Enlit Africa conference and expo plans to address the challenge of improving energy acces, when it returns to Cape Town this May. According to UNCTAD (United Nations Conference on Trade and Development), lack of energy access, such as implications for health, education, poverty reduction and sustainable development were some of the real-life impacts which were addressed. Reports claim that for a country to show economic development it is important that they have access to reliable and quality energy supply. This is due to the fact that it drives industrialization, boosts productivity and economic growth, spurs human development, and is also very crucial to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).”
Africa could be facing the reality of not meeting SDG7, whose aim is to ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all. However a lot is there to celebrate as this programme will feature an incredible line-up of experts from across the African continent who will share their winning strategies, and projects with 5000+ expected delegates and visitors. The programme will further focus on finance and investment strategies, renewable energy, storage and alternative solutions as well as generation, transmission and distribution. sector innovators from across the continent will be given the opportunity to share their next new ideas or showcase success stories and case studies from across the continent.
Cape Town will be the host city while, the South African Department of Mineral Resources and Energy will be the host ministry, and Eskom the host utility with Frost and Sullivan as a knowledge partner. The event’s content director Claire Volkwyn stated that predicting figures show that 700 million and 900 million are currently without energy access in Africa. This crisis should be addressed as the issue of energy access can no longer be ignored.
