U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright Returns to Powering Africa Summit 2026 to Advance US–Africa Energy Cooperation

WASHINGTON, D.C., United States of America, March 2, 2026 – U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright will return to the Powering Africa Summit (PAS), scheduled for 19–20 March 2026 in Washington, D.C., where he will participate in a high-level fireside chat focused on expanding energy access and advancing clean cooking solutions across Africa.

After delivering a keynote address and joining discussions at PAS 2025’s 10th anniversary edition, Secretary Wright will once again engage with policymakers, investors and industry leaders to explore deepening US–Africa collaboration. Discussions will span energy infrastructure development, critical minerals partnerships and investment-led commercial diplomacy.

Building on last year’s theme, “The Future of the US & Africa Energy Partnership,” PAS 2026 will examine how US foreign policy is evolving under the current administration, particularly through commercially driven, investment-focused engagement strategies.

Under the 2026 theme, “Powering the US-Africa Partnership: Energy Infrastructure, Critical Minerals & Investment Strategies,” the Summit will assess progress made since PAS 2025. Special emphasis will be placed on reciprocal agreements aimed at accelerating critical minerals development and strengthening trade ties between the United States and African nations.

Key sessions will address large-scale infrastructure financing, investment guarantees, and the growing role of gas strategies in enhancing energy security and bilateral trade. Several senior African government leaders are confirmed to attend, including:

• H.E. Honourable Jeremiah Kpan Koung, Vice President of Liberia

• H.E. Honourable Dr. Eng. Habtamu Itefa Geleta, Minister of Water & Energy, Ethiopia

• H.E. Honourable John Abdulai Jinapor, Minister for Energy & Green Transition, Ghana

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

Cortese noted that Sun Africa is proud to support PAS 2026 at a pivotal moment for US–Africa energy relations, highlighting Secretary Wright’s leadership in promoting practical, investment-driven solutions that expand energy access and unlock opportunities in infrastructure and critical minerals. He emphasized the importance of advancing commercially viable, long-term partnerships grounded in pragmatism and profitability.

Additional senior representatives confirmed for the Summit include:

• John Jovanovic, Chairman, Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM)

• Nicholas Checker, Senior Bureau Official, Bureau of African Affairs, United States Department of State

• Thomas Hardy, Deputy Director & COO, United States Trade and Development Agency (USTDA)

• Daniel Petrie, Acting Chief of Staff, Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC)

• Nancy Rivera, Managing Director, U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC)

Simon Gosling, Managing Director of EnergyNet, expressed enthusiasm about hosting the 11th edition of PAS in Washington, D.C., and welcoming Secretary Wright back to engage stakeholders on the future of US–Africa relations. He highlighted the strong interagency representation confirmed for 2026, spanning State, Energy, EXIM, DFC, MCC and Commerce, reflecting a coordinated US government approach to partnership with African nations.

Alongside Summit Sponsor Sun Africa, Petrodex joins as Lead Sponsor, Genesis Energy as Networking App Sponsor, and the Lagos State Office of Works as African Government Partner. Other sponsors include Endeavor Energy, Denham Capital, Mission 300 and HYDRO-LINK, while Associate Sponsors include Absa Group, Alliant Insurance Services, Allied Talent Partners, A&O Shearman, Nant Power, NRECA International, and McDermott, Will & Schulte.

PAS 2026 is set to serve as a key platform for strengthening energy partnerships, accelerating investment and reinforcing long-term trade and infrastructure cooperation between the United States and Africa.