Euphemia OjukwuThe Power Africa Summit 2024 (PAS24) event lasted for two days, March 5 to 6 2024. It brought together key stakeholders, visionaries, and experts, and served as a catalyst for groundbreaking discussions on critical issues, ranging from policy reforms to innovative technologies, all aimed at propelling Africa towards a sustainable and equitable energy future.
Day 1: Shaping the Energy Policy Landscape
The summit kicked off with a breakfast briefing hosted by DT Global, exploring Nigeria’s groundbreaking Electricity Act of 2023. The act, which empowers state governments to establish and regulate their electricity markets, garnered attention from experts, including Chiedu Ugbo, MD/CEO of Niger Delta Power Holding Company, and Alba Topulli, Deputy MD of Mercy Corps – Energy 4 Impact.
A parallel session, hosted by YES! (Youth Energy Summit), delved into scaling up job creation and employment. Charlene Ruto, a Youth Champion & Climate Action Champion from Kenya, provided a youth perspective on energy, setting the tone for discussions with major initiative providers and industry leaders.
Later in the day, sessions hosted by Masen, Power Africa, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce brought attention to regional collaborations, women’s leadership in the energy transition, and financing strategies for the Lobito Corridor project connecting Angola, Zambia, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Day 2: Navigating Challenges and Seizing Opportunities
The second day commenced with a focus on the Morocco-Ethiopia Coalition for Sustainable Energy Access, shedding light on the role of regional cooperation in achieving cleaner and greener energy solutions. Concurrently, a boardroom discussion, hosted by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, delved into the intricate process of regulating carbon markets, gathering regulators from across Africa.
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As the day unfolded, topics ranged from climate finance and COP28 discussions to leveraging data for the sustainable energy transition. Noteworthy sessions included insights from Marathon Digital Holdings on Bitcoin mining as a technology solution for Africa’s energy infrastructure and the critical closed-door regulators roundtable, where regulatory leaders discussed the challenges and opportunities in regulating carbon markets.
Conclusion:
The summit concluded with dynamic discussions on climate finance, the role of data in financing the energy transition, and the potential of Bitcoin mining technologies in Africa’s energy infrastructure, providing a holistic view of the challenges and opportunities in the continent’s energy sector.
As Africa stands at the threshold of an energy revolution, the Energizing Africa Summit has undoubtedly set the stage for collaborative action, innovation, and regional cooperation, paving the way for a sustainable and electrified future for the continent.
