Agenda 2026
Agenda
NB: Topics, times and speakers may be subject to change as the agenda develops.
Registration & Networking
Opening Ceremony (Open to all aef attendees)
French – English Translation
Africa Energy Forum: EnergyNet Remarks – ‘Building Africa’s Industrialised Future’
Forum Sponsor Welcome Address
Speakers
Goran Rajsic
High Level Keynote Address
Speakers
H.E. Honourable Dr. Kgosientsho Ramokgopa
Leadership Awards
M300 Update
Speakers
Andrew Herscowitz
Spotlight on South Africa – Investments, Partnerships and Opportunities (Open to all aef attendees)
French – English Translation
Moderator
Phindile Masangane
Speakers
H.E. Honourable Samantha Graham-Maré
Dan Marokane
Precious Edward
Loyiso Tyabashe
Hussein Shoukry
Amith Singh
Networking Lunch (Open to all aef attendees)
Closed Door Ministerial Lunch (By invitation only)
Ministerial Town Hall – Regional Production Hubs to Drive Industrialisation (Open to all aef attendees)
An open session for aef attendees to hear the Honourable Vice Presidents and Ministers from across the continent discuss regional production hubs and their value in securing supply chains and driving industrialisation.
Scene Setting Remarks:
H.E. Honourable Dr. Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, Minister of Electricity & Energy, South Africa
French – English Translation
Moderator
Andrew Herscowitz
Speakers
H.E. Honourable Dr. Kgosientsho Ramokgopa
H.E. Honourable John Abdulai Jinapor
H.E. Honourable Dr El Hadji Abdourahmane Diouf
H.E. Honourable Dr. Monica Musenero Masanza
H.E. Honourable Julius Daniel Mattai
H.E. Honourable Cyril Grant
H.E. Honourable Marc Mandaba
H.E. Honourable Ilyas Moussa Dawaleh
H.E. Honourable Radonirina Lucas Rabearimanga
H.E. Honourable Mamadú Mudjetaba Djaló
H.E. Honourable Rohey John Manjang
Damilola Ogunbiyi
H.E. Honourable Andrea Arik Malueth
H.E. Honourable Samantha Graham-Maré
H.E. Honourable Cheikh Niane
Honourable Wenzel Kavaka
Honourable Charles Umehai
H.E. Honourable Tertuis Simmers
H.E. Honourable Professor Gustavo Dgedge
Networking Coffee
Closed Door Leadership Roundtable (By invitation only)
A high-level invitation only meeting, bringing together the senior African public sector with the private sector leaders attending aef. This is a chance to interactively discuss opportunities supporting ‘Building Africa’s Industrialised Future’.
Opening Drinks Reception – Celebrating Africa’s Rich History and Culture
NB: Topics, times and speakers may be subject to change as the agenda develops.
Registration & Networking
Closed Door DFI & SWF Roundtable (By invitation only)
Reforming Energy Financial Infrastructure for Industrial Growth – What’s Needed to Succeed?
This is an invitation-only roundtable for the confirmed DFI contributors and SWFs only. This is designed to foster a deeper dialogue among participants.
Moderator
Jonathan Berman
Speakers
Yezdan Akcacakir
Wale Shonibare
Holger Rothenbusch
Jan Lemaitre
Gianluca Paesano
Gregory Fyfe
Ulrich Schoppmeyer
Nancy Rivera
Aida Sitdikova
Andrea Clerici
Helena Teppana
Marnix Monsfort
Christo Fourie
Soumya Banerjee
Thomas Hougaard
Birgit Edlefsen
Pierre-Alain Pacaud
Jonas Kolijn
Eyob Easwaran
Martha Kalema
Dharmesh Kalyan
Martin Nagell
Africa for Africa
What Does a “Just” Energy Transition Mean for Africa?
With funders becoming more open to returning to gas projects, we consider how different paths are needed for different economies.
- How pragmatic do we need to be about using gas for development?
- Do African countries need an energy mix that priorities national industrialisation over external climate conditionalities?
- Is a short term “carbon overdraft” necessary to accelerate towards RE implementation?
Moderator
Sara Elhag
Speakers
H.E. Honourable John Abdulai Jinapor
Thabo Kekana
Hicham El Maanouni
Sofia Bensaid
Louis Strydom
Transmission and Baseload
Large Scale Transmission and Distribution Projects
Focus on private T&D development has increased hugely – we look at the new shift.
- Which factors could destabilise the push for private investment into T&D?
- What is the impact on the public sector of open access T&D?
- How are the M300 compacts encouraging investment into T&D and what progress has been made to date?
- Does the emergence of private sector electricity traders increase the opportunity/urgency for more T&D investment?
Moderator
Mathapelo Malao
Speakers
H.E. Honourable Dr. Monica Musenero Masanza
Jaco de la Rouviere
Christine Nganga
Chris Flavin
Nabil Saïmi
Gilbert El-Hajje
Decentralised Energy and Access
What Role Does DRE Play in Achieving Africa’s Energy Access Objectives?
We examine the critical impact that DRE can have on bringing affordable, reliable electricity to Sub-Saharan Africa.
- How are M300 compacts encouraging investment into DRE and driving sustained growth into off-grid?
- Are RBF mechanisms and demand stimulation initiatives making investment into innovative off-grid solutions more sustainable?
