South Africa Hosts 9,000 Energy Delegates in Cape Town, 12-16 October
SOUTH AFRICA · ENERGY
Key Facts
- The country — South Africa has about 63 million people and the most industrialised economy on the continent. It still runs heavily on coal, which is why its energy debate draws outside attention.
- The event — African Energy Week is the yearly conference of the African Energy Chamber, an industry group that speaks for energy companies working in Africa. Its stated aim is turning talks into signed deals.
- Why now — The 2026 theme is “Invest in African Energies: Affordable and Abundant Energy Additions”. The word additions reflects the Chamber’s view that Africa needs more energy of every kind.
- What happened — The 2026 edition runs from Monday 12 to Friday 16 October at the Cape Town International Convention Centre. A gala dinner and awards follow on Tuesday 13 October.
- The numbers — The organiser expects more than 9,000 delegates from over 100 countries, over 400 speakers, more than 300 ministers and senior officials, and about 1,500 companies.
- What it means for you — If you invest in African energy, ministers and national oil companies sit in one building for five days. Delegate passes sell online and on site, and there are no one-day passes.
- Still open — Which deals actually get signed only becomes clear afterwards. The event is in person only, business dress, and the organiser issues visa invitation letters on request.
African Energy Week returns to Cape Town for five days of policy talks, deal meetings and exhibitions on the continent’s energy future.
African Energy Week, a five-day energy conference, runs from Monday 12 to Friday 16 October 2026 in Cape Town, South Africa. It takes place at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC). The African Energy Chamber expects more than 9,000 delegates from over 100 countries.
What African Energy Week is
African Energy Week, known as AEW, is the main yearly event of the African Energy Chamber. The Chamber is an industry group that speaks for energy companies working in Africa.
The event brings together ministers, national oil companies, investors, lenders and private firms. Its aim is to turn talks into signed deals and new projects.
The 2026 theme is “Invest in African Energies: Affordable and Abundant Energy Additions”. The word additions reflects the Chamber’s view that Africa needs more energy of every kind.
Who is coming
The organiser expects more than 9,000 delegates and over 400 speakers. It also expects more than 300 ministers and senior officials, and about 1,500 companies.
NJ Ayuk, executive chairman of the African Energy Chamber, has invited delegates to “come prepared to meet” and “come prepared to invest”.
Delegations are due from Angola, Nigeria, Ghana, Mozambique, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania and North Africa. Global firms such as TotalEnergies, Chevron, ExxonMobil and bp are also listed.
The programme across five days
The week opens with the Just Energy Transition (JET) Concert. JET is the name South Africa uses for its plan to move gradually away from coal.
Five conference stages cover exploration, finance, new energy supply, refining and a town-hall debate. A separate Power Africa Today track runs over three days on grids, gas-to-power and renewables.
The African Energy Awards and Gala Dinner take place on Tuesday 13 October, with 12 award categories. A Deal Room and an African Farmout Forum help companies find partners for projects.
The organiser publishes the full agenda on its website. It has not published a day-by-day timetable in its news releases.
Passes and costs
Delegates buy passes online through the official registration site, aecweek-registration.com, or on site. The standard delegate pass covers four days of conference and exhibition.
The pass also includes entry to the networking events. There are no one-day passes. The JET Concert, excursions and the Gala Dinner are optional extras.
The organiser does not show pass prices on its main event pages. Buyers see the current price during registration. Hotel rooms can be booked through the organiser’s partner, iccommodate.
The bigger picture: energy access and investment
Nearly 600 million people in sub-Saharan Africa still live without electricity, according to the World Bank. Many more have power that fails often.
At the same time, the continent holds large reserves of gas, oil and critical minerals. Governments want to use them for growth and jobs at home.
The debate runs along a spectrum. Some groups want faster investment in gas and oil. Others want money to go mainly into solar, wind and grids. The African Energy Chamber openly argues for more gas and oil alongside renewables.
Mission 300, a World Bank and African Development Bank plan, aims to connect 300 million Africans to power by 2030. It had reached more than 50 million people by August 2026.
For readers, the event is a useful signal. Licensing rounds and deals announced in Cape Town often shape jobs and prices in producer countries for years.
The venue and getting around
The CTICC sits on the Foreshore, the reclaimed land between the city centre and the harbour. The V&A Waterfront, with hotels and restaurants, is a short walk or ride away.
Cape Town International Airport lies about 20 kilometres east of the centre. Ride-hailing apps such as Uber and Bolt run from the airport. The MyCiTi bus also links the airport and the city.
Many delegates stay near the centre and walk to the venue by day. At night, a ride-hailing car is the simpler choice. Keep phones and laptops out of sight on the street.
Practical notes for visitors
October is spring in Cape Town. Days are mild, but the south-easterly wind can be strong. A light jacket is useful in the evenings.
The organiser asks for business dress. The event is in person only, and the organiser posts daily summaries online.
Visitors who need a visa can ask for an invitation letter by email at [email protected]. Visa rules depend on nationality, so it helps to check them with the South African mission early.
The five days end on Friday 16 October. The contracts and plans discussed there will take much longer to show results on the ground.
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FAQ
When and where is African Energy Week 2026?
It runs from Monday 12 to Friday 16 October 2026. The venue is the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) in central Cape Town, South Africa.
How do I register for African Energy Week?
Delegates register online at aecweek-registration.com or buy a pass on site. There are no one-day passes; the delegate pass covers the conference and exhibition.
Who organises the event?
The African Energy Chamber, led by executive chairman NJ Ayuk, organises African Energy Week. The Chamber represents energy companies working across Africa.
Is there a dress code?
Yes. The organiser asks for business attire. Comfortable shoes help, as the CTICC is large and sessions run across several halls.
Sources: African Energy Week: official site · African Energy Week: FAQ · Capmad: African Energy Week 2026 · African Newspage: One Month to Go, AEW 2026 · Pan African Visions: NJ Ayuk Sets the Stage at AEW 2026 · The Rio Times: Mission 300 and Africa’s electricity gap · Global Africa Network: Have You Secured Your Pass for AEW 2026?
This article was produced by The Rio Times’ automated newsroom system. How we use AI · Report an error · Editorial responsibility: Matthias Camenzind, Editor-in-Chief
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