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Innovation key to Africa’s Energy Future

Innovation key to Africa’s Energy Future

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June 12, 2019

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 12 June 2019: The first Ministerial Summit on Africa’s energy future jointly organized by the African Union Commission (AUC) and the International Energy Agency (IEA) was held today with a rallying call to embrace and invest more in technological innovation in the Energy sector to develop Africa’s energy future.

Over 150 participants including senior political figures, policymakers and CEOs gathered at the African Union Commission for a day to discuss the opportunities and best practices for developing and investing in Africa’s energy markets.

Speaking during the opening session of the meeting, the African Union Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy, H.E. Dr. Amani Abou-Zeid reaffirmed the importance of energy in the economic and social development of the continent.

“In this forum, the most critical topics have been selected ranging from universal access for electricity and clean cooking, especially technology development for a digital future without forgetting Africa’s global position in the energy transition,” the Commissioner asserted.
The Commissioner went on to explain, “If well harnessed, digitalisation has the potential to make significant contribution to the energy sector and contribute immensely to the quality of life for millions of Africans.”

“The discussion is not complete without adding the youth dimension that has been an undisputable factor in driving innovation not only in Africa but globally,” the Commissioner added.

Also delivering opening remarks, Executive Director of the International Energy Agency (IEA), Dr Fatih Birol said “Achieving universal access to reliable, modern and sustainable energy and clean cooking fuels across Africa is one of the world’s major development challenges and one of the IEA’s key priorities.

“Achieving this goal will require the right policies and investments, innovation in the sector enabling Africa to take full advantage of its tremendous energy resources for greater social and economic benefit for all,” Dr. Birol added.

Delivering keynote remarks, Egyptian Minister of Electricity and Renewable Energy, H.E. Dr. Mohamed Shaker El Markabi and the Under Secretary of Energy for United States Department of Energy, H.E. Mr. Mark W. Menezes both alluded to the key role of innovation to provide abundant, affordable, resilient, and reliable energy in Africa.

The AUC-IEA Ministerial Forum saw delegates discuss business opportunities in the energy sector, regional integration, innovation and digitalization, and ways to include the private sector that will shape the path of Africa’s energy future. The Forum contributed to ongoing efforts to realise targets set in the African Union’s Agenda 2063 for a Prosperous Africa Based on Inclusive Growth and Sustainable Development starting with its 10-year implementation plan.

This meeting is a follow-up of the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between the AUC and IEA in May 2018, when they agreed to work together to realize shared goals of supporting enhanced energy security, energy statistics, energy efficiency, renewable energy, and sustainable economic development in Africa.

The AUC-IEA Ministerial Forum will provide critical inputs into the IEA’s 2019 Special Report on Africa for the World Energy Outlook as well as contribute to tracking and analysing progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 7.

The AUC-IEA Ministerial Forum convened over 150 participants including ministers, who were joined by policymakers and experts, representatives of governments, intergovernmental organizations, the private sector and civil society. The AUC and IEA intend to position the event as the annual event on energy access in Africa, with next year’s Forum planned to be held at the IEA Headquarters, in Paris, France.

Media inquiry Contacts:

Sophia Nesri | PIDA Information Analyst | Department of Infrastructure and Energy | African Union Commission I E-mail: sophian@africa-union.org

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