- Where is DRE powering productive use and making rural electrification bankable?
Report Launch:
Edward Borgstein, Technical Advisor, Africa, The Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet
Moderator
Sarah Malm
Speakers
H.E. Honourable Cyril Grant
H.E. Honourable Lejone Mpotjoane
Damien Twambilangana
Yariv Cohen
Andrew Herscowitz
Radhika Thakkar
Critical Minerals as a Catalyst for Industrialisation
Rising Global Demand for Critical Minerals: Africa’s Opportunity
With around 30% of global mineral reserves, Africa has a key opportunity to leverage this demand to promote wider industrial growth.
- What’s the real demand outlook and who’s driving it?
- From the Lobito Corridor to the BRI: which partnerships are emerging to get projects underway?
- Is Africa ready to maximise this opportunity for broader industrial expansion?
- How can African nations successfully enforce local processing hubs?
Scene Setting Remarks:
Rita Madeira, Africa Programme Manager, International Energy Agency (IEA)
Moderator
Gracelin Baskaran
Speakers
H.E. Honourable Julius Daniel Mattai
Jacob Mbele
Tunde Arisekola
Hannah Williams
Mpho Mokwele
Mandisa Mabaso
Hosted Boardroom
Closing the Risk Gap: Pragmatic Financial Solutions for Bankable IPPs
- Where do IPP transactions fail and why?
- Can currency risk be structurally removed, rather than expensively priced?
- In markets where sovereign guarantees are not available, what tools can successfully
enable the development of energy projects? - What conditions would unlock institutional investment in African power markets?
Moderator
Francis Dennig
Speakers
Mario Gouvea
Fenwicks Musonye
Mafayo Ziba
Ana Hajduka
Obbie Banda
Susana Lopez Lopez
Demba Tandia
Closed Door South Africa Industrialisation Roundtable (By invitation only)
This invitation-only roundtable will bring together Ministers of Finance, Energy, and Mining, senior public sector leaders, and a select group of industry and mining executives.
Country Host:
H.E. Honourable Dr. Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, Minister of Electricity & Energy, South Africa
Scene Setting Remarks:
Claudio Fassiotti, Sales Manager Local Gov & Smart Spaces EMEA, NVIDIA
French – English Translation
Moderator
Sonume Dan-Princewill
Speakers
H.E. Honourable Dr. Kgosientsho Ramokgopa
H.E. Honourable Lejone Mpotjoane
H.E. Honourable Samantha Graham-Maré
Honourable Wenzel Kauaka
H.E. Honourable Professor Gustavo Dgedge
Alistair Ruiters
Thabo Kekana
Elizabeth Marabwa
Ephraim Munshifwa
Lungelo Nkwanyane
Dan Marokane
Dharmesh Kalyan
Casbah Zwane
Wayne Malgas
Gregory Fyfe
Esha Mansingh
Tristan de Drouas
Jonathan Hoffman
Mohamed Hosseiny
Ahmed Mulla
Lebo Leshabane
Jan Fourie
Daniel Mminele
Claudio Fassiotti
Bradley Reddy
Simon Baloyi
Alberto Gambacorta
Rentia van Tonder
Cosmas Chiteme
Magali Pailhé
Norman Macleod
Networking Coffee
Africa for Africa
South Africa – Grid Resilience and Expansion
NTCSA’s TDP plans to build 14,500 km of new transmission infrastructure in the next 10 years.
- What opportunities do these projects present to the private sector and to regional private T&D capacity and expertise?
- How are regulatory reforms and financial instruments (e.g. CGV) enabling this trailblazing project?
- How long will it take for Phase 1 projects to deliver, and when/where will we see local participation?
Moderator
Avra Moodley
Speakers
Silas Zimu
Lungelo Nkwanyane
Monde Bala
Mpho Mokwele
Peter Venn
Dershin Govender
Asanda Tshambula
Transmission and Baseload
Solar – Africa’s Shining Star
Solar projects on the continent have reached a critical turning point, offering cost-effective and reliable solutions for both utility-scale and C&I markets.
- Are the falling costs of solar fuelling more projects?
- With progress made in combining BESS with solar, will we create a 24/7 energy source?
- What opportunities does C&I solar offer and how bankable are they?
Moderator
Zandi Nkone
Speakers
Rivoningo Mnisi
William Amuna
Anas Charafi
Assanatou Cissé
Nandu Bhula
Decentralised Energy and Access
Prospects for Data Centres in Africa’s Energy Ecosystem
How data centres are changing Africa’s energy investment landscape.
- Is this growing demand attracting new investments into the sector?
- Will data centres put too much pressure on the continent’s grids so they will have to stay off-grid?
- What opportunities are emerging for solution providers?
- How can we avoid diverting focus and resources away from other electrification efforts?
Moderator
Heath Andersen
Speakers
Honourable Wenzel Kauaka
Agnes Mlambo
Casbah Zwane
Edwin Thompson
Bryce Allan
Norbert Rumble
Thulani Ncube
Critical Minerals as a Catalyst for Industrialisation
Building Large-Scale Pit-to-Port Infrastructure
Unlocking Africa’s mineral wealth requires significant investment in large-scale infrastructure to move resources efficiently, connect markets, generate power and attract investments.
