Africa Energy Forum in Brussels beams searchlight on energy transition

the regional and international markets.

Some of the hydra-headed impediments facing the sector include, epileptic power supply, unhealthy regulations and policies by government and its agencies, unhealthy ports administrative practices, poor infrastructures, Dangote, president of Dangote Group, said during a fireside discussion recently on industrialisation.

He also noted the need to produce good and quality products even at the lowest costs so as to meet Nigeria’s domestic demand before going into exportation to other countries, using some Asian countries as examples of what should be done.

According to him, “There is the need for a concerted effort by all stakeholders and actors responsible for the management of African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) to expedite action concerning the implementation of the trade agreement.”

Dangote also called for thorough investigations regarding the reasons for the failure of the previous regional trade agreements in Africa so that such factors that led to failures of such trade agreements would be corrected.

He further pleaded for the removal of every factor responsible for the poor intra-trade transit of goods within the African borders.

He also called for the eradication of the challenges of exorbitant charges at the Nigerian ports and regional land borders across African countries, the challenges of inequality etc.

The industrialist spoke on the need to implement the African Passport, and emphasised the importance of its recognition, as well as its acceptance by the governments of the countries in Africa to make travelling easy and smooth within the African zone.

DECISION MAKERS, INVES TORS and professionals from the renewable energy sector will meet from 21 June, 2022 in Brussels, Belgium, for the Africa Energy Forum (AEF). This year’s event focuses on the energy transition, a necessity in a context marked by climate change.

Organised under the theme “Africa for Africa”, the 24th edition of Africa’s biggest energy event will bring together key players in the sector, including governments, utilities, regulators, development finance institutions, commercial banks, developers, technology providers and professional services.

Among this year’s speakers is Yehia Zaki, chairman of the Suez Canal Economic Zone General Authority (SCZone). This public body is currently in the spotlight for its progress in developing green hydrogen and its derivatives in the Gulf of Suez in Egypt.

Also among the decision-makers expected in Brussels are energy ministers from Mauritania, Gambia, South Africa, Ethiopia,

Namibia, Uganda and Zimbabwe. Dignitaries are expected to discuss current issues on the African continent, first of all the energy transition.

With independent power producers (IPP) such as Scatec, Lekela Power, Voltalia or Globeleq, whose presence is confirmed in Brussels, there will be discussion of large-scale renewable energy production projects. These developers will discuss with many investors present in Brussels, including the British Actis and InfraCo Africa, the South African Absa and other international financial institutions, notably the World Bank and the African Development Bank (AfDB).

The thorny issue of financing rural electrification is also expected to be on the agenda for discussion between development finance institutions and solution providers such as PowerGen Renewable Energy and Husk Power Systems.

The event, which closes on June 24, will also set the tone for the 25th edition of the AEF, which will be held for the first time in Africa in 2023 and Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, is the host.