In a major initiative aimed at bringing public policy and energy innovation closer together, the President and Founder of the Africa Energy Technology Centre (AETC), Ms Emelia Akumah, led a high-level delegation on a courtesy visit to the Vice-President of the Republic of Ghana, H.E. Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang.
The meeting, held at Jubilee House, marks a decisive step in the AETC's mission to position Africa at the global forefront of energy technology innovation. This meeting provided a strategic platform for the Office of the Vice-President and the AETC to reaffirm their shared commitment to a more inclusive, sustainable and technologically advanced continental energy landscape.
Promoting a new era of innovation and local content
The AETC's main mandate is to ensure that Africa is no longer merely a consumer of energy technologies, but becomes a major hub for their design and implementation. During the discussions, Ms Akumah emphasised that the AETC acts as a catalyst for the development of local content, ensuring that African excellence remains at the heart of the global energy transition. By consolidating sustainable partnerships with the highest government authorities, the AETC aims to make Ghana the gateway to energy transformation in the sub-region.
Intentional inclusion: empowering women and the next generation
A central theme of the discussions was the voluntary empowerment of women and young people in a rapidly changing energy sector. H.E. Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang emphasised the need to address the structural and social vulnerabilities that often hold back the potential of these groups. She stressed that for Africa to truly prosper, the participation of women and young people must be integrated from the outset of energy initiatives — not as an afterthought, but as a fundamental driver of long-term impact.
The Vice-President praised the AETC's strong leadership as an institution headed by a woman, noting that the collaboration between her office and the Centre represents a powerful synergy between innovation, public policy and governance.
From participants to key players: developing the green value chain
Referring to the changing energy paradigm, Ms Akumah highlighted the vast opportunities emerging in renewable energy and green industrial value chains.
"The energy sector is opening up concrete, innovative and scalable avenues in the areas of innovation, financing, project development and digital energy services," said Ms Akumah. "With the right partnerships, young people and women can move beyond being mere participants to become leaders and owners of the solutions that will power Africa's future. Intentional collaboration and visible leadership are key to transforming this potential into measurable global impact."
Heading for AETC 2026
The AETC expressed its deep gratitude for the Vice-President's support for the 2025 edition of the AETC. This high-level support strengthens the confidence of investors and stakeholders in platforms that place Africa's development sovereignty at the heart of their priorities.
In a formal gesture of partnership, Ms Akumah extended a special invitation to the Vice-President to participate in the upcoming Africa Energy Technology Conference (AETC) 2026, scheduled for 19–21 May 2026 in Accra, under the theme: ' From Borders to Bridges: Boosting Intra-African Trade and Development through Energy and Technology Services."
This conference aims to become the leading continental forum for highlighting the innovations and talent pools that will shape the next century of African energy.
As AETC continues to build these collaborations "from borders to bridges", the Centre remains firmly committed to ensuring that Africa's energy transition is not only green, but also driven by a generation of African innovators, entrepreneurs and leaders ready to make their mark on the global stage.