- Simandou to Liberty: what are the replicable models?
- What do timelines look like? What is required to meet them in this global race?
- Can infrastructure corridors deliver shared power, water, and logistics infrastructure beyond mining projects?
- What are the next major projects? How do we revive the ones stuck on the drawing board?
Moderator
Nancy Rivera
Speakers
H.E. Honourable Charles Umehai
Veronika Milewski
William Sears
Andrea Clerici
Deerosh Maharaj
Hosted Boardroom
Financing Africa’s Gas Infrastructure Deficit
- Identifying key infrastructure investments required to unlock stranded gas and enable reliable power supply.
- Structuring bankable gas-to-power projects through blended finance, DFIs, and private capital.
- Exploring practical tools to mitigate risk to unlock long-term capital deployment.
- Aligning public–private collaboration to accelerate scalable, sustainable delivery.
Moderator
Erik Granskog
Speakers
H.E. Honourable Biodun Ogunleye
Benjamin Mugisha
Gregory Fyfe
Melissa Sikwila
Samir Salè
Nthato Minyuku
Hosted Boardroom
Clean Cooking: Driving Awareness and Implementation at ScaleBuilding on South Africa’s historic 2025 G20 Clean Cooking Outcome, this roundtable brings together experts to discuss the associated health and environmental benefits, while identifying actionable strategies for implementing clean cooking at scale.
Moderator
Thebe Mamakoko
Speakers
H.E. Honourable Samantha Graham-Maré
Sibusiso Nxumalo
Rita Madeira
Lewnis Boudaoui
Heather Adair-Rohani
Networking Lunch
Africa for Africa
Innovation South Africa
A series of presentations highlighting different innovative technologies which will help to build South Africa’s
industrialised future, or are South African owned and grown technologies.
Scene Setting Remarks:
Loyiso Tyira, Board Chair, Technology Innovation Agency (TIA), South Africa
Closing Remarks:
Rivoningo Mnisi, Group Executive, Eskom Green, South Africa
Moderator
Titus Mathe
Speakers
Claudio Fassiotti
Judith Setlhabi
Chenéz Henderson
Will Gruver
Transmission and Baseload
BESS: Enhancing Grid Stability and Decreasing Costs
With costs significantly reducing, how are solar, wind, gas and even hydro projects adopting BESS to increase bankability and reliability?
- Does inclusion of BESS impact investor appetite in RE projects?
- Where will we be seeing increased stability due to the use of BESS in 2026/7?
- Hybrid energy systems and balancing different energy solutions onto the grid – the new norm?
- What is the future for battery storage in Africa?
Moderator
Rotimi Odubogun
Speakers
H.E. Honourable Cheikh Niane
Precious Edward
Stephen Ye
Jan Fourie
Pierre-André Nutte
Decentralised Energy and Access
How M300 Compacts Are Channelling FDI into Energy Access and Clean Cooking
We consider how stakeholders can utilise countries’ compacts to accelerate energy access projects.
- Do the compacts provide an investment framework for DFIs and other investors to get behind (e.g. T&D)?
- How are compacts increasing private sector mobilisation to accelerate the rate of energy access projects?
- How will delivering the compacts mobilise more investment into clean cooking?
Moderator
Holger Rothenbusch
Speakers
H.E. Honourable Dr. Kgosientsho Ramokgopa
H.E. Honourable Radonirina Lucas Rabearimanga
Abba Aliyu
Sarah McNeilly
Daniel Schroth
Amana Bawa
Critical Minerals as a Catalyst for Industrialisation
Financing Infrastructure Projects Behind Critical Minerals
inancing large-scale infrastructure for critical minerals requires projects to move quickly from concept to bankability, while managing risk across complex delivery timelines.
- What’s the new blueprint for funding $10bn corridors?
- How can projects reach financial close within timelines that preserve bankability?
- Where do deals typically break down, and how do we fix it?
- How do we mitigate sovereign risk for private investors?
- DFIs, blended finance, Political Risk Insurance: are they the solution?
Moderator
Harry Doyne-Ditmas
Speakers
H.E. Honourable Marc Mandaba
Alistair Ruiters
W. Gyude Moore
Ziyanda Mpakama
Johan Koorts
Benjamin Mugisha
Hosted Boardroom
Unlocking Africa’s Grid Investment: The Independent Transmission Opportunity
Transmission bottlenecks are constraining generation uptake and cross-border power trade, making innovative private-sector models increasingly essential.
- Global overview of the IPT model e.g. Asia and Latin America.
- Lessons from Kenya’s landmark IPT PPP.
- How can IPT unlock private capital for transmission without increasing sovereign debt?
- Which markets and policy reforms are needed to replicate the model in Africa?
- How can African governments, DFIs and investors collaborate to scale transmission investment?
Scene setting presentation:
Moshood Abolade, Investment Director, Africa50 Group
Moderator
Nana Boakye-Yiadom
Speakers
Kefa Seda
Ziria Tibalwa Waako
Nabil Saïmi
Robert Voskuilen
Hosted Boardroom
SAREM Now: Procurement Reform, Trade Policy Review and New Approaches to Bid Windows
This roundtable session will look at how reforms in public procurement legislation, trade policy, and bid window design are reshaping the enabling environment for SAREM.
