KPMG’s commitment to create agile utilities in the energy sector across Sub-Saharan Africa, has motivated the Firm to take up a diamond sponsorship opportunity at the 2017 African Utility Week. The 17th annual African Utility Week is the only global meeting place, conference and trade exhibition for African power and water utility professionals. The conference also offers a unique networking opportunity for engineers, stakeholders and solution providers alike.

Ahmed Jaffer, Chairman of KPMG in South Africa and the Head of Power and Utilities, says that African Utility Week is a great platform that attracts key decision makers within the sector.

“As a Firm with an interest in Africa’s power and water sector, we are excited about this event. KPMG has the skills, knowledge and act as advisors as well as auditors within the sector. As such, we concluded that being a diamond sponsor was important for this strategic event on the energy calendar,” says Jaffer.

Asked about the biggest challenges currently engulfing the sector, Jaffer was quick to point out that energy security remains elusive on the African continent. The International Energy Agency (IEA) estimates that two out of three people in sub-Saharan Africa do not have access to electricity. This translates into 620 million people on the continent without electricity and for those that have the supply, the supply is unreliable and very expensive compared to world standards.

Evan Schiff, Event Director for African Utility Week, says: “KPMG has been a highly valued partner of African Utility Week for many years. Their commitment to join us as Diamond Sponsor is not only a testament to the value of the event, but more importantly to the ongoing commitment of one of the world’s most valuable brands to the delivery of energy and clean water to the African continent.”

De Buys Scott, Senior Partner in Deal Advisory and Head of Infrastructure Advisory at KPMG in South Africa, notes that the 2017 Africa Utility Week is best-placed to bring together different ideas to solve the energy security issue.

“African Utility Week is the foremost utilities conference in Africa. The awards presented to the utilities across Africa are a representation of how much progress has been made, though there’s still a long way to go. Most importantly, the conference will afford attendees across the world an opportunity to network with industry peers and participate in sector-leader driven interactive and informative sessions,” says Scott.

The conference and expo will take place from Tuesday, 16 May 2017 to Thursday, 18 May 2017 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre. Log on to www.african-utility-week.com for more information and to register your attendance.