The 10th edition of Informa Market’s Nigeria Energy Exhibition and Conference, held in Lagos from September 19-21, 2023, proved to be a pivotal gathering of stakeholders, professionals, and experts in the field of energy. The conference shed light on one of Africa’s most pressing issues – the substantial disparity between electricity supply and demand across the continent. With only a handful of countries boasting 100% access to electricity, it is evident that addressing this gap is of paramount importance.
While much of the world’s attention has been directed towards harnessing renewable energy sources such as hydropower, wind, and geothermal power, there remains a persistent appetite for conventional fuels. Among these, natural gas stands out, identified by many African governments as a vital transition fuel in the continent’s journey towards achieving net-zero carbon emissions targets.
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Nigeria’s Legislative Progress in Bolstering the Energy Sector
The recent enactment of the Electricity Act of 2023 in Nigeria has been lauded as a significant step in the right direction for the country’s energy sector. The Act, which addresses various aspects of the energy landscape, is seen as a crucial tool for achieving the goal of providing affordable and accessible power to the nation’s citizens. It is hoped that this legislative move will help tackle Nigeria’s longstanding power supply challenges.
Ade Yesufu, the Exhibition Director of Nigeria Energy, underscored the importance of this legislative milestone. He emphasized that the Nigeria Energy Exhibition and Conference served as a platform for both local stakeholders and international investors to propose innovative solutions to the industry’s persistent challenges. The event’s theme, “Unlocking new value with reforms, investments, and technology,” highlights the critical role that reforms, investments, and technological innovation play in addressing the electricity crisis.
The 10th anniversary of the Nigeria Energy Exhibition and Conference marked a significant milestone in the event’s history. Celebrated under the theme “Unlocking new value with reforms, investments, and technology,” the conference attracted a diverse array of participants, including government representatives, private sector leaders, investors, and technology providers. It provided a unique opportunity for stakeholders to engage, network, and collaborate on solutions to the pressing issues facing Nigeria and West Africa’s electricity sector.
The conference consisted of two key components: a high-level Leadership Summit and a Technical Seminar. The Leadership Summit brought together industry leaders, government officials, power generation companies, independent power producers, technology providers, and financiers. Their discussions revolved around the development of renewable and off-grid solutions and the quest to find answers to the sector’s most critical challenges.
Key Topics and Stakeholders
The Nigeria Energy Exhibition and Conference addressed several key topics, each with implications for the future of energy access and sustainability in Africa. These topics included power sector decentralization, new legislations and frameworks in Nigeria, the role of natural gas as a transitional fuel in achieving a net-zero economy, funding opportunities, climate-driven investments, emission trading, and the power of digital technology in enhancing customer value.
The event saw the participation of approximately 3,000 energy stakeholders, over 200 exhibitors, and three international pavilions representing China, Germany, and Turkey. Prominent sponsors lent their support to the conference, with Skipper, Tetracore, Huawei, Simba, Jinko Solar, Okaya, JMG, UTEC, Ofstar, Unisell Interlinked, Felicity, Fronius, Lucy, Jubaili, JA Solar, Gil Siemens, Su-Kam, and Powerpro playing key roles.
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Promoting Renewable Energy
Ministers from Nigeria and Ghana, Adebayo Adelabu and Hon. Andrew Mercer, shared their perspectives on Nigeria’s electricity crisis. Both advocated for the adoption of renewable energy as a viable solution to complement domestic and commercial power supply. The emphasis on renewable energy aligns with global efforts to transition towards cleaner and more sustainable sources of power.
The Nigeria Energy Exhibition and Conference stood as a testament to the importance of collaboration, innovation, and investment in addressing Africa’s electricity challenges. As the continent grapples with the electricity access gap, events like this play a pivotal role in shaping the future of energy access and sustainability in Africa. With continued commitment and concerted efforts, it is hoped that Africa will move closer to realizing the goal of widespread, affordable, and reliable electricity access for all its citizens.
