Clean energy and the green transition offer opportunities for a sustainable post-Covid recovery for both the EU and Africa, particularly in view of Africa’s renewable energy potential, said participants in the civil society dialogue organised by the European Commission on Thursday 10 September ahead of the EU/AU summit on 28 and 29 October.
The objective of this video-conference debate, on the theme ‘Building a win-win partnership for Africa and Europe, green transition and energy’ is to prepare a civil society declaration for the summit.
African speakers, including entrepreneurs, all stressed the need for access to clean energy, financing for innovative African businesses and climate finance, which is difficult to obtain.
“We have the potential. A $1 million investment in clean energy can create 25 jobs. We really want clean energy, but we also want jobs for our young people”, said AU Agriculture Commissioner Josefa Sacko.
EU Energy Commissioner Kadri Simson expressed the hope that the continued implementation of the Clean Energy Initiative will make a difference to universal access in Africa.
“Africa has a huge potential for renewable energy to provide reliable services at an efficient cost. The development of natural gas can also help, but energy efficiency gains are needed”, she said.
As for investments in renewable energy, they must be made in Africa as well as in Europe. The EU is ready to share its experience on the regulatory framework, just as it is ready to cooperate with Africa on a hydrogen strategy.
The European Commissioner for International Partnerships, Jutta Urpilainen, noted that for the first time since 1998, poverty is increasing in Africa due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. “Our development projects can support our partners in the energy and agriculture sectors”, she said. The role of the private sector was given considerable emphasis. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)