The 2026 Africa Energy Technology Conference (AETC) at the Labadi Beach Hotel reached a crescendo this past week as Tydon Dadzie, the renowned Youth in Energy Ambassador, was awarded the prestigious title of Young Energy Innovator of the Year.

The award recognises Dadzie’s relentless commitment to driving sustainable energy solutions and advocating for youth empowerment across the continent.

The three-day summit, themed “From Borders to Bridges: Driving Intra-African Trade & Development through Energy & Technology Services,” brought together over 1,500 industry leaders, policymakers, and innovators from more than 30 countries.

The high-profile event was graced by an array of esteemed dignitaries, including Chief of Staff Hon Julius Debrah and Hon Dr John Abdulai Jinapor, Minister for Energy and Green Transition.

Taking the stage to address a packed audience— which included continental heavyweights like SecretaryGeneral of APPO Farid Ghezali, and HE Wamkele Mene, Secretary-General of the AfCFTA—Dadzie delivered a stirring and visionary speech.

He challenged leaders, governments, and communities to fundamentally rethink how they are preparing the next generation for the technological and energy challenges of the future. Drawing attention to the continent’s most valuable asset—its youth—Dadzie highlighted a critical gap in development.

“Did you know that over 60% of Africa’s population is under 25? This means around 800 million people on our continent are quite young,” he stated, noting that while Africa boasts the youngest population globally, much of this potential remains untapped due to systemic educational shortfalls.

He challenged the current education system, pointing out that in a rapidly changing world, youth must be equipped with relevant technological expertise.

Quoting Nelson Mandela, Dadzie emphasised that education is the most powerful weapon to change the world, urging investments in STEM, coding, robotics, and artificial intelligence to foster a new era of innovation and invention.

In one of the most powerful moments of the evening, Dadzie addressed the socio-economic consequences of neglecting youth education, touching on issues like unemployment, the allure of illegal occupations such as galamsey, and the widespread “brain drain” of skilled young Africans migrating abroad for greener pastures.

To reverse this trend, Dadzie called for immediate action from the policymakers and heads of state in the room: “Ladies and gentlemen, the future of Africa hinges on our choices. Investing in reliable infrastructure, technology education and youth mentorship, as well as leadership programs, is sure to build our youth up. Who will, in turn, build us up.”

AETC Founder and President, Ms. Cedar Palm Akumah, had earlier set the tone for the conference by urging delegates to use the platform as “architects of a new African narrative.”

Dadzie’s award and speech perfectly encapsulated this vision. His recognition as Young Energy Innovator of the Year is not just a testament to his past achievements, but a clear signal that the future of Africa’s energy and tech sectors lies in the hands of its young, dynamic thinkers. Dadzie’s call to support local startups, create entrepreneurship internships, and invest in research resonated deeply with the AETC delegates, ensuring that youth empowerment remains at the heart of Africa’s energy transition