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Global energy and consultancy group Wood Mackenzie has confirmed its participation as a Silver Partner at African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energies 2025, scheduled for September 29 to October 3 in Cape Town. Backed by over five decades of global experience, Wood Mackenzie's partnership reaffirms the firm's strategic commitment to shaping Africa's energy narrative through data-driven insight and trusted industry partnerships.

The firm has worked extensively with national governments and state-owned energy companies to develop long-term energy strategies, evaluate exploration potential and structure critical infrastructure projects. Recent contributions by Wood Mackenzie to Africa's energy strategy includes supporting the Republic of Congo's first Gas Master Plan, developed in partnership with the Ministry of Hydrocarbons. The plan is set to guide monetization, domestic use and export strategies for gas resources – anchored by developments such as the Marine XII LNG project, which delivered its first cargo in early 2025 and is progressing toward a 3.5-billion-cubic-meter-per-year expansion phase.

AEW: Invest in African Energies is the platform of choice for project operators, financiers, technology providers and government, and has emerged as the official place to sign deals in African energy. Visit www.AECWeek.com for more information about this exciting event.

In its latest 2025 outlook, Wood Mackenzie forecasts that Africa's upstream capital expenditure will stabilize around $40 billion annually, with significant activity in gas and LNG-led developments. New discoveries across Namibia, Zimbabwe, Ivory Coast and Libya, combined with major finds by multinational oil and gas company Shell in Namibia's Orange Basin, underscore the continent's rising profile in global exploration.

Meanwhile, Wood Mackenzie is also spearheading thought leadership on Africa's energy transition. According to the firm's 2025 Energy Transition Outlook: Africa, the continent's electricity demand will double by 2050, while bioenergy's share in residential and commercial energy demand will decline from 81% today to 70% in a base scenario – and 50% in a net-zero pathway. The firm notes that despite this growth, Africa will contribute just 3-6% of global emissions by 2050, emphasizing the importance of a balanced energy mix that includes oil and gas. According to the outlook, solar additions in Africa dropped to 3.5 GW in 2024, down from 4 GW the previous year, with South Africa leading deployment. At the same time, sub-Saharan Africa's oil and gas production grew by 5%, driven by output gains in Nigeria, Mozambique, Senegal and the Republic of Congo.

With critical insight into both hydrocarbon and renewable energy markets, Wood Mackenzie continues to support Africa's goals of energy security and climate resilience. At AEW: Invest in African Energies 2025, Wood Mackenzie will be represented by a senior delegation, including Mansur Mohammed, Head of Business Development, Africa; Gavin Thompson, Vice Chairman-Europe, Middle East and Africa; David Parkinson, Head of Exploration; and Ian Thom, Research Director-Upstream. The team is expected to deliver presentations and participate in high-level panel discussions on upstream investment, gas development and Africa's energy transition.

“Wood Mackenzie's data-driven insights offer investors greater clarity into the vast opportunities present in Africa's energy sector. Their robust data, strategic foresight and trusted guidance make them a go-to partner for global investors, project operators and governments looking to navigate Africa's evolving energy landscape,” states Tomás Gerbasio, VP of Commercial and Strategic Engagement, African Energy Chamber.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

As Zambia accelerates towards its Mission 300 goal of 10,000MW by 2030, the C&I Energy + Storage Summit Zambia (https://apo-opa.co/45qShmN) is an unmissable platform for commercial and industrial leaders to secure energy independence and drive sustainable growth for the C&I sector.

Day 1 kicks off with a powerhouse keynotes by Hon Minister Makozo Chikote, Minister of Energy, Zambia. Hosted by Brian Mainza, Assistant Director Technical at Zambia's Ministry of Energy; attendees will dive into Mission 300's objectives to support private sector participation in the power sector and thereby support an industrialisation agenda driven by the agriculture, mining, manufacturing and tourism sectors.

A must-attend panel on mitigating energy risks features panellists such as Chabuka Kawesha from the Pan African Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Muntanga Lindunda from the Zambia Association of Manufacturers, and Helen Zulu from ENGIE Energy Access.

Project showcases reveal real-world successes, including Vertiv's Zambia mining project, Zambia Sugar's initiatives, and how a gold mine in South Africa is utilising embedded generation. The afternoon tackles financial barriers in a panel with experts like Chikoma Kazunga from Africa GreenCo and Brian Tahinduka from Stanbic Bank.

Masterclasses provide hands-on expertise: The Role of PPAs in Accelerating Private Sector Renewable Energy Investments hosted by Jo Dean of Enerj Carbon Management; Understanding the Basics of Battery Energy Storage for C&I led by Henry Myburgh of Vertiv Africa; and Building Your Business Case for Embedded Generation.

Workshops on accelerating solar adoption round out the day.

Day 2 features a keynote by Chabuka Kawesha of the Pan African Chamber of Commerce and Industry, followed by insights on Zambia's Open Access Regime. A panel on reshaping the energy sector includes Mulenga Bwalya from Copperbelt Energy Corporation and senior representatives from the Ministry of Energy and ZESCO.

Discussions continue with Unlocking Solar and Storage for C&I by Jo Dean and What is the Cost of Energy? hosted by Billy Onyango of Kenya Power.

We close with The Future of Storage for Hydro-Dependent Countries moderated by Dr Johnstone Chikwanda, Global Ambassador of Energy and Climate Change, Forum of African Traditional Authorities (FATA); and Safety & Sustainable Asset Management for Solar PV Projects by Matanda Mwewa of the Solar Industry Association of Zambia.

C&I Energy+Storage Summit is committed to the Zambian market as part of a long-term strategy to accelerate the adoption of renewable energy and storage solutions for the C&I sector. By fostering collaboration between businesses, government and solution providers, the C&I Energy+Storage Summit aims to create a sustainable energy ecosystem that supports Zambia's economic growth and industrial resilience. “Zambia's C&I sector is critical to the nation's economic development, and our multi-year commitment ensures that this summit will deliver actionable insights, strategic partnerships, and cutting-edge technologies to transform the energy landscape,” says Chanelle Hingston, Portfolio Director.

Don't miss C&I Energy + Storage Summit, taking place on 27-28 August 2025 at The Pamodzi Hotel in Lusaka. Download the programme: https://apo-opa.co/45qSk1X. Register: https://apo-opa.co/3Hd5SEV.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of VUKA Group.

Contact:
For sponsorship or hosted buyer enquiries
contact Marcel du Toit
marcel.dutoit@wearevka.com

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contact Babalwa Bungane
babalwa.bungane@wearevuka.com

For press enquiries
contact Natalie Simms
natalie.simms@wearevuka.com

About VUKA Group:
As part of the Power and Energy Portfolio of VUKA Group (https://WeAreVUKA.com/), this Summit aligns with VUKA's mission to connect industries, spark innovation, and fuel economic growth. VUKA Group is a premier organiser of conferences, exhibitions, and events across Africa, delivering tailored platforms for networking, knowledge sharing, and business development in energy and related sectors.