By Maria Diamond
With the theme ‘Navigating Regulatory Shifts and Unlocking New Energy Opportunities’, the inaugural Future of Power Africa 1.0 Conference, which held recently at The Art Hotel, Lagos explored strategies for accelerating Africa’s power sector transformation.
Attended by industry leaders, policymakers, and key stakeholders, the event underscored need for policy reforms, sustainable investments, and technological innovations to bridge Africa’s energy gap and enhance power sector efficiency.
Convener of the conference, Jude Nwoko, said: “The Future of Power Africa Conference has set the stage for meaningful discussions and actionable solutions. The insights shared here will drive the next phase of Africa’s energy transformation, and it is crucial that we continue these conversations beyond this conference. Collaboration, innovation, and sustained commitment from all stakeholders will be the key to turning these ideas into lasting impact.”
Keynoter, Anthony Youdeowei, who represented the Group Managing Director, Sahara Power Group, Dr Kola Adesina, spoke on regulatory and policy reforms. He emphasised the need for stable and forward-thinking regulations to attract long-term investments in Africa’s power sector. He said: “A well-defined regulatory framework is the foundation upon which sustainable energy solutions are built. Africa has immense potential, but unlocking it requires policies that support innovation, efficiency, and equitable energy access.”
In her regulatory address, titled, ‘New Dawn’, Executive Commissioner for Legal Advisory, Registration and Licensing (LASERC), Mrs. Kofo Olokun-Olawoyin, noted the importance of evolving policies to keep pace with industry shifts. She said: “Regulatory frameworks must adapt as the industry evolves to foster a business-friendly and investment-attractive energy sector. The collaboration between regulators, investors, and operators is crucial to achieving a resilient and sustainable power ecosystem.”
Also speaking, Managing Director of Savannah Energy Nigeria, Pade Durotoye, highlighted how strategic investments and the use of advanced technology could drive Africa’s energy transformation.
He explored how innovative financing models and regulatory adaptations can unlock new opportunities for sustainable power generation and distribution.
A panel discussion on ‘Unlocking Opportunities in Africa’s Power Sector’ provided insights into key investment strategies, financing models, and the role of advanced technology in enhancing energy efficiency across the continent.
Panelists included Mrs. Iyabo Soji-Okusanya of Access Bank, Tola Talabi of Elektron, Durotoye of Savannah Energy Nigeria and Youdeowei, of Sahara Power Group. The discussions were focused on practical steps for fostering private-sector participation, strengthening energy infrastructure, and leveraging cross-sector collaboration to enhance power generation and distribution efficiency across Nigeria and Africa.
