Kigali to Host Sixth Renewable Energy Summit From Sept 8

The sixth Renewable Energy for Sustainable Growth (RE4SG) summit opens on Tuesday, September 8, at the Kigali Exhibition and Conference Village, bringing together energy leaders, policymakers and investors to discuss Africa's clean energy transition.

The three-day summit is hosted by Energy Private Developers (EPD), an association representing private energy companies, in partnership with Rwanda's Ministry of Infrastructure.

It is themed "Accelerating Africa's Energy Transition: Innovation, Inclusion and Scalable Sustainable Solutions," and aims to accelerate the continent's shift to clean energy while unlocking investment in the sector.

Serge Wilson Muhizi, EPD's chief executive officer, described the summit as more than a conference. "RE4SG 2026 is not simply a conference; it is a marketplace for turning energy ambition into bankable opportunities, strategic partnerships and measurable impact," he said in a statement.

Over its previous five editions, RE4SG has attracted more than 5,000 participants, including policymakers, investors, utilities and researchers from across the continent.

Programme runs from policy talks to project visits

The programme is structured across three days with distinct focuses. Day One will centre on policy dialogues covering Mission 300, a continent-wide initiative to connect 300 million more Africans to electricity, public-private partnerships, Africa-China collaboration, the links between energy and food production, clean cooking, and Africa's evolving generation mix, spanning hydropower, solar, methane, hydrogen and nuclear energy.

Day Two shifts to innovation and investment, with technical workshops on energy storage, electric mobility, gender inclusion in the energy transition, and financing tools such as green bonds and carbon markets.

Day Three offers guided visits to operating renewable energy and circular economy projects, allowing delegates to see completed solutions in practice. The summit will also host an exhibition and networking sessions aimed at fostering business partnerships and investment.

Muhizi said the summit is intended to close persistent gaps in manufacturing, technology access and supply chains that continue to hold back African energy markets, while connecting local and international players to new financing pathways.

He added that organisers are also looking to strengthen regional partnerships and take a more demand-driven approach, matching energy solutions to the specific needs of sectors such as health, mining, education and agriculture.

Rwanda needs $3.2bn for its own energy expansion

The summit comes as Rwanda works toward its own goal of universal electricity access. The country's 10-year energy strategy requires at least $3.2 billion in investment to raise installed generation capacity to 1,066 megawatts while achieving universal access by 2030. Rwanda's generation capacity has already grown from 406 megawatts in 2024 to 471 megawatts in 2026.

How much of that $3.2 billion Rwanda can mobilise is likely to be shaped in part by the partnerships and investment discussions taking place at this week's summit.