Rwanda To Host The Pan-African Energy Expo And Leadership Summit
Rwanda is set to be at the forefront of African energy solutions, investment, and funding discussions as it hosts the inaugural Pan-African Energy Expo and Leadership Summit. This significant event, organized in collaboration with Rwanda’s Ministry of Infrastructure by Informa Markets, aims to gather African leaders for in-depth dialogues focused on the continent’s energy sector’s needs and opportunities. Slated for November 4-6, 2024, in Kigali City, the summit is expected to draw an audience of 2,000 attendees from across Africa and beyond.
The Africa Energy Expo and Leadership Summit aspires to be a beacon for collective African engagement in addressing the continent’s energy challenges. Ade Yesufu, the Exhibition Director for Energy at Informa Markets emphasized the importance of hosting such conversations within the continent to ensure they are tailored to African energy needs. “Our problems of Africa have to be solved in Africa, not in Europe,” Yesufu remarked during a press briefing in Kigali, highlighting the event’s objective to fuel Africa-centric solutions and discussions.
Although Informa Markets has a history of organizing energy expos in African countries, including Nigeria, South Africa, and Egypt, this will mark the organization’s first venture into a continent-wide event. The choice of Rwanda as the host country underscores its strategic relevance due to its rapidly growing economy, ease of doing business, and supportive government policies.
The expo is set to emphasize entrepreneurship within the energy sector through an Entrepreneurship Forum focusing on skills development, investment, and partnerships. Concurrently, the Leadership Summit will provide a platform for African leaders, investors, and industry gurus to deliberate on African-led investments and requisite policy reforms. This dual approach serves as a comprehensive avenue for tackling the energy sector’s current challenges and untapped potentials.
The event promises substantial benefits for Rwanda. Jean Bosco Mugiraneza, the Director General of the Energy Directorate at the Ministry of Infrastructure, noted that despite Rwanda’s achievements in electricity access — currently at 80% — challenges remain. The summit offers an invaluable opportunity for Rwanda to attract further investment and connect with equipment suppliers necessary for closing the remaining access gaps. Mugiraneza pointed out the existing challenges, including funding shortages, equipment and skill gaps, and the heavy reliance on foreign project implementation, emphasizing the expo’s role in addressing these issues.
Organizers and officials expect the expo and summit to draw significant investors and buyers from across the continent, alongside global organizations such as the World Bank. This will not only foster discussions on viable solutions but also stimulate the Rwandan economy by attracting tourism and benefiting the local hospitality sector. The Rwanda Convention Bureau (RCB), instrumental in securing the event, highlighted Rwanda’s capacity and infrastructure readiness to host such a large-scale meeting, further placing the country as a leading destination for international conferences and events.
As Rwanda prepares to host this landmark event, the Pan-African Energy Expo and Leadership Summit represents a pivotal moment for African energy discussions. It is a unique opportunity for the continent to rally together, share insights, and forge a path toward sustainable energy solutions crafted by Africans, for Africa.
