During the Africa Energy Forum (AEF)’s lifetime the sector has witnessed the emergence of initiatives such as South Africa’s REIPPP Programme, GET FiT Uganda and the IFC’s Scaling Solar programme, with many IPPs coming online and a growing emergency power sector.
From two sponsors and 200 delegates the Forum now attracts 130 sponsors and 2,000 delegates, becoming a catalyst for partnerships and project investment. Just before AEF arrives in Mauritius to celebrate its 20th anniversary we hear from some of the sector’s longest supporters.
David Keith, Senior Vice President, Tetra Tech: “My first Africa Energy Forum was 2000 in Edinburgh. Our firm had just partnered with the Government of Uganda for a major electricity reform effort… Our work helped to establish the Electricity Regulatory Authority, and opened the door for private sector participation in Uganda’s distribution sector. In 2002, at AEF in Lyon, we held a formal bidder’s conference for what would ultimately become Umeme… Regardless of the market climate for investment in Africa’s power sector, AEF has remained a constant”
Lucy Chege, Head: Energy, Environment and Information Communications Technologies (ICT) at the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA): “Over the years, AEF has emerged as an important conference remarkably well attuned to the needs of its stakeholders. It provides an excellent platform for networking and discussions with the key stakeholders from the continent.”
Rentia van Tonder, Head, Power for Standard Bank Group: “Standard Bank’s established association with the AEF has provided an enormously effective platform to share the bank’s experience and insight into the exciting evolution of Africa’s energy landscape. The AEF has also provided a brilliant window into the global technology and financing landscapes that frame, inform and support Africa’s own energy evolution.”
Alexander Sarac, Partner and Head of Africa Energy and Infrastructure at Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP: “The AEF provides a great platform for industry stakeholders and Governments to meet on an annual basis… One of the best organized conferences with an Africa focus and the organizers impress with their ability to innovate and introduce new features that go beyond a “normal conference”. We are proud sponsors of the AEF.”