Scene Setting Presentation:
Noma Qase, Programme Director, Sarem, Department of Electricity & Energy, South Africa
Moderator
Irshaad Kathrada
Speakers
Niveshen Govender
Rethabile Melamu
Titania Stefanus-Zincke
Kugan Thaver
Networking Coffee
Africa for Africa
SWFs and Pension Funds Potential to Close Africa’s Energy Gap
The value of the current strategic shift by local capital towards RE, early-stage capital and infrastructure debt funds.
- With partnerships like Ithmar Capital and NSIA creating new investment platforms, can sufficient capital be mobilised to address Africa’s infrastructure and energy deficits?
- How are tools like local currency financing and CGVs making projects more attractive to traditionally conservative pension funds?
- What role can SWFs and Pension Funds play in reducing reliance on external financing while boosting global investor sentiment?
Moderator
Lisa Pinsley
Speakers
Zama Khanyile
Phathutshedzo Mabogo
Pranav Khamar
Amos Gachuiri
Martin Nagell
Transmission and Baseload
How Wind Energy is Powering the Energy Transition
Wind offers a huge opportunity for Africa to achieve energy access targets.
- Why has installed capacity grown significantly on the continent?
- How should the continent exploit Africa’s vast untapped wind resources?
- How will T&D investment and BESS affordability impact wind power projects?
- Is offshore now a viable option to power Africa’s increasing need for export port facilities?
Moderator
Alice Wathika
Speakers
Prathaban Moodley
Khanyiso Zihlangu
James Cumming
Ashish Ranjan
Antoine Monterrat
Emeka Okpukpara
Decentralised Energy and Access
The Captive and Embedded Power Trilemma: Reliability, Cost, and Bankability
Massive offtakers (mining operations, desalination projects, data centres) require 24/7 “five-nines” reliability.
- With renewable captive solutions (solar, wind and hydro) becoming cheaper, when are offtakers still relying on gas or diesel for baseload stability?
- How deregulated markets have resulted in increased investment.
- Where are the opportunities for developers and what makes projects bankable?
- Laying foundations for future offtakers, including the growing
role of de-salination plants across the continent.
Moderator
Ritesh Kumar Singh
Speakers
H.E. Honourable Biodun Ogunleye
Adwoa Serwaa Bondzie
Habeeb Alebiosu
Pauline Tilemann
Vincenzia Leitich
Critical Minerals as a Catalyst for Industrialisation
Powering Africa’s Mineral Gateways: Rail, Ports, and Digital Corridors
This session examines the integrated solutions required to transform Africa’s ports and rail from mineral corridors into resilient trade gateways.
- How can public–private partnerships accelerate rail and logistics modernisation while creating bankable investments?
- How do we develop corridors that attract capital and strengthen regional supply chains?
- Can AI and smart systems optimize rail, port, and logistics coordination across the supply chain?
- How can a corridor’s energy system also power surrounding communities and industry?
Scene Setting Remarks:
Ambassador John Giordano, U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Namibia
Moderator
Deji Adegoke
Speakers
H.E. Honourable Cheikh Niane
Honourable Charles Umehai
Mohammed Mahomedy
Phindile Masangane
Richard Charlton
Hosted Boardroom
Making Projects Bankable and Unlocking Transmission at Scale – A Risk Advisors View…
- Context on energy infrastructure and the need for transmission
- What are the risk and insurance considerations for large scale Transmission?
- What is transferable into the insurance market and what is not; and why not?
- What products and solutions are being created to keep pace with the requirements of developers and lenders?
Moderator
Mortimer McKechnie
Speakers
Amol Pinge
Jared Nivison
Johnathan Cloete
Suzan Pardesi
Closed Door Utilities Roundtable (By invitation only)
Reforming Utilities Holistically for Industrial Growth – What’s Needed to Succeed?
This is an invitation-only roundtable for the listed Heads of Utilities only. This is designed to foster a deeper dialogue among sector leaders.
French – English Translation
Moderator
Adwoa Banful
Speakers
Bienvenu Mony-Beya
Mphumuzi Maziya
Getu Geremew
Kwadwo Brentuo Owusu
Samuel Nimako Boateng
William Amuna
Joy Masinde
Honourable Mohammed Sherif
William Liabunya
Julien Sagna
Tarik Hamane
Samuel Edoho
Armand Zingiro
Nontokozo Hadebe
Loyiso Tyabashe
Monde Bala
Wesley Lwiindi
Stephen Dihwa
NB: Topics, times and speakers may be subject to change as the agenda develops.
