GRIDCo proudly partnered as a sponsor of the 2026 Africa Energy Technology Conference (AETC), held from May 19–21, 2026 at the Labadi Beach Hotel, Accra. The landmark gathering convened visionaries, leaders, policymakers, and innovators under the theme “From Borders to Bridges: Driving Intra-African Trade and Development through Energy & Technology Services.”
Ing. Frank Otchere, Chief Executive of GRIDCo joined in a panel discussion, comprising top brass energy experts on the topic, “Renewables Across Borders; Interconnecting the African Power Pools.” He touched on GRIDCo’s mandate as a Company, and its role in ensuring cross-border dispatch to neighbouring countries, including Togo, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire. He underscored how renewables are being integrated whilst ensuring system stability. Other panel members were, Malaika Dela Barkar, Senior Vice President, Energy & Infrastructure, Corporate and Investment Banking, Stanbic Bank Ghana; Mr. Justice Kyere, Technical Services Department at the Bui Power Authority (BPA), Ghana and Hjgino Fernandes, Director of Renewables Energies, SonaGás Energias Renováveis, Luanda (SonaGás Renewable Energies).
Earlier in the day, Mr. Samuel Kow Acquah, Director, Corporate Strategy, also participated in a panel discussion on “The Energy Services Marketplace: Accelerating Intra-African Commerce.” He shared insights on the urgent need to remove physical, regulatory and policy barriers that slow down the integration of African energy markets. He noted that Africa’s energy services marketplace will only become truly competitive when professionals, capital, equipment and services can move more easily across borders.
Other panellists included Mr. Olakunle Williams, Chief Executive Officer of Tetracore Energy Group; Ms. Ramana Shareef, Communications Specialist; Mr Edward Nana Yaw Koranteng, Investment Banker; and Ms. Sandisiwe Ncemane of the Central Energy Fund, South Africa.
As part of the sponsorship, GRIDCo hosted a vibrant exhibition booth, which drew strong interest from delegates, who posed thoughtful questions about GRIDCo’s role in strengthening grid reliability, advancing cross-border interconnections through the West African Power Pool, and supporting Ghana’s renewable energy targets. Visitors to the Stand also enquired about the Company’s pioneering transmission projects and explored GRIDCo’s vision for regional integration and sustainable growth. Expectedly, they enquired about the main reason(s) behind the recent power outages. These conversations highlighted GRIDCo’s central place in Africa’s energy transformation and the trust placed in its expertise.
A memorable highlight of the conference was the “Next Gen in Energy” Pitch Competition, aimed at espousing youth innovation. Students from universities across Ghana presented bold innovations to tackle pressing energy challenges, and Ghana’s growing electricity needs.
Some of these innovations included a policy innovation on lithium, where Lithium-ion batteries will be used to store electricity efficiently, making them ideal for balancing supply and demand. There was also a solar panel, which did not require the use of water in cleaning.
Their creativity and determination underscored the promise of Africa’s youth in shaping a sustainable energy future. Significantly, GRIDCo’s presence at the event reinforced its commitment to nurturing emerging talents alongside established industry partnerships.
Other key discussions at the conference focused on policy harmonisation, cross-border financing, women in energy, technology-driven solutions and strategic partnerships to advance Africa’s energy transition, industrial growth and intra-African trade. Other personnel from GRIDCo were, Papa Kojo Mensah, Special Assistant to the Chief Executive (SpACE); Mrs. Alberta Mukaronda, Monitoring and Evaluation Officer; Ms. Ruth Abanga, Administrative Officer, Sustainability & Corporate Responsibility; Ms. Yaaba Blay-Amihere, Legal Counsel, Compliance; Ing. Esmeralda Ababio Sarkodie and Mr. David Butuacquah- Mensah.
