African presidents want accelerated funding for energy access

African presidents meeting in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia have asked financing institutions, especially the World Bank to accelerate the financing for energy access in Africa with clear targets and steps for ensuring the achievement of universal energy access by 2030. 

 During a presidential roundtable on the sidelines of the 36th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union (AU), Dr Amani Abou-Zeid, AU commissioner for infrastructure and energy, said energy is a bedrock for the success of every development sector and thus increased effort is required in ensuring affordable and reliable access. 

In her opening remarks, Amani said: “Africa’s key priorities and initiatives including industrialisation, AfCFTA, agricultural development, food security, poverty alleviation, job creation and regional integration, as well as the achievement of the SDGs, are all dependent on modern and universal energy access and services.” 

According to a joint press statement issued on Wednesday (Februry 22), the event, which was organised by the AU Commission (AUC) and the World Bank in collaboration with the Union of Comoros, was attended by the Presidents of Comoros and the Republic of Madagascar and ministers of Namibia, Congo, Malawi, high-level representatives of the African Development Bank, the World Bank, international and regional institutions, and development partners. 

 On behalf of AUC chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat, Dr Monique Nsanzabaganwa, warmly welcomed and commended the presence of the dignitaries which, according to the deputy chairperson, is a clear demonstration of the importance they attach to energy access and security in Africa.  

In his keynote address, the President of the Union of Comoros and AU chairperson for 2023 Azali Assoumani shed light on the irony of energy poverty on a continent that is richly endowed with vast energy resources that remain untapped.   

 Assoumani also highlighted the energy situation in most African island nations and said continental approaches can complement national initiatives to boost energy access. U

sing the Geothermal Risk Mitigation Facility (GRMF) as an example, and Comoros as the beneficiary of a $9 million GRMF grant, Assoumani demonstrated how continental initiatives could augment member states’ efforts. 

 “Accelerating the implementation of Agenda 2063 flagship projects such as the Grand Inga Dam Hydro project and the energy projects under the Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA) is critical in enhancing energy access, regional integration, fostering economic transformation, and climate resilience”, underscored the President. 

 According to statistics, Africa needs $25 billion in investment annually to meet its energy targets. The deliberations in the high-level panel underscored the role of partnerships in the area of finance, knowledge and technology transfer to help speed up existing and new initiatives to overcome constraints that African countries face in their quest for energy development.  

 The African Single Electricity Market (AfSEM) was noted to be a critical strategic element of facilitating energy access and enhancing energy security in Africa and, therefore, the AU member states, regional economic communities and their specialised institutions were urged to play their part in facilitating its operationalisation. 

  President of the Republic of Madagascar Andry Rajoelina, who also chaired the high-level panel discussion, emphasised the need to invest in clean sources to fast-track universal energy access in Africa underlining that energy is every African leader’s priority. 

Addressing Energy Access is not negotiable for any leader, and we need now to move from words to action,” said, President Rajoelina, adding that Madagascar aspires to achieve 100% energy access in the shortest possible time mainly by harnessing renewables.