Powering Africa Summit Agenda 2026

NB: Topics, times and speakers may be subject to change as the agenda develops.

With US foreign policy transforming under the current administration, we look at how US stakeholders have adopted a more profit-driven approach through ‘investment-led commercial diplomacy’, targeting reciprocal global investments and partnerships since PAS 2025.

• What has been achieved to date, what have been the priorities and successes since PAS 2025?
• What are the strategic objectives over the next four years for the US administration in Africa?
• What is the current US administration’s position on advancing electricity in Africa?
• How reciprocal agreements can advance critical minerals development and increase trade between the US and Africa. With Africa’s critical minerals sitting at the centre of a global gold rush, why is the US is offering a more compelling investment case?

The African energy sector is working to create favourable commercial environments to better engage US investors. Here we learn from African stakeholders where and how you can participate in these bankable opportunities.

• How Africa’s abundant resources offer profitable investment opportunities for US companies who are not yet working in Africa.
• Is the Lobito Corridor project creating opportunities for new US investment into Africa?
• How technology will increase the bankability for investors looking at Africa’s energy sector.
• How countries are implementing better governance frameworks to support ROI for international investors.
• How blended and innovative financing mechanisms increase the efficiency and reduce the perceived risk of investing in Africa’s energy sector.

Large infrastructure projects like the Lobito Corridor remain high on the US administration’s priority list. What environment is required to increase the number of large-scale infrastructure projects over the next five years?

• With returns from the continent far exceeding elsewhere in the world, why are big investment houses starting to look more at Latin America and Asia for deploying capital?
• Large-scale infrastructure is necessary to meet the global demands for critical minerals. What is required to fast track projects?
• What opportunities does the Lobito project offer in Angola, Zambia, and the DRC in the core sectors of transportation, energy, and digital infrastructure?
• What other large-scale projects are making progress, including SMRs/nuclear, mining and transport infrastructure?

Invitation Only

With programmes like M300 increasing connections in the millions, how are communities increasing economic output to avoid the build up of unsustainable debt.

Scene Setter

• Where are we with universal energy access and clean cooking targets?

Discussion Topics

• What opportunities is this creating for technology companies looking to tap into Africa’s huge population?
• How can supporting clean cooking initiatives help to foster greater economic independence, empowerment and improved health?
• Can data centres, AI and bitcoin mining increase the bankability of projects, supporting wider energy access for communities?
• What will be the impact of 300 million new connections on Africa’s agricultural sector?
• Job creation is an important factor in building Africa’s resilience and a more stable investment environment.

Invitation Only