Conference on energy technologies in Africa 2025, a bold vision for Africa's energy future.

The second edition of the African Energy Technology Conference (AETC 2025) ended in Accra, Ghana, with a resounding success, marking an important milestone in Africa's energy revolution. Organised under the theme "Innovate, Invest, Deliver: Revolutionising Finance for Sustainable Energy Growth in Africa", this year's event attracted high-level dignitaries, international development partners, policy-makers, investors, entrepreneurs and change agents from across the continent and beyond.

Led by the Africa Energy Technology Centre (AETC), a pioneering institution dedicated to promoting local innovation, integrating policy and deploying capital across the energy value chain, the conference provided a powerful platform for reimagining Africa's energy future. Founded by Emelia Akumah, AETC is dedicated to creating the first technology hub dedicated to smart energy in Africa. A space where cutting-edge technologies, strategic capital and local expertise converge to solve the continent's most pressing energy challenges.

AETC 2025 featured exciting keynote speeches, roundtables, investment forums and strategic exhibitions that collectively underlined the need for a unified African approach to sustainable energy.

Highlights include

Une vision claire pour un avenir énergétique intelligent : l’AETC a réaffirmé sa mission de construire le premier pôle technologique dédié à l’énergie intelligente en Afrique, une installation qui favorisera la collaboration entre les technologues, les financiers et les décideurs politiques afin d’apporter des solutions durables et évolutives aux besoins énergétiques spécifiques du continent.

Intra-African energy trade and integration: discussions highlighted the urgency of initiating and sustaining intra-African energy trade in order to create a truly integrated African energy market. Speakers from APPO and national governments emphasised regional cooperation and infrastructure development as cornerstones of energy resilience and economic growth.

Revolutionising the financing of African energy projects: One of the key takeaways from the conference was the need for new financing models that prioritise innovation, inclusion and local ownership. Participants explored strategies to make African energy projects more bankable, reduce investment risk and catalyse public-private partnerships. Closing the financing gap will be essential if more than 600 million Africans still living without electricity are to gain access to energy.

Among the keynote speakers was the Honourable John Jinapor, Ghana's Minister of Energy, who gave an inspiring speech on the importance of collaboration and innovation in the energy sector. He also announced new government policies, such as the installation of solar street lights, as part of Ghana's energy diversification programme.

Nigeria's Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), H.E. Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, has called for regional collaboration to unlock Africa's gas potential. Citing Nigeria's reserves of over 200,000 billion cubic feet, he highlighted gas pipeline projects such as the West African and trans-Saharan pipelines to promote regional integration. The Minister insisted that gas should be used primarily for national industrialisation, fertilisers, electricity and job creation in Africa, and not just for export.

H.E. Dr Omar Farouk Ibrahim, Secretary General of the APPO, reminded participants that Africa must make strategic use of its natural oil and gas resources to lift its people out of poverty, while investing in cleaner options for the future.

Remote keynote addresses were also given by Francesco La Camera, Director General of IRENA, and H.E. Damilola Ogunbiyi, CEO of Sustainable Energy for All, underlining the global importance of the energy transition in Africa.

AETC founder and president Emelia Akumah issued an impassioned call to action, declaring:

"The future of energy is African, not only because of our resources, but also because of our determination. Through technology, collaboration and bold financing, we will transform Africa's energy landscape from one of scarcity to one of shared prosperity."

As AETC 2025 draws to a close, the Centre looks forward to deepening its partnerships with governments, the private sector and development institutions to take forward the bold ideas and actions that emerged from the conference. From creating intra-African energy partnerships to laying the foundations for the continent's first smart technology hub, the work is just beginning.

Africa's energy transformation is underway, and it's being led by Africans.