By Fatimah Idera
Nigeria’s energy sector faces critical challenges, with clean and reliable power being one of the most pressing issues in West Africa. As the country navigates its energy transition, young innovators are stepping up to provide solutions.
Nigeria Energy, organized by Informa Markets, took the action to support these efforts through the launch of the Energy-X Contest. This contest, part of the Nigeria Energy Exhibition and Conference, is designed to foster innovation in the clean energy space by empowering young entrepreneurs and graduates.
At the recent press conference held in Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria Energy highlighted the importance of policy and investment in driving the clean energy transition.
Ade Yesufu, the Exhibition Manager of Energy Portfolio – MEA, Informa Markets, emphasized the need for collaboration between the public and private sectors to address obstacles and create sustainable energy solutions.
“The Nigeria Energy Leadership Summit is a platform for dialogue, knowledge sharing, and collaboration among key stakeholders. By fostering open discussions, we aim to create a conducive environment for policy development, investment attraction, and technology adoption in the renewable energy sector and address the critical challenges of limited infrastructure capacity and inefficient quality to position Nigeria and West Africa as leaders in the transition to clean and sustainable energy sources,” he stated.
The Energy-X Contest aims to identify and support young talent in the energy sector. Applicants went through a rigorous process that began with submissions in July 2024 and continued with a business incubation program in September. During this program, participants received mentorship and guidance from industry experts to help them develop their ideas.
He revealed that the contest finale will be held during the Nigeria Energy Exhibition and Conference 2024 from October 15-17, 2024, in Lagos, where the top three shortlisted entries will present their projects at the highly anticipated Technical Seminar, providing a platform to showcase their innovative solutions in front of a distinguished audience of industry experts, investors, and stakeholders.
The winner will receive a grant and the chance to present at the Middle East Energy 2025 event in Dubai. This exposure will be life-changing for participants, offering them access to global markets and further funding opportunities.
Nigeria Energy Exhibition and Conference 2024, under the theme, ‘Breaking Barriers in the New Energy Era: Clean, Reliable, and Sustainable,’ will also bring together over 6,500 attendees, and aligns itself with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG 7) – ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all. With over 150 exhibitors, the summit serves as a platform for networking, knowledge sharing, and fostering partnerships. It will cover key topics such as sustainable power generation, investment in the energy sector, and innovative solutions to energy access issues.
Supporting the exhibition are leading global players in the energy, power and infrastructure industry such as SkipperSeil Limited, a global leader in power and infrastructure, confirmed as the Main Sponsor, while Genesis Energy and Tetracore Energy as gold conference sponsors.
Nigeria Energy is taking real steps toward addressing the energy transition, empowering young innovators to bring forward new ideas and solutions. Through initiatives like the Energy-X Contest, they are creating opportunities for the next generation of leaders to shape the future of energy in West Africa.
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