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African Energy Week (AEW) 2024: Africa’s Energy Infrastructure Can Only Succeed with Enhanced Transmission

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African Energy Week

Modernizing grids, expanding transmission capabilities are top of the list for utilities and industry alike

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, November 10, 2024/APO Group/ — 

As the demand for electricity continues to rise across the African continent, it is imperative for countries to act swiftly to enhance transmission capabilities and develop robust infrastructure to secure new energy integration sources over the next 25 years.

A recent report by consulting firm McKinsey & Company estimates that $400 billion will be required to enhance electricity transmission and distribution capacity across Africa by 2050. This investment is critical for modernizing energy infrastructure and ensuring energy security for the continent.

During a panel discussion titled ‘Optimizing Africa’s Grid Capacity’ at the African Energy Week: Invest in African Energies 2024 conference, Eskom’s Transmission Group Executive, Segomoco Scheppers, highlighted the potential of the Electricity Regulation Amendment Act 38 of 2024 for South Africa and its neighboring countries.

This legislation will facilitate the establishment of a market operator in South Africa, creating opportunities for diverse players in the energy sector. “This shift signifies a transformative period in our industry as we adapt to new market dynamics,” he stated.

Despite having interconnections of 400 kV with neighboring countries, Scheppers acknowledged existing challenges. “Strengthening these connections is essential for enhancing regional cooperation and ensuring a reliable energy supply across borders. The reliance on thermal generation in the south, particularly to support countries like Zambia, underscores the need for stronger interconnections,” he explained.

Eskom is further embarking on an extensive domestic expansion program aimed at rapid development – an endeavor that also presents significant challenges. “Learning from global leaders in infrastructure development, particularly from experiences in China, could provide valuable insights into scaling our efforts efficiently,” Scheppers added.

Learning from global leaders in infrastructure development, particularly from experiences in China, could provide valuable insights into scaling our efforts efficiently

Wang Wenan, Chief Representative, African Representative Office at the State Grid of China, discussed the successful completion of major projects, including the largest long-distance transmission project on the continent — a 500 kV DC line from Ethiopia to Kenya.

However, he noted that fostering private participation in energy projects remains a primary obstacle. “Engaging in dialogues about investment barriers and sharing best practices is crucial for unlocking potential growth in Africa’s energy sector,” he emphasized.

Also speaking on the panel, Willy Ireri, Executive Director of Osprey Renewables, highlighted that while East Africa has abundant renewable resources such as wind, solar, and geothermal energy, access to reliable transmission infrastructure in this region also remained a critical challenge. “We are therefore committed to collaborate with state utilities and private investors to ensure that generated electricity reaches emerging green industries in the region,” he said.

With favorable legislation for private investment in transmission expected to be operational by 2025, Osprey Renewables aims to play a vital role in facilitating access to renewable energy for consumers.

“Our mandate at Osprey extends beyond generation; we actively engage across the entire value chain and we are seeing growing interest in green manufacturing and hybrid data centers,” Ireri added, noting that the Kenyan government has initiated proposals inviting independent transmission projects, signaling a positive shift toward increased private sector participation.

Power and Grid Segment President at Schneider Electric, Gary Lawrence, highlighted that a modernization of power grids was also needed. “The traditional grid was designed over a century ago for one-directional flow; today’s needs require a bidirectional grid that allows seamless interaction between producers and consumer.”

The industry is balancing supply and demand effectively through initiatives such as collaborating with Egypt’s Ministry of Electricity and Renewable Energy to develop distribution control centers that enhance grid intelligence and implementing distributed energy management systems in South Africa.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

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Canada–Africa Financing Forum to Convene Investors and Decision-Makers in Cape Town – May 14, 2026

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Ateau Zola

This timely Forum comes on the heels of commitments announced by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, deepening Canada–Africa commercial ties and expanding investment partnerships

TORONTO, Canada, April 29, 2026/APO Group/ –The Canada–Africa Chamber of Business (https://CanadaAfrica.ca) will convene investors, financiers, policymakers, and industry leaders in Cape Town on May 14, 2026 for the Canada–Africa Financing Forum—a high-level platform focused on unlocking capital and accelerating deal flow across African markets.

Registration is open (http://apo-opa.co/4vZN6oV)

This timely Forum comes on the heels of commitments announced by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, deepening Canada–Africa commercial ties and expanding investment partnerships. The program connects leaders from venture capital, private equity, and institutional investors to examine where capital is moving—and where the next opportunities lie—supported by Canadian project partners with proven capacity to deliver on-the-ground.

Delegates will engage directly with finance and investment decision-makers, following the program opening, featuring messages from President Cyril Ramaphosa and Prime Minister Mark Carney, in addition to high-level Ministerial representation.