Registration & Networking
M300 Progress and Cohort Three Country Compact
Hosted by
M300 Day Opening Remarks
Speakers
H.E. Honourable Dr. Kgosientsho Ramokgopa
Simon Stolp
Erik Fernstrom
Wale Shonibare
Plenary Session – M300 Stocktake
Speakers
Damilola Ogunbiyi
Erik Fernstrom
Daniel Schroth
M300 Energy Compact Deep Dive
10:00-10:50
M300 Energy Compact Deep Dive – Gabon
Participants:
H.E. Honourable Philippe Tonangoye, Minister of Universal Access to Water & Energy, Gabon
Daniel Schroth, Director of Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency, AfDB
William Madara, Director of Government Enablement, The Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet
Andrew Herscowitz, CEO, Mission 300 Accelerator, RF Catalytic Capital
10:50-11:20 Networking Coffee
11:20-12:10
M300 Energy Compact Deep Dive – Central African Republic
Participants:
H.E. Honourable Opportune Edwige Pouninguinza, Minister of Energy Development & Hydraulic Resources, Central African Republic
H.E. Honourable Marc Mandaba, Minister of Economy, Planning & International Cooperation, Central African Republic
William Madara, Director of Government Enablement, The Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet
Sinenhlanhla Movundlela, Energy Officer, Sustainable Energy for All (SEforAll)
Jie Tang, Practice Manager, Energy & Extractives, West & Central Africa, World Bank
12:10-13:20 Networking Lunch
13:20-14:10
M300 Energy Compact Deep Dive – Djibouti
Participants:
H.E. Honourable Ilyas Moussa Dawaleh, Minister of Economy & Finance, Djibouti*
Mohamed Kileh Wais, Secretary General at the Ministry of Energy in charge of Natural Resources, Djibouti
Daniel Schroth, Director of Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency, AfDB
William Madara, Director of Government Enablement, The Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet
Andrew Herscowitz, CEO, Mission 300 Accelerator, RF Catalytic Capital
14:10-15:00
M300 Energy Compact Deep Dive – Rwanda
Participants:
Alemayehu Wubeshet-Zegeye, Manager, Eastern Africa Energy Operations, AfDB
Emmanuel Awa-Kalu, Finance Specialist, Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL)
Simon Stolp, Practice Manager, Energy & Extractives, Southern & Eastern Africa, World Bank
15:00-15:30 Networking Coffee
15:30-16:20
M300 Energy Compact Deep Dive – Uganda
Participants:
H.E. Honourable Dr. Monica Musenero Masanza, Minister of Energy & Mineral Development, Uganda*
Amana Bawa, Director for Partnerships & Private Sector Engagement, Mission 300 Accelerator, RF Catalytic Capital
Akil Callender, Energy Officer, Sustainable Energy for All (SEforAll)
Simon Stolp, Practice Manager, Energy & Extractives, Southern & Eastern Africa, World Bank
16:20-17:10
M300 Energy Compact Deep Dive – Burkina Faso
Participants:
Alidou Koutou, Director General of Energy, Ministry of Energy, Mines & Quarries, Burkina Faso
Daniel Schroth, Director of Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency, AfDB
Amana Bawa, Director for Partnerships & Private Sector Engagement, Mission 300 Accelerator, RF Catalytic Capital
Frederic Verdol, Practice Manager, Energy & Extractives, West & Central Africa, World Bank
Large Scale Economies
Southern Africa – Fireside Chats on the Latest Trends in the Region
A series of intimate discussions between an interviewer and a special guest to provide you with unique insights on topics of the day.
French – English Translation
09:00-09:20
Fireside Chat 1
Special guest:
Ephraim Munshifwa, PS, Energy, Ministry of Energy, Zambia
Interviewer:
Edouard Wenseleers, MD, Business Development, Head of East Africa, Globeleq
09:25-09:45
Fireside Chat 2
Special Guest:
H.E. Honourable Philippe Tonangoye, Minister of Universal Access to Water & Energy, Gabon
Interviewer:
Zandile Hlatywayo, Director of Strategy & Innovation, Allied Talent Partners
09:50-10:10
Fireside Chat 3
Special Guest:
H.E. Honourable Samantha Graham-Marè, Deputy Minister of Electricity & Energy, South Africa
Interviewer:
Rentia van Tonder, Head of Power, Corporate & Investment Banking, Standard Bank
Energy Financing and Trading
Offtake Structures in a Liberalising Market
How are PPAs impacted by an increasingly diverse energy buyers’ landscape?
- How are investors moving from single-buyer utility models to multi-buyer private and merchant models?
- Can these changes halt the current “race for them bottom” on tariffs?
- How could reforms like SAWEM in South Africa transform future PPAs and will they impact those already in place?
Scene Setting Remarks:
Vasanie Pather, Senior Manager Project Delivery, Energy Council of South Africa
Moderator
Iain Macaulay
Speakers
Man’arai Ndovorwi
Davide Pasi
Bernard Geldenhuys
Vishwas Gupta
Critical Minerals as a Catalyst for Industrialisation
Mining as a Catalyst for Energy Security
To turn mineral wealth into national power, Africa must leverage industrial demand to build the transmission backbone that will secure its energy future.
- How does mining demand drive investments to building regional interconnectors? Lessons from Angola-DRC-Zambia & the Vunumoya MTS in South Africa
- Rising to the challenge of meeting C&I energy needs in rural locations: How do we turn remote mega-projects into national grid assets?
- How can energy expansion strengthen energy security without increasing pressure on already scarce water resources?
Scene Setting Remarks:
Mike Teke, Group CEO, Seriti Resources
Moderator
Rushaiya Ibrahim-Tanko
Speakers
Nontokozo Hadebe
Alison Chikova
Mike Teke
Owen Silavwe
Hosted Boardroom
Beyond Generation: Technology as the Next Investment Opportunity in Southern Africa’s New Energy System
- As renewable costs fall and generation scales, where does the next wave of value creation sit – and why does evidence point to the systems and intelligence layer rather than generation assets alone?
