Founder and President of the Africa Energy Technology Conference, Emelia Cedar-Palm Akumah, has called on African countries to break barriers of fragmentation and embrace unity through energy integration, technology, and youth empowerment to drive sustainable development across the continent.
Delivering the keynote address at the Africa Energy Technology Conference 2026 under the theme “From Borders to Bridges,” Ms. Cedar-Palm Akumah emphasized that Africa’s future prosperity depends on its ability to connect ideas, infrastructure, and people beyond national boundaries.
According to her, African nations must begin to see themselves as one people with shared developmental goals and work collectively toward building stronger energy systems and technological ecosystems that support industrialization and socio-economic growth.
She noted that energy remains the foundation for economic transformation, explaining that without stable electricity supply, industries cannot thrive, healthcare systems remain constrained, and access to digital education becomes limited.
Ms. Cedar-Palm Akumah further highlighted the growing role of technology as a catalyst for development, saying digital innovation continues to improve communication, increase productivity, facilitate regional trade, and open African businesses to global markets.
The conference brought together policymakers, energy experts, investors, researchers, and innovators to deliberate on practical solutions to Africa’s development challenges, including renewable energy, artificial intelligence in energy management, digital transformation, smart grids, cross-border infrastructure, and sustainable project financing.
The Chief of Staff Julius Debrah, who represented President John Dramani Mahama, described the event as a major step toward building an Africa where cooperation replaces fragmentation and innovation drives inclusive growth.
He stressed the importance of green energy transition and nuclear energy in Africa’s future energy mix and called for the removal of bureaucratic bottlenecks hindering investment and implementation of energy projects.
Mr. Debrah stated that Africa’s abundant solar resources, youthful population, and increasing digital adoption position the continent to become a global leader in sustainable energy innovation if governments and private sector players commit to long-term partnerships and investments.
For his part, the Minister for Energy and Green Transition Dr John Abdulai Jinapor underscored the need for Africa to become self-reliant in energy generation and move beyond dependence on raw material exports.
He explained that African countries could address many of their developmental challenges by scaling up power generation capacity, investing in technological infrastructure, and expanding renewable energy initiatives to ensure stable electricity supply across the continent.
Dr. Jinapor disclosed that about 30,000 solar streetlights had already been deployed as part of efforts to diversify Ghana’s energy sources amid changing hydroelectric conditions.
He further urged African countries to establish stable policy frameworks and strengthen regional cooperation to accelerate development.
Meanwhile, the Secretary General of Africa Petroleum Producers Organization APPO Farid Ghezali called for stronger collaboration among African nations in driving the continent’s energy transformation agenda.
According to him, Africa’s energy future requires deliberate coordination, strategic planning, and investments that encourage skills transfer, homegrown policies, and sustainable development.
Mr. Ghezali also highlighted the importance of the proposed African Energy Bank in addressing financing gaps affecting energy transition projects across the continent.
Other speakers at the conference plenary session, agreed that Africa’s strength lies not only in its natural resources, but increasingly in its ability to build bridges across borders through innovation, cooperation, and shared development goals. The AETC 2026 ends on Thursday 21st May.
