U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright to Return for Powering Africa Summit 2026

Chris Wright will return to the Powering Africa Summit (PAS) in Washington, D.C. on 19–20 March 2026, where he will participate in a fireside chat focused on energy access and clean cooking.

Secretary Wright previously delivered a keynote address and participated in discussions at PAS 2025, marking the Summit’s 10th anniversary. This year, he will join policymakers and industry leaders to discuss US-Africa cooperation in energy infrastructure, critical minerals, and investment strategies.

PAS 2026, themed “Powering the US-Africa Partnership: Energy Infrastructure, Critical Minerals & Investment Strategies”, will examine progress since last year’s summit and highlight how reciprocal agreements are advancing critical minerals development and boosting trade between the US and African nations.

Key sessions will explore large-scale infrastructure investment, financing mechanisms, and gas strategies designed to strengthen energy security and bilateral trade. Several senior government leaders are confirmed to attend, including:

• H.E. Jeremiah Kpan Koung, Vice President, Liberia
• H.E. Dr Eng. Habtamu Itefa Geleta, Minister of Water & Energy, Ethiopia
• H.E. John Abdulai Jinapor, Minister for Energy & Green Transition, Ghana

Other prominent participants include Makhtar Diop, Managing Director of the International Finance Corporation (IFC), who will provide welcome remarks, and Adam Cortese, CEO of renewable energy solutions specialist Sun Africa, the Summit sponsor.

Cortese commented: “Sun Africa is proud to sponsor the Powering Africa Summit 2026 at this transformative time for US-Africa energy collaboration. Secretary Wright’s continued leadership highlightss the growing commitment to practical, investment-driven solutions that expand energy access and unlock opportunities in critical minerals and infrastructure.”

Senior representatives from leading global organisations will also participate, including:

• John Jovanovic, Chairman, U.S. Export-Import Bank (EXIM)
• Nicholas Checker, Senior Bureau Official, Bureau of African Affairs, U.S. Department of State
• Thomas Hardy, Deputy Director & COO, U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA)
• Daniel Petrie, Acting Chief of Staff, Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC)
• Nancy Rivera, MD, U.S. International Development Finance Group (DFC)

Simon Gosling, Managing Director of EnergyNet, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Secretary Wright back for the 11th Powering Africa Summit. His participation provides crucial insights into US-Africa energy cooperation, and the Summit confirms high-level representation across State, Energy, EXIM, DFC, MCC and Commerce.”

Summit sponsors include Sun Africa (Lead Sponsor), Petrodex (Lead Sponsor), Genesis Energy (Networking App Sponsor), and the Lagos State Office of Works (African Government Partner). Additional sponsors include Endeavor Energy, Denham Capital, Mission 300, HYDRO-LINK, with associate sponsors Absa, Alliant, Allied Talent Partners, A&O Shearman, Nant Power, NRECA International, and McDermott, Will & Schulte.

The Summit aims to foster investment-led solutions, sustainable energy access, and stronger US-Africa partnerships across the energy sector.

Additional source: ENN