“Africa at intersection between affordability, reliability and access to power”
The challenge of improving access to energy will be addressed at the upcoming Enlit
Africa conference and expo when it returns to Cape Town from 16–18 May 2023. On 17
May, Day 2’s keynote session focuses on Africa’s just energy transition and the
importance of ensuring that energy access is a central outcome of that transition.
“We believe that the issue of energy access cannot be ignored,” says the event’s content
director Claire Volkwyn, adding: “with figures predicting that between 700 million and
900 million are currently without energy access in Africa, this is a crisis that must be
addressed.”
In a report released by UNCTAD (United Nations Conference on Trade and Development) on 21 March, some of the real-life impacts of the lack of energy access, such as implications for health, education, poverty reduction and sustainable development, were addressed. The report, “Commodities at a glance: Special issue on access to energy in sub-Saharan Africa ”, warns that without additional efforts, the region’s population without access to clean fuels could increase to over 1.1 billion people in 2030.
“Access to a reliable and quality energy supply is vital to the economic development of any country,” the report says. “It drives industrialization, boosts productivity and economic growth, spurs human development, and is crucial to achieve almost all of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)”.
Africa at energy intersection
“Africa has arrived at an intersection between affordability, reliability and access to
power”, Volkwyn states; “while this position presents incredible opportunities and
inspires innovation, at the same time, it also creates some tension, particularly regarding the SDGs and the energy transition”.
She explains: “Africa’s just energy transition ambitions are being tested in the face of a
global recession, rising poverty, unemployment and falling revenue. In addition to the
staggering sums of investment that have been identified for the technology and headline achievements of the energy transition, Africa is facing the reality that it will likely not meet SDG7, which aims to ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all”.
“But there is also lot to celebrate” Volkwyn says, “and we will share many success
stories and showcase new innovations. This year’s programme features an incredible
line-up of experts from across the African continent who will share their winning
strategies and projects with the 5000+ expected delegates and visitors. Another huge
vote of the confidence in Africa’s energy sector will be the exciting and vibey expo floor
with 250 suppliers of expert technologies and services, including country pavilions from
Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Germany, India, Taiwan and the USA.
Some of Africa’s leading lights in the energy sector who will speak at Enlit Africa in May
include:
– Edson Uamusse, Fundo de Energia (FUNAE), Mozambique
– Geoffrey Muli, Managing Director, Kenya Power, Kenya
– Jennifer Baldwin, Transmission & Distribution Team Lead, USAID, Power Africa,
RSA
– Kellie Murungi, Chief Investment Officer, East African Power, Kenya
– Mandy Rambharos, VP: Global Climate, Corporation, Environmental, Defense
Fund, USA (formerly of Eskom’s Just Energy Transition Office)
– Mercy W. Wairua, Legal Counsel – Energy Project Finance and Infrastructure,
Lion’s Head Global Partners, Kenya
– Patrick Agese, Chief Executive Officer, PAMAfrica, Nigeria
– Sumaya Mahomed, Energy consultant, Uganda
– William Brent, Chief Marketing Officer: Executive to Expand Rural Energy
Services, Husk Power Systems, Kenya
– Ziria Tibalwa Waako, CEO, Electricity Regulatory Authority, Uganda
Programme sections and themes:
A flagship annual industry event since 2000, Enlit Africa offers more than 5000+ attendees, representing the entire power and energy value chain, multiple opportunities to meet, do business and inspire each other, driving energy action into a working plan for the years ahead. From governments, municipalities to large energy users, investors, EPCs, IPPs and start-ups, Enlit Africa is a constantly growing, inclusive, end-to-end power and energy conference and solution focused exhibition, that addresses every aspect of Africa’s energy transition.
The programme will also focus on finance and investment strategies, renewable energy,
storage and alternative solutions as well as generation, transmission and distribution.
The spotlight stage sessions will provide sector innovators from across the continent the opportunity to share their next new ideas or showcase success stories and case studies from across the continent.
The co-located events (invitation only) are the Municipal Forum, CEO Forum and Women in Energy.
Industry support
As a longstanding must-attend date on the annual energy industry calendar, Enlit Africa is once again sponsored by leading technology and services providers, including ACTOM, G3- PLC Alliance, Conlog, Elsewedy Electric, Prime Alliance and South Pole.
The City of Cape Town is the host city, the South African Department of Mineral Resources and Energy is the host ministry, while Eskom is the host utility with Frost and Sullivan as a knowledge partner.
ESI Africa , the continent’s leading news provider for power and energy news, is the
official host publication.
About Enlit Africa
Enlit Africa (formerly African Utility Week and POWERGEN Africa) is Africa’s leading
exhibition and conference, gathering the power and energy industry’s most influential
professionals and decision makers from across the continent for three days of relevant,
accredited technical and strategic conference seminars, valuable networking
opportunities and access to world-class products and solutions.
Enlit Africa is organised by VUKA Group , which has more than 20 years’ experience in
serving the business community across Africa. Formerly known as Clarion Events Africa,
a leading Cape Town-based and multi-award-winning organiser of exhibitions,
conferences and digital events in the infrastructure, energy, mining, mobility,
ecommerce and CX sectors, VUKA is an independent B-BBEE compliant company,
adapted to the unique conditions of Africa. Recently, VUKA successfully launched the
exciting Africa’s Green Economy Summit as part of the E-Fest in Cape Town that
culminated in the historic Formula E race, a first for the continent. Other well-known
events by VUKA Group include DRC Mining Week , Nigeria Mining Week , DRC-Africa
Battery Metals Forum , Smarter Mobility Africa , ECOM and CEM Africa .
Enlit Africa dates and venues:
Live in-person conference and exhibition: 16–18 May 2023
Venue: CTICC, Cape Town, South Africa
Website: https://enlit-africa.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EnlitAfrica
Twitter: https://twitter.com/EnlitAfrica
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/enlit-africa/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/enlit_africa/
Contact details for Enlit Africa:
– Tailor-made partnerships: Errol Bryce
Cell: +27 83 613 4578
Email: errol.bryce@wearevuka.com
– Media: Annemarie Roodbol
Cell: +27 82 562 7844
Email: annemarie.roodbol@wearevuka.com
