Following the massive success of the Powering Africa Summit which saw over 400 stakeholders and investors gather in Washington, we can�t wait to meet you in Brussels for the 24th annual Africa Energy Forum (aef), which is happening at a time of massive sector development, new capital and geo-political relevance.

According to research released by the global energy consultancy, Wood Mackenzie, �The evolution of sub-Saharan Africa�s utility business model, both on and off the grid, will fundamentally reshape the trajectory of global electricity demand and will be essential to the energy transition. Decentralised, bottom-up, solar-and-storage grids could not only transform sub-Saharan Africa�s energy future but carry important lessons for the next generation of thinking on utility business models globally. These trends also present an opportunity to earn healthy returns by addressing one of the energy transition�s largest challenges.� [Benjamin Attia, Principal Analyst, Wood Mackenzie].

With some 40% of the population on the continent (some 700 million+ people) having little or no access to electricity � per capita consumption of energy in sub-Saharan Africa, excluding South Africa, is 180 kWh, compared to 13,000 kWh per capita in the United States and 6,500 kWh in Europe, according to the African Development Bank Group. This represents a huge challenge for investors, but one that can be equal in opportunity considering just how much power is needed and projected economic growth across Africa in the coming 20yrs.

Join us at the aef on 21-24 June at Tour & Taxis, Brussels, as we bring together, stakeholders, in one place, as they pursue plans and strategies to enable Africa�s electrification needs by 2030, which has unlocked a US$350bn investment pot.