience at aef yet! All ran smoothly. We had great engagement at our stand and a number of extremely beneficial meetings which have led to new business.

Alison Diarra Hogan Lovells

Official Media

aef News

Finance

South Africa Joins Afreximbank, Unveils US$8bn Country Programme

Johannesburg | 09 February 2026 — South Africa has formally joined the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), marking a major new chapter in the country’s continental trade and development strategy — and triggering the launch of an ambitious US$8 billion Country Programme designed to deepen industrial growth, strengthen regional supply chains and expand intra-African trade. The accession […]

West Africa

From Dialogue to Impact: Highlights from the Knowledge Sharing Session, Borehole Commissioning and AFNIS 2025

The Nigerian Indigenous Women in Mining and Natural Resources Organisation (NIWIMNRO) advanced its mission to empower Indigenous women miners through a focused three-day programme of engagement, capacity building and community impact. The programme opened in Abuja with a knowledge-sharing session that brought together women artisanal and small-scale miners from Niger, Nasarawa and Kaduna states for […]

Energy access

Powering Africa’s Megacity: Lagos State’s Vision for Energy Leadership and a 24/7 Economy

As Africa’s largest sub-national economy and one of the world’s fastest-growing megacities, Lagos State is rethinking how electricity is planned, regulated and delivered. With a population exceeding 25 million and an economy that rivals those of entire countries, the state’s ambitions—industrial growth, digital expansion, improved public services and climate resilience—depend on one critical enabler: reliable […]

Transmission & Distribution

PPA signed for pioneering Vungu Solar project in Zimbabwe

Harare, Zimbabwe: At a reception held today at the residence of Pete Vowles, British Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Vungu Solar Pvt Ltd signed a 25-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with the Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC). As the pilot for the Government of Zimbabwe’s Government Project Support Agreement (GPSA) solar IPP programme, the 30MWac […]

Grids

MCA delivers Africa’s largest off-grid renewable energy system in Angola

The Cazombo Photovoltaic Park in Angola, which will supply green energy to more than 136,000 people, has a production capacity of 25.40 MWp and batteries with a storage capacity of 75.26 MWh MCA has just energised Africa’s largest off-grid renewable energy photovoltaic park in Angola. This is the country’s first autonomous (off-grid) system with a […]

Energy access

Business Leaders Launch Action Plan to Scale Minigrids in Africa, Outlining a Comprehensive and Clear Framework for Urgently Needed Regulatory, Financial and Industry Mobilisation

by Myrna | Jan 26, 2026 | New analysis highlighted in the plan shows strong government demand for minigrids — connecting more than 115 million people — under the Mission 300 initiative, but rapid and decisive action is required by all stakeholders between 2026 and 2028. Nairobi, 26 January 2026 — Today, leading minigrid company CEOs operating across Africa issued […]

Tech & Power Generation

From Frontier Risk to Baseload Reality: Nant Power’s Vision for Sierra Leone’s Energy Transformation

As Sierra Leone confronts chronic power shortages and works to strengthen the foundations of its industrial economy, dependable baseload generation has become a central priority. In this interview, Karim Nasser, Executive Chairman of Nant Power, discusses how the 108MW gas-to-power Nant project aims to provide long-term, dispatchable capacity to Freetown while establishing a bankable structure […]

Energy access

Building Peace, One Megawatt at a Time: Dr. Sandrine Mubenga on the DRC’s Energy Future

Dr. Sandrine Mubenga, Director General of the Autorité de Régulation du secteur de l’Électricité (ARE), shares her insights on unlocking the Democratic Republic of Congo’s (DRC) vast energy potential. From landmark reforms to innovative projects in hydropower, solar, and mini-grids, she highlights how regulatory modernisation, regional infrastructure, and strategic initiatives like “Business for Peace” are […]

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Africa Energy Forum

74 Speakers

16 - 19 June 2026

Dubai World Trade Centre