REFA 2026: Renewable Energy Forum Africa

Why this event matters

REFA 2026, the Renewable Energy Forum Africa, takes place on 25–26 November at the Radisson Blu Anchorage Hotel in Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria. Organised by the Africa Solar Industry Association (AFSIA), with support from SolarPower Europe, the forum brings together investors, project developers, utilities, policymakers and companies working across Africa’s renewable energy sector.

At the centre of REFA 2026 is a practical investment question: why do renewable energy projects and available capital still struggle to find each other? The published programme includes discussions on the gap between investor requirements and developers’ needs, alongside blended finance, electricity networks and the commercial conditions that make projects investable. These sessions are relevant to organisations seeking finance and to institutions assessing where their funding can support viable projects.

The programme connects investment with the systems and customers that renewable energy projects serve. Topics include utility-scale solar, mini-grids, energy access and combining solar with battery storage. Corporate electricity purchasing also features, including the needs of telecoms operators, mining companies and data centres. For businesses considering cleaner power, the discussion extends to how electricity is bought, supplied and financed, as well as the technology itself.

Commercial fleet electrification is another strand of REFA 2026. A scheduled session examines buses, delivery vehicles and corporate fleets, including the financing and infrastructure needed to expand their use. This makes the forum relevant to transport operators, charging providers and energy businesses exploring how electricity demand from vehicles can become part of a workable commercial model, rather than an isolated technology purchase.

Local manufacturing also appears in the REFA 2026 programme. A dedicated discussion considers how to finance African solar, battery storage and electric vehicle manufacturing. The organiser’s session description distinguishes this from financing an individual energy project, with attention to equity, export credit and the working capital needed to sustain production. For manufacturers and investors, this brings the conversation into factories, supply chains and the financing of ongoing business operations.

Another session addresses currency, electricity sales and political risk in project agreements. These are practical concerns for a developer negotiating with lenders or a business committing to buy power over several years. Participants can use this part of the programme to examine how different parties allocate risk and what that means for the cost and availability of finance.

REFA 2026 also provides a structured business meeting platform through b2match. Participants can create a profile, explain what they offer and who they want to meet, browse other delegates and request meetings before arriving. The agenda includes dedicated matchmaking periods with 20-minute meeting slots. Preparing a profile and identifying relevant contacts in advance can help participants use the meeting time for specific project, customer or partnership discussions.

For readers following Africa’s energy transition, REFA 2026 connects several issues that are often discussed separately: access to electricity, the reliability of commercial power supply, investment in infrastructure and the growth of local industry. The forum’s advertised topics also include policy, regulation, jobs and skills. Its relevance will depend on the sessions and participants that match each attendee’s work, project stage and reasons for attending.

The programme includes the AFSIA Awards ceremony and cocktail reception on 25 November. Ticket categories cover a two-day pass with the awards event, a one-day conference pass and an awards-only option. Rates differ for West African and international delegates. Members of specified supporting associations may qualify for a discount code through their association.

Registration for REFA 2026 is published as open until 26 November. Delegates should check their ticket category, inclusions and meeting arrangements before booking. For the latest information, visit AFSIA’s official event page and the REFA registration platform. For related reporting, read Fuel the Shift Africa’s feature on the business of electrifying East Africa’s freight, which examines the finance, infrastructure and operating requirements behind commercial vehicle electrification.

Additional information

Register through the official b2match platform, select your ticket and complete your participant profile. To arrange business meetings, add your availability, browse delegate profiles and request meetings before the forum.

Two-day passes include the conference and AFSIA Awards event. One-day passes cover the selected conference day. Eligible members of supporting associations can request a discount code from their association.

Registration is open until 26 November 2026. The organiser states t

Map Location

Getting There

Venue on Victoria Island at 1a Ozumba Mbadiwe Road. Confirm parking and accessibility arrangements with the organiser.