The Nigeria Energy Forum (NEF) has said that its 2024 Conference and Exhibition will focus on energising sustainable industrialization and mobilising multi-million USD investments for boosting domestic manufacturing, financing energy transition and transforming climate-smart community action.
The Chairman of the Forum, Dr Oluwole Adeuyi, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday, in Lagos. According to the chairman, the NEF 2024 conference, workshops and exhibition will be held onsite in Lagos on July 9 and virtually on November 21, 2024.
He said the theme of the conference is entitled: ‘Energizing Sustainable Industrialization.’ It follows the successful origination of a landmark $40 million agro-industry financing deal at NEF2023 between an international bank and a homegrown manufacturer.
Adeuyi confirmed that over 400 global stakeholders, 40 key speakers, international banks, manufacturers, and exhibitors are expected to participate in the 2024 NEF. According to him, they will mobilize multi-million USD investments for boosting homegrown manufacturing, increasing foreign exchange revenues and fostering import substitution.
He said that the second edition of the Tertiary Institutions Students Energy Pitch contest, finals, and awards would also be held the same day, and is supported by All On, an impact investment firm.
The Top five out of over 85 tertiary student teams shortlisted from 35 tertiary institutions across 23 different states of Nigeria will pitch and demonstrate their innovative energy solutions at the live finals, and the Top 3 winners awarded grant prizes for upscaling prototypes.
The Co-Chairman of the Forum, Mr Adekunle Makinde, said the event would be held physically in Lagos, at Marcellina Conference Centre, Along Radisson Hotel, Ikeja GRA, Lagos while the November 21 session would be held as a virtual conference.
Makinde said Norway’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Svein Baera would deliver a keynote presentation on July 9 opening plenary Session.
He also confirmed that other keynote speakers include: Caroline Eboumbou, Chief Executive Officer, All On; Oluwatobi Ajayi, Group CEO, Nord Automobiles Limited; Dr. Jose Levy, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative (Programmes) in Nigeria; Peter Olowononi, Head of Client Relations, Anglophone West Africa, Afrexim Bank; and Nigeria Minister of Power representative.
Makinde said the event would also feature over 6 Supersessions on: Powering Industry and Growth Plenary supported by Nord Automobiles Limited.
“Maximizing Community Action supported by GEF-SGP UNDP will focus on sharing key recommendations and lessons learnt from community-led energy and sustainability projects.
“Mobilizing Energy Transition Investments supported by Jubaili will mobilize finance for sustainable energy projects across the energy transition.”
Dr Bamise Olanrewaju, the NEF2024 Strategy and Innovation Lead, said that over 20 key speakers, panellists and moderators have confirmed participation at the NEF2024 conference.
“They include Biodun Ogunleye, Lagos State Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources; Ibironke Oluwabamise, National Coordinator, GEF-SGP UNDP; Issam Ghazzawi, Engineer, Jubaili Bros Engineering Ltd; Bimpe Adebisi, Head of Retail, Simba Den.
“Others are Dr Oluwaseun Fadare, Chief Technical Officer, Transcorp Power; Ayoola Kassim, Head of Programmes, Channels TV; Representative of Engr. Gbenga Komolafe, CEO, NUPRC; and Dorothy Egbon, Programme Director, Community Research and Development Centre.”
