E L E C T R I C I T Y

Ticking All the Boxes – Africa Energy Indaba, 2023

AUTHOR: David Jarrett ManagingConsultant@RDJConsulting

The theme, “African Energy transitioning to a sustainable and prosperous future” guided the Africa Energy Indaba (AEI) 2023, which was held at the Cape Town International Conference Centre (CTICC) from 7-9 March 2023 and has been hailed as a resounding success

The event which also included a major Exhibition, saw industry experts from across the continent and beyond assembling to discuss and debate the most pressing issues facing the energy sector Ranked among the most significant energy conferences in Africa, it attracted a broad spectrum of attendees, including government officials, private sector representatives, investors, and academia

The Africa Energy Indaba, held dialogues on an extensive range of topics, from innovative technological solutions to resilient strategies for realizing sustainable energy access for all Included in the offerings were the Africa Gas Forum and IPP & PPA Conference as side events featuring jam-packed agendas of the latest insights, trends, and developments in Africa's energy markets.

The AEI of 2023 showcased a wide array of keynote speakers, including highly esteemed personalities from the African and global energy landscape, headlined by The Honourable Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy - Mr Gwede Mantashe (MP) Further, there were multiple breakout sessions, workshops, and networking events that enabled attendees to interact with their counterparts With a significant number of decisionmakers in attendance, the conference offered unparalleled influence and exposure.

The Africa Gas Forum looked at country-specific opportunities and common issues affecting the region, including exploration, licensing, development plans, new tax regimes, regional infrastructure projects, pipelines, LNG terminals, security, local content initiatives, investment requirements, and upcoming projects.

Another was the IPP & PPA Conference held in conjunction with the Gas forum looked at the regions of Africa facing power shortages, load shedding, and the growing demand for energy, with a significant international investor focus on African energy projects and the role of Independent Power Producers (IPPs). This event offered an opportunity to discuss overcoming challenges presented by wheeling, address bankability issues, and exploring the role of hybrid power facilities and thermal technologies in the IPP/PPA sector

In closing, the event statement by Ms. Liz Hart sums up themood:

"We are elated with the success of this year's Africa Energy Indaba," said Liz Hart, AEI founder and organiser. "The event brought together some of the brightest minds from across the energy realm, and we are confident that the discussions and collaborations that took place will help to drive innovation and growth across the continent."

“We look forward to building on that momentum as we await next year’s event which is scheduled to take place from 5 to 7 March 2024 at the CTICC in Cape Town.” stated Liz Hart. RDJ Publishing as a media partner agrees and hopesdearreadertoseeyoutherenextyear!

As always the conversation continues and we can be reachedat briefing@rdjpublishing.africa