Joint Seminar Energy Strategies in Africa: Identifying the Challenges and Addressing the Priorities

09:15 – 09:30

REGISTRATION AND COFFEE

09:30 – 09:45

WELCOMING REMARKS
- Franklin Cudjoe, Co-Founder & CEO, IMANI 
- Francis Perrin, Senior Fellow, OCP Policy Center

09:45 – 10:45

SESSION I: THE POTENTIAL OF RENEWABLE ENERGY TO MEET AFRICA’S ENERGY SUPPLY
As the population of Africa continues to experience significant population growth, many economists and energy specialists project that future energy demand on the continent will increase. It is therefore necessary that Africa, a continent wrestling with energy poverty, consider renewable energy as a vital part of its energy mix. The increased use of renewable resources on the continent can contribute to increased energy access for some of the most vulnerable populations in the world, provide cost-effective means to energy access, and allow for the diversification of the African energy mix. 
What are the most effective methods by which we can encourage the increased integration of renewable energy sources into the African energy mix? What are the challenges that African countries currently face when trying to incorporate renewables into their energy mix and how do we effectively address those challenges? What does a future with increased use of renewable energy on the continent look like?

Chair
Kofi Bentil, Senior Vice President, IMANI 

Speakers
- Wisdom Ahiataku-Togobo, Director of Renewable and Alternatives Energies, Ministry of Energy
- Alfred Ofosu Ahenkorah, Executive Director, Energy Commission
- Barbara Andoh, Research Associate, CSENR IMANI
- Rim Berahab, Economist, OCP Policy Center

10:50 – 12:00

SESSION II: FINANCING ENERGY ACCESS AND INFRASTRUCTURE IN AFRICA; THE OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES 
While there exists a plethora of opportunities within the African market to fund energy access, Africa’s poor creditworthiness image deters many prospective financial donors and investors from participation. Africa’s poor creditworthiness and high-risk market image cannot be overstated, but neither can Africa’s need for private funding in order to facilitate energy access for its vulnerable populations. Experts agree that the most effective way to facilitate energy access is through infrastructural development. It is therefore necessary that Africa’s energy market embrace innovative finance as a means of securing funding for its energy development needs.  
How can Africa work towards creating an investment environment robust enough to support energy infrastructure development in Africa? How do we combat Africa’s creditworthiness image to encourage private sector activity? How do we facilitate public-private sector engagement to empower the energy sector within Africa? 

Chair
Patrick Kwabena Stephenson, Head of Research, IMANI 

Speakers
- Ishmael Edjekumhene, Executive Director, Kumasi Institute of Technology, Energy and Environment
- Hon Mohammed Amin Adam, Deputy Minister for Energy, Ghana
- Senyo Hosi, Executive Director, CBOD

12:05 – 13:10

SESSION III: EXPLORING THE ROLE OF OIL AND GAS IN FACILITATING ENERGY ACCESS AND EXPLORING THE BENEFITS OF GREATER REGIONAL INTEGRATION OF THE ENERGY SECTOR
Africa’s oil and gas industry continues to experience growth as the continent is rich in these energy resources, but the majority of its oil and gas is shipped to other countries while Africa remains heavily dependent on biomass. By increasing its use of oil and gas, Africa can become less dependent on biomass without jeopardizing energy access for its vulnerable populations. Global future energy outlook conveys that oil and gas will be a significant player in meeting future global energy demand, it is therefore that Africa recognizes that the challenge of meeting Africa’s future energy demand is one that should be addressed by a diverse energy mix that will necessarily incorporate oil and gas.
How can Africa increase its use of oil and gas in the global market? What is the potential of oil and gas to reduce Africa’s dependency on biomass? What does an African energy mix capable of meeting Africa’s future energy demand look like?
Greater regional integration of the energy sector within Africa has the potential to increase energy access through the increase of energy services that take advantage of Africa’s abundance of energy resources. Regional cooperation amongst African nations diversifies their collective energy mix, and realizes their respective energy demands in an economical fashion. Despite the fact that regional integration of energy resources is cost-effective and drives economic growth, Africa’s regional energy infrastructures are unfortunately limited and poorly developed. Contributing to this problem is the highly centralized nature of Africa’s energy infrastructure which tends to favor the rich and marginalize the poor. 
What are some economic benefits that can be enjoyed for greater regional integration? How can we decentralize Africa’s energy infrastructure to combat energy poverty? What are the ways in which regional integration can boost energy security? 

Chair
Benjamin Boakye, Executive Director, Africa Center for Energy Policy 

Speakers
- Francis Perrin, Senior Fellow, OCP Policy Center
- Emmanuel Kuyole, Executive Director, Center for Extractives Development in Africa
- Ishmael Ackah, Technical Adviser on Energy, Ministry of Planning

13:10 – 14:00

LUNCH BREAK AND NETWORKING