ALN will host an engaging and thought-provoking interactive panel session titled “Africa’s Green Transition. Where will the Power Come from?” during the upcoming 2023 Africa Energy Forum. The session will delve into crucial questions surrounding the continent’s energy transition. Participants will explore the dilemma faced by state off-takers, examining whether they will step up to the challenge or be overwhelmed by the age-old question: if independent power producers build the generation and state off-takers guarantee the offtake, will the demand follow?
Additionally, the panel will discuss the potential implications of African governments allowing private offtake and distribution. They will debate whether this approach could inadvertently create two classes of consumers, with some having the financial means to bypass state off-takers while others are left reliant on poorly managed, insolvent state corporations.
Distinguished Speakers and Insightful Discussions
The session will be moderated by Amyn Mussa, Partner at ALN Kenya | Anjarwalla & Khanna, who will expertly guide the discussion. It will feature an industry-distinguished lineup of speakers who bring a wealth of expertise and diverse perspectives to the table:
- Daniel Kiptoo Bargoria – Director General, Energy & Petroleum Regulatory Authority, Kenya
- Lisa Pinsley – Partner, Head of Middle East & Africa, Energy Infrastructure – Actis
- Wale Shonibare – Director, Energy Financial Solutions, Policy & Regulations – African Development Bank Group
- Adam Kendall – Partner, McKinsey & Company
- Nadia Rhazi Khawar – Managing Director, Business Development in the Office of Structured Finance and Insurance, U.S. International Development Finance Corporation.
- Christopher North – Partner & Co-Head, Climate Investing, Helios Investment Partners
These industry leaders will contribute valuable insights and experiences, shedding light on critical aspects of Africa’s green transition and shaping the discourse surrounding sustainable energy solutions.
The Energy Transition
Ahead of the Africa Energy Forum, a report by McKinsey & Company: The Energy Transition: A Region-By-Region Agenda for Near-Term Action concludes that almost half of the continent’s potential GHG-producing industries have not been built yet, creating an opportunity to build a thriving low-carbon manufacturing sector from the ground up. By doing so, Africa could avoid the costly transition from fossil fuels to renewables and build a competitive and resilient economy that doesn’t rely on fossil fuels. New green opportunities could deliver revenues of up to USD 2 billion per year and create about 700,000 direct and indirect jobs by 2030.
The continent has an abundance of natural resources, including solar and wind power, minerals, and agricultural land, that are needed to scale green manufacturing, build a green transportation sector, and provide energy at a low cost for the 600 million people in Africa who are still without it. This is also important for the global effort to reach net zero by 2050.
Africa is home to more than 40 percent of global reserves of cobalt, manganese, and platinum, which are critical materials for lithium-ion batteries, wind turbines, and fuel cells. African countries could benefit from exporting essential materials and components of clean technologies that the global energy transition needs, yielding significant economic opportunity.
Seizing these opportunities, Africa could consider actions to catalyse economic growth, ensure a just energy transition, and contribute to the global effort toward net-zero emissions.
Register and explore details of the AEF 2023 agenda.