- What grid investment, trading technology, and market design are required to make a
liberalising Southern African energy market work at its full potential – and who are the right partners to deliver it? - How do we make the software, flexibility, electrified products and grid-adjacent assets underpinning a smart energy system as attractive to investors as generation – and what does a compelling investment case look like?
Fireside Chat:
Zoisa North-Bond, CEO, Octopus Energy Generation
Interviewer:
Nwabisa Mayema, Strategic Partnerships Director, Branson Centre for Entrepreneurship
Moderator
Tracey Austin
Speakers
Stephen Dihwa
Enos Banda
Melissa Sikwila
Jono West
Ashleigh Gray
Ije Ikoku Okeke
Networking Coffee
Large Scale Economies
West Africa – Fireside Chats on the Latest Trends in the Region
A series of intimate discussions between an interviewer and a special guest to provide you with unique insights on topics of the day.
French – English Translation
10:45-11:05
Fireside Chat 1
Special guest:
H.E. Honourable Mamadú Mudjetaba Djaló, Minister of Economy, Planning, and Regional Integration, Guinea-Bissau
Interviewer:
Martin Buchsenschutz, Managing Partner, Nodalis
11:10-11:30
Fireside Chat 2
Special Guest:
H.E. Honourable John Abdulai Jinapor, Minister of Energy & Green Transition, Ghana
Interviewer:
Damilola Hamid Balogun, Co-founder & CEO, Youth Sustainable Development Network and Clean Energy Adoption Lead, Powering Lagos SMEs
11:35-11:55
Fireside Chat 3
Special Guest:
H.E. Honourable Dr El Hadji Abdourahmane Diouf, Minister of Energy & Petroleum, Senegal
Interviewer:
Kitanha Toure, Regional Director, West Africa, Swedfund
Energy Financing and Trading
Africa’s Power Pools’ Growing Influence on Regional Integration and Energy Security
Power pools are facilitating regional energy trading, transmission development and unlocking new RE generation.
- How are power pools facilitating increased volumes of energy being traded across their networks?
- How are power pools supporting multiple offtake structures to make projects more bankable?
- What is the latest in interconnecting the power pools and how will tools like RTIFF derisk projects and encourage regional power trade and broader liberalisation?
Moderator
Nancy Rivera
Speakers
Stephen Dihwa
Askwar Hilonga
Kocou Tossou
Monie Captan
Farai Kanonda
Theuns Ehlers
Hosted by
Critical Minerals as a Catalyst for Industrialisation
Critical Minerals to Accelerate Renewable Energy Projects
Mining-driven power demand can accelerate investment in renewable energy projects, lowering operational costs while supporting broader industrial development.
- How is mining and industrial demand fast-tracking solar, wind and BESS development?
- How are renewables lowering operational costs while supporting the energy transition
and strenghthening water security? - Lessons from Zambia’s 430 MW Solar-Wind Hybrid Project & DRC Nzilo II project: how mining demand enables massive renewables build-out
Moderator
Dhireshni Chowthee
Speakers
Ephraim Munshifwa
Sampson Mamphweli
Hussein Matar
Alasdair Martin
Amit Goel
Bradley Reddy
Hosted Boardroom
Bridge Power Nuclear — Gas-to-SMR for Fast-Track Affordable African Baseload
USP&E’s Bridge Power Nuclear platform sets out a pathway from today’s gas-fired baseload to zero-carbon SMR-powered baseload for African utilities, mines and industrials:
- Why a gas-to-SMR “bridge” can deliver affordable baseload within 5–7 years
- How the same site, grid, and O&M team can transition from gas to nuclear, protecting CapEx and accelerating financial close
- Key financing and regulatory enablers, including DFI support and offtake structures
- USP&E engagements across Mali, Togo, Liberia, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, and
the USA, and how partners can co-develop first-mover projects
Moderator
Herman Schoeman
Speakers
Naphtali Mokale
Will Gruver
Marius von Wielligh
Leon Malan
Lex Gruver
Networking Lunch
Large Scale Economies
East Africa – Fireside Chats on the Latest Trends in the Region
A series of intimate discussions between an interviewer and a special guest to provide you with unique insights on topics of the day.
French – English Translation
13:30-13:50
Fireside Chat 1
Special Guest:
Christine Nganga, Director, Public Private Partnership Directorate, The National Treasury & Economic Planning, Kenya
Interviewer:
Obbie Banda, Senior Underwriter & RLSF Coordinator, ATIDI
13:55-14:15
Fireside Chat 2
Special Guest:
H.E. Honourable Dr. Monica Musenero Masanza, Minister of Energy & Mineral Development, Uganda
Interviewer:
Lucy Chege, Associate Executive, Project & Infrastructure Finance Department, TDB
14:20-14:40
Fireside Chat 3
Special Guest:
Chris Flavin, CEO, Gridworks
Interviewer:
Christel Bourbon-Séclet, Head of Energy & Infrastructure, Proparco
Energy Financing and Trading
Scaling Power Markets Through Secondary Asset Markets
This growing market in South Africa is attracting long-term institutional capital and allowing capital to be recycled into new projects.
- How the secondary asset sales market completes the energy ecosystem and offers a structured exit to free up capital for the next wave of projects.
