Greentech Lead Africa: The upcoming Africa Energy Forum will feature some 800 African ministers, heads of utilities, regulators and international energy companies to address pressing issues concerning Africa’s power sector, including partnerships, finance, investment and renewables.
The 15th edition of the event is taking place from 18-20 June in Barcelona this year.
Bruno Cockburn, programme director, said, “The Africa Energy Forum brings stakeholders from the continent to meet investors and to showcase the opportunities in their respective countries. The policy shifts needed and the practical steps required to produce the necessary power for growth constitute the essence of the discussions at this year’s Africa Energy Forum. We’re particularly excited about the Libya and Nigeria investment briefings, with decision makers from both countries making considerable contributions.”
The Nigeria Spotlight panel discussion will look at the progress of the country’s privatisation programme and present updates on privatized generation and transmission companies.
Panelists include the Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on Power, Reynolds Beks Dagogo-Jack, the chairman of the Niger Delta Power Holding Company, James Olotu, as well as Sam Amadi, chairman and CEO of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, who will contribute significantly.
The Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) has enormous potential for investment as demonstrated by the high level of investors participating in the ongoing privatization exercise. Over 300 expressions of interest were received by the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) for the entire successor GENCOs and DISCOs.
Nigeria being the most populous country in Africa with 160-million people and a growth rate of 6.99 percent as at the 4th quarter of 2012 makes it abundantly clear that there is a huge market for electricity in the country. Investment opportunities exist in all sectors of the NESI including gas supply/transportation, generation, transmission, distribution, metering and vending platforms.
The Libya Spotlight session will offer experts an in-depth analysis of Libya’s power sector, including what frameworks are required to promote private investment and look at relevant lessons from other privatization programs. The Libyan Minister for Electricity and Renewable Energy, H.E. Dr. Ali Mihirig, is part of the panel discussion.
Other confirmed African ministers that will attend Africa Energy Forum include: H.E. Salvador Namburete, Minister for Energy, Mozambique; H.E. Dipuo Peters, Minister of Energy, South Africa; H.E. Alemayehu Tegenu, Minister of Water & Energy, Ethiopia; H.E. Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah, Minister of Energy & Petroleum, Ghana; H.E. Oluniyi Robbin-Coker, Minister of Energy & Water, Sierra Leone; H.E. Emma Francoise Isumbingabo, Minister of State in charge of Energy and Water, Ministry of Infrastructure, Rwanda; H.E. Onkokame Kitso Mokaila, Minister of Minerals, Energy and Water Resources, Botswana; H.E Salif Kabore, Minister of Energy & Mines, Burkina Faso; H.E. Taleb Ould Abdival, Minister of Petroleum, Energy & Mines, Mauritania; and H.E. Willem Isaacks, Deputy Minister of Mines & Energy, Namibia.