This year’s Africa Energy Indaba, a virtual conference set to take place between 1 - 5 March 2021, will introduce attendees to some of the most influential figures the energy sector has seen. These acclaimed energy experts will assemble at this prestigious sectoral event to analyse and debate pressing topics pertinent to Africa’s energy sphere. Panel experts will delve into discussions that extensively address specific concerns relevant to their fields of professionalism and knowledge.
The Africa Energy Indaba presents a rare opportunity to welcome this exemplary union of regional and global energy pundits. Each speaker has been intricately and uniquely selected according to their expert knowledge in each arena, enabling comprehensive insights and perspectives that will not only enlighten but inspire attendees.
Re-positioning Africa’s energy sector to deliver prosperity is an eminent theme amongst energy authorities and it seems only fitting that such a discussion be led by some of Africa’s leading energy experts.
Rentia van Tonder from Standard Bank will steer dialogues related to investing in and funding energy supply in emerging African economies – a crucial topic in Africa’s energy realm. Esteemed panel members making their contributions to the subject at hand include Wale Shonibare, from African Development Bank; Colin Fitz Randolph from Actis, Mohan Vivekanandan from the Development Bank of Southern Africa; Lebogang Mosetu from ECIC, and Steve Gray from UK Export Finance.
Geo-politics, interdependence and interconnectivity of the African energy sector are of pivotal concern to energy leaders of the continent. John Rocha from the DTIC will lead discussions in tandem with panel members Thabo Molekoa from Siemens Energy, Mashale Phumaphi from Shumba Energy, and Olusola Laweson from AIIM.
Christoph Frei, representing Emerald Technology Ventures will introduce a plenary discussion moderated by the CSIR’s Dr Clinton Carter-Brown on energy storage and its contribution to the energy sector. Ziria Waako, from the Electricity Regulatory Authority of Uganda, Lucy Chege from the Development Bank of Southern Africa and Dr Jarrad Wright from the NCPC-CSIR will express their professional opinion on novel and ground-breaking innovations associated with energy storage solutions.
In the light of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s State of the Nation Address regarding the raising of the licence-exemption cap for distributed generation projects, decentralised energy supply and mini-grids are considered significantly appropriate themes to unpack at this point in time. This relevant content will be directed by McKinsey’s Kannan Lakmeeharan with contributions being made by Johannes Tuwilika, Studer Innotec; Aaron Leopold, AMDA; Nico Peterschmidt, Inensus; Eddington Mazambani, Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority, and Humphrey Wireko, Cross Boundary.
Jonathan Berman, of Autonomi Capital, will moderate an extensive dialogue pertaining to Africa’s trilemma: fossil fuels, poverty, and climate change. Panel members Prof. Abubakar Sambo, from the World Energy Council, Nigeria; Duncan Bonnett from Africa House; Dr Karen Surridge-Talbot, SANEDI and Fortune Chasi will voice their opinions on the subject.
Today’s energy sector is undergoing immense shifts owing to digitisation. This year, Prashaen Reddy from Kearney will steer the discussion with a panel comprising Dr Ryno Laubscher, University of Cape Town; Oratile Sematle, Sasol; and Mark Ossel, OSGP Alliance.
SANEA’s Dave Wright will direct a debate concerning the future of oil while panel members Niall Kramer of AVA & CDI, Dr Elham Ibrahim from the World Energy Council, Prof. Rod Crompton of Wits Business School, and Puma Energy’s Eghosa Oriaikhi Mabhena will convey their expert opinions on the topic.
Serving as the last of the fossil fuels to experience peak demand, gas is set to become the world’s key energy source towards 2050. It is therefore deemed necessary to investigate the topic of natural gas and LNG within an African context. Moderator John Smelcer from Globeleq will pave the way for these discussions with contributions from Stefano Marani, Renergen; Andy Calitz, International Gas Union; and Darryl Hunt, Dynamic Energy.
To showcase Africa’s potential as a hydrogen economy, Kudakwashe Ndhlukula of SACREEE, Dr Mkhulu Mathe from CSIR, Dr Carsten Rolle from the World Energy Council, Germany; Walter Englert, E&P Focus Africa Consulting; and Prof. Jack Fletcher from Hydrogen Energy Applications will discuss the intricacies concerning the use of hydrogen and what the latest developments entail.
Contact Thembisa Bambathi, thembisa@energyindaba.co.za