For the past 25 years EnergyNet has hosted investment meetings in South Africa, Nigeria, Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire, Senegal, Morocco, Ethiopia, Mozambique, Tanzania and Kenya. The company gathers critical decision-makers from the energy value chain to help people stay informed about the energy trends on the African continent.
This year, the AEF 2024 is hosted in Barcelona, Spain, where the future of Africa’s energy landscape takes centre stage. Returning for the 26th year, the forum plans to unite the continent’s key stakeholders, investors, and future leaders at the premier platform for collaboration and innovation in Africa’s energy sector.
The AEF (Africa Economic Forum) is known for featuring high profile ministers, high level stakeholders in government, Business Executives in the Public Sector, Economic Experts, Social Entreprenuers, Policy Influencers, Tech Innovators, Investment Specialist, enviromental and sustainability Leaders.
The highly anticipated forum is know for the largest panel of experts in the forum networking space, pooling a massive 150 to 200 speakers from high profile stables. The rate of attendance is also proof that the forum has managed to keep its patrons engaged for the past 25 years and returing with a more dynamic and impressive line-up for the 2024 forum in Spain.
In case you are in Barcelona for the forum and spoilt for choice, we have managed to put a list of some of the speaking sessions you must not miss. Our Speaker Selection for this year, are:
H.E. Honourable Chileshe Mpundu Kapwepwe
Secretary General COMESA, Zambia
Chileshe is considered, one of the most acheived personality in her country, and considered a role model for women in Zambia.
A distinguished Zambian accountant and corporate executive, who has made significant contributions to African leadership. She currently serves as the Secretary General of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), a position she assumed on July 18, 2018.
Chileshe Kapwepwe’s impressive career spans over more than a quarter century, during which she has worked in both local and international organizations across the public and private sectors. She holds a Master of Business Administration and is a Chartered Certified Accountant. Kapwepwe is a Fellow of the Association of Chartered and Certified Accountants (ACCA) in the United Kingdom and a Fellow of the Zambia Institute of Chartered Accountants (ZICA).
She served in Previous Roles, as Executive Director for the International Monetary Fund (IMF): She represented the Africa Group One Constituency and was based in Washington, DC. Deputy Minister of Finance and National Planning in the Zambian Cabinet. Managing Director of the Zambia National Airports Corporation. Contracts Manager at Société Générale de Surveillance in Geneva, Switzerland.
She held Board Positions, as First woman to serve as the Chairperson of the Zambia Revenue Authority Board since its establishment in 1994. Board member of the Bank of Zambia. Served on the boards of BP Zambia Plc and the Zambia Privatization Trust Fund.
In recognition of her outstanding contributions, Chileshe Kapwepwe was named one of the 100 Most Influential African Women in 2023 by Avance Media. She continues to play a pivotal role in regional collaboration and energy integration across the continent
Speaking Engagement
H.E. Honourable Dr. Kandeh K. Yumkella
Chairman, IVECF, Sierria Leone
Known as the man of ideas in Sierria Leone. H.E. Honourable Dr. Kandeh K. Yumkella, the
A Sierra Leonean agricultural economist, politician, and a former United Nations Under-Secretary-General. He also served as the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Sustainable Energy for All. Yumkella played a crucial role as the chief executive officer of the Sustainable Energy for All Initiative. His impressive career includes being a two-term Director-General of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO). Born in the Kambia District of Northern Sierra Leone, Yumkella holds a B.Sc. from Njala University, an M.Sc. from Cornell University, and a Ph.D. in Agricultural Economics from the University of Illinois. His leadership extends beyond academia; he was the Minister for Trade and Industry of Sierra Leone from 1994 to 1995. Additionally, Yumkella has been a prominent public speaker, addressing global issues such as poverty reduction, climate change, and renewable energy. His opinion pieces have appeared in major international newspapers, including The New York Times and The Guardian. He is an accomplished individual, and a man championing campaigns for the youth.
Speaking Engagement
H.E. Honourable Adebayo Adelabu
Minister of Power, Nigeria
Known in Nigeria as the Minister of More energy, and one of the most active ministers under the new administration in Nigeria.
He is currently serving as the Federal Minister of Power in Nigeria. Prior to this role, he held the position of Deputy Governor (Operations) at the Central Bank of Nigeria. His impressive career trajectory includes various leadership roles in the financial sector, such as serving as an Executive Director and Chief Financial Officer at First Bank of Nigeria Plc. He has a strong educational background, having obtained a first-class degree in Accounting from Obafemi Awolowo University and completed professional courses at institutions like Harvard, Stanford, and Wharton.
