We look ahead to the 5th African Energy Indaba taking place in South Africa in early 2013.

Africa is a continent of contrasts. It is the fastest urbanising continent in the world, and must provide energy to meet the annual urban growth rate, which is twice as high as Asia and Latin America, while, as home to the poorest of the poor, it must innovate energy solutions for 50% of the world's impoverished.

Africa continues to provide opportunity and attract project investors from around the world. The International Monetary Fund forecasts Sub-Saharan African growth at 4,8% which compares favourably with the world average of 3,3%. The number of projects on the continent has quadrupled from that of 10 years ago and the quality of projects has improved substantially.

The 5th annual Africa Energy Indaba will be the forum and business networking opportunity for decision-makers and leading role-players planning and developing Africa's energy future.

The Africa Energy Indaba, adopted by the World Energy Council (WEC) as the African regional event of the WEC, receives global recognition as the foremost event for energy professionals from across the globe.

Presented by the South African National Energy Association (SANEA) in association with the World Energy Council, the forum has achieved the highest level of endorsement and support and as such is without doubt the leading energy event in Africa.

The Africa Energy Indaba 2013 will be held from the 19th to 21st February 2013, at the Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg, South Africa.

The conference continues to grow and has become the foremost forum for debating and exchanging solutions to Africa's energy challenges.

The event focuses on African power suppliers; alternative and renewable energies; oil and gas; the legal and regulatory framework, and investment opportunities in African energy projects, to name a few. The exhibition has become a significant market-place for African and international stakeholders doing business in Africa's energy sector.

Delegates in the early stages of their careers will have an unprecedented opportunity to develop their knowledge and understanding of the energy sector and to lay the foundations for their role as "Future Energy Leaders".

Delegates attending the Africa Energy Indaba 2013 are also invited to attend and take part in the roundtable discussion. The roundtable discussion will bring together Africa’s energy operators, financers and other important role players in the project food chain.

Paul Runge, Managing Director of specialised consulting firm Africa Project Access, will be heading a round table discussion on the last day of the upcoming Africa Energy Indaba on 21 February 2013, opening up the floor for discussion on major energy greenfield and brownfield projects on the continent.

Paul Runge has 30 years’ experience assisting companies to access business and projects in Africa. He has developed a practical rationale and methodology that will be of value to companies and organisations and organisations wishing to diversify their portfolio into Africa. His company Africa Project Access supplies approximately 110 companies and organisations with early alerts on projects across a broad range of sectors on the continent.

According to Runge “the discussion will have a business focus and will also be very practical. We will look at projects from the ground up and talk about where things are headed. We will talk about key role players in the African energy sector including utilities, development finance institutions and technical assistance agencies that are able to help African companies and projects throughout the Sub-Saharan region.”

Joining Runge in the roundtable discussion will be role players in some of these projects such as the dynamic power initiatives in Mozambique and Ethiopia’s hydro-power programme – currently the biggest hydropower project in Africa.

“It will be a great opportunity to learn of new and exciting projects and opportunities as well as network”, says Runge. Templates of specific projects will also be made available to those attending.

The Africa Energy Indaba brings together more than 300 senior level energy sector experts and decision –makers. Over 100 leading energy suppliers will also be present at the annual conference showcasing their latest technologies, equipment and services.

For further information and to register :  http://www.energyindaba.co.za/