Leading energy conference and exhibition, the Africa Energy Indaba – being hosted from March 4 to 6, 2025, at the Cape Town International Convention Centre – is set to unite global and African leaders to address the continent’s energy challenges and opportunities, fostering dialogue and collaboration for sustainable growth.

A key highlight of the 2025 Indaba is the Women in Energy Forum. Scheduled for March 5, this initiative underscores the vital role of gender diversity and inclusion in shaping Africa’s energy future.

Africa Energy Indaba MD Liz Hart stresses the forum’s significance, stating that “the Women in Energy Forum is not just an event; it’s a movement to ensure women have a seat at the table in shaping Africa’s energy solutions”.

Hart continues, explaining that, by hosting this forum, the Africa Energy Indaba aims to inspire and catalyse change, recognising that “inclusive leadership is essential for achieving a sustainable energy future”.

The forum will provide a powerful platform for female leaders, innovators and professionals driving transformative change in the energy sector.

Discussions will focus on advancing gender diversity in energy leadership and decision-making, championing women-led innovations and sustainable energy initiatives, fostering mentorship and career development and driving investments in projects and policies that support gender equality.

By spotlighting women’s “invaluable contributions” to Africa’s energy transformation, the forum reinforces the necessity of an inclusive workforce to meet the continent’s energy challenges.

It also provides an opportunity for women professionals to network with industry leaders, policymakers and emerging talent, further cementing their role as key drivers of innovation and sustainable solutions.

Additionally, the Africa Energy Indaba has earned a reputation for being a hub for business growth and collaboration, offering attendees “unparalleled opportunities” to connect with influential stakeholders across the energy supply chain.

The event will feature a variety of platforms designed to foster meaningful partnerships and drive impactful outcomes. One of the highlights is the business matchmaking platform, known as business-to-business connect, which enables participants to schedule meetings.

This feature will facilitate high-value engagements with potential partners, investors and clients, ensuring participants make the most of their networking opportunities.

Dynamic expert-led sessions will include roundtables and panel discussions to create collaborative spaces for exchanging ideas and exploring innovative solutions to Africa’s energy challenges.

These sessions will encourage in-depth dialogue and the development of actionable insights.

Additionally, exclusive networking receptions, held as informal evening events and social gatherings, offer participants a chance to establish and strengthen relationships in a more relaxed setting.

The exhibition hall is another key element of the event, showcasing “cutting-edge” technologies and energy solutions. This interactive space fosters “meaningful connections between exhibitors and attendees, sparking opportunities for collaboration and knowledge sharing”.

Further complementing these elements is the Hosted Buyer programme, which will connect buyers and decision-makers with exhibitors to enable impactful business engagements that drive tangible outcomes.

Africa’s Sustainable Future

In addition to its focus on business collaboration, the Africa Energy Indaba will spotlight Africa’s transition to a green economy, as well as an agenda for achieving sustainable development.

Africa is uniquely positioned to lead the global shift toward sustainability as a result of its abundant natural resources and growing commitment to clean energy and circular economy principles.

The key pillars of Africa’s green economy agenda to be explored at the Indaba include the scaling of renewable-energy solutions, fostering sustainable agriculture, building a circular economy and empowering local communities.

Africa’s abundant solar, wind, hydrological and geothermal energy resources present significant opportunities to expand clean energy and access. Accelerating investment in these sectors can address the continent’s growing energy demands, creating green jobs and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.

The transition to a circular economy is another critical pillar, shifting from the traditional linear “take-make-dispose model” to one that reduces waste, generating value from recyclables, while also promoting industrial development and the conservation of natural resources.

Further, empowering local communities is essential for inclusive growth. This involves engaging communities in green projects through training programmes, fostering public-private partnerships and implementing equitable policies to ensure the benefits of the green economy transition are accessible to all citizens.