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Energy Project Developers, Infrastructure Leaders Strengthen Speaker Lineup of African Energy Week’s Power Africa Today Platform
Senior figures from across the energy project development and infrastructure value chain are confirmed to speak at the Power Africa Today conference during African Energy Week (AEW) 2026 in Cape Town from October 12-16. Their participation strengthens the event's focus on the procurement frameworks, private investment, technology partnerships and industrial infrastructure that determine whether African energy projects move to production.
South Africa's Independent Power Producer Office (IPPO) has overseen the procurement of more than 7,300 MW of installed renewable capacity since 2010, attracting over R256 billion in private investment through the REIPPPP. Precious Edward, appointed Executive Head in September 2025 after leading ENGIE's Kathu concentrated solar power facility, joins Power Africa Today as the office expands its mandate into storage, transmission and new procurement models designed to strengthen security of supply.
Joining Edward on the lineup is Kola Adesina, Executive Director of Sahara Group and Group Managing Director of Sahara Power Group, which has invested more than $1 billion in Nigeria's electricity sector. The group's portfolio includes Egbin Power, the largest thermal plant in sub-Saharan Africa at 1,320 MW of installed capacity, and Ikeja Electric, the continent's largest privately owned power distribution business. Adesina has recently advocated for the adoption of digital grid technology as the fastest route to reliable power supply across Nigeria.
Bringing its technology expertise to the discussion is Neuman & Esser (NEA), the German compressor and plant engineering group, represented at Power Africa Today by Managing Director Ilya Asser. The NEA Group supplies reciprocating compressor systems for gas processing, refining, petrochemicals and hydrogen production, and has been building its African presence with a local content concept that includes training local technicians to service and maintain equipment on the continent. The group has served markets around the world as a turnkey EPCI developer, including a significant role in designing oil, gas and hydrogen infrastructure in Libya. Asser has previously described the group's African expansion as aligned with the African Energy Chamber's goal of making energy poverty history by 2030.
Xola Sithole, CEO of the Saldanha Bay Special Economic Zone, brings the industrial infrastructure dimension. Freeport Saldanha, located at the deepest natural port in the southern hemisphere, has positioned itself as a hub for green hydrogen production and energy logistics, offering SEZ incentives and customs-controlled access alongside proximity to strong solar and wind resources in South Africa’s Western Cape. The zone signed a memorandum of understanding with Sasol to develop a green hydrogen hub and has since been engaging international investors on production, ammonia conversion and export infrastructure.
“What these leaders have in common is building the systems and infrastructure that turn African energy ambitions into operating projects,” says NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber. “Whether it is procurement, private power, compression technology or an industrial zone ready for hydrogen, these are the building blocks investors need to see.”
At Power Africa Today, they will join operators, financiers and regulators to discuss how Africa scales its energy project pipeline across renewables, gas-to-power, hydrogen and downstream infrastructure. The conference takes place as part of AEW 2026 in Cape Town from October 12-16.