- Why is secondary asset investment attractive to PE firms, pension funds and other long-term institutional investors?
- How can secondary transactions help scale African power markets by recycling capital and broadening the investor base?
- What capacity is there for an African market outside of South Africa and what lessons can be learnt from Europe and India?
Moderator
Dave Portmann
Speakers
Fabian Cazares
Ziyaad Sarang
Hendrik Snyman
Arai Monteforte
Andy Louw
Critical Minerals as a Catalyst for Industrialisation
Powering Downstream Mining Capacity in Africa
To compete in the global critical minerals race and promote industrialisation, Africa must power its downstream mining capacity.
- How can mining/industrial hubs and reliable energy infrastructure make the mining sector more competitive while supporting regional development?
- How can local processing deliver greater value addition and long-term benefits for local communities?
- The Circular Economy – how can managing energy and water facilities increase efficiency and lower associated refining costs
Moderator
Shirley Webber
Speakers
H.E. Honourable Julius Daniel Mattai
Philippe Ossoucah
Ngalula Sandrine Mubenga
Thabiso Sekano
Zyed Akram Zitouni
Cosmas Chiteme
Hosted Boardroom
Unlocking Investment in Clean Captive Energy for C&I Sectors in Sub-Saharan
Africa
- Understand how CICSA’s Call for Proposals will crowd in investment to scale C&I clean energy
- Discuss what policy frameworks will unlock and sustain investment in captive energy solutions
- Experience firsthand outcomes and lessons from CICSA Phase I pilots
- Engage directly with the teams behind the Initiative and connect with other
innovators and entrepreneurs driving the future of sustainable energy systems in Africa
Scene Setting Remarks:
H.E. Honourable John Abdulai Jinapor, Minister of Energy & Green Transition, Ghana
Tanja Werheit, Consul General of the Federal Republic of Germany in Cape Town, South Africa
Hosted by:
UNEP
Moderator
Rhoda Wachira
Speakers
Noma Qase
Sara Elhag
Siyabonga Zondi
James Dry
Yamini Jain
Lulu Molemong
Carolina Merighi
Networking Coffee
Large Scale Economies
MENA – Fireside Chats on the Latest Trends in the Region
A series of intimate discussions between an interviewer and a special guest to provide you with unique insights on topics of the day.
French – English Translation
15:15-15:35
Fireside Chat 1
Special Guest:
Mohamed Ismail Mansour, Co-Founder & Chairman, Infinity Power
Interviewer:
Ahmed Mulla, Deputy CEO, Infinity Power
15:40-16:00
Fireside Chat 2
Special Guest:
Tarik Hamane, CEO, Office National de l’Electricité et de l’Eau Potable (ONEE), Morocco
Interviewer:
Ahmed Mulla, Deputy CEO, Infinity Power
Critical Minerals as a Catalyst for Industrialisation
Closed Door High Level Roundtable on Critical Minerals
This is an invitation-only roundtable that will convene senior African public sector officials and high-level representatives from mining companies.
French – English Translation
Moderator
Mzila Mthenjane
Speakers
H.E. Honourable Julius Daniel Mattai
H.E. Honourable Lejone Mpotjoane
Honourable Charles Umehai
Tunde Arisekola
Alistair Ruiters
Gracelin Baskaran
Indigo Ellis
Leon Groenewald
Bradley Reddy
Mandisa Mabaso
Veli Sibiya
Mike Teke
Muzi Dlamini
Cosmas Chiteme
Hosted Boardroom
Powering Regional Integration: Energy Security, Network Infrastructure and Trade Integration Across Africa
- We explore how integrated regional infrastructure can strengthen energy security, unlock trade, and accelerate Africa’s industrialisation agenda:
How power pools and interconnectors can reduce fragmentation and improve energy security - The role of energy mix diversification to support industrial growth
- How integrated energy, transport, and logistics corridors can unlock regional trade
- The impact of critical minerals value chains on cross-border infrastructure demand
- Effective models for delivering bankable regional infrastructure at scale
- How DFIs and private investors can mobilise long-term capital for integration
Moderator
Mahlatsi Molokomme
Speakers
Aderinsola Fajuyitan
George Kotsovos
Siyanda Mflathelwa
Derek Chime
Closed Door Regulators Roundtable (By invitation only)
Reforming Energy Regulatory Structures for Industrial Growth – What’s Needed to Succeed?
This is an invitation-only roundtable for the listed Heads of Regulators only. This is designed to foster a deeper dialogue among sector leaders.
French – English Translation
Moderator
Rushaiya Ibrahim-Tanko
Speakers
Jean Baptiste Ky
Skhumbuzo Tsabedze
Adwoa Serwaa Bondzie
Godwin Kudzo Tameklo
Dad Chinthambi
Stuart Ligomeka
Robert Kahimise
H.E. Honourable Abdullahi Ahmed Dayib
Nomfundo Maseti
Willibrod Majola
Ziria Tibalwa Waako
Man’arai Ndovorwi
Askwar Hilonga
Kocou Tossou
Debbie Roets
NB: Topics, times and speakers may be subject to change as the agenda develops.
YES! Registration & Networking
aef Registration & Networking
YES! Opening Ceremony
EnergyNet YES! Welcome Remarks
Walk With Me Programme: Why YES!?
