African Ministers stress need for greater investment to revitalise energy sector and drive sustainable recovery

Ministers from African countries representing nearly three-quarters of the continent’s energy consumption and more than half of its population met with global energy leaders today to consider how to revitalise the African energy sector and enable a sustainable economic recovery after the pandemic.

Under the theme of Securing Africa’s Energy Future in the Wake of Covid-19, the Second AUC-IEA Ministerial Forum was chaired by Dr Fatih Birol, Executive Director of the IEA, Dr Amani Abou-Zeid, African Union Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy, and Mr Gwede Mantashe, Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy of South Africa.

High-level officials at the virtual Ministerial meeting represented a diverse range of African economies, including Algeria, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, Mali, Morocco, Nigeria, Senegal and many more. Energy leaders from major global economies such as the European Union, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States also took part, along with senior figures from international organisations, companies and civil society.

Recognising the severe impacts of the Covid-19 crisis on African economies and the importance of the energy sector for continued economic development across the continent, participants agreed on the urgent need to enhance actions to ensure sustainable economic recovery and significantly scale up energy investments over the next three years.

Discussions covered areas such as innovation and how to counter the negative effects of the pandemic on efforts to increase the number of people with access to electricity and clean cooking in Africa, with an emphasis on cooperation and collective action. Participants underscored that Africa is facing major challenges in obtaining the financing and new investments it requires to meet its immense structural transformation needs – an essential part of ensuring a resilient and dynamic energy sector that can power a successful economic recovery.

“I’m delighted that so many Ministers and other energy leaders from across Africa and around the world came together today to focus on how Africa can emerge from this crisis with stronger momentum behind the development of its energy sector – notably through clean energy technologies like solar power," said Dr Birol. "I’d like to thank Commissioner Abou-Zeid and Minister Mantashe for the excellent collaboration that resulted in today’s valuable dialogue. I’m sure the insights from our discussions will help inform and enhance the work of the IEA and other organisations that took part."

Co-hosts

• H.E. Mr. Gwede Mantashe, Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy, South Africa
• Dr. Fatih Birol, Executive Director, International Energy Agency
• H.E. Ms. Amani Abou-Zeid, Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy, African Union

Government: Africa

• H.E. Mr. Chems Eddine Chitour, Ministry of Energy Transitions and Renewable Energy, Algeria
• H.E. Mr. Dona Jean-Claude Houssou, Minister of Energy, Benin
• Hon. Mr. Lefhoko M. Moagi, Minister of Mineral Resources, Green Technology and Energy Security, Botswana
• H.E. Mr. Ibrahim Uwizeye, Minister of Hydraulics, Energy and Mines, Burundi
• H.E. Dr. Bachir Ismael Ouedraogo, Minister of Energy, Burkina Faso
• H.E. Mr. Alexandre Dias Monteiro, Minister of Industry, Trade and Energy, Cape Verde
• H.E. Mr. Houmed Msaidie, Minister of Economy, Investment and Energy, Comoros
• H.E. Mr. Mohamed Shaker El-Markabi, Minister of Renewable Energy and Electricity, Egypt
• H.E. Eng. Dr. Joseph Njoroge, Principal Secretary for Energy, Kenya
• H.E. Mr. Mohapi Mohapinyane, Minister of Energy and Meteorology, Lesotho
• H.E. Mr. Lamine Seydou Traoré, Minister of Mines, Energy and Water, Mali
• H.E. Mr. Aziz Rabbah, Minister of Energy, Mines and Environment, Morocco
• H.E. Dr. Amadou Aissata Issa Maiga, Minister of Energy, Niger
• H.E. Ms. Sophie Gladima, Minister of Petroleum and Energy, Senegal

