Enlit Africa 2026 returns to Cape Town with a focused opening programme structured for decision-makers who need practical clarity: an early-morning investment-led breakfast followed by two keynote anchors that will tackle delivery realities in Africa’s power, energy and water systems.
AI reality, grid constraints and the energy-water nexus are in focus at Enlit Africa this year.
Taking place on 19 to 21 May 2026 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC), Enlit Africa brings together stakeholders from across the electricity and water sectors. The 2026 theme – Compounding impact: small changes, outsized outcomes – frames a deliberate focus on the operational decisions, governance shifts and financing mechanisms that can translate intention into measurable system performance.
The week starts with the Project & Investment Network Business Breakfast, with keynote commentary from Bruce Whitfield, followed by a chat between Bruce Whitfield and Goolam Ballim, Chief Economist and Head of Research, Standard Bank Group.
The breakfast is for participants focused on project bankability, procurement confidence and the practical steps that progress projects towards execution. It unpacks what financiers are pricing, what evidence strengthens confidence in delivery, which behaviours and signals improve fundability and why Africa, geopolitically, is especially relevant now.
Africa in the AI Age
The first keynote, Africa in the AI Age, is hosted by Enkromelle Andrew, Master of Ceremonies, and opens with a welcome from Chanelle Hingston, Group Director, Power, Energy & Water, VUKA Group.
Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, South Africa’s Minister of Electricity and Energy, will deliver a ministerial address, which will be followed by a focus on digital power, storage and AI, with a keynote contribution from David Sun, Vice President and CEO of Electric Power Digitalisation Business, Huawei.
A panel discussion on the role of AI and digital technologies in Africa’s energy evolution will include Carol Koech, CEO, GEAPP, and the morning will conclude with an in-conversation session moderated by James Mackay, CEO, Energy Council of South Africa, with senior business leaders including Dan Marokane, Group Chief Executive, Eskom, and other leaders in industry.
Coordinated energy and water planning
The second keynote, on Day 2, looks at how coordinated energy and water planning could change Africa’s resilience. Across the continent, energy security and water security are increasingly inseparable, but planning and funding remain fragmented.
Under the guidance of MC Enkromelle Andrew, the session includes a perspective on the water-energy nexus from Sabine Dall’Omo, CEO, Siemens South Africa.
A high-level panel will look at taking water–energy coordination beyond theory, with panellists including Darshana Myronidis, Global Group Director of Sustainability, Virgin Group, Deerosh Maharaj, Executive Head: Energy, Infrastructure & Mining, Standard Bank Business & Commercial Banking, Sabine Dall’Omo, CEO, Siemens South Africa, and JP van der Merwe, Chief Foreign Direct Investment Officer, Wesgro.
From the Business Breakfast and through both the keynotes, Enlit Africa 2026 is designed to deliver discussions focused on delivery, governance and the actions that can improve system outcomes at pace.
The event, created by VUKA Group, will take place from 19 to 21 May 2026 at the CTICC in Cape Town, South Africa, with the support of a host of industry and institutional sponsors. The programme brings together leaders across finance, utilities, government, industry and technology to accelerate bankable investment, system readiness and measurable outcomes.
The full programme and registration information are available at: www.enlit-africa.com
