African Energy Week (AEW) 2021 is not only the continent’s top energy event, but the only pan-African event taking place in Africa in 2021. With South Africa’s Department of Mineral Resources and Energy’s (DMRE) official endorsement and partnership, the event is poised to be transformative for Africa’s energy sector. Following the DMRE’s endorsement, Hon. Dr Nobuhle Pamela Nkabane, Deputy Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy, South Africa, has confirmed her attendance and participation at AEW 2021, where she will enhance ongoing dialogue on natural gas, energy transition, and South Africa’s future energy sector plans.

South Africa has managed to position itself as one of Africa’s top energy sectors. With globally competitive renewable energy resources and the recent discovery of sizable natural gas reserves offshore, South Africa has redirected attention to improving its regulatory environment in order to fast track investment and development. Strong regional partnerships coupled with attractive policies have led the country into a new era of advanced energy progress, and this is only the beginning for South Africa’s energy success. The country’s Integrated Resource Plan (2019) and Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Program have both driven the country’s energy growth. Additionally with amendments such as Schedule 2 of the Electricity Act – increasing the licensing threshold from 1MW to 100MW for embedded generation projects, South Africa is significantly enhancing power generation capacity across the country. Progress across every sector of the energy industry and at every level of the value chain have positioned the country as an ideal investment destination and partner for regional stakeholders.  

Focused on further accelerating South Africa’s energy progress and joining a strong delegation of South African industry leaders including Hon. Minister Gwede Mantashe, Hon. Dr Nkabane will come to Cape Town on the 9^th-12^th of November to engage with African energy stakeholders. By both establishing and reaffirming partnerships with regional players and promoting the role that South Africa will play in the continent’s energy progress, Hon. Dr Nkabane will be instrumental in the discussion on Africa’s energy future.  

Having assumed office as a member of the national assembly of South Africa in 2019, Hon. Dr Nkabane was appointed as Deputy Minister in August 2021. In this position, Hon. Dr Nkabane is tasked with working with the Minister to drive South Africa’s energy growth, facilitating projects, ensuring an enabling environment, and incentivizing investment in one of Africa’s top energy sectors. Despite having only served as deputy for a relatively short time, Hon. Dr Nkabane has and continues to be committed to the people of South Africa. With making energy poverty history by 2030 a primary objective of the event, Hon. Dr Nkabane will be a key driver in the discussion on poverty alleviation, electrification, and capacity enhancement.

“The African Energy Chamber (AEC) is proud to announce that Hon. Dr Nkabane will be joining Hon. Minister Gwede Mantashe in Cape Town for AEW 2021. With both the Minister and Deputy attending and facilitating discussions at the event, the DMRE has consolidated its position in the discussion on African energy. In Cape Town, Hon. Dr Nkabane will introduce new insights into South Africa’s energy challenges, providing actionably solutions and spurring a collaborative discussion on how both the country, and the entire continent’s energy sector, can not only contribute towards a strong post-COVID-19 recovery, but drive it,” stated NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the AEC.

Representing the DMRE, one of the continent’s most formidable energy Ministries, Hon. Dr Nkabane will, alongside Hon. Minister Mantashe, make a strong case for African energy investments, increased regional cooperation, and accelerated energy sector growth. Hon. Dr Nkabane joins an elite Ministerial line up at AEW 2021 and will be a significant participant at the continent’s premier energy event.

AEW 2021, in partnership with South Africa’s Department of Mineral Resources and Energy, is the AEC’s annual conference, exhibition and networking event. AEW 2021 unites African energy stakeholders with investors and international partners to drive industry growth and development and promote Africa as the destination for energy investments.