Italy’s flagship clean energy event, KEY – The Energy Transition Expo, will return for its fourth edition from 4–6 March 2026 at the Rimini Expo Centre, bringing together policymakers, companies, and innovators to debate the future of energy across Europe, Africa, and the Mediterranean basin. Organized by Italian Exhibition Group (IEG), the expo is positioning itself as a hub for global collaboration, with a sharpened focus on energy efficiency as the cornerstone of the transition.
The 2026 edition will span the entire Rimini Expo Centre for the first time, reflecting the rapid expansion of the clean energy industry. It will showcase seven thematic areas; solar, wind, energy storage, efficiency, electric mobility, sustainable cities, and new additions such as hydrogen and sustainable ports. The show will also host an Innovation District for start-ups and SMEs, where emerging technologies will compete for the Lorenzo Cagnoni Innovation Award.
For Africa, which the organizers have placed high on their international agenda, the event is expected to provide a platform for showcasing regional opportunities and challenges in clean energy adoption. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), Africa is home to 60% of the world’s best solar resources, yet it accounts for just 1% of global solar PV capacity. Events like KEY 2026 are designed to help close this gap by facilitating partnerships and technology transfer.
The emphasis on energy efficiency comes at a time when global progress is uneven. In its latest report, the IEA noted that improvements in energy intensity, a key measure of efficiency, slowed to 1.3% in 2023, well below the 4% annual improvement needed this decade to align with net zero pathways. In Africa, the story is mixed: while South Africa and Morocco are investing heavily in efficiency measures in buildings and industry, many sub-Saharan nations still face weak regulatory frameworks and limited financing options. By dedicating more space and partnerships, such as with the Green Building Council Italia and ‘Federcostruzioni’, KEY 2026 aims to highlight efficiency as both a cost saver and an enabler of deeper decarbonization.
Hydrogen will also feature prominently. The event will host the Hydrogen Power Expo, supported by Hannover Fairs International, exploring hydrogen’s role in hard-to-abate sectors like steelmaking and shipping. For African countries like Namibia, which is developing some of the world’s most ambitious green hydrogen projects, participation offers an opportunity to connect with investors and technology providers. Namibia alone expects to generate up to 300,000 tones of green hydrogen annually by 2030, according to government estimates, positioning itself as a potential export hub.
Ports and maritime infrastructure will receive attention through ‘Su.port – Sustainable Ports for Energy Transition’, a dedicated focus on electrifying port quays, cold ironing, and the logistics role of ports in offshore renewables. This is directly relevant to African coastal nations, many of which are exploring floating wind farms and hydrogen exports but face high infrastructure costs.
Beyond the exhibition floor, the expo will host KEY Choice – Unlock the Future of PPAs, a pre-summit event on power purchase agreements. PPAs are becoming vital for financing renewable projects, particularly in emerging markets where access to concessional capital remains constrained. BloombergNEF estimates that corporate PPA volumes reached a record 36.7 GW globally in 2023, but Africa accounted for less than 1 GW of that, underscoring the need for platforms that connect buyers and sellers.
Research and innovation will also take centre stage with the second Call for Papers, open to universities, companies, and associations. Twenty-five selected projects will be published in QualEnergia Science, providing visibility for new ideas and case studies in climate and energy transition. This aligns with a broader recognition that Africa’s universities and research institutions need greater global exposure, especially as the continent looks to localise data and innovation in renewable energy.
The internationalization push is clear. In 2025, the organizers held a three-stage roadshow in Cairo, Belgrade, and Warsaw to promote KEY 2026, targeting Africa, the Balkans, and Central Europe as key regions. For Africa, the event could act as a bridge between domestic ambitions, such as Nigeria’s plan to reach 30 GW of renewable capacity by 2030, and international investors who remain cautious due to regulatory and political risks.
Italian Exhibition Group’s commitment to Africa is also strategic. Trade between Italy and African nations is increasingly shaped by energy. Italy, which imports 40% of its natural gas, is eyeing African countries like Algeria and Egypt as partners not just in fossil fuels but in renewables and hydrogen. By hosting African delegations and start-ups, KEY 2026 could strengthen these bilateral links while positioning Africa as more than just a resource base.
The scale of the event reflects the urgency. Global renewable energy capacity grew by a record 510 GW in 2023, according to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), but investment remains heavily concentrated. Sub-Saharan Africa attracted less than 2% of global clean energy investment, despite its vast potential. Forums like KEY 2026 are designed to correct this imbalance by showcasing opportunities and lowering barriers to entry for African projects.
As the world faces mounting pressure to triple renewable capacity and double efficiency improvements by 2030, KEY 2026 is emerging as more than just a trade fair. It is a barometer of international cooperation, where Africa’s role in the energy transition will be tested and amplified. Whether through efficiency in buildings, hydrogen exports, or port electrification, the conversations in Rimini will help shape how quickly and equitably the global transition unfolds.
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