Networking evening at the 3rd Powering Africa: Summit in March 2017
Representatives of African governments together with key players within the African energy and power industry will once again converge in Washington D.C to meet U.S. governmental agencies and leading international energy investors and businesses from US and around the world for the 2018 Edition of the Powering Africa: Summit.
U.S. Governmental agencies and leading businesses will thus unite to explore partnerships that will provide predictability and security in the development phase of energy projects in Africa.
The Powering Africa: Summit which is in its fourth year will be hosted at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in Washington D.C. from 28 February to 2nd March 2018. The summit presents an unparalleled platform for discussions on opportunities to develop and invest in power projects on the African continent.
US intergovernmental agencies that have confirmed their presence and participation at the summit includes OPIC, Power Africa and USAID.
In numerous conversations with EnergyNet, Department of State and Department of Energy communicated a clear determination to play a greater role in Africa, promoting commercial partnerships and progressing deals at an increased pace which will be measured to help navigate bottlenecks more effectively.
Whilst the market has hesitated in some key economies, the likes of Uganda, Cote D’Ivoire, Senegal, Zambia and Ghana are booming with projects including the multibillion dollar Uganda-Tanzania Oil Pipeline, which has investors buzzing.
Simon Gosling, Managing Director of EnergyNet comments:
“South Africa has struggled over the last 24 months to finalise the renewable IPPs, these projects are now progressing because of increased localisation and BPE engagement which will allow these PPAs to finally be signed in the coming weeks. This will trigger the Gas IPP Programme which will be a huge opportunity for foreign investors and gas providers as well as being transformative for the development of the country.
On a recent trip to South Africa, U.S. Secretary of Energy Rick Perry noted how energy increases security for the young. An obvious corollary is how increased security increases confidence which enables better learning, stronger ideas and employment, and in the end a more ready and able consumer – which will really turn the lights on across the continent. “
From these perspectives Africa should be emboldened to negotiate a greater volume of deals and at the 4th Powering Africa Summit a significant number of these conversations will commence.
For more information and participation in the summit, visit https://www.poweringafrica-summit.com/
