Fixing Africa’s energy gap through innovation & financial collaboration

Investing in Africa’s energy sector is gaining momentum as governments step up resource mobilization to finance critical infrastructure deployment. CNBC Africa spoke with Azzan Mohammed, Director at Informa Markets, the largest events and exhibition organizer in the world. They organize trade shows and B2B events that connect buyers and suppliers, supporting government objectives. Mohammed discussed the gap in the African energy market, highlighting the need for a truly Pan-African event. Today's event in Kigali was a press conference to showcase progress, new partnerships, and highlights for the Africa Energy Expo next year. Kigali was chosen as the event location due to its ease of access and infrastructure, fostering a platform for a truly Pan-African event. The event plans to launch a high-level leadership summit alongside a trade show exhibition, aiming to provide stakeholders with a unique experience and address critical energy challenges on the continent. This initiative strives to accelerate access to power, promote clean energy solutions, and attract investments in renewable projects. The event will bring together stakeholders from across Africa to discuss policy, regulations, and knowledge sharing in the energy sector. Mohammed emphasized the importance of collaboration between the public and private sectors to drive renewable energy investments. He cited examples in Egypt and Nigeria where government and private partnerships have accelerated the shift towards renewable energy. The Africa Energy Expo aims to bridge the gap between policymakers, investors, and industry players to facilitate discussions and secure partnerships for energy projects. With close to 570 million households in Africa lacking access to the grid, energy remains a top priority for African leaders. Governments have prioritized energy access, creating opportunities for private sector investments in the continent's burgeoning energy market. The event seeks to showcase transactions between buyers and suppliers in the energy sector, with the goal of announcing projects and partnerships during the show. The focus on creating a conducive investment environment in Africa's energy sector underscores the potential for growth and development in the coming decades. By engaging with key stakeholders and fostering collaboration, the Africa Energy Expo aims to drive innovation and financial collaboration in addressing Africa's energy gap.