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:
“Thank you very much. It’s a real honour to accept this award on behalf of everyone at Gridworks. We have an exceptional team, and this award is recognition of the team’s hard work and dedication to our projects.
“I would also like to thank our shareholder, British International Investment, for the foresight and vision they showed in establishing Gridworks as a transmission and distribution (T&D) platform in 2019, recognising that T&D is the missing link for Africa’s electrification and that private sector investment is necessary to help bridge the funding gap as the sector develops.
“My biggest thank you, though, goes to the governments and utilities who have partnered with us and used us as an execution and financing partner to turn their vision into real infrastructure. To the governments of Uganda, DRC, Ethiopia and Mozambique, thank you for the collaboration you have enabled between your public utilities and us as your private sector delivery partner. I also want to thank Dr Ramokgopa, South Africa’s Electricity and Energy Minister, for the leadership he has shown in introducing the private sector into the transmission sector in his country. We very much hope to play our part in South Africa’s infrastructure journey.”
