Can Cotonou’s energy summit unlock Africa’s economic potential?
Held in Cotonou from October 28 to 30, 2026, the 12th African Think Tanks Summit (#ATTS2026) is confronting a pivotal question: how can Africa turn access to electricity into a driving force for economic growth, industrialization, and job creation? Organized under the theme From energy access to economic transformation: practical policy pathways for sustainable energy reform in Africa, this high-level gathering brings together policymakers, think tank leaders, development partners, and industry experts to bridge the gap between energy infrastructure and economic opportunity.
Why this summit is critical for Africa’s energy future
The stakes could not be higher. While expanding electricity access remains a top priority, mere connectivity does not guarantee progress. Without reliable, affordable, and productive energy, African economies risk losing out on industrial growth, agricultural productivity, and regional competitiveness. The summit in Cotonou is positioned to address these challenges head-on, with discussions centered on making energy a catalyst for transformation—not just an end in itself.
The African Think Tanks Summit is jointly organized by the African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF), the Government of the Republic of Benin, and the African Union Commission. Its agenda reflects a growing consensus: energy policy must move beyond grid expansion to focus on productivity, affordability, and system resilience.
From electrification to economic transformation
The summit’s central theme challenges the status quo by asking a critical question: What does it take to ensure that energy access translates into measurable economic outcomes? This shift in focus reflects the reality that Africa’s energy sector must do more than connect households—it must power industries, support entrepreneurship, and improve public services.
Key discussion points include:
- The role of energy in boosting industrial competitiveness and attracting investment
- Strategies to lower electricity costs for businesses and households
- Models for sustainable financing of energy infrastructure without compromising affordability
- Building regulatory frameworks that encourage innovation and private sector participation
The aim is to ensure that energy systems are not only expanded but optimized to meet the demands of a modern, diversified economy.
Institutional capacity: the missing link in Africa’s energy transition
The discussions in Cotonou extend beyond infrastructure to focus on the institutions that manage and regulate the energy sector. Without strong governance, policy coherence, and technical expertise, even the most ambitious energy projects risk underperforming or failing to deliver tangible benefits.
Mamadou Biteye, Executive Secretary of ACBF, emphasized the need to align energy access with productive usage and institutional strengthening. He highlighted that African countries must develop the capacity to translate energy policies into real economic gains, ensuring that reforms lead to measurable improvements in competitiveness and livelihoods.
This institutional perspective is essential in a sector where multiple actors—governments, utilities, investors, local governments, and development partners—must coordinate their efforts. Effective regulation, transparent procurement, and skilled workforce development are critical to avoiding costly inefficiencies and delays.
The local impact: why cities hold the key to energy-led growth
The energy challenge is not confined to national policy—it plays out daily in cities, towns, and communities. For mayors, local leaders, and entrepreneurs, reliable electricity is the backbone of economic activity, public services, and social development.
Luc Gnacadja, Mayor of Cotonou, framed the discussion around the local dimension of energy access, noting its direct impact on urban dynamism, service delivery, and quality of life. Without stable power, small businesses struggle, public infrastructure falters, and communities face barriers to progress.
The summit’s focus on urban energy transitions underscores a key insight: economic transformation begins at the local level. City governments must integrate energy policies into broader urban development strategies, ensuring that infrastructure investments translate into improved productivity and opportunity for citizens.
Financing the future: balancing cost, quality, and sustainability
No energy transition can succeed without sustainable financing. The summit explores innovative models to fund infrastructure upgrades while keeping electricity affordable for consumers and viable for investors. Topics include:
- Blending public and private capital to de-risk energy projects
- Leveraging regional cooperation for shared infrastructure and cost efficiencies
- Designing tariff structures that balance cost recovery with social equity
- Encouraging public-private partnerships to accelerate modernization
The goal is to identify financing pathways that align with Africa’s economic realities—ensuring that energy systems are not only built but sustained and optimized for long-term impact.
A continental call to action
The 12th African Think Tanks Summit concludes with a mandate: to turn discussions into actionable strategies that African governments can adopt. The stakes are clear—without a fundamental shift in how energy is produced, distributed, and utilized, the continent risks falling further behind in global competitiveness.
The outcome of Cotonou’s deliberations will hinge on three pillars:
- Policy alignment: Ensuring energy strategies support economic diversification and industrialization
- Institutional readiness: Building the capacity to implement and enforce reforms
- Financing innovation: Creating models that attract investment while protecting consumer interests
As the summit draws to a close, Cotonou’s role as a catalyst for Africa’s energy debate is confirmed. The real test, however, will come when policies are translated into tangible improvements in businesses, communities, and economies across the continent. The question now is not whether Africa can expand its energy access—but whether it can harness that access to power a new era of inclusive growth.