This Forum is about capital deployment, not just conversation

“This Forum is about capital deployment, not just conversation,” said Garreth Bloor, President of the Canada–Africa Chamber of Business. “We are convening investors, institutions, and project leaders who are actively shaping transactions across Africa—and connecting them directly with Canadian partners who are ready to work together.”

The Canada–Africa Financing Forum reflects the Chamber’s role as a privately financed, market-led platform advancing Canada-Africa trade and investment through world-class networking and information-sharing events.

Why Attend

  • Direct access to active dealmakers and capital allocators
  • Insights into where capital is being deployed and key players delivering major projects
  • Opportunities to build partnerships across Canada and African markets
  • Participation in a curated, high-level environment focused on execution

Secure Your Place

Space is limited and demand is strong.

Apply to secure your place (http://apo-opa.co/4vXb9oz)

Read More and View the Program (http://apo-opa.co/4vZN6oV)

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Canada-Africa Chamber of Business.

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ORUN and 1xBET Partner to Support a Dynamic Creative Africa

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MIR Holding

During the MASA 2026 edition, held from April 11 to 18, 2026, ORUN and 1xBET implemented the We Champion Talent program, an initiative aimed at promoting African talent and advancing the development of Cultural and Creative Industries (CCIs)

ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast, April 28, 2026/APO Group/ –As part of the Innovation Village co-organized with MASA at the Palais de la Culture in Abidjan from April 14 to 18, ORUN (https://ORUN.Africa) announces the rollout of its partnership with 1xBET to support a creative Africa that is structuring itself, professionalizing, and scaling across the continent.

We aim to demonstrate that it is possible to support African talent, narratives, and creative ecosystems over the long term, with ambition and consistency

Designed as a space of convergence between heritage, innovation, and knowledge transmission, the Innovation Village features scenography crafted by Ivorian artisans, a program of panels and masterclasses on creative industries, an immersive experience produced by Orun Studios, and a major institutional highlight on April 17. Its narrative platform is built around three pillars: memory, structure, and transmission. The initiative aims to position cultural and creative industries as an economic driver for the continent.

“The Innovation Village was conceived as an act of construction. By partnering with organizations such as 1xBET, we aim to demonstrate that it is possible to support African talent, narratives, and creative ecosystems over the long term, with ambition and consistency,” said Habyba Thiero, CEO of Africa Currency Network and President of ORUN.

This vision aligns with ORUN’s broader ambition to produce, structure, and internationalize African creative industries through events, content, and strategic partnerships.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of ORUN, part of African Currency Network (ACN).

 

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MIR Holding Reaffirms Its Commitment to African Creative Industries Alongside ORUN at Marché des Arts du Spectacle Africain d’Abidjan (MASA) 2026

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MIR Holding

More than event support, this partnership reflects a commitment to backing platforms capable of structuring value chains, increasing the visibility of talent, and fostering the emergence of strong African creative infrastructures

ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast, April 28, 2026/APO Group/ –On the occasion of MASA 2026, held from April 11 to 18 in Abidjan, MIR Holding (https://MIRHolding.odoo.com) reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the growth of African creative industries by partnering with ORUN as part of the Innovation Village, hosted at the Palais de la Culture in Abidjan. This presence reflects a clear intention to support the scaling of cultural and creative industries so they can fully contribute to job creation and value generation across the continent.

 

Co-organized by ORUN and MASA, the Innovation Village brought together over several days scenography designed by Ivorian artisans, a program of panels and masterclasses dedicated to creative industries, an immersive experience produced by Orun Studios, and a key institutional highlight on April 17.

At MIR Holding, we believe that Africa’s future will also be shaped by its ability to structure its narratives, its talent, and its creative value chains

Built around three pillars — memory, structure, and transmission — the initiative carried a renewed ambition for culture: positioning it as a concrete lever for economic structuring and African projection.

By supporting this initiative, MIR Holding aligns with a broader dynamic aimed at strengthening connections between creation, entrepreneurship, content, youth, and growth ecosystems. More than event support, this partnership reflects a commitment to backing platforms capable of structuring value chains, increasing the visibility of talent, and fostering the emergence of strong African creative infrastructures. MIR Holding stands among the main partners of the Village, alongside Africa Currency Network and other stakeholders engaged in this vision.

“With ORUN, we are not only seeking to make culture visible. We aim to help provide it with a framework, a reach, and a trajectory. What is at stake here is the continent’s ability to better transform its creative energy into sustainable value, real opportunities, and influence,” said Habyba Thiero, CEO of Africa Currency Network and President of ORUN.

Mouhamed Dieng, President of MIR Holding, added: “Supporting Africa’s creative industries is not about backing a secondary sector. It is about investing in one of the continent’s most powerful spaces for storytelling, youth, innovation, and competitiveness. At MIR Holding, we believe that Africa’s future will also be shaped by its ability to structure its narratives, its talent, and its creative value chains.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of MIR Holding.

 

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