Cape Town

Private and public professionals deserve a clear view of where Africa's power, water and infrastructure sectors are heading next, and the latest issue of ESI Africa (www.ESI-Africa.com) is where to start. It's not a magazine to skim past, but to read thoroughly and return to.

At the heart of the magazine is a Cover Story on how AI powers the brain of infrastructure, unpacking the reality of this unfolding virtual intelligence. The piece addresses how Africa can balance digital acceleration with physical constraints and the risks emerging alongside the opportunities.

ESI Africa's editor-in-chief, Nicolette Pombo-van Zyl, explains the risks: “On a daily basis, a typical 100MW hyperscale data centre needed to power AI can consume 6,500 homes' water needs. And note that 55% of new data centres exceed 200MW. This makes the threat very real for everyone.”

It's a sharp, thought-provoking anchor for the entire magazine.

From there, the articles widen the magazine's lens across the continent in the Across the Map chapter. Readers will find deep dives into Ethiopia's evolving energy mix, the continent's ongoing struggle to meet SDG7 targets, Kenya's renewable energy aspirations and the structural reforms reshaping electricity markets.

There's also a grounded look at how commercial and industrial (C&I) players in South Africa are adapting to persistent power constraints—practical, real-world responses to a problem that continues to define the operating environment.

For those focused on unlocking capital, the Investment Mechanics section cuts through the noise. Infrastructure ambition is easy to talk about; financing it is far harder.

This issue of ESI Africa explores the three pillars needed to turn plans into bankable projects, the growing role of credit guarantees, and why local credit rating capacity could be a game-changer. Case studies, such as financing energy access in Uganda's informal urban settlements, bring a necessary realism to the conversation.

Innovation is a constant theme, but the magazine treats it with a healthy dose of pragmatism. In Innovation in Action, the spotlight is on solutions that are already delivering impact.

From interoperability standards that protect grid investments to silicone coatings that reduce pollution-related outages, these are not abstract ideas—they are technologies and strategies being deployed now. Particularly compelling is the argument that governance, not just hardware, is the real intelligence behind “smart” grids.

Energy remains the backbone of the conversation, and Engines of Energy dives into the systems that will define the continent's future mix. Whether it's pumped storage hydropower stabilising grids, geothermal emerging from the niche to the mainstream, or the careful steps toward introducing nuclear, the section captures both the complexity and the inevitability of the transition.

“It's a reminder that Africa's energy story is not about a single solution, but a carefully balanced portfolio,” says Pombo-van Zyl.

Water, often underrepresented in infrastructure discussions, takes a well-deserved lead in The Water Agenda. The articles go beyond access and scarcity to explore user experience, financing resilience and the economics of reuse. There's a definitive thread running through these pages that water is central to the energy sector.

And then there's the practical side. This edition includes a comprehensive Show Guide to Enlit Africa 2026. From session overviews and exhibitor insights to navigation tips, it's designed to help readers maximise their time and engagement at one of the sector's most important gatherings.

Rounding it all off is the Elites Chapter, offering a glimpse into the people and projects shaping the industry's direction. It's both a reflection and a forward look—where leadership has been and where it's heading.

What makes this issue stand out is its balance. It doesn't lean too heavily into optimism or critique but rather presents a grounded, intelligent view of Africa's narrative—full of opportunity, but constrained by real-world challenges.

Those who work in power, water, infrastructure finance or policy—or if decisions depend on understanding where these sectors intersect—this is essential reading.

Download the latest issue of ESI Africa and get a clearer picture of the forces shaping the continent's infrastructure future. 

ESI Africa is the proud Host Media Partner of Enlit Africa: 19 – 21 May at the CTICC in Cape Town, South Africa: www.Enlit-Africa.com   

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of VUKA Group.

About ESI Africa: 
ESI Africa – Africa's trusted power, energy, water and utility multimedia platform – is positioned as an impartial industry mouthpiece, delivering the latest technical developments and analysis in both print and digital formats since 1996.

The brand's various routes to market are expertly primed to build a bridge between readers and solution providers as ESI Africa sifts through the daily noise and delivers the tale of Africa's energy, power, utility and water transformation to the African and global market. https://apo-opa.co/3QRpqTK

About VUKA Group:
VUKA Group connects people and organisations across Africa's energy, mining, mobility, green economy, and retail sectors through events, content, and strategic networking. Venture partners to The Global Trust Project and leaders of NPO Go Green Africa. www.WeAreVUKA.com

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Enlit Africa 2026 returns to Cape Town with a focused opening sequence built for decision-makers who need practical clarity, not theory: an early-morning investment-led breakfast followed by two keynote anchors that tackle delivery realities in Africa's power, energy and water systems.

