Africa Energy Indaba (AEI) organiser Siyenza hopes to further its objective of positioning Africa as the continent of energy opportunity by delivering a comprehensive event for the fifth consecutive year.

Siyenza MD Liz Hart tells Engineering News that enquiry and interest levels have grown substantially. There has also been increased strategic marketing and participation from African countries, increased participation from global multinationals and from global and South African companies in the floor exhibit, as well as additional industry association support.

She expects this year’s Indaba, which will run from February 19 to 21 at the Sandton Convention Centre, in Johannesburg, to grow by at least 20%, which it has done year-on-year. She also expects it to attract more inter- national representatives as delegates and speakers, including from the rest of Africa.

Hart has noticed greater interest from African countries such as Zimbabwe, whose Energy Council is fully committed to the AEI.

“It’s going to be interesting to see what is on offer from our neighbouring country, given all the challenges that Zimbabwe has faced. Many expect Zimbabwe to rise and emerge again and we believe this is starting to happen,” she highlights.

Other African countries expected to attend the Indaba include Namibia, Kenya, Nigeria, Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique, Zambia, Mauritius and the Seychelles.

International interest has also been strong, as delegates from the US, India, Bangladesh, China, Spain, Germany and Italy have registered.

“This interest is sparked by the number of energy opportunities available on the continent and the high standard of speakers who will address the conference,” states Hart.

Themed ‘Empowering Africans with Energy’, the 2013 AEI will present an opportunity for energy leaders, experts, energy professionals and entrepreneurs to share insight on Africa’s political, economic and social outlook with an emphasis on energy, says Hart.

“Participants can explore new models and bold ideas aimed at accelerating the continent’s economic growth by implementing energy developments crucial for empowering local economies,” she notes.

Further, delegates can, once again, look forward to robust and comprehensive discussions on critical topics that deal with Africa’s energy challenges, rather than superficial engagement in various subjects, adds Hart.

During last year’s AEI a new format, based on the structure of the World Economic Forum yearly meeting in Davos, was adopted. Pertinent energy matters were discussed by a panel of global energy leaders, instead of speakers addressing a forum on specific issues.

“This change proved immensely successful in 2012 and, as a result, will be the official format of this year’s conference,” says Hart, who believes that dialogue is fundamental to a solutions-based outcome.

“The Indaba strives to deliver solutions for Africa by providing an interactive platform where discussions take place and tangible solutions are shared,” she points out.

Hart tells Engineering News that last year’s delegates found that the new interactive format encouraged the exploration of creative energy solutions for the continent.

“We want the AEI to be recognised as the leading energy business forum in Africa, where key energy leaders from around the world come together to discuss solutions and review policy, regulation and industry progress, as well as changing market trends.”

Strategic Partnerships

The 2013 AEI will not only be presented by the South African National Energy Associa- tion (Sanea) and the World Energy Council (WEC) but will also be supported by continental organisation the African Union (AU) and the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (Nepad) Planning and Coordinating Agency, which Hart says bodes well for the African energy debate.

“The Nepad Planning and Coordinating Agency (NPCA), together with the AU, has supported and recommended the event to attract African delegates to the forum and ensure that discussions are truly African,” she says.

The NPCA is the AU’s institutional vehicle for implementing its development agenda. It focuses on Nepad’s practical and technical goals, as well as on important development projects on the continent.

“The NPCA is, therefore, proud to declare its support for the 2013 AEI, which is in line with its objectives of strengthening regional and continental integration to achieve sustainable economic growth and development,” says Hart.

Meanwhile, the WEC has adopted the AEI as its regional event for Africa. As one of the foremost multi-energy organisations in the world, the WEC has a global network that spans more than 90 countries, with more than 3 000 member organisations, including governments, industry and expert institutions, aimed at promoting the sustainable supply and use of energy for the benefit of all.

The AEI also serves as Sanea’s yearly conference. As the South African committee member of the WEC, Sanea represents a hub for the exchange of energy-related information, aimed at stimulating original thought and catalysing the transformation of the energy sector.

“The professional leadership provided by all these leading organisations ensures that the AEI receives attention at the highest level locally and internationally. This is critical to ensure that the resolutions proceeding from the conference have a real impact on shaping energy policy, creating business opportunities and informing the debate on Africa’s energy future,” says Hart.

She adds that the partnerships formed with the WEC, Nepad and Sanea will help equip conference delegates to implement effective growth strategies in their various sectors and poverty-eradication programmes to accelerate African development goals through high-quality sector and cross-sector programmes and projects.

This year’s AEI programme offers addi- tional participation from energy representa- tives from across Africa and an increased number of side events, such as the Africa Energy Projects Roundtable, sponsored by financial advisory firm Deloitte, and the Nuclear Forum, sponsored by French nuclear technology specialist Areva.

Further, specialised consulting firm Africa Project Access MD Paul Runge will head a roundtable discussion on the last day of the AEI, opening a discussion on major greenfield and brownfield energy projects in Africa.

“The discussion will have a business focus, while also being practical,” says Hart.

Additional topics include talks on key role-players in the African energy sector, including utilities, development finance institutions and technical assistance agencies, which are able to help African companies and projects throughout the sub-Saharan region.
Role-players in existing projects – such as power initiatives in Mozambique and Ethiopia’s hydropower programme – will join Runge in the roundtable discussion, which will bring together key players in the project supply chain.

“Delegates will not only have the opportunity to learn about new and interesting projects, but will also be provided with templates of specific projects,” says Hart.

The Nuclear Forum will bring together senior executives from energy utilities, regulators, the supply chain, banks and professional services firms from Africa to discuss opportunities and challenges facing the nuclear industry.
“The fourth annual Nuclear Forum will allow delegates to learn from their peers and develop strategies to tackle the most pressing issues facing the nuclear industry,” says Hart.

Another side event that delegates can look forward to is the Business Matchmaking Programme, which affords all exhibitors and conference delegates the opportunity to meet and engage face-to-face with the speakers and sponsors.

“For this part of the AEI programme, Siyenza has partnered with events organiser Outsmart Marketing, which has already worked on several high-profile events in Africa,” says Hart.

She adds that the AEI Business Match- making Programme promises delegates a definite return on investment, as it is uniquely designed to help delegates make the right contacts, fulfil business and target market objectives and establish long-term contacts in the energy sector.