The African energy industry will take part in the dialogue, which is organised by the Afrika-Verein der deutschen Wirtschaft.
Africa’s LNG (liquefied natural gas) production is rising and set to change global energy dynamics. South Africa is on a path to be an LNG producer, while Tanzania, Congo, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Ghana, Mozambique, Rwanda and Sudan continue to show progress as potential LNG powerhouses.
German companies with the right technology have the immediate benefit of investing and executing contracts in power projects around Africa.
African gas producers are due to deliver gas to the German market more than anyone imagined. There are many African gas discoveries and projects in the pipeline that will reshape the gas market.
The risk for Germany not acting fast will be competition from, among others, Asia and other European markets as well as from.
Energy is still an area where German entrepreneurs can make considerable profits in power and petrochemicals so German and African businesses need to play an integral part in the African diversification drive. It is profitable for both sides.
In that context, the 13th German-African Energy Forum is set to gather a prestigious list of African participants, including ministers from South Africa, Angola, Morocco, Ghana, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea, The Gambia, Burkina Faso and Somalia.
African governments and companies will have a unique opportunity at the Hamburg forum to network and discuss deals with leading German and European companies and investors such as ABB, Siemens, Allianz, Voith, Lucas Nülle, Inzag, Gauf Engineering, Andritz or Tractebel.
While most of the business in the energy sector has so far been done by a few large German and Africa companies, most firms that can add value to and generate opportunities within the sector are actually small to medium-sized service ones and contractors.
Germany is Europe’s start-up country and this is the right time for German startups to provide energy solutions for a growing Africa and while turning generous profits.
Under the theme ‘Realising & Financing Africa’s Energy Revolution’, the forum will highlight the most promising areas for investment opportunities and energy cooperation between German firms and Africa, including smart energy systems, waste-to-energy, renewable energies, hybrid systems and energy financing.
“African countries must continue creating an enabling environment for German investors. It is critical for entrepreneurs and for job creation,” said African Energy Chamber executive chairman NJ Ayuk, adding: “Germany is a key partner for Africa, and German technology and know-how will be decisive in addressing Africa’s energy challenges.”
Ayuk said German companies as global leaders in renewable energy, off-grid solutions, gas-to-power and the development of power infrastructure, especially in the transmission & distribution area.
“Attracting further German investments into Africa will be very beneficial towards meeting capital requirements in energy infrastructure and promote technology and skills transfers,” added the AEC executive.
African delegates benefit from a special discounted price at the forum and the Chamber encourages all members and partners across its network to participate and seek opportunities with German firms in Hamburg.
