Energy access will be a key discussion point at Enlit Africa

The challenge of improving access to energy will be addressed at the upcoming Enlit Africa conference and expo when it returns to Cape Town from 16 to 18 May 2023. On 17 May, Day 2's keynote session focuses on Africa's just energy transition and the importance of ensuring that energy access is a central outcome of that transition.

"We believe that the issue of energy access cannot be ignored," says the event's content director Claire Volkwyn. She adds, "With figures predicting that between 700 million and 900 million are currently without energy access in Africa, this is a crisis that must be addressed."

In a report released by UNCTAD (United Nations Conference on Trade and Development) on 21 March, some of the real-life impacts of the lack of energy access, such as implications for health, education, poverty reduction and sustainable development, were addressed. The report Commodities at a glance: Special issue on access to energy in sub-Saharan Africa warns that without additional efforts, the region's population without access to clean fuels could increase to over 1.1 billion people in 2030.

"Access to a reliable and quality energy supply is vital to the economic development of any country," the report says. "It drives industrialisation, boosts productivity and economic growth, spurs human development, and is crucial to achieve almost all of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)."

Africa at energy intersection

"Africa has arrived at an intersection between affordability, reliability and access to power," Volkwyn states. "While this position presents incredible opportunities and inspires innovation, at the same time it also creates some tension, particularly regarding the SDGs and the energy transition."

She explains, "Africa's just energy transition ambitions are being tested in the face of a global recession, rising poverty, unemployment and falling revenue. In addition to the staggering sums of investment that have been identified for the technology and headline achievements of the energy transition, Africa is facing the reality that it will likely not meet SDG7, which aims to ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all."

"But there is also a lot to celebrate, and we will share many success stories and showcase new innovations. This year's programme features an incredible line-up of experts from across the African continent who will share their winning strategies and projects with the more than 5 000 expected delegates and visitors. Another huge vote of confidence in Africa's energy sector will be the exciting and vibey expo floor with 250 suppliers of expert technologies and services, including country pavilions from Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Germany, India, Taiwan and the USA," says Volkwyn.

Programme sections and themes

A flagship annual industry event since 2000, Enlit Africa offers more than 5 000 attendees, representing the entire power and energy value chain, multiple opportunities to meet, do business and inspire each other, driving energy action into a working plan for the years ahead. From governments, municipalities to large energy users, investors, EPCs, IPPs and start-ups, Enlit Africa is a constantly growing, inclusive, end-to-end power and energy conference and solution-focused exhibition, that addresses every aspect of Africa's energy transition.

The programme will also focus on finance and investment strategies, renewable energy, storage and alternative solutions, as well as generation, transmission and distribution. The spotlight stage sessions will provide sector innovators from across the continent the opportunity to share their next new ideas or showcase success stories and case studies from across the continent.

The co-located events (invitation only) are the Municipal Forum, the CEO Forum and the Women in Energy conference.

Industry support

As a longstanding must-attend date on the annual energy industry calendar, Enlit Africa is once again sponsored by leading technology and services providers, including ACTOM, G3-PLC Alliance, Conlog, Elsewedy Electric, PRIME Alliance and South Pole.

The City of Cape Town is the host city, the South African department of mineral resources and energy is the host ministry, while Eskom is the host utility with Frost and Sullivan as a knowledge partner.

ESI Africa, the continent's leading news provider for power and energy news, is the official host publication.

About Enlit Africa

Enlit Africa (formerly African Utility Week and POWERGEN Africa) is Africa's leading exhibition and conference, gathering the power and energy industry’s most influential professionals and decision makers from across the continent for three days of relevant, accredited technical and strategic conference seminars, valuable networking opportunities and access to world-class products and solutions.

Enlit Africa is organised by VUKA Group, which has more than 20 years' experience in serving the business community across Africa. Formerly known as Clarion Events Africa, a leading Cape Town-based and multi-award-winning organiser of exhibitions, conferences and digital events in the infrastructure, energy, mining, mobility, ecommerce and CX sectors, VUKA is an independent B-BBEE compliant company, adapted to the unique conditions of Africa. Recently, VUKA successfully launched the exciting Africa's Green Economy Summit as part of the E-Fest in Cape Town that culminated in the historic Formula E race, a first for the continent. Other well-known events by VUKA Group include DRC Mining Week, Nigeria Mining Week, DRC-Africa Battery Metals Forum, ECOM and CEM Africa.

This post and content is sponsored, written and produced by Enlit Africa.