Ghana’s selection of a nuclear power technology vendor will be put under the continental spotlight in May when Africa’s largest gathering of energy professionals convenes in Cape Town, with the country’s nuclear programme confirmed as a dedicated agenda item at Enlit Africa 2026.
Organisers confirmed that a new African Nuclear 2.0 session will examine the shift from planning to execution in nuclear power development across Africa, with Ghana’s progression to Phase 3 of its nuclear programme, currently evaluating technology bids from vendors in the United States, China and Russia, listed as a headline discussion point.
Enlit Africa 2026 takes place from May 19 to 21 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC), expecting more than 7,200 attendees and 250 exhibitors across eight specialised conference tracks. This marks the fifth edition of the event since it rebranded from African Utility Week.
The nuclear session will also examine Koeberg Nuclear Power Station in South Africa, whose two units have received a 20-year operating life extension keeping both running until 2044 and 2045, as well as the West African Power Pool’s (WAPP) target of building 10 gigawatts of nuclear capacity across the region. Ghana’s programme sits squarely within that regional ambition.
The full programme spans generation masterclasses covering gas-to-power, hydropower, hydrogen and clean coal, as well as a new session on Independent Transmission Projects examining how private capital can address grid bottlenecks, drawing on international models such as Power Grid Corporation of India.
The Project and Investment Network platform, which has facilitated more than US$3 billion in project pitches over the past two years, will return as a deal-making hub connecting project developers with investors, development finance institutions and utility leaders. The platform’s opening Business Breakfast will be headlined by award-winning South African business journalist Bruce Whitfield.
Running alongside the main energy conference is Water Security Africa, which will feature country case studies including Namibia’s 55-year potable water reuse programme, Uganda’s progress in reducing non-revenue water losses from 42 percent to 32 percent, and Cape Town’s recovery strategies following its near-catastrophic Day Zero water crisis.
All conference sessions are accredited for Continuing Professional Development (CPD) by the South African Institute of Electrical Engineers (SAIEE), with technical site visits on May 22 offering participants access to working energy and water infrastructure including Koeberg Nuclear Power Station. Free expo passes are available via the Enlit Africa website, with delegate passes starting at R15,100 and early bird registration closing April 3.
