News

Taking place under a mandate to make energy poverty history by 2030, the African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energies 2025 Conference and Exhibition will feature a lineup of downstream and power speakers. Participating across the event’s multi-track agenda, speakers will share insight into the projects and investment strategies underway to advance access to electricity, improve energy distribution and connect more people to energy across the continent.

With over 600 million people currently living without access to electricity, Africa requires a coordinated approach by both regional and international stakeholders to address accessibility challenges across the power sector. The African Development Bank, shows that Africa requires approximately $454 billion – or $64 billion in annual investments – between 2024 and 2030 to achieve universal access to electricity. This highlights a strategic opportunity for financiers, project developers and technology providers seeking forays into the continent’s power market. During AEW: Invest in African Energies 2025, power developers and regulators will share insight into ongoing projects, challenges and opportunities. These include:

• Peter Acheampong, Director, Renewable Energy, Bui Power Authority
• Bethel Obioma, Head, Corporate Communications, Sahara Group
• Dan Marokane, Group Chief Executive, Eskom
• Vladimir Aptekarev, Deputy Director General for Floating Power Energy Solutions, Rosatom
• Kirill Komarov – First Deputy Director General, Engineering Division, Rosatom
• Carlos Yum, Managing Director, Mphanda Nkuwa Hydroelectric Project Implementation Office
• James White, CEO, Comet Energy

Meanwhile, with Africa’s energy demand projected to increase between 45-55% by 2040, the downstream energy sector has a unique opportunity to scale-up investments, modernize infrastructure and enhance fuel distribution. Significant investment gaps remain across the continent, highlighting a strategic avenue for capital providers, technology firms and project developers. At present, Africa imports approximately 50% of its refined petroleum products, largely due to lack of sufficient infrastructure in refining. During AEW: Invest in African Energies 2025, speakers from across the downstream sector are expected to spotlight investment opportunities as well as strategies being implemented to enhance fuel distribution in Africa. Speakers include:

• Victor Bester, EVP, Operations & Projects, Sasol
• Andrew Shaw, Chief Strategy & Planning Officer, Transnet Group
• Navid Samandari, Chairman of the Board, BattMan Energy
• Deen Solebo – co-CEO & CFO, Elektron Energy
• Mashale Phumaphi, Managing Director, Shumba Energy

“While there has been rapid development across Africa’s downstream and power sectors, the continent requires significantly more investment if it is to realize its goals of making energy poverty history. These industries offer substantial opportunities for regional and foreign companies, and as African countries rapidly improve their respective business climates, there has never been a more lucrative time to invest in Africa’s energy sector,” states Tomás Gerbasio, VP Commercial and Strategic Engagement, African Energy Chamber.

AEW: Invest in African Energies is the platform of choice for project operators, financiers, technology providers and government, and has emerged as the official place to sign deals in African energy. Visit www.aecweek.com for more information about this exciting event.