CEC Urges Rethink of Risk Models to Unlock Africa’s Energy Potential
Copperbelt Energy Corporation PLC (CEC) has called for strategic partnerships and innovative financing approaches to unlock Africa’s energy infrastructure development, warning that traditional risk models are outdated and insufficient to meet the continent’s growing energy demands.
Speaking at the 2025 Africa Energy Forum (AEF) in Cape Town, South Africa, CEC Chief Financial Officer Mutale Mukuka emphasized that sustainable progress in Africa’s energy sector requires stronger collaboration between governments, utilities, financiers, Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contractors, and local communities.
“Governments alone cannot shoulder the level of investment needed,” said Mukuka during a panel discussion on ‘Breaking the Barriers for Regional Transmission’. “Private capital must play a greater role, but to achieve that, risk allocation models must evolve to reflect the realities of Africa’s dynamic energy landscape.”
Mukuka emphasized that multi-stakeholder engagement is not just beneficial but essential. He stressed that inclusive community involvement is both a social necessity and a safeguard for project success — calling it a “form of project insurance.”
He also highlighted the need for financiers and development partners to revise their risk frameworks to attract meaningful investment into energy infrastructure. “Clinging to outdated financial structures could stall vital energy projects across the continent,” he warned.
CEC’s active presence at the AEF aligns with its mission to power sustainable industrial growth and promote inclusive regional development. The company reaffirmed its commitment to partnerships that advance policy innovation, infrastructure resilience, and community empowerment across Africa.
