African power utilities join AEW 2026 as grid expansion and electrification take centre stage

As the continent intensifies efforts to close the energy access gap, modernise power infrastructure and drive economic development, power utility companies from South Africa, Zambia and Uganda will take centre stage at this year’s African Energy Week (AEW) 2026.

Senior executives from Eskom Holdings, ZESCO Limited and Uganda Electricity Transmission Company (UETCL) are speaking at AEW 2026, taking place from 12–16 October at CTICC1 in Cape Town.

This reflects the increasingly central role utility providers play in shaping Africa’s energy future.

South Africa

South Africa’s state utility Eskom plays a central role in providing electricity to the market, supporting government targets of scaling generation capacity, strengthening transmission infrastructure and facilitating long-term industrial growth.

Aligned with national policy such as the Integrated Resource Plan 2025 – which envisions the addition of 105GW of new generation capacity by 2039 – and the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme – which seeks to mobilise private investment in power generation – the company is committed to improving generation performance and sustaining energy supply.

Recent milestones include progress under the General Recovery Plan, which has resulted in over one year of uninterrupted power supply, extensions at nuclear power facilities, smart meter rollouts and strengthened supply for industrial users.

Dan Marokane, group CEO, joins AEW 2026 as Eskom continues to scale generation and transmission capacity across the country.

Zambia

Zambia’s power market is experiencing similar growth, with expanded hydropower capacity at the Kariba facility, new hydro plants being developed in the northern provinces and forays into solar. As the state utility, ZESCO is at the helm of this expansion and is currently pursuing infrastructure upgrades and diversification strategies aimed at improving energy reliability and supporting increasing activity in the mining sector.

Major projects include the 50MW Mansa Solar Plant, the 200MW Chisamba Solar Plant and the 100MW Mailo Solar Plant. The country is also strengthening transmission ties within neighbouring countries, with projects such as the $100-million Kanona line linking Zambia and Tanzania; as well as a Zambia–Botswana interconnector project.

Justin C. Loongo, CEO of ZESCO Limited, is speaking at AEW 2026.

Uganda

Uganda has also been strengthening transmission infrastructure through a range of strategic projects. With the country’s generation capacity more than doubling from 850MW in 2014 to over 2 052MW in 2025, focus is gradually shifting to strengthening both domestic and regional distribution networks.

As the state-owned transmission company, UETCL is at the forefront of this strategy. Under the country’s Grid Map Vision 2040 – aimed at expanding transmission networks countrywide – UETCL has advanced several projects in recent months. The most recent of these is a landmark agreement signed with Gridworks to upgrade the country’s national electricity transmission network.

CEO Richard Matsiko is expected to share further insight at AEW 2026.

“Power utilities are at the heart of Africa’s industrial future,” states NJ Ayuk, executive chairperson of the African Energy Chamber. “If we are serious about making energy poverty history, we need stronger collaboration between utilities, governments, investors and technology providers.

“Africa does not lack energy potential; it needs integrated infrastructure, modern grids and partnerships capable of delivering reliable electricity to industries, businesses and households across the continent.”