- Green Energy Africa, Energy Investment Village, is part of crucial initiatives for fostering clean energy innovation.
- This marks the second year of the initiative, organised in collaboration with the Research Institute for Innovation and Sustainability.
The Green Energy Africa Summit is gearing up for its high-stakes Energy Investment Village. Ten leading African clean-tech start-ups will pitch their innovative solutions to an esteemed panel of judges and potential international investors on this pivotal platform. Set to take place on Wednesday, 11 October 2023, at Cape Town’s Freeport Saldanha’s Innovation Campus, the event signifies the increasing global interest in African clean-tech ventures and their potential to drive sustainable energy solutions.
Western Cape Premier, Alan Winde, will inaugurate the Energy Investment Village, showcasing the province’s commitment to clean energy innovation. This marks the second year of the initiative, organised in collaboration with the Research Institute for Innovation and Sustainability, Anza Capital, and Freeport Saldanha’s Innovation Campus. A consortium of organisations, including Africa Scotland Business Network, JSE, Oceanhub-Africa, Savant, Firecracker, CHIETA, and Sasol, supports the Energy Investment Village.
Africa faces a critical energy deficit, necessitating substantial investment. According to the International Energy Agency, the continent must double its energy investment to over $200 billion annually by 2030 to achieve its development goals. Despite this urgency, investments in emerging and developing economies have stagnated since the Paris Agreement in 2015, except for China. Winde emphasised the importance of clean energy, stating, “Our energy demands are currently outstripping supply. Clean energy solutions must be a priority, particularly for South Africa, to achieve our goal of net zero emissions by 2050. Initiatives like the Green Energy Africa Summit’s Energy Investment Village are crucial for fostering clean energy innovation.”