Panel: Grid, policy level and energy market structural challenges facing Africa’s ICT sector - finding the way forward to accelerate digitalisation of the continent

Lack of clarity on national (renewable) energy generation and transmission investment plans, incomplete grid infrastructure maps, barriers to private generation and lengthy interconnection processes are just some of the key policy and regulatory challenges cited by African digital infra owners. As governments look to attract investment and close the digital divide, how can energy frameworks and markets be improved to support digital infrastructure rollout:

• What are some African nations doing well and where are others falling short?
• What lessons (and warning signs) from more developed markets can be applied to the continent?
• How can digital infrastructure owners best advocate for change and position themselves as part of the solution to Africa’s electrification challenges?
• What task forces and initiatives exist to tackle policy issues and how can the industry better collaborate?