Cotonou — From October 28 to 30, 2026, the economic capital of Benin is hosting the 12th African Think Tanks Summit (#ATTS2026), a pivotal event focused on reshaping Africa’s energy landscape to drive economic growth, industrialization, and sustainable development. Organized by the African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF) in collaboration with Benin’s government and the African Union Commission, the summit brings together policymakers, experts, and development partners to bridge the gap between energy access and tangible economic outcomes.
Energy as the backbone of Africa’s economic transformation
The summit’s central theme, “From energy access to economic transformation: practical policy pathways for sustainable electricity sector reform in Africa,” underscores the urgency of moving beyond mere electrification to harness energy as a catalyst for industrial expansion, agricultural productivity, and job creation.
Discussions highlight a critical reality: while access to electricity is foundational, it is not sufficient on its own. For energy to fuel economic growth, systems must deliver reliable, affordable, and adaptable power that aligns with the needs of businesses, farmers, and service providers. Irregular supply or high costs can stifle productivity, deter investment, and undermine competitiveness—particularly for small and medium enterprises operating at the grassroots level.
From policy to impact: Benin sets the benchmark for measurable results
The opening ceremony featured key figures including Aristide Médenou, Benin’s Minister of Economy, Finance, and International Cooperation, and Luc Gnacadja, Mayor of Cotonou. Their remarks emphasized the need to evaluate energy policies not just by infrastructure built or households connected, but by their real-world economic and social dividends.
Médenou stressed that the true test of success lies in how energy reforms translate into:
- -enhanced business productivity and expansion,
- increased agricultural output and farmer incomes,
- improved public services and quality of life for citizens.
This performance-driven approach demands that governments align energy strategies with national economic and social priorities, ensuring that every watt of electricity contributes to broader development goals.
Institutional strength: the invisible engine powering energy reform
Mamadou Biteye, Executive Secretary of ACBF, spotlighted the indispensable role of robust institutions in turning energy sector reforms into lasting change. Beyond physical infrastructure, the summit zeroed in on:
- building regulatory frameworks that attract investment while protecting consumer interests,
- enhancing technical and managerial capacity in utilities and public agencies,
- fostering multi-stakeholder coordination among governments, utilities, investors, and local governments.
Without strong institutions, even well-funded energy projects risk inefficiency or misalignment with national development strategies. The summit’s work is therefore as much about governance as it is about generation and distribution.
Financing the future: balancing cost, quality, and accessibility
Sustainable energy transformation requires significant financial resources. However, the challenge goes beyond mobilizing funds—it lies in designing financing models that balance fiscal sustainability with affordability and service reliability. Topics under discussion include:
- public-private partnerships to share risk and investment,
- innovative tariff structures that protect low-income consumers,
- regional cooperation to pool resources and scale solutions across borders.
These financial strategies are essential to prevent energy access from becoming a luxury for the few or a drain on public finances.
Local action, global impact: why cities and citizens matter in the energy equation
Luc Gnacadja, Mayor of Cotonou, framed energy access as a local development issue with national and continental implications. Reliable electricity powers schools, hospitals, water systems, and digital infrastructure—foundations of urban vitality. It also fuels micro-enterprises, street vendors, and small-scale manufacturers, creating jobs and reducing poverty.
For municipal authorities, energy policy is urban policy. By integrating energy planning into city development strategies, African leaders can ensure that infrastructure growth supports equitable, resilient, and vibrant communities.
Cotonou’s call to action: turning talk into transformative policy
The summit concludes on October 30 with a forward-looking agenda. Delegates are expected to push for:
- concrete action plans that link energy investments to job creation and industrial competitiveness,
- monitoring frameworks to track the economic and social returns of energy reforms,
- greater collaboration between governments, think tanks, regional bodies, and development partners to scale successful models.
Cotonou 2026 is not just debating energy—it is shaping the architecture of Africa’s economic future. The decisions made and reforms enacted here will determine whether electricity remains a basic service or becomes the engine of a new era of prosperity on the continent.
