East African Power Industry Convention sparks record attendance

AFRICA – A new venue, expanded exhibition space and gala awards dinner helped to double attendance at one of Africa’s largest power industry conventions last month. More than 1,500 delegates from 40 countries visited Nairobi for the East African Power Industry Convention (EAPIC) at its new home, the Kenyatta International Convention Centre. Products from 69 technology and service providers were on show for the two-day event’s trade show component, while the South African Electrotechnical Export Council (SAEEC) doubled the size of its delegation to 25 companies. “Our increased participation is also an indication of the importance South Africa ascribes to not only the power sector in Africa, but to the East African region,” said SAEEC chief executive Chiboni Evans of the event. Delegates, representing power utilities, large industries and investors, heard from speakers including South Sudan’s Minister of Electricity, Dams, Irrigation and Water Resources, Jemma Nunu Kumba; Djibouti’s Minister of Energy and Natural Resources; Ali Yacoub Mahamoud, and the Principal Secretary at the Kenyan Ministry of Energy and Petroleum, Joseph Njoroge. “We offered several new features to EAPIC this year, including a new venue, larger exhibition with free workshops, new awards gala dinner and the Clean Power Africa conference track,” said EAPIC programme director Natalie Bacon. Organiser Spintelligent introduced the event’s first Clean Power East Africa track to the programme, which gave delegates an opportunity to learn more about the technology and processes for renewable energy. The next edition of EAPIC, organised by Spintelligent, will be held on 21-22 September 2016 in Nairobi.