This year’s Africa Energy Indaba is set to introduce attendees to some of the most influential figures the energy sector has seen. Such acclaimed energy experts will assemble at this prestigious sectoral event to analyse and debate pressing topics pertinent to Africa’s energy sphere. Panel experts will delve into discussions that extensively address specific concerns relevant to their fields of professionalism and knowledge. 

Re-positioning Africa’s energy sector to deliver prosperity is an eminent theme amongst energy authorities and it seems only fitting that such a discussion be led by some of Africa’s leading energy experts.

Rentia van Tonder from Standard Bank will steer dialogues related to investing in and funding energy supply in emerging African economies – a crucial topic in Africa’s energy realm. Esteemed panel members making their contributions to the subject at hand will be Wale Shonibare: African Development Bank, Colin Fitz Randolph: Actis Mohan, Vivekanandan: Development Bank of Southern Africa, Lebogang Mosetu: ECIC and Steve Gray: UK Export Finance.

Geo-politics, interdependence and interconnectivity of the African energy sector are of pivotal concern to energy leaders of the continent. This said, John Rocha: the dtic is set to lead discussions in this regard in tandem with panel members Thabo Molekoa: Siemens Energy, Mashale Phumaphi: Shumba Energy and Olusola Laweson: AIIM.

Christoph Frei: Emerald Technology Ventures will be setting the scene for a plenary discussion moderated by Dr Clinton Carter-Brown: CSIR entailing energy storage and its contribution to the energy sector. Eng Ziria Waako: Electricity Regulatory Authority, Uganda, Lucy Chege: Development Bank of Southern Africa and Dr Jarrad Wright: NCPC-CSIR will express their professional opinion on novel and ground-breaking innovations associated with energy storage solutions. 

In light of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s State of the Nation Address regarding amending electricity to raise the licence-exemption cap for distributed generation projects, decentralised energy supply and mini-grids are considered significantly appropriate themes to unpack at this point in time. This relevant content will be directed by McKinsey’s Kannan Lakmeeharan with contributions being made by the following panel members: Johannes Tuwilika: Studer Innotec, Aaron Leopold: AMDA, Nico Peterschmidt: Inensus Eddington, Mazambani: Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority as well as Humphrey Wireko: Cross Boundary.

Jonathan Berman: Autonomi Capital, will be moderating an extensive dialogue pertaining to Africa’s trilemma: fossil fuels / poverty / climate change. Panel members Prof Abubakar Sambo: World Energy Council Nigeria, Duncan Bonnett: Africa House, Dr Karen Surridge-Talbot: SANEDI and Fortune Chasi will be voicing their stances on the subject. 

Today’s energy sector is undergoing immense shifts owing to digitisation. Whilst this topic makes an appearance every year, its incessant changes render it essential to review on an annual basis. Prashaen Reddy: Kearney will be steering the discussion in this regard alongside panel members, Dr Ryno Laubscher: University of Cape Town, Oratile Sematle: Sasol alongside Mark Ossel: OSGP Alliance.

Dave Wright: SANEA will be directing a debate concerning the future of oil while panel members Niall Kramer: AVA & CDI, Dr Elham Ibrahim: World Energy Council, Prof Rod Crompton: Wits Business School as well as Eghosa Oriaikhi Mabhena: Puma Energy will convey their expert opinions on the topic. 

Serving as the last of the fossil fuels to experience peak demand, gas set to become the world’s key energy source towards 2050. It is therefore deemed necessary to investigate the topic of natural gas and LNG within an African context. Moderator John Smelcer: Globeleq will pave the way for discussions in this regard with panel contributors Stefano Marani: Renergen, Andy Calitz: International Gas Union and Darryl Hunt: Dynamic Energy.

To showcase Africa’s potential as a hydrogen economy, Kudakwashe Ndhlukula: SACREEE, Dr Mkhulu Mathe: CSIR, Dr Carsten Rolle: World Energy Council, Germany Walter Englert: E&P Focus Africa Consulting and Prof Jack Fletcher: Hydrogen Energy Applications will communicate the intricacies concerning the domain that is hydrogen and what the latest developments entail. 

The Africa Energy Indaba presents a rare opportunity to welcome this exemplary union of regional and global energy pundits. Each speaker has been intricately and uniquely selected according to their expert knowledge in each arena, enabling comprehensive insights and perspectives that will not only enlighten but inspire attendees.