US–Africa Energy Relations in Focus as Energy Secretary Chris Wright Joins High-Level Leaders at Powering Africa Summit 2026

Chris Wright, U.S. Secretary of Energy, will return to the Powering Africa Summit (PAS) 2026, scheduled to take place in Washington, D.C. on March 19–20, where he will participate in a fireside chat centred on energy access and clean cooking solutions.

Having delivered a keynote address and joined discussions at the 10th anniversary edition of PAS in 2025, Secretary Wright will once again engage with policymakers, financiers and industry leaders to examine the evolving trajectory of U.S.–Africa energy cooperation. Discussions this year will focus on energy infrastructure development, critical minerals partnerships and investment-led commercial diplomacy under the current U.S. administration.

Under the 2026 theme, “Powering the US-Africa Partnership: Energy Infrastructure, Critical Minerals & Investment Strategies,” the summit will assess progress made since PAS 2025 and evaluate how reciprocal agreements are advancing critical minerals development and strengthening bilateral trade between the United States and African nations.

Key sessions will address large-scale infrastructure investment, financing mechanisms and guarantees, as well as coordinated gas strategies aimed at enhancing energy security and expanding trade. Senior African government officials expected to attend include H.E. Honourable Jeremiah Kpan Koung, Vice President of Liberia; H.E. Honourable Dr. Eng. Habtamu Itefa Geleta, Minister of Water and Energy of Ethiopia; and H.E. Honourable John Abdulai Jinapor, Minister for Energy and Green Transition of Ghana.

Makhtar Diop, Managing Director of the International Finance Corporation (IFC), will deliver welcome remarks, alongside Adam Cortese, CEO of Sun Africa, who will provide the summit sponsor address.

In a statement, Cortese highlighted the significance of Secretary Wright’s continued participation, noting that it reinforces the growing commitment to investment-driven solutions aimed at expanding energy access and unlocking opportunities in critical minerals and infrastructure development.

Senior representatives from key U.S. agencies and institutions will also attend, including John Jovanovic of the Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM); Nicholas Checker of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of African Affairs; Thomas Hardy of the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA); Daniel Petrie of the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC); and Nancy Rivera of the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC).

Simon Gosling, Managing Director of EnergyNet, stated that the 11th edition of the summit will provide insights into the administration’s whole-of-government approach to partnering with African nations, citing representation from agencies spanning State, Energy, EXIM, DFC, MCC and Commerce.

Alongside summit sponsor Sun Africa, Petrodex will serve as Lead Sponsor, Genesis Energy as Networking App Sponsor, and Lagos State Office of Works as African Government Partner. Additional sponsors include Endeavor Energy, Denham Capital, Mission 300, HYDRO-LINK, Absa, Alliant, Allied Talent Partners, A&O Shearman, Nant Power, NRECA International, and McDermott, Will & Schulte.

The 2026 summit is expected to further consolidate dialogue around pragmatic, commercially viable pathways to accelerate Africa’s energy development while reinforcing U.S.–Africa strategic cooperation.