As Minister of Power, Adelabu aims to leverage the Nigerian Electricity Act of 2023 to provide optimal solutions for Nigeria’s power needs, with a focus on both public and private sector collaboration. He recognizes the critical role of the power sector in the country’s economic development and intends to explore renewable and alternative energy sources to enhance access in rural areas.
Speaking Engagement
25-Jun-2024 10:00– 12:00 Boardroom 4
Closed Door: Ministerial Roundtable: Energy Systems of the Future – Balancing Africa’s Needs with Global Goals
26-Jun-2024 11:00– 12:30 Plenary Theatre
Country Spotlights: From Announcement to Implementation
Ola Williams
Director for Energy, Africa, UK Department for Business & Trade
A Green Economy Expert, is the Director of Energy, Africa, at the UK Department for Business and Trade. She has over a decade of technical and commercial experience as a Multilateral Trade, Investment, and International Engagement Expert in the energy sector. Her remarkable leadership skills have facilitated entry into emerging markets, fostered bi/multilateral partnerships, and resulted in over £10 billion in trade and investment successes between the UK and African countries.
A skilled communicator and diplomat, Ola excels at identifying strategic opportunities and navigating complex stakeholder relationships. She is also the UKDBT’s Gender Equality Champion for Africa, leading conversations, chairing sessions/panels across Africa and Europe and advocating for equality across boards.
27-Jun-2024 09:45– 10:30 Plenary Theatre
Country Spotlights: From Announcement to Implementation
Kadri Nassiep
He holds a Master’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering and has close to 30 years’ experience in the Energy sector. He has played a key role in coordinating energy research in the country to advocate for a greater share of cleaner energy in our energy mix.
During his career he has been responsible for the development of policy, strategy, legislation and regulations supporting the implementation of energy efficiency and renewable energy.
He was the CEO of the South African National Energy Development Institute and has held several senior management roles in National Government and Eskom. He has also held several advisory positions, both locally and internationally, including representing South Africa at the International Energy Agency’s Committee on Energy Research and Technologies, as well as the Renewable Energy Policy Network for the 21st Century (REN21).
Speaking Engagement
Advancing Renewable Energy Projects for Sustainable Value Chains – Chatham House Rule
Adhila Mayet
During her career, Adhila has been involved in renewable energy and energy efficiency in various forms. Notably, she led the Pele Green Energy team to a win in the Anglo American Mogalakwena 100MW solar PV project.
Having led the fund-raising for a Community Trust in the REIPPP program and in her capacity as Trustee for multiple trusts, she is passionate about a transformative energy transition. She has also developed private Power Purchase Agreements (PPA) project in the C&I space, which included a 15MW Combined Heat and Power gas turbine for one of the largest paper mills in South Africa, and conducted energy efficiency and management strategy consulting for over 15 manufacturing plants.
Adhila is currently leading the PGE development team with over 10 wind & solar projects in various stages of development under SA’s REIPPP, and several others in other programs. She led the development and submission of PGE’s first Lead Member submission in REIPPP in the recently passed Bid Window 5, and is implementing a strategy for entrance into new markets for the SA-based IPP.
Speaking Engagement
Meet the New Leaders of Today – What is Their Vision?
Distributed Power & C&I Projects Accelerating Universal Access– Chatham House Rule
Paddy Padmanathan
Having led ACWA Power from a startup 18 years ago to now a company listed in the Saudi stock exchange with a market cap in excess of US$25 Billion; a world leading developer, investor and operator of power generation and desalinated water production plants valued at US$75 Billion with significant track record in solar and wind and now in the production of green hydrogen with the first plant at scale in construction, Padmanathan has stepped down from the executive position of President & CEO and serves the company on the Board and has co-founded and joined the Board of two other companies focused at accelerating the energy transition.
Zhero BV, is a company to develop lighthouse projects in renewable energy generation and transmission, green hydrogen production and conveyance all at-scale and to champion the establishment of industrial clusters at optimum locations of green energy production.
Speaking Engagement
Chris Chijiutomi
Chris was appointed as Head of Africa in February 2023. Prior to that he was Head of Infrastructure & Climate Equity at BII and has been with the organisation since 2017.
A chartered chemical engineer with over 20 years’ experience across Europe, South Asia, and Africa. Prior to joining BII, Chris was a founding member of the ARM-Harith Infrastructure Fund where he was involved in several pioneer infrastructure transactions in West Africa including the 450MW Azura Edo Power Project in Nigeria. He has held senior management positions at Veolia Environment as well as RWE Thames Water.
