Africa Energy Week to energise Cape Town economy

STATEMENT BY THE MAYORAL COMMITTEE MEMBER FOR ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES AND ASSET MANAGEMENT, ALDERMAN JAMES VOS

Following a year and a half of muted business tourism to Cape Town, I am excited to see our city come alive and emerge from this difficult period. This re-emergence is characterised by the recent announcement of African Energy Week set to take place from 9 to 12 November 2021 at the V&A Waterfront. Read more below:

The event will bring together industry leaders, movers and shakers from across the continent and the globe, subject to adhering to Covid-19 protocols and regulations, further positioning the city as a leading hub for the clean energy, green tech sector.

Oil and gas is the fastest-growing sector in South Africa, while Cape Town has cornered the country’s renewable energy market with the World Economic Forum stating in a recent article that the city ‘is a pioneer in providing affordable and secure energy access’.

Cape Town is home to the Atlantis Greentech Special Economic Zone, an epicentre of opportunity for investors that is expected to attract R3,7 billion in investment in the short to medium term. The zone has already attracted investments of around R700 million with at least five large-scale investors that are fully operational.

The fact that the conference is taking place in Cape Town is also significant as it will serve as a reminder of the Mother City’s place as a preferred global destination for events and conventions.

From my perspective, the conference energises all aspects of the city’s economy from lifestyle to opportunity, and is international-facing with the objective of reigniting demand for Cape Town as an event and investment destination.

I look forward to welcoming all the dignitaries from across Africa to our wonderful city!