The African Energy Commission (AFREC) in collaboration with the Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), on 29 October 2021, hosted virtual kick-off meetings to launch the activities of the NDC Support Centre in Morocco aimed at improving reporting of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC). The NDC Support Center project is an initiative of AFREC and VITO which was launched in Malawi and Uganda in May and June 2021.  Morocco is the third country to benefit from this pilot initiative, and more African countries are expected to benefit in the future.

Speaking at the launch of the project, H.E. Dr. Leila Benali, Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development of Morocco thanked the African Union, in particular AFREC for the project, saying that she is grateful for their efforts to provide assistance to the Member states in the development of the Africa energy sector and transition initiatives. ‘‘Renewable energy and energy efficiency play a pivotal role in assisting with energy transition. Hence, in order to accelerate energy transition efforts, there is a need to implement the NDC which was adopted at the COP21 in Paris, especially on technology transfer action, financing and adaptation for climate in respect of the Paris Agreement, to accelerate energy transition on our continent and adapt to climate change’’ she said.

Dr. Benali  further said Morocco has thus far reviewed all its policies and programmes related to climate change, and the government has defined a level of ambition which the country wishes to adopt as part of the NDC contribution. Such actions were submitted to the UN Climate Change Commission and adopted at COP21 in Paris. Hence, Morocco will spare no effort to ensure the success of the project and establish coordination mechanism between all partners who will be involved in the implementation of the project, she said.

Mr. Rashid Ali Abdallah, Executive Director of the African Energy Commission said that, the NDC project will help Member States make informed decisions on policy development, increase the capability of modelling of process data and develop demonstration climate mitigation projects. ‘‘These efforts support the growing demand for countries to accelerate development, economic growth and investments in the energy sector specially in energy transition, so AFREC can deliver on its mandate of strengthening the African Energy Information System (AEIS) as entrusted by the member states’’, he said.

The NDC support project is being implemented for a period of two and half  years and will enhance knowledge supply and demand, assist energy climate communication, support the development of energy plans beyond 2030 and map out country contribution for future NDCs.

The project is being implemented with financial support from the Government of Flanders (Belgium) through the Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO). The NDC Support Center project is also benefiting from technical support from CO2Logic, a carbon and environmental consultancy company, which is part of the implementing consortium together with AFREC and VITO.

About NDCs

NDCs are national climate plans highlighting climate actions, including climate related targets, policies and measures governments aims to implement in response to climate change and as a contribution to global climate action. Central to the NDCs is the concept of national determination.

The Paris Agreement requires each country to prepare, communicate and maintain successive nationally determined contributions (NDCs) that it intends to achieve. Governments pursues domestic mitigation measures, with the aim of achieving the objectives of such contributions. These climate actions determine whether the world achieves the long-term goals of the Paris Agreement and to reach global peaking of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions as soon as possible.

About the African Energy Commission

The African Energy Commission (AFREC) is a specialized agency of the African Union, mandated to implement African energy programmes by coordinating, harmonising, protect, conserve, develop, promote rational exploitation, commercialization and integration of energy resources for all AU Member states.

AFREC functions ensures that its work responds to the future development and transformation of the African energy sector, by mapping out energy development, encouraging research, providing technical and capacity building, mobilise resources and establish necessary mechanisms related to exploitation and utilisation. 

AFREC is also entrusted with the responsibility to design, create and set up the continental energy database, and facilitate rapid dissemination of information among AU member states, Regional Economic communities in Africa, investors amongst others.

For media enquiries, please contact:

1. Ndahafa Nakwafila| Communication and Information Specialist| African Energy Commission (AFREC) | African Union| email: NakwafilaN@africa-union.org| Tel: +213 23 45 9198| email: afrec@africaunion.org| Website: www.au-afrec.org|Algiers|Algeria| Follow Us: Facebook| Twitter
2. Molalet Tsedeke, Information and Communication Directorate | African Union Commission I WhatsApp +251 911 630 631, E-mail: Molalett@africa-union.org

For further information please contact:

Information and Communication Directorate, African Union Commission I E-mail: DIC@africa-union.org
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