In his previous role with the Infrastructure & Climate team, he was responsible for some of the most significant relationships and transactions in BII portfolio, which has included sitting on the boards of two key investments in Africa—Globeleq and Gridworks. He was also overseeing BII joint venture with DP World in the creation of a platform to invest in ports and logistics assets in Africa, as well as the creation of water platform with Metito, also across Africa. He has been directly involved in over $5bn of transactions across Europe and Africa.
In his new role as Head of Africa he is responsible for BII’s activities in Africa including leading the rapidly growing team presence throughout Africa, he is a core member of the Executive Committee, Investment Committee and Market Committee at BII.
He is a frequent global speaker on development and infrastructure in Africa. Chris holds a Masters in Engineering from the University of Surrey in UK.
Speaking Engagement
Country Spotlights: From Announcement to Implementation
Damilola Hamid Balogun
Co-founder & CEO, Youth sustainable Development Network
Damilola Hamid Balogun is a dynamic leader, advocate and proactive force for sustainable development, deeply committed to driving progress towards the advancement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 7 and 13. With a diverse background in law, entrepreneurship and sustainability, Damilola is at the forefront of empowering youth and catalyzing positive change on clean energy and climate action.
As the CEO and Co-founder of the Youth Sustainable Development Network (YSDN), Damilola’s unwavering passion drives positive change through purposeful social action in Nigeria and Africa. With a core emphasis on people and the planet, under his leadership, YSDN has empowered over 10,000 youth across 45 countries, reduced 258.11tCO2 emissions, and established strategic partnerships to implement impactful sustainable projects.
Advancing Renewable Energy Projects for Sustainable Value Chains – Chatham House Rule
Brian Nyangena
Brian Nyangena is the Co-Founder and CEO of Verst Carbon Limited, a pioneering force in Africa’s carbon markets. With a mission to break down barriers and democratize access to these markets, he has led Verst Carbon to the forefront of technological innovation and policy influence. He spearheaded the development and expansion of project initiatives across five African countries (Kenya, DRC, Ghana, Uganda, and Rwanda), resulting in a consolidated footprint in the continent.
His strategic foresight has been pivotal in the development of the national Carbon Market Activation Plan (CMAP), a transformative project implemented in Nigeria, Rwanda, and Ghana, utilizing data driven methodologies to shape economic policies and drive data driven decision making.
Speaking Engagement
Advancing Renewable Energy Projects for Sustainable Value Chains – Chatham House Rule
Phoebe Sullivan
Energy Officer at Power Africa
Phoebe joined the Power Africa team from the Cirrus Group, a climate change advisory services firm. As Co-Owner and Principal Consultant, she played an instrumental role in climate change, land-use and forestry projects across Africa, with a focus on carbon market transactions. Phoebe brings over 11 years of experience in international development and environmental and energy policy research with detailed knowledge of regulated carbon standards, REDD+ methodologies and carbon taxes. She first came to Africa in 2008, via Madagascar and Uganda on a Fulbright Fellowship, before joining the New Forests Company, a greenfields plantation forestry company operating out of East Africa. She has Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and French from Smith College in Massachusetts and a Master’s in International Trade and Sustainable Development from l’Institut d’Études Politiques, Paris.
Speaking Engagement
Advancing Renewable Energy Projects for Sustainable Value Chains – Chatham House Rule
Ademola Ogunbanjo
Executive Vice President, Oando Clean Energy
Ademola is currently the Executive Vice President of Oando Clean Energy Ltd., a subsidiary of Oando Plc. He is also an Executive Council member and GM of the Business Support Group at Oando Energy Resources where he provides leadership for the Human Capital Management, Supply Chain Management and Admin Services, IT, Corporate Communications and Social Responsibility, Governance, and Legal departments.
Speaking Engagement
Mercy Wairua
Senior Legal Counsel, GuarantCo
An experienced project finance lawyer with expertise in infrastructure, public private partnerships, energy law, finance law, corporate law and commercial law.
I have advised on infrastructure and energy projects’ procurement, development and finance across Africa and Asia, including in Kenya, Uganda, South Africa, Namibia, Ghana, Nigeria, Malawi, Rwanda, Cote D’Ivoire, Mozambique, Angola, Senegal, Cambodia, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Speaking Engagement
Tola Odukomaiya
An Investment Director within GuarantCo’s Global Execution Team and is based in the London office. He initially joined GuarantCo as a Senior Investment Officer involved in developing and executing GuarantCo’s business in Francophone Africa.
