Event report
French Week Day #1: Energy Day
We successfully concluded our French Week Day one!
Our morning kicked off with discussions on East Africa’s renewable energy landscape, led by industry leaders including EDF, Electricity Sector Association of Kenya (ESAK) , Voltalia, Agence Française de Développement, KenGen Kenya, and the French Treasury. The goal? Strengthening East Africa's renewable energy production capacities, grid safety, and advancing green industrialization.
Laure Paugam, our Executive Director, and Othmane CHAOUI, President of the French Chamber welcomed everyone, highlighting French Week as a platform to foster connections within the French-Kenyan business ecosystem.
Bwana Balozi, H.E. Ambassador Arnaud Suquet, inaugurated the French Week, commending the French Chamber on the 2nd Edition of French Week, highlighting key projects France has supported in Kenya’s energy sector.
Our Chief Guest, Hon. Salim Mvurya Mgala, E.G.H, Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Investments,Trade and Industry, inaugurated the event, focusing on Kenya's commitment to green energy, the EPA partnership with the EU, and investment in sustainable industries.
Hon. Alex Kamau Wachira, PS, State Department for Energy addressed the renewable energy potential within Kenya & the benefits of French-Kenyan collaboration.
A panel moderated by Mathieu Ecoiffier from Service Économique Régional de Nairobi brought insights from Dr. Willis Owino Ochieng, PhD, from KenGen Kenya on Kenya’s 100% renewable energy target by 2030. Jeremy Gasc from Agence Française de Développement who spoke on EA's largest AFD energy projects. Dennis Keya, EDF on hydroelectric capabilities & ongoing projects. Bertrand Tournier, Country Manager Voltalia on innovative solar and storage solutions. Eddy Njoroge from Electricity Sector Association of Kenya (ESAK) emphasized the need for private-sector involvement.
Energy Transmission & Digitization: Moderated by Ruth Oriama, Ph.D Experts like Roberto Gonzalez Robles and Ifeanyi Odoh of Schneider Electric, Fredrick Tabu Noballa ENGIE Energy Access (Africa), Kathiresh Angamuthu of GE Vernova and Eng. George Ngugi from KETRACO discussed grid stability, digitization, and local capacity building in engineering and energy sectors.
Led by Aleem Tharani from Bowmans, the afternoon session explored the opportunities and challenges in financing East Africa's energy transition, with a focus on Kenya’s role as a sustainable energy leader. Key opportunities discussed included synthetic fuels, solar energy, and waste-to-energy projects aimed at decarbonizing industries and boosting economic growth.
During this session, the need for flexible financing models to support early-stage ventures in water, waste management, and food security was discussed. Challenges such as securing funding for large-scale projects, managing climate risks, and ensuring stable policies were highlighted.
The discussion underscored the importance of partnerships and strategic investments to unlock Kenya’s green energy potential.
We appreciate our institutional partners from the French Embassy in Kenya, Service Économique Régional de Nairobi, Bpifrance, Business France, Club EnR Ville Durable Afrique de l'Est et l'Océan Indien and Farm'Innov.
Grateful for the support of our Platinum partners Africa Global Logistics, TotalEnergies, EDF, RUBiS Energy Kenya & Novotel Nairobi Westlands, and Silver partners IBL Together, Agence française de développement in Eastern Africa, Proparco, Kipeto Energy PLC, CFAO Mobility Kenya, Lifecare International, Egis and Caetano Kenya
