Energy: A key to unlocking growth in Africa
The global economic crisis still represents both a challenge and an opportunity for the African continent and its almost a billion residents. A unique continental advantage realised through the adversity that has faced many Africans over decades, has left them with an imbued knowledge on how to live sustainably. Simultaneously, the global downturn provides Africa with an opportunity to reshape its policies, to build stronger, more equitable and diversified economies.
The need for energy coupled to the growth prospects surrounding energy development in Africa, poses opportunity for investment as well as infrastructure development expansion. This continent, rich in natural resources, comprising vast renewable and non-renewable energy resources that largely go unexploited, is largely untapped. For example, it is estimated that only 7% of hydroelectricity and less than 1% of geothermal potential on the continent has been exploited. Harnessing the available renewable and alternate energy resources in Africa is viewed as part of the solution to the continent's energy challenges and there have been various initiatives aimed at developing these energy markets in Africa.
Seeking solutions to these challenges, the 2nd annual ENERGY INDABA, focused on finding answers to unlocking Africa’s energy market as well as providing a pivotal platform to expose energy growth potential across the continent, will be hosted in February 2010 in Johannesburg, South Africa. This flagship energy event is focused on addressing the following salient issues relating to energy:
Making use of lessons learnt and experience gained with the various energy projects in Africa and globally, the conference will examine how blockages to the energy market related to policies, technologies, financing and capacity can be addressed so as to increase access to energy in Africa and therefore unlock the growth potential for energy infrastructure development across the continent.
The event will bring together high-level decision makers from the private sector, government, energy companies, utilities, etc to provide visible leadership and commitment to a common strategy for Africa’s energy market. Lessons learnt from similar developing and emerging countries such as Russia, China, Brazil and India will be explored and implemented through the participants in attendance.
Ultimately the event will aim to explore some solutions to the challenges facing the continent’s energy challenges, whilst creating the ideal networking climate for engagement amongst the officials present to unlock the potential for energy in Africa.
Dates: 24 – 26 February 2010
Website: www.energyafricaexpo.com
Enquiries: info@siyenza.za.com
