Our Director, Ricardo Pillay, recently moderated a session at the Africa GC Summit delving into the critical topic of “The Future of Energy and Natural Resources in Africa” The panel featured esteemed speakers including Carolin Gillon, Head of Legal and Compliance at Sustainable Energy Group; Kai Howie, General Counsel at G7 Renewable Energies; Tania Jarjur, General Counsel at Yellow Door Energy; and Victor Omoighe, Group General Counsel and Company Secretary of Samancor Chrome.

The discussion covered a broad range of relevant topics:

1. Renewables-plus-Storage: The speakers explained the strategic advantages of combining renewable energy with storage solutions, highlighting the competitive pricing and technical prowess associated with such integration.
2. Global Battery Energy Storage Consortium: There was a notable emphasis on the significance of African nations joining a global battery energy storage consortium, highlighting the collaborative efforts pivotal for advancing energy storage technologies on a global scale.
3. Lessons Learned from UAE and South African Markets: Insights gleaned from experiences in both the United Arab Emirates and South African markets were shared, offering valuable comparative analyses to distil key lessons and actionable takeaways for future ventures.
4. Navigating Renewable Energy Projects Across Borders: The intricacies of the general counsel’s role in navigating cross-border renewable energy projects, particularly in solar and storage initiatives, were explored, shedding light on challenges and effective strategies.
5. Traction in Mini-Grids and Gas-to-Power Markets: Attention was drawn to the growing progress observed in the mini-grid and gas-to-power sectors, illuminating emerging trends and promising opportunities within these domains.
6. Challenges and Opportunities in Mini-Grids and Gas to Power: Specific challenges and potential advantages within the mini-grid and gas-to-power sectors were examined comprehensively, encompassing nuanced topics such as financing, insurance, and procurement dynamics.
7. Risk Factors in Natural Resource Extraction: The panelists identified and deliberated upon primary risk factors influencing natural resource extraction in Africa, underscoring the imperative of robust risk management strategies.
8. Drivers for Maintaining Market Competitiveness: An exploration of the key drivers essential for upholding competitiveness in extractive industries underscored the necessity of adeptly managing multifaceted factors shaping market dynamics.
9. Overcoming Challenges in Renewable Energy Transition: Strategies to surmount obstacles in the transition to renewable energy were delineated, encompassing pivotal aspects like regulatory adaptations, technological innovations, and stakeholder engagements.

The speakers provided valuable insights into various aspects of the industry, emphasising the need for informed decision-making and thorough due diligence, particularly in foreign jurisdictions. They highlighted the dynamic and exciting nature of the industry, encouraging creativity and agility. Additionally, they stressed the importance of advocating for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and creating a supportive regulatory environment. Collaborative thinking and leveraging diverse skills were emphasised as essential for driving progress while understanding and mitigating risks. Overall, the key takeaways emphasised the importance of strategic planning, adaptability, and collaboration in navigating and thriving in this rapidly evolving industry. If you would like more insight on the above, the LnP Beyond Legal team would love to engage.

If you would like more insight on the above, the LnP Beyond Legal team would love to engage.