African energy revolution takes center stage in Cotonou as policymakers gather
The 12th African Think Tanks Summit (#ATTS2026) kicks off in Cotonou this week, bringing together political leaders, economic experts, and development partners to tackle Africa’s most pressing energy challenge: turning electricity access into real economic growth. Running from October 28–30, 2026, the high-stakes forum focuses on practical policy solutions that can transform energy infrastructure into a driver of industrialization, job creation, and sustainable development across the continent.
The summit, organized by the African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF) in partnership with the Government of Benin and the African Union Commission, serves as a platform for cross-border collaboration on energy sector reforms. Discussions will center on three core questions: How can reliable electricity supply boost business productivity? What structural reforms are needed to make energy systems financially sustainable? And how can Africa’s energy policies align with national economic priorities?
Energy access is just the beginning — economic transformation is the goal
The theme, “From Energy Access to Economic Transformation: Implementing Policies for Viability, Growth, and Power Sector Reform in Africa,” reflects a critical shift in focus. While expanding electricity access remains vital, experts emphasize that it must coexist with affordability, reliability, and alignment with economic activities. Without these elements, energy becomes a barrier rather than a catalyst for development.
The challenges are clear: irregular power supply stifles industrial output, high tariffs deter investment, and inefficient infrastructure limits competitiveness. To reverse this trend, the summit advocates for policy reforms that do more than connect households to the grid — they must enable businesses to thrive, farmers to increase yields, and entrepreneurs to innovate. The goal is to ensure that energy investments yield measurable returns in productivity, employment, and GDP growth.
According to participating economists, the key lies in bridging the gap between energy production and its productive use. This means designing policies that prioritize industrial loads over residential demand, incentivize private investment in energy-intensive sectors, and integrate energy planning with broader economic development strategies.
Benin’s finance minister urges measurable impact from energy investments
The official opening ceremony in Cotonou brought together high-level delegates, including Aristide Médenou, Benin’s Minister of Economy and Finance, and Luc Gnacadja, Mayor of Cotonou. Also present were representatives from the African Union, African Development Bank (AfDB), ACBF, ACED, FAGACE, and international development partners.
Minister Médenou stressed that evaluating energy policies cannot stop at infrastructure metrics such as number of connections or megawatts installed. “We must ask how energy enables businesses to grow, how it improves farmers’ incomes, and how it enhances public services,” he stated. “The true test of success is not how much electricity we produce, but how much value it creates.”
His remarks underscore a growing consensus among African policymakers: energy policy must be evaluated on its ability to drive economic transformation, not just technical delivery. This means measuring success by GDP contribution, job creation in energy-linked industries, and poverty reduction in electrified communities.
Reforms require strong institutions, not just strong cables
Mamadou Biteye, Executive Secretary of ACBF, highlighted the critical role of governance in making energy reforms work. “Access to energy is meaningless without the institutions to manage it effectively,” he said. “We need regulatory bodies that can enforce efficiency, utilities that can collect revenue, and governments that can align energy goals with national development plans.”
Biteye emphasized that without capable institutions, even the most ambitious energy infrastructure projects risk failure. This includes training regulators, strengthening utilities, and fostering public-private partnerships that share risks and rewards equitably. Capacity building, he noted, is not an optional extra — it is the backbone of sustainable energy transformation.
Local governments at the frontline of energy-driven development
Mayor Luc Gnacadja framed energy access as a local issue with national and continental consequences. “In Cotonou and cities across Africa, reliable electricity powers schools, hospitals, markets, and small businesses,” he said. “It is not just about connecting homes — it is about enabling communities to function.”
For local governments, energy policy is inseparable from urban development. Electricity powers water systems, supports street lighting, enables e-commerce, and fuels public transit. Without it, cities cannot grow sustainably or attract investment. The summit calls on municipalities to integrate energy planning into broader urban development strategies, ensuring that infrastructure investments align with local economic priorities and social needs.
Financing the future: balancing cost, access, and sustainability
No energy transformation is possible without financing. Upgrading and modernizing Africa’s power grids demands billions in investment, yet cost remains a major barrier for consumers and businesses alike. The summit is examining financing models that balance viability with accessibility — including public-private partnerships, blended finance, and targeted subsidies for productive users.
Discussions also focus on regional cooperation to share infrastructure costs, pool demand, and improve cross-border energy trade. A more interconnected grid, proponents argue, could reduce costs, increase reliability, and unlock new sources of renewable energy across national borders.
From debate to action: Cotonou’s legacy for Africa’s energy future
As the summit enters its final day, participants are expected to adopt a roadmap of actionable recommendations for African governments. These include: establishing national energy-economic integration task forces, reforming utility governance structures, piloting productivity-linked tariff schemes, and strengthening regional energy markets.
The message from Cotonou is clear: Africa’s energy future will not be built on megaprojects alone. It will be forged in policy rooms, on factory floors, and in communities where electricity finally sparks growth. The decisions made in these three days could determine whether the continent’s vast energy potential becomes a driver of prosperity — or remains a missed opportunity.
