African Utility Week and POWERGEN Africa Endorsed an Unrestricted Symposium in May

By Abdul Rahman Bangura –

Africa Utility Week
Photo Credit: Eventbrite

NEW AFRICA BUSINESS NEWS ( NABN ) Freetown, Sierra Leone- African Utility Week and POWERGEN Africa have approved that a complimentary and essential convention will take place in May. “Although the circumstance was previously deferred to November,” asserts by Evan Schiff – Event Director, “we realize that the demand for information, expert opinion, and connection with your peers and customers is expected now. We have thus established a Virtual African Utility Week and POWERGEN Africa, that will attract our partners in the power, energy and water sectors timeous content to respond their most pressing concerns now.”

However, the live online exhibition will take place from 11-15 May and the programme will include topics like, Exploring private sector participation in African power and water sector, Maintenance: key to keeping the lights on, Best practices for utilities’ financial health worldwide: How to better plan for the unexpected and Investment opportunities for South African SMMEs working in the green economy.

Other topics are Solutions for City and Municipal revenue management, Adopting new behaviors to influence emissions across Africa, The energy transition for Africa in a post COVID-19 world, Energy access matters, and Impact of COVID-19 on Africa’s water sector Key considerations in smart grid and metering communication.

Committed to power and water sectors “While at this stage the Covid-19 epidemics lasting economic impact is still unknown,” says the African Utility Week and POWERGEN Africa event director, “African economies are expected to be hit the hardest and there can be no doubt that the effects on all aspects of the economy will be keenly felt.

It is believed that, the public sector utilities transmitting crucial electricity and water services as well as the companies servicing these sectors, ranging from multinationals to SMMEs, will not be spared either.

2020 is our event’s 20th anniversary and we continue enthusiastic to the African power and water sectors and we are delighted to examine new digital configurations to support connections across the continent.”

“The Virtual African Utility Week and POWERGEN Africa is a totally free initiative,” Evan Schiff explains, “open and available to any interested party of the sector. It is our way to offer both our long time partners and friends as well as new compatriots the opportunity to learn, connect and engage. As always, the event will feature world-class speakers, and insightful program and business matchmaking opportunities, albeit online.”

Current Outbreak of Coronavirus (COVID-19) Disease- Coronavirus advisory information, World Health Organization & United States, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Coronaviruses (CoV) are a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV). A novel coronavirus (nCoV) is a new strain that has not been previously identified in humans.

Coronaviruses are zoonotic, meaning they are transmitted between animals and people.  Detailed investigations found that SARS-CoV was transmitted from civet cats to humans and MERS-CoV from dromedary camels to humans. Several known coronaviruses are circulating in animals that have not yet infected humans.

Common signs of infection include respiratory symptoms, fever, cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties. In more severe cases, infection can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death.

Standard recommendations to prevent infection spread include regular hand washing, covering mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing, thoroughly cooking meat and eggs. Avoid close contact with anyone showing symptoms of respiratory illness such as coughing and sneezing. Source- WHO

who.int/emergencies

Coronavirus Q&A, World Health Organization

who.int/news-room

Coronavirus condition overview, World Health Organization

who.int/health-topics

United States, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov