ICA-Finance’s Senior Advisor Heine Melkevik was present in Cape Town, South Africa during the two October events, and our CEO Arne Peder Blix joined him for the second week of Africa Energy Week, underscoring our emission reduction efforts and playing a pivotal role in contributing to the discussion on the future of African energy. During the Africa Oil Week, Heine took part in a panel discussion on financing of African Energy Projects.

The energy-transition discussions highlighted the need to balance affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy production with energy availability across the continent. Africa is expected to undergo a large increase in the demand for energy as the young African population expands and economic growth accelerates calling for sustainable energy solutions and infrastructure.  

Another focal point of discussion centred on the financial and investment strategies needed for solving the energy-complexities of the continent. There is an increased appreciation and interest in how alternative financing, including carbon credits, can be accessed as a way of financing emission efficiency and reduction efforts.

Gas commercialization, together with renewable energy sources, are crucial in finding a comprehensive solution to the energy issues in Africa. The continent is experiencing the start of major deployment of investments into energy infrastructure and is well placed in having significant comparative advantages within solar, wind as well as large, underutilized gas discoveries.

The need to simultaneously provide access to energy whilst delivering sustainable emission reduction solutions is at the crux of ICA-Finance's operations in Africa. We achieve immediate climate action by reducing emissions from upstream oil and gas production and providing up-front financing and emission reduction project development in Africa.