Nigeria’s power adviser to headline Sahara energy forum

Sahara Group is set to convene policymakers, industry executives, investors, academics and journalists in Lagos next week for the third edition of Asharami Square, the energy conglomerate’s flagship thought-leadership forum aimed at translating debate over Africa’s energy transition into concrete action.

The event, themed “Energising Africa’s Future: Legacy, Impact, and Transformation,” takes place July 22 at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Ikeja. Organisers say this year’s programme will focus on the partnerships, financing structures and policy frameworks needed to speed up sustainable energy development across the continent, building on two prior editions since the platform launched in 2024.

The forum will examine how closer coordination among government, industry, financiers and the media can unlock investment, upgrade infrastructure and widen energy access while advancing the continent’s transition away from fossil fuels, a balancing act many African economies are still negotiating as they weigh energy security against decarbonization commitments.

“Africa’s energy future will be shaped by the strength of our partnerships and our ability to turn dialogue into action,” said Bethel Obioma, Sahara Group’s head of corporate communications. She said the platform is designed to convene differing perspectives and steer decisions that shape policy, investment and long-term development on the continent, adding that the company’s focus remains on backing the ideas and partnerships needed for a sustainable energy future in Africa.

Ejiro Gray, Sahara Group’s director of governance and sustainability, said the forum is intended to root energy discussions in local realities rather than imported templates. “Africa’s energy transition must be defined by solutions that reflect our unique realities,” Gray said, describing Asharami Square as a bridge between technical expertise and public understanding that keeps conversations anchored in evidence and impact.

Sadiq Wanka, special adviser to Nigeria’s president on power infrastructure, is scheduled to deliver the keynote address. A panel discussion will follow featuring Professor Abigail Ndisika, director of the Institute of Continuing Education at the University of Lagos; Temitope George, chief executive of the Lagos State Electricity Regulatory Commission; Adebiyi Olusolape, associate editor for Africa at Argus Media; and Kemi Awodein, managing director of investment banking at Chapel Hill Denham.

Organisers also plan to unveil the judging panel for the Asharami Square Energy Reporting Fellowship at the event, part of a broader push by Sahara Group to support journalism that explains the mechanics and stakes of Africa’s energy transition to the public.