Accra — President John Mahama will officially open the Africa Energy Technology Conference (AETC) 2026, a high-level continental gathering scheduled for May 19–21 in Accra, Ghana, bringing together heads of state, ministers, investors and technology leaders to discuss the future of energy, trade and industrial development in Africa. The event will take place at the Labadi Beach Hotel under the theme “From Borders to Bridges: Driving Intra-African Trade and Development through Energy & Technology Services.”
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According to organisers, the conference will host more than 1,500 delegates from over 30 countries, including President João Lourenço (Angola), President Daniel Chapo (Mozambique), President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah (Namibia) and several global industry leaders, reflecting the growing geopolitical importance of energy cooperation within Africa. The presence of AfCFTA Secretary-General Wamkele Mene, business magnate Aliko Dangote, and senior officials from the Commonwealth and Gulf energy sector underscores the event’s strategic scope.
The meeting comes at a time when African governments are pushing for greater intra-African trade, technological independence and industrialisation, as part of broader efforts to reduce reliance on external supply chains. Organisers say the conference will focus on policy harmonisation, cross-border finance, digital connectivity and workforce mobility, while also promoting innovation in energy services and regional infrastructure.
Mahama is expected to use the opening address to reinforce calls for continental integration and coordinated economic reforms, a position he has recently defended in international forums, arguing that Africa must move from isolated national progress to a unified development model capable of competing globally. The agenda also includes sessions on youth participation, women in energy innovation, and investment platforms linking project developers with financiers.
Organisers say the choice of Accra as host city reflects Ghana’s ambition to position itself as a regional hub for energy technology and investment, while the conference itself is seen as one of the most influential energy and technology gatherings on the continent in 2026. With global demand for critical minerals, renewable energy and digital infrastructure rising, the outcomes of the conference could shape Africa’s role in the next phase of the global energy transition.
— AfricaHeadline | International Desk
