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Google, KAESO and NTCSA to Drive Critical Infrastructure and Operational Technology Dialogue at AEW 2026
Africa's energy sector is transforming as countries diversify their energy mixes and prioritize regional integration for energy security, increasing demand for digital technologies, infrastructure expansion and skilled local workforces capable of managing increasingly complex energy assets.
African Energy Week (AEW) 2026, taking place in Cape Town from October 12-16, will convene technology and energy service providers and utilities to examine how infrastructure-led and technology-driven solutions can improve the reliability of energy assets for socioeconomic development.
Technology is redefining Africa’s power sector. As real-time management and digital energy networks become the norm, Google is accelerating this transformation by building out the continent's digital infrastructure, AI tools, and tech ecosystem. Having already exceeded its $1 billion investment goal in Africa, Google's cloud and connectivity solutions are actively tackling core grid challenges - from balancing demand against generation to minimizing transmission losses and optimizing renewable assets. During AEW, Alex Okosi, Managing Director for Sub-Saharan Africa, will outline how Google plans to continue driving infrastructure growth and supporting the future of Africa's energy assets.
Meanwhile, KAESO is demonstrating how African service companies can build the local infrastructure, technical capacity, and supply chains needed for increasingly complex oil and gas projects. At AEW 2026, Jorge de Morais, General Manager of KAESO Services, is expected to detail how the company is driving project development, supporting exploration, and boosting local workforce capacity as Angola and Namibia enter a new offshore investment cycle. The company is exploring a fully operational base in Lüderitz to support growing regional demand across Namibia and Mozambique.
To strengthen grid security and expand capacity, National Transmission Company of South Africa (NTCSA) is executing a R440-billion initiative to build 14,500 km of new transmission lines. At AEW, Chief Engineer Popi Mfapa is expected to outline global investor opportunities tied to this massive rollout. Rapidly scaling transmission infrastructure is essential as South Africa works toward a 40% renewable energy mix by 2030 and strengthens its position in regional power trading.
“Africa's next generation of energy infrastructure will require more than investment in physical assets. It will require digital intelligence, operational expertise, resilient transmission networks and a skilled African workforce capable of managing these systems,” stated NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber. “The participation of Google, KAESO and NTCSA at AEW 2026 reflects the convergence of these capabilities and the opportunities emerging as African markets modernize their energy systems.”