Enlit Africa, the continent’s premier gathering for the power, energy and water sectors, will this year bring to proceedings a sharp focus on investment and finance, as key drivers of Africa’s energy transformation. As the energy sector faces escalating demand, climate imperatives and the push for universal access, this year’s programme underscores the critical role of innovative financing and strategic partnerships in unlocking the continent’s potential. With sessions tailored to address current trends – such as the rise of private capital, regional integration, sustainable infrastructure development. and insight ‘inside the deal’ – Enlit Africa 2025 offers stakeholders a broad view of new routes to shape the future of energy investment.
Innovative investment and finance, key to Africa’s energy transformation, will be in the spotlight at Enlit Africa 2025.
The conference and exhibition will take place from 20 to 22 May at the CTICC in Cape Town. Bringing together a diverse mix of voices – financiers, developers, owners, EPC consultants, utilities and policymakers – the event will share solutions grounded in Africa’s realities.
The energy sector in Africa is at a turning point. The International Energy Agency (IEA) projects that the continent will need to double its energy investment by 2030 to meet growing demand and achieve universal electricity access, a goal aligned with the African Development Bank and World Bank’s ambitious Mission 300 initiative. In response to this need, Enlit Africa’s investment and finance-focused sessions are designed to bridge the gap between ambition and action, offering insights into how public and private sectors can collaborate to fund the next wave of energy projects.
One of the features of this year’s programme is the Project & Investment Network, a separately bookable track that aims to promote collaboration among financiers, investors, developers, original equipment manufacturers and regulators. This track will explore active and completed projects and offer interactive masterclasses for delegates seeking investment or expertise.
The Strategise Stage will also place significant emphasis on finance, with a session dedicated to innovative public-private partnerships (PPPs) energising Africa’s power sector. As governments increasingly turn to PPPs to accelerate infrastructure development, this panel will examine how such collaborations can de-risk projects and attract private capital, a trend gaining traction across the continent. During one of the sessions on climate finance, attendees will unpack how renewable energy projects can leverage green bonds, blended finance and international cooperation – reflecting the growing global push for sustainable investment amid tightening climate regulations. With Africa’s renewable energy capacity expected to grow by 75% by 2030, according to the International Renewable Energy Agency. IRENA, these discussions are timely and essential.
Regional interconnections are also in focus in the sector, in a panel exploring their transformative potential. As countries invest in cross-border power pools, such as the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP) and West African Power Pool (WAPP), this session will highlight how these projects enhance energy security and create larger, more bankable markets – key factors in attracting institutional investors wary of fragmented markets. The focus on regional integration aligns with recent developments, such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which is spurring economic cooperation and infrastructure investment.
The Renewable Energy & Storage Hub, open to all attendees, will also consider financing challenges with a session on innovative mechanisms for clean energy. From crowdfunding and community investment models to the development of green bond markets, the discussion will address the financial barriers holding back renewables growth, which is a concern as solar and wind projects often struggle to secure funding. Discussions will also explore ways of mitigating investment risks, offering strategies to navigate resource variability and policy uncertainty, which remain significant hurdles in Africa’s renewable energy sector.
Enlit Africa 2025 will also offer multiple networking opportunities, providing a platform for deal-making and partnership-building. The co-located Water Security Africa event will add to the finance conversation, with roundtables on desalination initiatives and water-intensive industry strategies, underscoring the interconnectedness of water and energy investments.
The programme can be downloaded from the Enlit Africa website here.
For more information or to register for the event visit the event website here.
