Diversifying Investment Options for Africa’s Energy Future
Africa’s energy sector faces a persistent financing gap, limiting progress toward universal energy access and a just transition. The AfDB and World Bank’s Mission 300, which aims to connect 300 million Africans to electricity by 2030, underscores the urgency of scaling up financing solutions tailored to Africa’s unique energy needs. While public funding remains vital, unlocking private sector investments, blended finance, climate funds, and innovative capital markets is critical to mobilizing resources at scale. However, access to these financing streams remains a challenge due to high investment risks, inadequate policy frameworks, and limited financial instruments tailored to Africa’s unique context. This session will explore how Africa can diversify and sustain financing options to drive energy access and economic transformation. Panellists will discuss the role of the bonds market, carbon trading, sovereign guarantees, de-risking mechanisms, and green financing in accelerating investment flows. Additionally, the session will examine the institutional and policy safeguards needed to build investor confidence, ensure accountability, and maximize the impact of these investments.

Addressing project bankability challenges in Africa’s energy future
One of the biggest hurdles to financing sustainable energy in Africa is the perceived lack of bankable projects. While risks like policy uncertainty and weak credit structures are well recognized, the concept of project bankability remains elusive, and rarely dissected in a way that provides actionable insights for developers, policymakers, and investors. This theme focuses on demystifying project bankability, outlining its core elements and providing practical solutions to mitigate risks, enhance project structuring, and attract investment for both large-scale and decentralized energy projects. It will also examine strategies for collaboration among governments, developers, and financiers to de-risk energy investments and ensure the scalability and long-term viability of clean energy projects across Africa.

Building Regional Value Chains for Clean Energy: Collaboration for a Sustainable Future
The growing urgency for developing regional value chain for clean energy technologies in Africa has been identified as essential for Africa’s energy transition, economic growth, and industrialization. However, weak infrastructure, limited cross-border collaboration and fragmented policies continue to hinder efforts to localize the manufacturing and processing of critical components like solar panels, battery storage, and wind turbines. This thematic area explores strategic partnerships and policy frameworks needed to develop an integrated clean energy value chain, leveraging initiatives such as the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme (ETLS) and the Common Market for East and Southern Africa (COMESA). Discussions will focus on trade facilitation, policy incentives, and capacity-building initiatives that can drive local production, strengthen regional supply chains, and position Africa as a competitive player in the global clean energy market.

Scaling Energy Access: Unlocking the Potential of Mini-Grids and Stand-Alone Systems for Universal Electrification
Mini-grids and stand-alone systems are critical to expanding electricity access in Africa, particularly in rural and under-served areas where traditional grid expansion is economically unfeasible. However, their full potential is often hindered by key challenges, including low consumer willingness to pay, regulatory hurdles in tariff setting, and the unproductive use of power that limits commercial viability. This thematic area examines strategies to overcome these barriers and ensure that decentralized energy solutions contribute meaningfully to universal electrification and address energy equity challenges. Discussions will focus on creating enabling regulatory environments, designing cost-reflective yet affordable tariffs, and promoting productive energy use to drive economic growth. The session will also highlight successful models that integrate mini-grids with national electrification plans, foster local entrepreneurship, and enhance the long-term sustainability of off-grid energy solutions.

Scaling Investment in Research and Innovation for Africa’s Energy Future
Limited funding, weak institutional collaboration, and inadequate policy support hinder effective R&D despite its crucial role in providing innovative and sustainable energy solutions. This thematic focus explores strategies to scale up investments in R&D for Africa’s energy sector, focusing on clean energy innovations, grid modernization, and locally driven technological solutions. Discussions will highlight the role of governments, private sector players, and development partners in fostering a robust R&D ecosystem that accelerates Africa’s energy transition and strengthens its position in the global clean energy economy.

Commercializing Methane Emissions: Turning Waste into Economic and Energy Opportunities
Methane emissions from oil and gas operations, agriculture, and waste management represent both an environmental challenge and an untapped economic opportunity. Rather than being flared or released into the atmosphere, methane can be captured and commercialized for energy generation, industrial use, and as a feedstock for clean fuels like hydrogen. This session will explore innovative business models, technologies, and policy frameworks that enable the monetization of methane emissions. Discussions will also focus on investment opportunities, carbon credit mechanisms, and regulatory incentives that can drive methane capture projects while contributing to emissions reduction targets and sustainable economic growth.