Windhoek, Namibia will host the International African Energy, Oil and Gas Summit from October 20 to 24, organizers announced this week.
Originally planned for Doha, the event’s relocation reflects Namibia’s rising stature following major offshore oil discoveries in the Orange Basin.
Organizers say Africa loses roughly $130 billion in gross domestic product annually to unreliable power grids and fragmented infrastructure, citing International Energy Agency data.
More than 600 million Africans still lack electricity access, while nearly 900 million rely on wood or charcoal for cooking, the data shows.
The summit will address financing gaps through the newly established $5 billion African Energy Bank and continental carbon markets.
Sessions will also examine land governance, cross-border trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area, and regulatory risk for investors.
Co-hosts include the Namibia University of Science and Technology and Nigeria’s refinery owners association, alongside African and international partners.
Organizers describe the summit as a roadmap for aligning global capital with Africa’s energy and infrastructure needs over the next decade.