Taking place on 19–21 May 2026 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC), Enlit Africa convenes stakeholders from across the electricity value chain and the water ecosystem. The programme is anchored by the 2026 theme: Compounding impact: small changes, outsized outcomes – a deliberate focus on the operational decisions, governance shifts and financing mechanisms that translate intent into measurable system performance.

19 May: Project & Investment Network Business Breakfast (07:00–09:30)

The week starts with the Project & Investment Network Business Breakfast, featuring keynote commentary from Bruce Whitfield followed by a fireside chat between Bruce Whitfield and Goolam Ballim (Chief Economist and Head of Research, Standard Bank Group).

The breakfast is designed for participants focused on bankability, procurement confidence and the practical steps that move projects from intent to execution. It unpacks what financiers are actually pricing, what evidence strengthens confidence in delivery, which behaviours and signals measurably improve fundability and why Africa is more geopolitically relevant than ever before.

19 May: Keynote 1 – Africa in the AI Age (10:30–12:55)

The first keynote anchor, Africa in the AI Age, is hosted by Enkromelle Andrew (Master of Ceremonies) and opens with a welcome from Chanelle Hingston (Group Director, Power, Energy & Water, VUKA Group).

A ministerial address by the Honourable Dr. Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, Minister of Electricity and Energy is followed by a focus on digital power, storage and AI, with a keynote contribution from David Sun (Vice President and CEO of Electric Power Digitalisation Business, Huawei).

The keynote then moves into a panel discussion on the role of AI and digital technologies in Africa's energy evolution, with panellists including Carol Koech (CEO, GEAPP). The morning concludes with an in-conversation session moderated by James Mackay (CEO, Energy Council of South Africa) with senior business leaders including Dan Marokane (Group Chief Executive, Eskom), and leaders in industry.

20 May: Keynote 2 – How coordinated energy and water planning could change African resilience (09:30–12:00)

The second keynote anchor turns to a reality shaping resilience across the continent: energy security and water security are increasingly inseparable but planning and funding remain fragmented.

Under the guidance of MC Enkromelle Andrew, the session includes a perspective on the water–energy nexus from Sabine Dall'Omo (CEO, Siemens South Africa which convenes a high-level panel on taking water–energy coordination beyond theory, with panellists including Darshana Myronidis (Global Group Director of Sustainability, Virgin Group), Deerosh Maharaj (Executive Head: Energy, Infrastructure & Mining, Standard Bank Business & Commercial Banking), Sabine Dall'Omo (CEO, Siemens South Africa), and JP van der Merwe (Chief Foreign Direct Investment Officer, Wesgro).

Across the Business Breakfast and both keynote anchors, Enlit Africa 2026 is designed to deliver high-signal discussions focused on delivery, governance and the actions that improve system outcomes at pace.

Enlit Africa, created by VUKA Group, will take place on 19–21 May 2026 at the CTICC in Cape Town, South Africa. The full programme and registration information are available at: www.Enlit-Africa.com 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of VUKA Group.

About Enlit Africa:
Enlit Africa convenes stakeholders across the power sector value chain to address the commercial and operational realities of delivery. The programme brings together leaders across finance, utilities, government, industry and technology to accelerate bankable investment, system readiness and measurable outcomes.

Enlit Africa is supported by leading industry sponsors already confirmed for 2026 including
- Huawei (Diamond Sponsor);
- ACTOM, Conlog, Eskom Rotek, Lucy Electric, Macrocomm, Ontec, Vodacom Business and Standard Bank (Platinum Sponsors);
- Allbro, Eskom, Department of Electricity and Energy, Landis + Gyr, Siemens and Steinmuller Africa (Gold Sponsors);
- ABB South Africa, Andritz Hydro GmbH, Australian Winders, CBi electric: African Cables, Doble Engineering, EBM, Enertech International, EWSETA, G3-Alliance,  Hitachi Energy South Africa, Holley Technology, McWade, WEG Africa, Howden Africa, Nuriflex, Revive Electrical Transformers, Neelkanth, and NECSA (Silver Sponsors).

More information and ticket information can be found at www.Enlit-Africa.com

About VUKA Group:
VUKA Group connects people and organisations across Africa's energy, mining, mobility, green economy, and retail sectors through events, content, and strategic networking. Venture partners to The Global Trust Project and leaders of NPO Go Green Africa. www.WeAreVUKA.com        
 

As reported by ESI Africa, Southern Africa is seeing major infrastructure development. Renewable energy capacity is expanding, industrial demand is rising, and electrification is reaching areas that previously had limited grid access.

