The much-anticipated Africa Energy Indaba Conference held in collaboration with strategic partners, the World Energy Council, NEPAD Agency and SANEA was yet again, a raging success. The conference outcomes proved highly successful in addressing key issues impacting the African energy sector while devising solutions to best mitigate these concerns.
Some of the highlights included:
- Africa’s energy access concerns such as innovative financing solutions, disruptive business models, regional integration, the impact of digitalisation on the energy sector as well as potential business opportunities in the energy space were discussed in depth. These international delegates comprised a resourceful amalgam of project developers, financiers, industry experts, energy users, government officials and energy industry manufacturers.
- The conference hosted Minister Jeff Radebe and many other African Energy Ministers and high-profile luminaries who assembled to discuss and develop solutions to minimise these aforementioned energy access concerns, sharing their experience and acumens of the dynamic energy realm of Africa.
- The Africa Energy Indaba Exhibition proved pertinent to companies involved in showcasing solutions to alleviate energy concerns relevant to Africa, including rural energy solutions, services for major energy projects, urbanization and energy needs as well as the implementation and management of renewable and sustainable energy projects. Participating exhibitors had the opportunity to promote their businesses to local industry players, international investors, buyers and governments worldwide.
- Evolving grid technologies (e.g. micro, mini and off-grid solutions), renewable and cleaner energy solutions, energy storage and energy efficiency were among the other relevant topics that were thoroughly explored at the event. Several challenges confronting the development of mini-grids were unpacked, such as skills on the ground, finance, logistics and local policy and/or regulation.
- The event hosted the 3rd annual Africa Youth Energy Innovator Award to motivate and support youth energy innovators to devise solutions capable of improving the lives of African people. This initiative also serves as an opportunity for creative African youth through supporting job creation by implementing energy efficient, affordable and cost-effective products. The overall winner was Bongajum Lesley Ndzi, a 32 year old Cameroonian, living in Senegal. His innovations focussed on trying to bring light to students who need to study after dark and electricity to rural villages via a his BONGA power bike/ power kit.