The sixth edition of the Renewable Energy for Sustainable Growth (RE4SG) Conference and Exhibition opened in Kigali on Tuesday, September 8, bringing together energy leaders, policymakers, investors, innovators and other stakeholders to discuss ways of accelerating Africa’s energy transition.
The three-day conference, running from September 8 to 10 at the Kigali Conference and Exhibition Village, is organised by Energy Private Developers (EPD) in partnership with the Ministry of Infrastructure (MININFRA).
The conference was held under the theme, "Accelerating Africa’s Energy Transition: Innovation, Inclusion and Scalable Sustainable Solutions.”
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Opening the conference, EPD Chief Executive Officer Serge Wilson Muhizi said Africa’s energy transition requires stronger collaboration between governments, private investors, development partners and other stakeholders, supported by technology, innovation, research and finance.
Muhizi said EPD aims to bridge the gap between policy, investment, innovation and markets by connecting governments and other stakeholders with opportunities in the energy sector.
He urged participants to move beyond discussions and focus on developing projects that can attract financing, create jobs and support economic growth.
"How do we turn Africa&039;s enormous energy need into a bankable project, investment opportunity, job and sustainable economic growth?” he asked.
The conference comes as African countries seek to expand electricity access under Mission 300, strengthen energy security, scale up renewable energy, promote clean cooking and accelerate electric mobility.
Damien Frame of the Global Renewable Centre (GRC) said the centre supports Rwanda, Malawi and Zambia by strengthening renewable energy partnerships, capacity and knowledge-sharing, with a focus on locally led solutions.
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He said the GRC’s partnership with EPD extends beyond the annual conference through workshops, mentorship, research and policy dialogue aimed at turning discussions into practical progress in the renewable energy sector.
Gao Wenqi, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Rwanda, highlighted growing cooperation between China and Rwanda in renewable energy, including the Nyabarongo II hydropower project.
He encouraged more Chinese investment in renewable energy, energy storage, smart grids and digital energy, while calling for stronger partnerships between Chinese companies and Rwandan businesses to create jobs, transfer skills and build local capacity.
Ivan Twagirashema, Chairperson of EPD, said the private sector is ready to invest in renewable energy but needs greater regulatory predictability and bankable projects to unlock financing.
"A clear captive power framework can enable industries to invest in clean energy. Predictable regulation can reduce investment risk, and strong project preparation can transform an idea into a project capable of reaching financial growth,” he said.
Armand Zingiro, Minister of State in the Ministry of Infrastructure, said public resources alone will not be sufficient to achieve the country’s energy ambitions.
Rwanda currently has electricity access of about 86 per cent of households, up from 64 per cent five years ago. The country aims to achieve universal electricity access by 2030 while increasing the share of renewable energy in its electricity mix to at least 60 per cent.
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"These are ambitious targets. Achieving them will require more than public resources. It will require private capital, technology, strong institutions, effective partnerships, and discipline and execution,” Zingiro said.
Following the opening session, participants toured the exhibition area, where companies showcased solutions including clean cooking technologies, solar energy systems, electric mobility solutions and sustainable fuels.
The conference also featured the soft launch of the Energy Access Explorer, a digital public good designed to support climate-compliant energy planning in Rwanda.
A presentation on Rwanda’s Energy Compact outlined the country’s priorities, including expanding electricity generation, strengthening regional power integration, achieving universal access and scaling up clean cooking, while increasing private-sector participation in the energy sector.
The compact targets an increase in generation capacity from 472 megawatts to 1,032MW by 2030, doubling regional imports to 200MW and achieving 100 per cent electricity access alongside a seven-fold increase in clean cooking.
It also seeks to mobilise about $1 billion in private capital, while positioning Rwanda as a regional power-trading hub within the Eastern Africa Power Pool.
Panel discussions focused on "From Commitment to Impact: Delivering Mission 300 Through National Energy Compacts and Strategic Partnerships,” with discussions centred on public-private collaboration, regulatory reforms and financing.
Other sessions examined investment opportunities and challenges facing Africa’s energy transition.
The first day concluded with discussions on priority actions, institutional commitments and next steps for integrating renewable energy and energy access priorities into policies, strategies and budgets.