Historic summit in Cotonou puts Africa’s energy future under the spotlight
From October 28 to 30, 2026, Benin’s economic capital, Cotonou, is hosting the 12th African Think Tanks Summit (#ATTS2026). This high-level gathering brings together policymakers, energy experts, and development partners to tackle one of the continent’s most pressing challenges: transforming energy access into a driver of economic growth and industrialization.
The summit, jointly organized by the African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF), the Beninese government, and the African Union Commission, serves as a critical platform to discuss policies that bridge the gap between energy access and tangible economic outcomes.
Energy reform: The missing link to Africa’s industrialization
The summit’s theme, “From energy access to economic transformation: practical policy pathways for electricity sector viability, growth, and reform in Africa,” underscores a shift in focus. While expanding electricity access remains vital, experts emphasize that sustainable progress requires more than just connecting households and businesses to the grid.
Reliable, affordable, and high-quality electricity is now seen as a cornerstone for industrialization, agricultural productivity, and commercial expansion. Without it, African economies risk stagnation, with businesses struggling to compete and investments stalling. The discussions in Cotonou aim to identify reforms that align energy policies with economic ambitions, ensuring that energy becomes a catalyst for job creation, innovation, and long-term prosperity.
What’s at stake beyond electrification
The summit highlights three critical dimensions of energy reform:
- Productive use of energy: How can electricity power industries, farms, and small businesses to boost output and competitiveness?
- Pricing and accessibility: Balancing affordable energy for consumers with financial sustainability for providers.
- Institutional strength: Building capable institutions to implement reforms, regulate the sector, and attract investment.
These priorities reflect a growing consensus: Africa’s energy challenges cannot be solved by infrastructure alone. Structural reforms, regulatory clarity, and strategic financing are equally essential.
Benin’s leadership: Measuring energy’s impact on growth
The summit’s opening ceremony featured speeches from key figures, including Aristide Médenou, Benin’s Minister of Economy and Finance, and Luc Gnacadja, Mayor of Cotonou. Their remarks centered on measuring the tangible benefits of energy investments—not just in terms of new connections, but in terms of economic growth, business expansion, and improved living standards.
Médenou stressed that energy policies must be evaluated by their contribution to productive activities and poverty reduction. This approach demands that governments design policies that respond to real-world needs, ensuring that energy systems support local economies rather than burden them.
Institutions matter: Why governance is key to energy success
Beyond physical infrastructure, the summit has underscored the role of strong institutions in driving energy reform. Mamadou Biteye, ACBF Executive Secretary, highlighted the need for African nations to build capacity in regulatory oversight, project implementation, and stakeholder coordination.
A fragmented energy sector—with misaligned policies, weak regulations, or underpowered institutions—can undermine even the most promising investments. The Cotonou discussions are proposing solutions to streamline governance, improve transparency, and create environments where energy projects can thrive.
Local impact: Cities and communities at the heart of change
The summit’s focus extends beyond national policies to the lived experiences of cities and communities. Luc Gnacadja emphasized that electricity is not a luxury but a necessity for urban development, public services, and small business growth. In Cotonou, as in many African cities, reliable power can mean the difference between thriving local markets and stagnant economies.
For local governments, this means integrating energy access into broader urban planning strategies, ensuring that power infrastructure supports economic diversification and social services.
From Cotonou to continental action: A call for collective solutions
The diversity of participants—from regional bodies to development partners—reflects the scale of the challenge. Africa’s energy needs cannot be met by individual countries acting alone. The summit aims to foster collaborative solutions, from shared best practices to pooled resources, ensuring that reforms are not only ambitious but also scalable.
The final days of the summit will focus on actionable roadmaps: policies that align energy with economic priorities, financing models that balance sustainability with affordability, and governance structures that prioritize results over bureaucracy.
The path forward: Energy as an engine, not a supplement
The Cotonou summit’s core message is clear: energy must evolve from a basic amenity to a strategic asset for Africa’s future. By linking electricity reform to economic transformation, African nations can unlock new opportunities for businesses, industries, and citizens alike.
The challenge now is to turn these discussions into reality. With the right policies, institutions, and investments, Africa’s energy sector can become a powerhouse for growth—one that fuels productivity, competitiveness, and shared prosperity.
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