Bio360 Africa Targets Investment Push For Africa’s Bioenergy Market

The African bioenergy industry will move into sharper focus this June as the inaugural event opens in Johannesburg, bringing together investors, policymakers, project developers and technology providers seeking to accelerate deployment across the continent.

Scheduled for 17–18 June 2026 in Johannesburg, the event is expected to position Southern Africa as a growing hub for bioenergy investment and innovation at a time when governments and industry are under increasing pressure to diversify energy supply and strengthen energy security.

Organised by BEES, the conference builds on the established Bio360 Europe platform in Nantes and marks a strategic expansion into African markets, where interest in renewable fuels, waste-to-energy systems and circular economy solutions continues to gather momentum.

The South African Biogas Association (SABIA), the event’s regional industry support, will contribute market insight and sector expertise focused on the evolving Southern African bioenergy landscape.
More than 1,000 delegates and over 60 exhibitors will be attending the two-day conference and exhibition, which will span approximately 2,500 square metres. Participants will include representatives from the energy, agriculture, finance, research and public sectors.

Bio360 Africa 2026 aims to position bioenergy as a central pillar of Africa’s future energy mix rather than a niche alternative technology. The agenda reflects growing recognition that Africa’s vast agricultural residues, organic waste streams and biomass resources can play a critical role in improving energy access, supporting industrial decarbonisation and strengthening energy security across the continent. African organisations have an opportunity to drive this transition by investing in local bioenergy projects, developing regional value chains, supporting innovation and advocating for enabling policy frameworks. Utilities, agribusinesses, municipalities, research institutions and private developers can all contribute by integrating bioenergy into existing operations, forming cross-sector partnerships and scaling solutions tailored to local market conditions.
By taking an active role, African stakeholders can help establish the continent as a competitive player in the global bioeconomy while creating jobs, attracting investment and advancing sustainable development goals.

Financing mechanisms and policy development are set to feature prominently, reflecting ongoing challenges around project bankability and enabling regulation within emerging African bioenergy markets. Sessions covering carbon markets, carbon removal technologies and low-carbon investment structures are also scheduled.

A series of technical study tours on 19 June will provide delegates with access to operational bioenergy facilities, offering first-hand insight into project execution, technology deployment and regional operating models.
Skills development and youth participation will form part of the wider programme through initiatives designed to connect emerging professionals with established industry stakeholders, supporting long-term sector capacity building.

Johannesburg was chosen as the launch venue due to its strategic position as a regional industrial and logistics hub connecting Southern Africa’s energy and agricultural markets. As African nations work to meet rising electricity demand while advancing decarbonisation goals, the event is expected to serve as a key platform for attracting investment, building partnerships and accelerating long-term growth in the continent’s bioenergy sector.