A multistakeholder platform to discuss Africa’s energy transition priorities
Abidjan (Côte d’Ivoire), 11 June 2026 - At a critical juncture for energy markets, the International Network on African Energy Transition (INAET) convenes its Third Conference in Abidjan on June 11–12, bringing together global energy leaders to discuss solutions for advancing a just, inclusive and investment-oriented energy transition across the continent.
The conference will address a wide range of topics through a technologically neutral and inclusive lens, exploring the interconnections between energy, economic development and industrial growth, with discussions ranging from energy access and sustainable agriculture to biofuels, clean cooking, and carbon markets.
Policymakers, financial institutions, international organizations, private sector leaders, academics and civil society representatives are convening from across Africa and beyond to cement a platform that has been expanding continuously since its inaugural Conference held in November 2023.
INAET has now become an international multi-stakeholder network promoted by Eni and the Luiss School of Government in Rome, in partnership with the World Bank Group, including the Institute for Economic Development and the International Finance Corporation, reflecting collaboration across the institution in support of Africa's energy transition and development priorities. The platform aims to foster dialogue and cooperation between African and international stakeholders, bridging academia, institutions and private companies.
The 2026 edition builds on the previous successful conferences in Kenya and Italy, and on INAET’s participation in COP30 in Brazil, confirming INAET’s role as a reference platform for high-level discussion on Africa’s energy future and sustainable development.
This year’s edition also features a side event in partnership with the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), strengthening INAET’s collaboration with key multilateral players. The side event will focus on African countries’ priorities on bioenergy, featuring the launch of the “Network on Bioenergies in Africa”, a joint initiative developed under the Eni-IRENA Partnership. The initiative builds on Eni and IRENA’s shared commitment to consolidate their partnership implemented through the capacity-building program on sustainable biofuels, which involved several African public officials between 2022 and 2024.
Held under the patronage of the Ministry of Mines, Oil and Energy of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire, INAET’s edition in Abidjan is supported by sponsors and partners including Bayer, Altera Infrastructure, WTS Energy, Iveco and Faman Energies, further enriching the debate with investors’ perspectives.
“Over the past three years, INAET has evolved into a truly international multi-stakeholder platform, bringing together a wide range of actors around a shared objective: advancing a just, inclusive and investment-oriented energy transition in Africa. Also, thanks to the valuable collaboration of our partners, the network has continued to grow in scale, reach and depth. The strength of this initiative lies in its diversity, which enables constructive exchange on some of the continent’s most pressing energy and development challenges. INAET is not only a forum for discussion: it is a platform that facilitates new synergies, partnerships and concrete, business-oriented solutions, helping to translate dialogue into action”, said Lapo Pistelli, Eni’ Public Affairs Director.
“Ambition alone will not power Africa - evidence will. Africa's utilities sit on some of the continent's most valuable operational data, yet it remains largely untapped for strategic decisions. The Institute for Economic Development is here to change that. In Abidjan, we are proposing a trusted data partnership that turns rigorous research into practical knowledge for utilities, regulators, and investors - accelerating energy access, unlocking private investment, and creating the quality jobs that are at the heart of Mission 300 initiative”, said Gero Carletto, Head of the Rome Center, World Bank Group Institute for Economic Development.
“Africa's energy transition is not a single narrative - it is a mosaic of national realities, each demanding tailored solutions grounded in evidence and shaped by local ownership. INAET was designed precisely to hold that complexity: bringing together policymakers, investors, and academics to turn dialogue into actionable commitments. Luiss School of Government is proud to anchor this platform as it continues to grow in depth and reach - and the third conference in Abidjan is a testament to how far it has come and how much further it can go”, said Domenico Lombardi, Director of the Policy Institute, Luiss School of Government
Abidjan was selected as the host city in recognition of Côte d’Ivoire’s growing role as a regional hub for economic growth, infrastructure investment and energy development in West Africa. The country’s expanding energy sector and increasing international partnerships make it a strategic setting for discussions on the continent’s transition pathways.
The conference will feature keynote speeches, high-level dialogues and panel discussions aimed at generating actionable insights and policy recommendations to support Africa’s long-term development goals.
Participants are expected from institutions including the African Union, the World Bank Group, African Development Bank, IRENA, FAO, EBRD, ECFR and Columbia University, alongside leading African and international companies and research organizations.
About INAET
INAET, the International Network on African Energy Transition, is an initiative aimed at enhancing engagement with African stakeholders and facilitating knowledge sharing on energy transition topics across the continent. INAET promotes inclusive dialogue among policymakers, academia, international institutions, and the private sector to support sustainable and locally driven energy solutions for Africa.
About Eni
Eni is a global energy tech company present in 62 countries, with over 32,000 employees, integrated along the entire value chain. The company aims to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 through the progressive decarbonization of its processes and products. To reach this goal, the company has invested for over a decade in the research, development and application of game-changing technologies which can accelerate the transition towards increasingly sustainable solutions. For more information, visit https://www.eni.com/en-IT/home.html
About Luiss School of Government
The Luiss School of Government (SoG) is a graduate school training high-level public and private officials to handle political and government decision-making processes. It is committed to advanced research and serves as a reference point in the global academic debate on the transformations of domestic and international systems. For more information, visit https://sog.luiss.it/
About the World Bank Group
The World Bank Group works to create a world free of poverty on a livable planet through a combination of financing, knowledge, and expertise. It consists of the World Bank, including the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) and the International Development Association (IDA); the International Finance Corporation (IFC); the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA); and the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID). For more information, please visit www.worldbank.org, ida.worldbank.org/en/home, www.miga.org, www.ifc.org, and www.icsid.worldbank.org.
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