Cape Town, South Africa – African Energy Week (AEW) 2026 will bring the Power Africa Today conference to Cape Town from October 12–16. The event will focus on how energy drives industrial competitiveness across Africa. This marks a policy shift for the continent, moving beyond basic electrification. Now, the goal is to build interconnected grids and support large-scale industrial growth.
More than 600 million people in sub-Saharan Africa still lack access to electricity. Yet, the conversation is changing fast. The focus now is on making sure power grids can meet the high energy needs of manufacturing, mineral processing, and the growing digital economy.
A major highlight will be the panel session ‘Powering African Industries: Operations, Productivity and Economic Competitiveness.’ Policymakers and industry leaders increasingly recognise that reliable electricity is vital for better industrial performance, productivity, and Africa’s long-term economic growth.
African businesses lose between $30 billion and $50 billion each year because of unreliable power and costly diesel generators. These inefficiencies hurt competitiveness. As a result, governments and investors are prioritising stable baseload power, better transmission networks, and a mix of energy sources. These changes aim to reduce risks and lower production costs.
The event will also look at mineral beneficiation. Africa holds about $5 trillion in key mineral reserves, but much of it has been shipped out in raw form. Now, countries like the Democratic Republic of Congo and Zambia are investing in processing corridors tied to energy infrastructure. Their goal is to refine and smelt minerals locally and keep more value on the continent.
The conference will also discuss the fast growth of digital infrastructure and AI-powered industries. These sectors need steady, high-density power. They are bringing data centres and digital supply chains together around reliable grids, helping African economies join global digital trade and services.
Another key topic is the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). It is helping develop regional manufacturing hubs and value chains. Success will depend on strong cross-border transmission lines. These will allow industrial clusters to serve bigger regional markets, not just their own countries.
The Powering African Industries panel will bring together policymakers, utility leaders, investors, and industrial operators. They will discuss three main topics: growing energy infrastructure, developing local content, and finding new power solutions. The goal is to turn Africa’s energy resources into real gains in productivity, lower costs, and stronger economic competitiveness. This will help drive sustainable industrial growth across Africa.
