Johannesburg: African Power and Energy Elites has officially rebranded as the African Infrastructure Elites: People and Projects. The new identity reflects the initiative’s evolving reach and its recognition of the interconnected people, projects, and systems supporting Africa’s socioeconomic growth. While power and energy remain central to the platform, the African Infrastructure Elites will provide a broader space to recognize leadership, innovation, and delivery across essential infrastructure sectors, including energy, water, and transport.
According to African Press Organization, now entering its 11th edition, the annual African Elites initiative has built a strong legacy of showcasing the professionals and projects making a measurable contribution to the continent. Previous volumes have profiled utility executives, engineers, developers, financiers, policymakers, emerging professionals, and project teams working to improve infrastructure access, resilience, and sustainability. The rebrand builds on this legacy while creating greater opportunities to tell the stories behind Africa’s infrastructure transformation.
The African Infrastructure Elites will continue to recognize both established leaders and rising stars, as well as projects across categories that include grid-tied and off-grid infrastructure, smart and digital solutions, clean transport (rail, road, air, shipping), energy at mines, water and sanitation, and finance and investment. Each nomination will be reviewed by the African Infrastructure Elites Advisory Board, a panel of experienced industry professionals responsible for assessing submissions on merit. The board’s independent vetting process plays an essential role in maintaining the credibility of the annual publication and ensuring that the selected people and projects demonstrate meaningful achievement, innovation, and impact.
The Advisory Board includes notable figures such as Chanda Nxumalo, Managing Director of Harmattan Renewables in South Africa; George Aluru, CEO of the Electricity Sector Association of Kenya; Gordon Molefe, Founder and CEO of Business4U Consultants in Botswana; Ifey Ikoneu, an Energy Policy, Markets and Regulation Consultant from Ghana; Suleiman Babamanu, Nigeria Program Director at RMI; and Yolanda Mabuto, Managing Director of Divaine Growth Solutions in South Africa.
Selected nominees will be featured in the African Infrastructure Elites: People and Projects 2026/2027 publication and promoted through ESI Africa’s digital channels, multimedia platforms, webinars, social media campaigns, and industry events. The African Infrastructure Elites online library will also continue to provide access to previous editions, preserving a record of the individuals and projects that have shaped Africa’s power, energy, and infrastructure landscape over the years.
Organizations and individuals are invited to nominate colleagues, partners, industry leaders, rising professionals, or projects demonstrating tangible results and the potential to inspire or be replicated elsewhere in Africa. Nominations for the 2026/2027 edition close on 2 October 2026. This year’s theme, “Access and Affordability Empower Security for All,” speaks directly to one of Africa’s most pressing development imperatives. Reliable and affordable access to energy and power, clean potable water and sanitation, and sustainable and clean transport remain fundamental to economic growth, social well-being, and long-term resilience.