INAET, the platform of experts promoted by IFC, Eni and Luiss School of Government, to Host Energy Conference in Nairobi

Nairobi (Kenya), 04 April 2025 – At a critical time for Africa’s power sector and development, the International Network on African Energy Transition (INAET) will meet in Nairobi, Kenya on April 8-9, 2025 to discuss the path forward for the continent’s energy transition and how the public and private sectors can partner to increase access to more reliable, affordable, and clean energy.

The conference will bring together scholars, experts, professors of global higher education institutions, policy makers and industry leaders from across Africa to strategize on energy transition topics critical to the continent’s future, including the role of financial institutions, policy development, biofuels, digitalization, the nexus between energy, agriculture, and water, and the essential role of women in Africa’s energy transformation.

INAET, which aims to strengthen intra-African dialogue and cooperation on energy and sustainability issues, is a network of think-tanks promoted by Eni, the Italian energy company, and the School of Government of Luiss Guido Carli University in Rome, an Italian higher education institution specializing in public policy, governance, and international affairs.
This year’s conference is organized in partnership with IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, underscoring the strong cooperation among academic institutions, development banks, and the private sector in addressing Africa’s energy challenges and opportunities.

The event will also highlight the essential role of private sector sponsors, including Bayer, Alpha Group, and WTS Energy, who are supporting this year’s conference, which builds on the network’s launch in Rome in 2023. Scholars, practitioners, and stakeholders committed to advancing Africa’s energy transition are kindly invited to join the Nairobi conference.

“Africa’s energy transition is not just a regional priority; it is a global imperative. This conference provides a unique opportunity to ensure African voices are central to the conversation, shaping solutions that are both just and sustainable,” said Domenico Lombardi, Professor of Public Policy Practice at Luiss School of Government.

“Eni has been creating long-term shared value in Africa, working side by side with hosting Countries” commented Marco Piredda, Head of International Relations, Eni. “As the continent gains relevance in compelling global issues - from new supply chains to climate mitigation and adaptation - it is essential to foster dialogue on the just energy transition, highlighting the challenges and unique opportunities that are relevant for Africa’s development. We launched the idea of INAET for such purpose and this second conference in Nairobi confirms the interest of all actors - institutions, companies, academy and civil society - to strengthen this network.”

“Africa is the region with the fastest-growing energy needs, yet it remains the continent with the least access,” declared Mary Porter Peschka, IFC’s Regional Director for Eastern Africa. “IFC and the rest of the World Bank Group are committed to helping the millions without power in Africa gain access, a goal that will require large and long-term investments and strong partnerships among many stakeholders. The INAET conference is an invaluable platform for building and strengthening those partnerships.”

Nairobi has been chosen as the host city for the conference due to its role in Africa’s energy transition. Kenya stands at the forefront of renewable energy adoption, with one of the highest shares of renewables in its energy mix. The country’s commitment to sustainable initiatives aligns with INAET’s mission of advancing the energy transition debate across the continent.  Nairobi is a hub for global and regional discussions on sustainable development and the WBG is excited to be reinforcing its presence in the country.

The conference will feature keynote speeches, panel discussions, and networking opportunities designed to promote collaboration between African and international experts, researchers, private sector leaders, and institutional representatives. Interdisciplinary discussions will be aimed at generating actionable insights for stakeholders and policymakers.

INAET Conference
April 8-9, 8.30am
Tamarind Tree Hotel, Langata Link Rd, Nairobi, Kenya

About INAET

INAET, the International Network on African Energy Transition, is an initiative aimed at enhancing engagement with African stakeholders and facilitating knowledge sharing on energy transition topics across the continent. For further details, visit INAET new website www.inaet-net.org.

About the Organizers

Eni is a global energy tech company that aims to produce and sell increasingly decarbonized and customer-oriented energy products and services by the best available technologies and the constant search for cutting-edge solutions. Headquartered in Italy and with operations in over 60 countries, Eni is active across the whole value chain of the energy sector: from hydrocarbon exploration and production, to trading, refining, biorefining, CCS, power generation, as well as research and development including in game-changing technologies such as fusion energy. For more information visit www.eni.com

The Luiss School of Government (SoG) is a graduate school training high-level public and private officials to handle political and government decision-making processes. It is committed to advanced research and it is a reference point in the global academic debate on the transformations of domestic and international systems. SoG as part of Luiss University is now ranked 25th in the world for Politics and International Studies according to the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025. For more information, visit https://sog.luiss.it/

IFC — a member of the World Bank Group — is the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in emerging markets. We work in more than 100 countries, using our capital, expertise, and influence to create markets and opportunities in developing countries. In fiscal year 2024, IFC committed a record $56 billion to private companies and financial institutions in developing countries, leveraging private sector solutions and mobilizing private capital to create a world free of poverty on a livable planet. For more information, visit www.ifc.org.

Press contact Information

IFC Press Office: Jason Hopps jhopps@ifc.org

Luiss University Press Office: ufficiostampa@luiss.it

Eni Press Office: Ufficio.stampa@eni.com