Addis Ababa, 3 November 2026 - The 36th African Hydro Symposium (AHS2026) officially opened today in Addis Ababa bringing together policymakers, energy ministers, utilities, financiers and development partners to advance Africa's hydropower agenda. Under the theme “Climate-Resilient Hydropower and Water–Energy Security in Africa,” the Symposium runs from 3–6 November 2026 at the United Nations Conference Centre (UNCC) of the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA).
With two major outcomes, the event is expected to advance Africa’s energy security and capacity-development agenda: the launch of the African Energy Security Policy Framework, led by the AUC, ECA, AUDA-NEPAD and AFREC, and the official signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the African Union, acting through AFREC and KGRTC.
The Opening Ceremony, chaired by Master of Ceremonies Mr. Caristo Chitamfya, Head of Communication and Public Relations at the Kafue Gorge Regional Training Centre (KGRTC) and African Hydropower Symposium Secretariat (Zambia) began with the playing of the Ethiopian National Anthem.
In her welcome remarks, Ms. Bethlehem Hailu, Managing Partner at ESG360, welcomed delegates and underscored the importance of partnership in delivering Africa's energy goals.
In his remarks, Mr. Davies Chinkusu, Director and Chief Executive Officer, Kafue Gorge Regional Training Centre (KGRTC) stated: “Proud that KGRTC serves as Secretariat of the African Hydro Symposium. This responsibility goes beyond coordinating an annual event: it is an opportunity to foster knowledge exchange, strengthen professional networks and support cooperation among Africa's energy institutions.”
Insisting on the theme of the event “Climate-Resilient Hydropower and Water–Energy Security in Africa,” he reminded that we must move from identifying challenges to developing solutions that can be implemented, adapted and scaled with the support of sound policy, investment and skilled people.”
Speaking as the AHS2026 Top Sponsor, Ms. Mercy Chiluba Munoni, Co-Chairperson of the Batoka Gorge Hydro-Electric Scheme Resource Mobilisation Committee at the Zambezi River Authority, highlighted the role of resource mobilisation in turning hydropower ambitions into construction-ready projects.
Mr. Rashid Abdula, Executive Director of the Africa Energy Commission (AUC), then addressed delegates, emphasizing continental cooperation on energy security. He said “Africa's hydropower potential is vast and largely untapped. Unlocking it means tackling financing, infrastructure, capacity and regulatory barriers while building a climate-resilient, integrated energy system that supports Agenda 2063 and industrialization.”
Adding: “Hydropower is bigger than megawatts. Through the African Single Electricity Market, the Continental Power System Masterplan and AFREC's work, the AU is building an integrated, resilient African energy system. The new AFREC–KGRTC partnership invests in the people who make it run.”
Addressing the 36th African Hydro Symposium in Addis Ababa, as the Symposium's Strategic Partner, Mr. Claver Gatete, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), reaffirmed ECA’s support for African Union’s Continental Energy Security Policy Framework, stressing that implementation must connect sound policies with investment and resilient infrastructure.
Highlighting: “Reliable hydropower depends on how projects are planned, financed, connected and managed. At the African Hydropower Symposium 2026, the Executive Secretary, Claver Gatete stressed the need for regional power pools, sound project preparation and financing, and improved human & institutional capacity to strengthen Africa’s energy security.”
The event culminated in the Keynote Address and Official Opening of the 2026 AHS, delivered by Mr. Dinku Seyoum Zeleke, State Minister of Ethiopia’s Ministry of Water and Energy, in formally declaring theof the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, formally declaring the event open, he emphasized the broader role of energy access in Africa’s development.
“Energy access is about more than infrastructure — it underpins education, healthcare, agriculture, manufacturing and jobs. Africa can harness its hydropower potential to advance industrialization and regional markets, while protecting catchments, managing water carefully and building climate-resilient systems.”
In conclusion, the minister underscored the need for the success of hydropower projects to be measured not only by their capacity but by their long-term value and impact.
“A hydropower project should not be judged by installed capacity alone. Long-term reliability, affordability, environmental and social performance, and resilience to future risks matter. We must move from dialogue to action through well-prepared projects, sound policy and African expertise.”
The signing of the MoU established a framework for cooperation in capacity development and institutional strengthening, training programmes and curricula, renewable energy skills, energy transition, joint events and strategic forums, resource mobilisation, and knowledge sharing.
The symposium has attracted 180+ delegates from Africa, Asia, Europe and beyond. The 2026 edition is led by the Kafue Gorge Regional Training Centre (KGRTC), Zambia, with the International Centre for Small Hydropower (ICSHP), China, as co-host, alongside key Ethiopian hosts and strategic partners.
The Symposium continues over the coming days with technical sessions, panel discussions and networking opportunities focused on planning, financing, connectivity and the management of Africa's hydropower resources.
Issued by:
Communications Section
Economic Commission for Africa
PO Box 3001
Addis Ababa
Ethiopia
Tel: +251 11 551 5826
E-mail: eca-info@un.org