Government: International

• H.E. Ms. Kadri Simson, Commissioner for Energy, European Commission
• H.E. Mr. Manlio Di Stefano, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Italy
• H.E. Mr. Eiichero Washio, State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Japan
• H.E. Ms. Kitty Van der Heijden, Vice Minister for International Cooperation, the Netherlands
• H.E. Mr. Aksel Jakobsen, State Secretary of International Development, Norway
• H.E. Mr. João Pedro Matos Fernandes, Minister of Environment and Climate Action, Portugal
• H.E. Mr. Kwasi Kwarteng, Minister of State for Business, Energy and Clean Growth, United Kingdom
• H.E. Mr. Mark W. Menezes, Deputy Secretary of Energy, United States (videomessage)
• Mr. Anders Hofmann, Deputy Permanent Secretary, Denmark

High-level government delegations: Africa

• Mr. Redouane Yacine Redha, Director General of Electricity, Natural Gas and Renewable Energy, Ministry of Energy, Algeria
• Mr. Jean Baptiste Ky, Director General of Conventional Energy, Burkina Faso
• Mr. Julien Bulgo W, Chief of Studies and Energy Information. Burkina Faso
• Mr. Moussa Ousman, Director General of Energy Development, Ministry of Energy Development and Hydraulics, Central African Republic
• Mr. Deogratias Zakia Mbavu Moja, Permanent Secretary of the National Energy Commission, Democratic Republic of Congo
• Mr. Andry Heriniaina Ramaroson, Director General of Energy and Hydrocarbons, Madagascar
• Dr. Nurain Hassan Ibrahim, Advisor to Minister of Power, Nigeria
• Mr. Mokhethi Seitlheko, Director of Energy, Lesotho

Private sector

• Mr. André de Ruyter, CEO, Eskom
• Mr. Yariv Cohen, CEO, Ignite Power
• Mr. Lamberto Dai Pra, Head of Power Generation Africa, Asia & Oceania, Enel
• Mr. Stanislas Mittelman, Senior Vice President Africa, Total
• Mr. Jon Lezamiz Cortazar, Head of Global Affairs, SiemensGamesa

International organizations and national associations

• Dr. Mo Ibrahim, Chair and Founder, Mo Ibrahim Foundation
• Dr. Kandeh Yumkella, Former UN Under-Secretary-General, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for SEforAll, Member of Parliament, Sierra Leone
• Dr. Rajiv J. Shah, President, Rockefeller Foundation
• Dr. Kevin Kariuki, Vice-President for Power, Energy, Climate & Green Growth, African Development Bank (AfDB)
• Mr. Mark Carrato, Coordinator, Power Africa
• Ms. Ahunna Eziakonwa, Assistant Administrator and Director - Regional Bureau for Africa, UNDP
• Mr. Papa N’Diaye, Chief African Department Regional Studies, IMF
• Ms. Damilola Ogunbiye, CEO, SEforALL
• Mr. Rashid Ali Abdallah, Executive Director, AFREC
• Ms. Jessica Stephens, COO, African Association for Mini-Grid Developers (AMDA)
• Mr. Cheikh Bedda, Director for Infrastructure and Energy, African Union Commission (AUC)
• Mr. Atef Marzouk, Head of Energy Division, African Union Commission (AUC)
• Mr. Kganki Matabane, CEO, Black Business Council (BBC)
• prMr. Elijah Sichone, Executive Secretary, Regional Electricity Regulators’ Association of Southern Africa (RERA)
• Mr. Mbuso Xaba, Senior Project Manager, Central Energy Fund (CEF Group)
• Dr. Geoffrey Mabea, Executive Secretary, Energy Regulators Association of East Africa (EREA)
• Mr. Honoré Bogler, Chairperson, ECOWAS Regional Electricity Regulation Association (ERERA)
• Mr. Godfrey Selematsela, President, Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA)
• Ms. Gauri Singh, Deputy Director-General, IRENA
• Dr. Abderrezak Benyoucef, Head of Energy Studies Department, OPEC
• Mr. Lufuno Mulaudzi, President, Public Servants Association of South Africa (PSA)
• Mr. Stephen Dihwa, Executive Director, Southern Africa Power Pool (SAPP)
• Mr. Bernard Magoro, Head, South Africa IPP Office