Exploring the critical role of reliable power, grid expansion, gas-to-power, and renewables in driving industrial growth, job creation and economic resilience across Africa
Cape Town, South Africa – 15 January 2026: Africa’s ambition to industrialise, create jobs and build resilient economies lies firmly in its ability to deliver reliable, affordable and scalable energy infrastructure. Without dependable power and modern infrastructure networks, manufacturing, mining, agro-processing and value-added industries cannot grow at the pace required to meet the continent’s development goals.
As African economies seek to move beyond resource extraction towards industrial production and beneficiation, the importance of integrated energy and infrastructure development has never been greater. This strategic alignment will take centre stage at Africa Energy Indaba, co-located with Infrastructure Africa, creating a single, powerful platform that brings energy, infrastructure and investment decision-makers together.
Energy as the Backbone of Industrial Growth
Industrialisation is energy-intensive. From factories and processing plants to logistics hubs and special economic zones, reliable electricity supply underpins productivity, competitiveness and job creation. Yet many African countries continue to face power shortages, grid constraints and aging infrastructure that limit industrial output and deter investment.
Africa Energy Indaba addresses these challenges head-on by convening governments, utilities, project developers, investors, EPCs and technology providers to focus on practical solutions for expanding power generation, strengthening transmission and distribution networks, and delivering energy to industrial users at scale.
Key discussions at the Indaba explore how grid expansion, gas-to-power solutions, renewables and hybrid energy systems can support industrial clusters and unlock new manufacturing capacity across the continent.
Grid Expansion and Infrastructure Integration
A resilient grid is essential to industrialisation. Transmission and distribution constraints remain one of the most significant bottlenecks to power access in Africa, particularly for industrial users requiring consistent, high-capacity supply.
Infrastructure Africa, co-located with Africa Energy Indaba, recognises that energy development cannot be addressed in isolation. Power infrastructure must be planned alongside transport corridors, ports, water systems, digital infrastructure and industrial zones to ensure seamless economic integration.
By bringing together energy and infrastructure stakeholders under one roof, the two platforms enable coordinated planning, cross-sector investment and the development of bankable infrastructure projects that support long-term industrial growth.
Gas-to-Power as a Transition and Industrial Enabler
Gas-to-power continues to play a vital role in Africa’s industrialisation journey. As a flexible and dispatchable energy source, gas supports grid stability, complements renewables, and provides reliable baseload power for industrial operations.
Africa Energy Indaba highlights the role of domestic and regional gas resources in supporting industrial development, reducing reliance on imported fuels, and enabling a pragmatic energy transition that balances growth with sustainability.
Discussions focus on gas infrastructure development, cross-border pipelines, LNG solutions, and financing structures that enable gas-to-power projects to reach financial close.
Renewables and the Energy Transition
Renewable energy is increasingly central to Africa’s industrial future. Falling technology costs, abundant solar and wind resources, and growing investor appetite are driving rapid deployment of renewable power across the continent.
At Africa Energy Indaba, renewables are positioned not only as a climate solution, but as an industrial competitiveness tool — supporting energy security, reducing operating costs for manufacturers, and enabling sustainable industrial growth.
Hybrid solutions combining renewables, storage and gas are gaining traction, particularly for industrial parks and remote operations, and are a key focus of project showcases and investor engagement sessions.
Mobilising Investment for Industrial Infrastructure
Delivering energy and infrastructure at the scale required for industrialisation will depend on mobilising significant investment from both public and private sources. Africa Energy Indaba serves as a deal-making platform where DFIs, private equity, commercial lenders and governments engage on project pipelines, blended finance mechanisms and risk mitigation strategies.
By aligning policy frameworks with investor requirements and presenting credible, bankable projects, the Indaba accelerates the flow of capital into energy and infrastructure assets that support industrial development.
A Platform for Africa’s Industrial Future
Together, Africa Energy Indaba and Infrastructure Africa provide a unique convening point for shaping Africa’s industrial future. By linking energy development with infrastructure planning and investment, the platforms support a more integrated, resilient and inclusive growth model.
As Africa continues its journey toward industrialisation, reliable power and modern infrastructure will be the foundation upon which jobs are created, industries scale, and economies thrive. Africa Energy Indaba is where these critical conversations — and the investments that follow — take place.