Prior to joining GuarantCo, Tola Odukomaiyawas an Associate Director within the Structured and Asset Based Lending unit at Wells Fargo in London where he was responsible for structuring new opportunities. Tola Odukomaiya started his career at Bank of Ireland where he worked within the bank’s Infrastructure and Project Finance business before joining Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation also in its in Infrastructure and Project Finance business.
Speaking Engagement
Ene Sandra Macharm
Head of Global Partnersh
Ene Sandra Macharm is a notable figure in the field of energy and development. Ene Sandra Macharm is the Head of Unit for the NESP, which focuses on enhancing the enabling environment for sustainable energy development in Nigeria. She holds the position of Head of Component, Social Infrastructure and Energising Development (EnDev) at the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH.
Speaking Engagement
Breakfast Briefing: Effective Tendering for Renewable Energy IPP Development
Solution Provider Insights
Wangari Muchiri
Director, Africa Wind Power, Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC)
A visionary Renewable Energy Engineer leading initiatives to advance wind power across Africa. Honored as a top influencer in climate leadership, she has received awards from Insider magazine, Obama Foundation, Greenpeace, and GWEC. Wangari holds engineering degrees from University of New South Wales and University of Technology, Sydney and is pursuing an Executive MBA at Oxford. She sits on various boards including Kenya Green Building Society, ESI Africa Clarion Energy Advisory, and Buildings and Cities Journal Practitioners.
Speaking Engagement
Breakfast Briefing: Effective Tendering for Renewable Energy IPP Development
Tebogo More
Head, Distributed Generation, Cennergi
A highly experienced senior professional in the Power and Gas industry who has played a principal role in the planning, development, bidding, and closing of utility-scale renewable energy (wind and solar) projects of ca. 730 MW in South Africa. Tebogo is a multifaceted strategic leader and financial professional with a detailed understanding of business operations. She is experienced in the infrastructure sector value chain from financing to development, construction, and operations. She has played a leading role in organic and inorganic growth strategy development and execution in the mining, civil engineering, power, water and manufacturing sectors in South Africa and the rest of Africa.
Speaking Engagement
Mining & Critical Minerals – Chatham House Rule
Thabo Molekoa
Chairman & Managing Director, Siemens Energy Southern Africa
A qualified mechanical engineer, with an MBA. With more than 20 years‘ professional experience from a technical, industrial projects and maintenance background to directing organisations and teams on growth strategies and tactics in over 40 African countries.Thabo has developed meaningful relationships and business at executive and governmental levels, while providing quality service that enhanced value across asset intensive & heavy industries.
His work experience covers organisations such as thyssenkrupp, DuPont, Saint Gobain and De Beers Mines.
In 2020, Thabo was appointed as the Managing Director of Siemens Energy Southern & Eastern Africa based out of Johannesburg, South Africa. Thabo serves on several boards in South Africa, notably in the renewable energy sector, and was previously on the EU Business Chamber board.
Abir Burgul
Head SADC, Africa Energy Lead, MIGA, The World Bank Group
Abir Burgul is the Africa region Energy Lead for the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA), the political risk insurance and credit enhancement arm of the World Bank. where she is responsible for underwriting MIGA’s guarantees and developing the agency’s business in the energy sector in Africa with a focus on MIGA’s priority areas such as climate, low income, fragile and post- conflict countries. Burgul joined MIGA in 1999 as an underwriter working across sectors and globally. Prior to joining the World Bank Ms. Burgul had a varied career spending two years working with Statoil USA a subsidiary of the Norwegian State Oil Company and over 10 years in the financial sector, working for various international commercial banks in the United States and abroad.
Linda Munyengeterwa
Global Director, Public Private Partnerships & Corporate Finance Advisory,IFC
Linda Munyengeterwa leads the implementation of IFC’s infrastructure advisory strategy and corporate finance advisory services. She also works with the World Bank on needed sector policy reforms to facilitate effective public-private partnerships and create new market opportunities in developing countries.
Prior to her current position, Linda was the Regional Industry Director in charge of Africa and Middle East Infrastructure, where she supervised investment operations and advisory services in energy, transportation, telecommunication, media and technology, mining, and municipal and environmental infrastructure across the two regions. Before joining IFC, Linda worked as an investment banker in the mergers and acquisition teams of JPMorgan and Fleming Martin.
