As part of its commitment to fostering strategic international partnerships that advance Africa’s energy transformation, the leadership of the Africa Energy Technology Centre (AETC) paid a courtesy visit to the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Accra to strengthen bilateral relations and explore new avenues for collaboration in energy, innovation, youth development and sustainable economic growth.
The delegation was received by His Excellency John Mikal Kvistad, Ambassador of Norway to Ghana, following the Embassy’s participation in the Africa Energy Technology Conference (AETC) 2026 through its representative, Ms. Silje Samanthi Vevatne, Counsellor for Business and Trade. The visit provided an opportunity to brief the Ambassador on the successful outcomes of the Conference and reaffirm AETC’s commitment to building enduring partnerships with the Government of Norway and its institutions.
Speaking during the meeting, Founder & President of the Africa Energy Technology Centre, Ms. Emelia Akumah, underscored the urgent need to bridge policy, technology and investment to accelerate Africa’s energy transition and industrial transformation. She highlighted AETC’s role as a leading continental platform that convenes governments, policymakers, development partners, academia, investors, innovators and industry leaders to promote dialogue, facilitate investment and champion technology-driven solutions for Africa’s sustainable development.
Ms. Akumah also presented the vision of the Africa Energy Technology Conference (AETC) 2026, emphasizing the Conference’s growing role in strengthening international cooperation, promoting intra-African trade and investment, and fostering strategic partnerships that accelerate Africa’s energy security, industrialization and economic growth. She noted that Norway’s global leadership in renewable energy, maritime innovation, sustainable resource management and technology makes it a valuable strategic partner in advancing these shared objectives.
A key highlight of the engagement was the presentation of AETC’s Youth Energy Entrepreneurship & Incubation Programme (YEEIP), one of the Centre’s flagship initiatives aimed at developing the next generation of African energy innovators, entrepreneurs and business leaders. Ms. Akumah explained that the programme is designed to equip young people with technical expertise, entrepreneurial skills, mentorship, business incubation and access to strategic partnerships that will enable them to drive innovation and create sustainable enterprises within Africa’s energy sector. She further highlighted the initiative’s alignment with national youth development priorities and its potential to foster collaboration with international partners committed to empowering young people and advancing clean energy solutions.
The Ambassador commended AETC for its vision and growing contribution to advancing dialogue and partnerships within Africa’s energy sector. He observed that while Norway is widely recognized for its petroleum industry, the country’s long-term development has equally been driven by investments in renewable energy, maritime services, shipping, innovation and
sustainable resource management. He emphasized that strategic planning, strong institutions and continuous investment in innovation have been fundamental to Norway’s development and remain relevant lessons for emerging economies.
The Ambassador further commended H.E. President John Dramani Mahama for his renewed focus on infrastructure development and the energy sector, describing these as critical pillars for Ghana’s long-term economic transformation and competitiveness. He noted that sustained investment in infrastructure and energy would continue to strengthen Ghana’s position as an attractive destination for investment and regional cooperation.
Discussions also explored opportunities to enhance economic cooperation between Ghana and Norway, including the importance of creating an enabling environment for investment through bilateral frameworks such as double taxation agreements, which support cross-border trade, encourage private sector investment and strengthen commercial relations.
Both parties discussed opportunities for deeper collaboration in renewable energy, innovation, technology transfer, youth development and institutional partnerships. Particular emphasis was placed on empowering young people through education, entrepreneurship and innovation, recognizing that Africa’s youthful population will play a defining role in shaping the continent’s energy future.
The engagement also reflected on the Royal Norwegian Embassy’s valuable contribution to the Africa Energy Technology Conference (AETC) 2026 through its representative, Ms. Silje Samanthi Vevatne, Counsellor for Business and Trade, who delivered a keynote address on “Financing the Corridor: Capital Structures for Cross-Border Infrastructure.” In her address, she underscored the importance of mobilising long-term capital, strengthening public-private partnerships, fostering regional cooperation and developing innovative financing structures to unlock commercially viable infrastructure investments across Africa. She further highlighted the critical role of trusted institutions, predictable governance and strategic partnerships in advancing sustainable energy development, regional integration and long-term economic growth, principles that strongly align with AETC’s mission of driving investment, innovation and collaboration for Africa’s energy future.
The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to strengthening collaboration between the Africa Energy Technology Centre and the Royal Norwegian Embassy, paving the way for future partnerships that will advance innovation, sustainable energy development and inclusive economic growth across Africa.
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