London to host 2016 Africa Energy Forum

The Africa Energy Forum, which is the annual global investment meeting for Africa’s power, energy, infrastructure and industrial sectors, is to take place in London, the organisers said on Monday.
EnergyNet Limited, the organiser of the event, said the forum is expected to bring together 1,000 investors, 500 public sector stakeholders, 300 technology providers, 270 developers and 70 countries.
The forum, which is slated to run in June, is set to come up in London this year for the first time.
“The decision to move the forum to the UK this year, was taken to capitalise on the investment potential of the UK and promote the strong trade relationship between the UK and Africa,” the statement said.
According to the statement, the theme of the forum revolves around: “Mergers and acquisitions.”
Shiddika Mohamed, the Group Director, said they are very excited to bring the forum to London.
“So being in London, the world’s finance capital, will enable Africa’s growing number of power developers to showcase their businesses to decision makers of the world’s most prolific investment organisations from around the globe,” Mohamed said.
The report said organisers will host a typically English opening night pub quiz party on the evening of June 21, which will feature some legendary British culture and food.
This will allow participants to network in a fun, laid back environment before the formal opening on June 22.
The statement also pointed out that new for this year will be the Growing Economies Energy Forum, running alongside the Africa Energy Forum.
GEEF will host a day of open discussions between the governments and private sector from new energy markets such as Iran, Pakistan, Myanmar and Peru, as these growing economies open up for international investment following political and economic developments.
The EnergyNet Student Engagement Initiative will once again bring 50 talented African students to the forum from relevant disciplines to build relationships with industry leaders in the power sector.
Organisers have assured that the conference and exhibition will see the return of a mobile networking app to assist delegates with networking.
Meanwhile, 70 per cent of attendees of 2015 forum were said to have used the app, with 1,900 messages exchanged and nearly 200 meetings arranged.
PANA/NAN.