Thematic session VIII: Agro-processing infrastructure & energy demand

Africa’s expanding agroprocessing sector is driving significant and highly specific energy demand requirements for cold storage, milling, drying, refrigeration and industrial-scale processing facilities. This session examines how inadequate infrastructure, high operating costs and limited access to finance constrain the sector’s ability to adopt reliable, modern power solutions. Panellists will explore financing challenges, technology gaps and regulatory hurdles, while highlighting partnership models and cleanenergy approaches that can strengthen agroindustrial value chains, reduce losses and improve competitiveness across the region.