African governments are realizing that digital technology is essential to developing sustainable economies. With around 33% internet penetration, the lowest of any region in the world, several governments across the continent are embracing more nimble and effective means of delivering services and interacting with citizens. A considerable number of businesses are also leveraging digitally centered models to connect with the hundreds of millions of customers, previously out of reach.
In West Africa, Ghana and Nigeria are leading the innovation drive in the region. This progress is the result of strategic and systematic investments in developing digital infrastructure, services, skills, and entrepreneurship.
A growing number of the youth population are even more aware that if they would become tomorrow’s innovators, entrepreneurs, and leaders, they will need to be empowered with the digital skills, alongside access to technology and markets, that are essential to thrive in an increasingly digitized global economy.
Across all sectors of the economy, Digital transformation is impacting innovation and enabling progress for diverse industries. For example, in the energy sector, digitization has become an enabler of energy transitions and transforming how energy is produced, distributed, and consumed.
Most states in West Africa are already embracing Modern smart grids that rely on advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) networks for monitoring and billing purposes. Yet, there is the challenge of electricity theft to contend with. The critical concern within the region remains how to improve access to energy and provide everyone with reliable and available energy in sufficient quantities.
Leading experts across the sector believe that improving access to energy within the region, requires attracting key local and international investors to dialogue with other stakeholders for the purpose of discovering viable mechanisms to solve the challenges in the energy sector. In Nigeria, the Nigeria Energy Exhibition and Conference has maintained a long commitment to achieving this.
Making a long-awaited in-person return to Lagos, Nigeria from September 20 to 22, 2022. The Nigeria Energy Exhibition and Conference, now in its 9th edition, is expected to bring together many energy equipment manufacturers, distributors, procurement professionals, dealers, and regulators to lead the discourse on accelerating West Africa’s sustainable energy supply.
More than 3,000 stakeholders are also expected to attend, with over 100 exhibitors representing over 21 countries. Organizers of the conference believe that creating an enabling environment that allows technology to thrive in the sector will help build investor’s confidence.
Themed “Affordable, reliable and sustainable energy through collaboration” the event provides a viable platform for the public and private sector in Nigeria to engage with international energy leaders and investors, towards proffering solutions to Nigeria’s energy challenges. Among key discussions, Nigeria Energy will address digitalisation of Nigeria’s power sector – boosting efficiency and reducing costs of power generation and transmission and distribution.
Other key discussions will focus on meeting electricity demand and improving the reliability of Nigeria’s power sector, regulatory and policy requirements to attract local and international investment, securing financing for gas-power generation and renewable energy plants, exploring the National Mass Metering Programme (NMMP), investment in transmission infrastructure, opportunities and challenges of decentralising power generation, developing renewable energy in Nigeria, and security of power equipment and infrastructure.
The Honourable Minister of Power – Engr. Abubakar D. Aliyu represented by Mr. Temitope Fashedemi, FNIM, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Power, Director of Investment – Engr. Faruk Yusuf Yabo and Ag., Director of Renewables – Engr. Abubakar Ali, both at the Federal Ministry of Power and MD, Transmission Company of Nigeria – Engr. (Dr.) S.A. Abdulaziz, MD of Rural Electrification Agency – Ahmad Salihijo, are part of over 35 speakers that will speak during various sessions at the event.
A recent analysis of the global power sector by the International Energy Agency shows that digitalisation has the potential to save around $80 billion per year or about 5% of total annual power generation costs.
From remote monitoring solutions to interconnection, financing, payment solutions, modelling and system design, the place of technology and digitization in advancing Nigeria’s energy sector cannot be overemphasized.
While the Nigerian power market is driven by favourable government policies and a growing inclination toward privatization, the sector is still challenged by a lack of skilled local labour, power theft and infrastructure vandalization among others.
To this end, it is imperative to leverage digital technology in the electricity industry, towards ensuring greater transparency in operations, while increasing efficiency and reliability.
Therefore, relevant stakeholders in the industry, GenCos, DisCos and the government, will be looking forward to exploring the massive opportunities for advancement within the energy sector, while embracing the array of cutting-edge products and services that will be showcased at this year’s Nigeria Energy Exhibition and Conference.
Join Nigeria Energy this year from 20 – 22 September at Landmark Centre Lagos as it evolves for a digitalised, decentralised and decarbonised future.
Visit the website for latest conference agenda, speakers, confirmed exhibitors, and more: www.nigeria-energy.com. To register for free entry, please click: https://bit.ly/3zhoRpN