Hear success stories from YES! Alumni and be blown away!
Moderator
Thuso Xola Kuali
Speakers
Amukelani Nkhi
Mercy Kyalo
Vincent Mosebe
Emmanuel Terwase
Host Country Keynote Address
Speakers
H.E. Honourable Dr. Kgosientsho Ramokgopa
Scaling Youth Entrepreneurship Opportunities
Moderator
Fumani Mthembi
Speakers
Sara Elhag
Dr. Candice Hartley
Mpho Mokwele
Amana Bawa
Wale Aboyade
Chabisi Motloung
YES! Networking Coffee
Hosted Boardroom
Powering Regional Integration in Southern Africa: Long Term Planning, Market Evolution and Investment Pathways in the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP)
The panel highlights the importance of regional power system planning and market development in Southern Africa, including the ongoing update of the SAPP Generation and Transmission Master Plan.
- It will explore how evolving market structures, new market products, and deeper regional electricity trade can strengthen market participation and renewable energy integration
- The discussion will also examine the role of DFIs, private sector actors, and technical assistance programmes in enabling investment and supporting regional market development
Moderator
Christine Juta
Speakers
Alison Chikova
Jean Madzongwe
Lion Mashiri
Sara Elhag
Transmission and Baseload
How Has Recent Geopolitics Impacted International Attitudes to Gas?
We consider how current conflicts and the shift in foreign policy objectives have influenced Africa’s gas project options.
- How to build confidence in the gas sector given movements over the last ten years
- Will the resurgence of gas projects impact investments in clean energy solutions such as solar, wind and hydro?
- Gas can supercharge industrialisation and energy access – can this potential ever be realised?
Moderator
Caroline Still
Speakers
Sulemana Abubakari
Nomfundo Maseti
Melissa Sikwila
Serdar Kumbasar
Marcus Nelle
Energy Financing and Trading
Energy Trading – Transforming Africa’s Energy Market
Energy traders are plugging a gap for creditworthy offtakers, transforming how power is financed, distributed and consumed.
- Energy traders as service and risk partners for C&I.
- Are mining companies the ‘golden ticket’ for energy traders or do they need to take a wider view?
- What are the ‘rules of the road’ emerging from trader-backed projects?
- How the rise of energy traders presents a double-edged sword for public utilities
Moderator
Lesedi Modise
Speakers
Wilson Masango
Martin Kasemuka
Evan Rice
Marc-Henri Veyrassat
Hosted by
Networking Coffee
What It Takes to Get a Winning Business Off the Ground
Interactive Workshop
Speakers
Thapelo Motlogeloa
Hosted by
Pathways to Success: What Skills and Knowledge do I Need to Seize Jobs and Entrepreneurship Opportunities?
Interactive Workshop
Speakers
Sherrie Donaldson
Nothemba Xawuka
Micarlo Malan
Hosted by
Decentralised Energy: Building Your Business Leadership and Powering Community Transformation
Interactive Workshop
Speakers
Wale Aboyade
Radhika Thakkar
Nelson Karanja
Ask the Deputy Minister of Energy & Electricity Q&A
Speakers
H.E. Honourable Samantha Graham-Maré
Driving Inclusive Growth: Youth Pathways in South Africa’s Energy Sector
Interactive Workshop
Speakers
Precious Edward
Niveshen Govender
Azola Mzekandaba
Fumani Mthembi
Sanele Mahlanzi
Hosted by
Technology
Realising AI to Achieve Revenue, Grid Resilience and Energy Access
We deep dive into how AI is being used to leapfrog traditional energy hurdles.
- Are smart meter analytics resulting in accurate tracking to improve revenue protection for cash-strapped utilities?
- How successful has AI technology been for predictive maintenance and preventing outages?
- How is M300 leveraging AI to manage ‘digital loads’ and make mini-grids more profitable?
Moderator
Okechukwu Okoro
Speakers
Samuel Edoho
Al’Louise Van Deventer
Haytham Abdo
Amana Bawa
Michelle Govender
Transmission and Baseload
Harnessing Hydropower to Meet Energy Demand
The continent possesses immense hydropower potential – we look at recent progress achieved.
- Is the opportunity for hydro in Africa in today’s current energy mix raising or waning?
- How are the large-scale hydro projects coming online successfully evacuating the power?
- How has the strategy shifted from building massive dams to creating resilient, hybrid systems that can withstand climate change?
- How can technology be applied to improve water management and efficiency?
Moderator
Daniel Croft
Speakers
Bob Mabiala
Julien Sagna
Carlos Yum
Nobert Matarutse
Lebo Leshabane
Brian Kelly
Memory Mashingaidze
Energy Financing and Trading
Examining the ‘Risk Gap’
Initiatives like M300 are attempting to ‘flip the script’ on investment into the continent.
- Perceived Risk vs. Actual Investment Performance.
- Can compacts provide much needed predictability for investors?
- How impactful are blended finance and guarantees in derisking investments?
- How successfully can local currency financing and permanent capital investment vehicles, like Zafiri, attract investment?
Moderator
Laura Spector
Speakers
Kuukua Maurice Ankrah
Joy Masinde
Benjamin Hugues
Don Purka
Demba Tandia
aef 2026 Farewell Lunch
YES! Networking Lunch
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