Speaking Engagement
Outcomes from the Closed-Door Roundtables
Cathy Oxby
Co-Founder & Chief Commercial Officer, Africa GreenCo
Cathy has more than 20 years of professional experience in the infrastructure and renewable energy sectors. She is closely involved in all aspects of GreenCo’s operations and leads the commercial negotiation of the many market-leading arrangements necessary to implement GreenCo’s innovative business model, including financing, transaction structuring and regulatory.
She trained as a project finance lawyer at Allen & Overy LLP before transitioning to a commercial role as an investment director at a leading infrastructure fund. Prior to co-founding Africa GreenCo, she established her own consultancy company to help diverse clients successfully navigate the infrastructure project lifecycle, from project inception to asset management.
Shirley Webber
Managing Principal: Coverage Head, Resources & Energy, Absa CIB
The Coverage Head for Resources and Energy at Absa (Corporate and Investment Banking). Her responsibilities include maintaining and growing relationships in the mining, metals, minerals, oil, gas, chemical, power and renewables industries. Shirley was selected for the 2021 Power List of Pan-African female leaders in energy as one of Africa’s fifty most inspirational female energy executives. She has a wealth of experience working with key clients such as Anglo American, Glencore, Petra Diamonds, Mainstream, First Quantum Minerals, Tullow Oil, Acwa Power, Globeleq and Sasol, amongst others.
She was previously the Sector Director of Mining, Resources and Commodities at FirstRand Bank Limited in Johannesburg. Shirley holds a CAIB (SA) Associate Banking Diploma, a B.Com(Ed)(Cum Laude) and a B.Com Honours degree in Financial and Strategic Management.
Advancing Renewable Energy Projects for Sustainable Value Chains – Chatham House Rule
Michel Scheepens
Manager Energy, West-Africa & MENA, FMO
She Started her career at PwC, while serving as a senior associate until 2018, when she joined Ekurhuleni Water Care Company (ERWAT) as an associate manager. She was later promoted to interim CFO while serving in a senior manager of financial services role.
In 2022, Dzunani joined the Independent Power Producers Office (IPPO) as the head of finance and corporate services. She is a qualified chartered accountant with a BCom degree from the University of Witwatersrand and a postgraduate diploma in applied accounting science from the University of South Africa (UNISA).
Ms Nomfundo Maseti serves as the full-time Regulator member of the National Energy Regulator of SA (NERSA) for the past 10 years. She is responsible for regulation of the gas industry, and as a board member of NERSA board, she also takes regulatory decisions on electricity and petroleum pipelines matters as a collective.
She served at the Competition Commission of SA for 7 years and a member of ICASA’s Statutory Committee. She worked at the Department of Trade and Industry responsible for policy development and legislation for corporate regulation.
Speaking Engagement
Striking a Balance for Africa’s Gas Projects – Chatham House Rule
Mpho Mokwele
Group Executive Transacting, DBSA
Mr. Mpho Mokwele is a Chartered Accountant by profession, with over 19 years of work experience in Mergers and Acquisitions, Corporate Finance and Project Finance. He has extensive experience in structuring and funding infrastructure projects in sectors such as energy (renewable and conventional energy), water, healthcare, transport, and telecommunications.
He is currently employed by the Development Bank of Southern Africa (“DBSA”) as Head of Project Finance. Over the past 11 years, he has been instrumental in leading the DBSA’s investments under the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producers Programme (REIPPP). To date he has executed over 62 infrastructure projects, including 35 renewable energy projects (solar PV, solar CSP, wind and biomass technologies) in the Sub-Saharan Africa region.
Grid Management, Energy Storage & Distribution – Chatham House Rule
Philippe Ossoucah
CEO, Gabon Power Company (GPC), Gabon
One of the youngest and brightest Gabonese, as described by the Covre du Magazine cover edition. The general director of Gabon Power Company (GPC), the investment vehicle of the Gabonese sovereign fund dedicated to energy and water production infrastructure.
Phillipe Junior Ossoucah, until now deputy general manager, is an engineer who has nearly twenty years of experience in the development of infrastructure projects across the continent.
Speaking Engagement
Navigating Power Markets – Chatham House Rule
We believe everyone on the list were selected by the organisers for various credits and they all deserve the audience but after going through the profiles, comments and digital footprint of 310 speakers and panelist, these are the 27 names we consider experienced, dynamic and visionary.
If you are attending this year, do share your videos and images with us press@townpress.co.za
Facebook Comments