During the 4th AEEP Forum held in March 2025, Mr. Zwelibanzi Sapula, CEO of the SADC Development Finance Resource Centre, joined a distinguished panel of experts to discuss the critical role of the private sector in financing Africa’s energy transition.

Sapula emphasized that sustainable infrastructure development is not merely about construction; it begins with robust upstream planning. He argued that for energy projects to succeed and attract large-scale investment, there must first be an enabling environment built on sound policies and strategic project preparation.

Key insights from his contribution included:

• Upstream Funding is Essential: He highlighted that funding at the early stages of a project is the primary way to de-risk investments and create a bankable pipeline for infrastructure.
• Regional Collaboration: Representing the SADC region, Sapula advocated for deeper integration and the pooling of resources to speed up project delivery and lower overall costs.
• A “Team Africa” Approach: He echoed the forum’s theme by calling for a united African position on energy, ensuring that partnerships with European counterparts deliver practical, long-term impact for the continent.

The forum, held alongside the Africa Energy Indaba, served as a pivotal platform for SADC-DFRC to reaffirm its commitment to advancing regional energy security and economic prosperity through innovative finance.