Gridworks has been awarded the inaugural Breaking Barriers Award at the Africa Energy Forum 2026, in recognition of its contribution to advancing private investment in Africa’s electricity transmission sector.
The award reflects Gridworks’ progress in demonstrating new approaches to developing transmission infrastructure across the continent and in transforming perceptions of the sector. It follows the recent financial close of Amari Power Transmission in Uganda, developed by Gridworks in partnership with Uganda Electricity Transmission Company Limited, which became the first privately financed independent transmission project in Africa to reach financial close.
In accepting the award, Gridworks’ CEO Chris Flavin said:
“This award is recognition of our team’s hard work and dedication to our projects, and our shareholder British International Investment’s vision in establishing Gridworks.
“When we launched Gridworks, the idea that private capital could play a meaningful role in transmission infrastructure across Africa was viewed with scepticism. Seven years later, we’ve seen huge progress. Governments, utilities, investors and development partners increasingly recognise the role that private capital can play in helping to develop and strengthen transmission networks. We are proud to have contributed to this.
“There is still much to do. The need for investment remains enormous, and challenges around project development, regulation and financing have not disappeared. But there is growing confidence that private capital has a role to play – not only in transmission, but in distribution and distributed renewable energy as well.”
