Panel Discussion 2 — Financing Energy Transformation in a Debt-Constrained Context

This panel explores blended finance, domestic resource mobilization, tariff reform, and de-risking instruments, challenging the assumption that more concessional money is the primary solution and focusing instead on governance and structural reforms that unlock existing capital flows. It bridges to deeper system-level financing issues — currency risk, sovereign risk, payment systems, and the role of AU continental financial institutions (AIB, ACB, AMF).

Moderated by Ms. Mavis Owusu-Gyamfi (President & CEO, ACET), with panelists Dr. Ngueto Tiraïna Yambaye (President, FAGACE), Mr. Mohamed Beavogui (Former Prime Minister of Guinea), Mr. Marc Galinier (Qair Energy), Dr. James Cust (World Bank) and Mr. Arona Oumar Kane (Founder, Bangath Systems).

Objective: move the financing conversation beyond the 'there is a gap, we need more money' framing toward an honest analysis of why existing capital is not flowing — risk perception, project preparation quality, currency exposure, tariff signals — and identify continental-level solutions and near-term actions to improve bankability. Expected outcomes: concrete demand- and supply-side reforms with at least one institutional commitment; policy inputs on operationalizing AIB, ACB and AMF; and a clear distinction between national reforms and continental-level solutions.