Rwanda energy conference to seek investment, regional partnerships as Africa transition accelerates

Rwanda will host the sixth Renewable Energy for Sustainable Growth (RE4SG) Conference and Exhibition this week, bringing together policymakers, investors, energy companies and technology providers as African countries seek to expand access to cleaner energy while attracting investment into the sector.

The three-day event, organized by the Energy Private Developers Association (EPD) in partnership with Rwanda’s Ministry of Infrastructure (MININFRA) and other stakeholders, will take place from Sept. 8 to 10 at the Kigali Exhibition and Conference Village.

The organisers say the conference is intended to go beyond discussions about Africa’s energy transition, with a focus on connecting projects and businesses with finance, technology and potential partners.

“RE4SG 2026 is not simply a conference; it is a marketplace for turning energy ambition into bankable opportunities, strategic partnerships and measurable impact,” said Serge Wilson Muhizi, chief executive officer of the Energy Private Developers Association.

Muhizi said the event would seek to address constraints that continue to affect energy markets, particularly limited access to manufacturing capacity, technology and supply chains, while creating new opportunities for financing viable energy projects.

The conference comes as African countries face the twin challenge of increasing electricity access and meeting growing demand from sectors such as industry, agriculture, mining, health and education.

Rather than treating energy as a stand-alone sector, organisers say RE4SG will place greater emphasis on understanding the specific needs of these industries and matching them with practical and scalable energy solutions.

“We also want to strengthen regional partnerships so that companies can leverage the scale, capabilities and markets that exist beyond their borders,” Muhizi said.

The approach reflects a broader effort to build stronger African energy value chains, rather than relying primarily on imported technologies and expertise.

For Rwanda, the discussions will also come as the country develops the next generation of its solar policy. Muhizi said the policy environment should help encourage manufacturers, investors and local companies to form joint ventures and develop more of the renewable-energy value chain on the continent.

The RE4SG conference has grown over its previous five editions, attracting more than 5,000 participants, according to the organisers. The event brings together government officials, utilities, private companies, researchers, development partners, innovators and civil society organizations.

This year’s programme will combine policy discussions, technical sessions, an exhibition and site visits.

The first day will focus on high-level policy discussions, including the World Bank-led Mission 300 initiative to expand electricity access in Africa, public-private partnerships, Africa-China cooperation, the energy-food nexus and clean cooking. Participants will also discuss the continent’s changing energy mix, including hydropower, solar, methane, hydrogen and nuclear energy.

The second day will turn to technology and investment, with sessions on energy storage, electric mobility, gender and the just energy transition, research and financing instruments such as green bonds and carbon markets.

On the final day, participants will visit renewable-energy and circular-economy projects to see some of the technologies and approaches being deployed in practice.

An exhibition running alongside the conference will showcase renewable-energy technologies and services, while business-to-business, business-to-government and business-to-consumer meetings are expected to provide opportunities for companies and investors to explore partnerships.

For Muhizi, the emphasis is on what participants can do with the connections made at the event.

“We want businesses, investors, policymakers, technology providers and development partners to join us, not merely to listen, but to connect, negotiate, invest and leave RE4SG with partnerships capable of powering Africa’s next chapter of sustainable growth,” he said.

The conference will take place as African governments and businesses increasingly look to renewable energy not only as a climate solution but also as a driver of industrial development, job creation and economic growth.

For organisers, the challenge is to turn that ambition into projects that can attract capital, create local value and meet the energy needs of a rapidly developing continent.