- EnergyNet’s Portfolio Manager and Head of Corporate Development highlights the strategies aef is adopting to shift from dialogue to decisive action.
- The event will address investment through deal-making sessions designed to showcase bankable projects and provide structured pathways for deals to be finalised during or after the forum.
EnergyNet’s Portfolio Manager and Head of Corporate Development, Abdoulaye Sylla, highlights the Africa Energy Forum’s (aef) shift from dialogue to decisive action as the event hosts its 27th edition from June 17 to 20, 2025, in Cape Town, South Africa.
Sylla disclosed these strategies in a podcast with The Electricity Hub, which focused on the theme of the event, “Africa United: Shaping a Common Energy Agenda Ahead of The G20.”
Aef brings together key industry leaders and youth to drive pan-African collaboration, regional bloc engagements, investment deal-making, and sustainable energy development aligned with Africa’s 2030 goals.
The Portfolio Manager noted on the podcast that while EnergyNet has traditionally hosted aef in Europe—except for the Nairobi event in 2023—its 27th edition is taking place in South Africa.
He noted that this year’s aef is gaining the most traction so far, with key industry stakeholders and decision-makers participating. He also highlighted that the Youth Energy Summit (YES!), born out of the need to drive youth inclusion in energy discussions and initiatives, will welcome approximately three to four thousand youth and students in Cape Town, South Africa.
According to him, the theme stresses the goal aef strives to achieve, pushing beyond traditional dialogue to promote a cohesive continent-wide strategy that translates into tangible action, especially in the lead-up to the G20 Summit.
He disclosed that aef is placing strong emphasis on pan-African collaborations. He noted that this year’s event facilitates ministerial sessions focused on regional bloc engagements, including the Economic Community of West African States, Southern African Development Community, East African Community, and others, to consolidate the African agenda on investment priorities and infrastructure goals across the regions.
Sylla noted that the ultimate aim is to amplify Africa’s voice as a unified one on global platforms like the G20 Summit. He disclosed that the event will address investment through deal-making sessions designed to showcase bankable projects and provide structured pathways for deals to be finalised during or after the forum.
He stated that partnerships with development finance institutions (DFIs), sovereign wealth funds, and private capital providers will follow up, and financing will move beyond open-ended discussions.
In addition, he emphasised that the forum aims to provide a platform where calls to action can be made to accelerate project implementation, noting that aef and its associated summits have now incorporated the mining sector, data centres, cement factories, and other large energy users, stakeholders who were previously absent from aef but are now key participants.
This new development shifts the focus to the primary energy consumers, pushing for sustainability and the 2030 net-zero goal, exploring how they can transition to greener practices. Aef is integrating these goals to ensure their successful implementation.
Highlighting the firm’s role in the sector, Sylla stated that EnergyNet views itself as a consultant and an integral part of the energy sector and market, emphasising that the organisation is committed to adapting to ongoing changes within the industry.
According to him, EnergyNet is actively evolving its platform to address the shifting landscape of energy financing through strategic approaches such as blended capital and the just energy transition.
Reiterating the forum’s commitment to climate action, Sylla revealed that aef 2025 prioritises climate financing, including dedicated sessions focused on climate finance structures, policy frameworks, and international climate commitments.
Furthermore, he stressed that aef drives pan-African collaboration, youth engagement, and actionable investments, accelerating sustainable energy projects aligned with Africa’s 2030 green ambitions.
While speaking on the impact of the Youth Energy Summit (YES!), themed “Tomorrow’s World,” he described the event as three days of vital learning opportunities for young people aiming to advance in the energy sector.
YES! is a new initiative by EnergyNet designed to blend the past and the future. It provides opportunities for youth in the energy sector and bridges the gap between current graduate scholarship schemes from South Africa’s largest companies, such as Nedbank, Pele Green Energy, Seriti Green, and others.
As the Head of Corporate Development at EnergyNet, he appreciated his team’s time and efforts engaging with stakeholders across the continent, fostering relationships crucial to advancing energy projects from conception to execution.