The inaugural Future of Power Africa 1.0 Conference held on April 2, 2025, at The Art Hotel, Lagos, brought together a powerful blend of policymakers, energy executives, financiers, and regulators to champion bold reforms and strategies aimed at transforming Africa’s power sector.
Themed “Navigating Regulatory Shifts and Unlocking New Energy Opportunities,” the hybrid event served as a high-level platform to address Africa’s energy access challenges while exploring actionable paths toward a more resilient and efficient power future.
In a keynote address delivered on behalf of Dr. Kola Adesina, Anthony Youdeowei, Managing Director of Sahara Power Group, stressed the importance of policy stability and progressive regulation to attract long-term investments.
“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,” Youdeowei stated.
Mrs. Kofo Olokun-Olawoyin, Executive Commissioner for Legal Advisory, Registration, and Licensing (LASERC), delivered a compelling regulatory address titled “New Dawn” where she echoed the call for dynamic and responsive policy environments.
“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,” she said.
Speaking on behalf of Andrew Knott, Pade Durotoye, Managing Director of Savannah Energy Nigeria, emphasized how strategic capital deployment and advanced technology can catalyze Africa’s energy transition.
He discussed how innovative financing models and adaptive regulatory policies can open new doors for scalable power generation and distribution solutions across the continent.
A key panel discussion titled “Unlocking Opportunities in Africa’s Power Sector” featured notable voices including Mrs. Iyabo Soji-Okusanya of Access Bank, Tola Talabi of Elektron, Pade Durotoye of Savannah Energy Nigeria, and Anthony Youdeowei of Sahara Power Group.
The panel explored investment strategies, infrastructure development, and digital innovation as tools for accelerating efficiency and private sector engagement.
The conversation centered around real-world solutions that can unlock Africa’s energy potential by fostering collaboration between the public and private sectors.
Reflecting on the event’s impact, Engr. Jude Nwoko, Convener of the Future of Power Africa Conference, noted that the discussions were not just aspirational but actionable.
“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 key to turning these ideas into lasting impact,” he said.
The hybrid format allowed for global participation, with live-streamed sessions and interactive Q&A engagements enabling direct dialogue between speakers and attendees.
Beyond panel talks and presentations, the conference also fostered powerful networking opportunities, building bridges among regulators, financiers, innovators, and policymakers with a shared mission to reshape Africa’s power landscape.
With a strong foundation laid by its first edition, Future of Power Africa has positioned itself as a premier platform for energy dialogue and innovation on the continent.
Momentum is already building toward the next edition, where the mission to drive reform and investment in Africa’s power sector will continue.