However, as generation capacity grows, attention is increasingly turning to another part of the equation: how to move that power reliably from source to load.

Daqo tells ESI Africa that, for developers and EPC contractors, the distribution network is no longer simply a downstream consideration. It is becoming an increasingly important part of how projects are planned, coordinated and delivered.

Why distribution is gaining importance

Grid access, system integration and multi-party coordination are increasingly converging at the distribution level.

Renewable projects are often located far from load centres, and the continued growth of distributed energy is changing system behaviour in ways that require earlier and more careful planning.

As a result, distribution infrastructure is increasingly something projects need to design around from the outset, rather than address later in the delivery process.

A growing focus on coordination and supply

One practical consequence of this shift is greater scrutiny of how electrical equipment is sourced and coordinated.

Traditional multi-supplier models introduce multiple technical and logistical interfaces that may cause delays during installation and commissioning, particularly as project complexity increases.

With a portfolio covering medium- and low-voltage switchgear, transformers, power module systems and busbar solutions, Daqo supports a more integrated approach across the electrical distribution chain.

This can help reduce interface risk and improve alignment from design through to commissioning.

Daqo's global footprint includes more than 10,000 customers and 32 manufacturing companies, with project engagement across Africa, the Middle East, Europe, the Americas and APAC, enabling coordinated engineering and production at scale.

Prefabricated solutions can help reduce on-site complexity and improve schedule certainty.

Prefabrication and lead time matter more than ever

On fast-track projects, delivery speed and installation efficiency are becoming increasingly decisive.

Prefabricated electrical solutions (including prefabricated substations, E-Houses and containerised medium-voltage systems) move engineering, assembly and testing into controlled factory environments.

These prefabricated solutions can help reduce on-site complexity and improve schedule certainty.

At the same time, supply timelines remain under pressure due to sustained demand growth and broader supply chain constraints.

Daqo addresses this through manufacturing lead times of four to seven weeks, integrated production across group companies, and strong vertical integration in key materials and components, all of which support delivery stability and cost control.

Performance in the field remains critical

Equipment that meets the specification on paper must also perform in the field.

Large-scale renewable integration can introduce challenges, including voltage fluctuation and reduced system inertia.

Real-world site conditions, including high temperatures, dust, corrosive industrial environments and long transport distances, place further demands on equipment durability and maintainability.

Daqo's system-level approach incorporates intelligent monitoring, protection functions and environmental resilience into the design, helping support stable operation under variable grid conditions and compliance with IEC and project-specific standards.

Daqo looking ahead

The projects being developed across Southern Africa today will help define the region's energy infrastructure for decades to come. Adding generation capacity is essential, but the ability to deliver, integrate and sustain electrical systems in the field will play an equally important role in determining long-term project success.

This shift in focus is already influencing how experienced developers and EPCs approach project planning, and how suppliers are expected to respond.

Enlit Africa returns to the CTICC from 19 to 21 May in 2026

Daqo will be present at Enlit Africa (Stand A5), where the team will engage with project stakeholders on distribution system design and delivery across the region. Meet us at Enlit Africa on 19-21 May 2026 at the CTICC in Cape Town, South Africa. ESI Africa, part of VUKA Group, is the Host Media Partner for the event.  More about Enlit Africa: https://apo-opa.co/4tV6HFt   

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of VUKA Group.

About DAQO Group:
With more than 60 years of industry expertise and an expanding global footprint, Daqo Group delivers integrated solutions that support the global energy transition, from smart substations and renewable energy integration platforms to automation systems and a full range of medium- and low-voltage equipment. With 6 major production bases, 4 research institutes, and 32 manufacturing companies across China, Daqo is supported by a global team of more than 17,000 professionals. Ranked among the top 10 enterprises in China's electrical industry and trusted by more than 10,000 clients worldwide, we help strengthen grid resilience, improve energy efficiency, and support decarbonization goals around the world. https://en.Daqo.com

About ESI Africa:
ESI Africa – Africa's trusted power, energy, water and utility multimedia platform – is positioned as an impartial industry mouthpiece, delivering the latest technical developments and analysis in both print and digital formats since 1996.

The brand's various routes to market are expertly primed to build a bridge between readers and solution providers as ESI Africa sifts through the daily noise and delivers the tale of Africa's energy, power, utility and water transformation to the African and global market. http://apo-opa.co/4wc0iHp

About VUKA Group:
VUKA Group connects people and organisations across Africa's energy, mining, mobility, green economy, and retail sectors through events, content, and strategic networking. Venture partners to The Global Trust Project and leaders of NPO Go Green Africa. www.WeAreVUKA.com