Africa’s bold energy vision: Stakeholders gather to drive the future of electricity

Dar es Salaam. In a significant step towards securing Africa's energy future, key stakeholders convened today in Addisababa for a pivotal consultation and validation workshop focusing on the African Single Electricity Market (AfSEM), the Continental Master Plan (CMP), and the African Electricity Efficiency Strategy (AfEES).

The workshop, spearheaded by the Director of the Infrastructure and Energy Department (IED), Dr. Kamugisha Kazaura, highlighted the collective resolve to transform Africa's energy landscape through unified efforts.

In his opening remarks, Dr. Kazaura emphasized the importance of this moment in Africa’s energy journey, noting the critical need for reliable, affordable, and sustainable electricity as the continent’s population is projected to swell to 2.5 billion by 2050. "Today, nearly 600 million people in sub-Saharan Africa live without access to electricity. This stark reality underscores the importance of the ambitious goals we have set for ourselves through AfSEM, CMP, and AfEES," he stated.

A Pan-African electricity market by 2040

The African Single Electricity Market (AfSEM) is a flagship initiative of the African Union, aimed at integrating the electricity markets of over 55 countries into a single pan-African electricity market by 2040. If successful, this will become the world’s largest electricity market, offering electricity access to millions of Africans currently without power. Dr. Kazaura highlighted that AfSEM is not just about expanding infrastructure but is also a key driver for economic integration, reducing energy costs, and making renewable energy a fundamental component of Africa’s energy mix.

Guiding Africa’s energy future with the continental master plan

The Continental Master Plan (CMP) serves as a strategic roadmap for Africa’s energy infrastructure development. The CMP is designed to ensure that investments align with long-term goals, reduce redundancies, and optimize resources across the continent. "The CMP ensures that no African nation is left behind in this journey towards a sustainable energy future," Dr. Kazaura remarked.

Promoting energy efficiency with AfEES

The African Electricity Efficiency Strategy (AfEES) focuses on sustainability by establishing and adhering to stringent energy efficiency standards. Dr. Kazaura noted that energy efficiency is crucial in reducing waste, lowering costs, and minimizing the environmental impact of energy-intensive sectors such as agriculture, transport, and industry. The AfEES initiative also aims to foster innovation, enabling Africa to leapfrog to advanced technologies, ensuring that energy systems are both powerful and efficient.

A call for collaboration

Dr. Kazaura made it clear that the success of these initiatives depends on the collaboration and collective action of all stakeholders, including governments, private sector players, regional economic communities, financial institutions, civil society, and international partners. The workshop serves as an essential platform for aligning visions, sharing expertise, and working toward common goals under these initiatives.

Looking ahead: The road to 2040

Over the course of the three-day workshop, participants will engage in in-depth discussions to shape the future of energy in Africa. The workshop aims to build consensus on the way forward as the continent embarks on the implementation stage of these ambitious projects. Dr. Kazaura stressed the importance of creating solutions tailored to the unique needs and aspirations of African people, driven by the latest data, insights, and global best practices.

Acknowledging global partnerships

In his closing remarks, Dr Kazaura expressed deep gratitude to the European Union for its strategic, technical, and financial support, as well as to other development partners such as the African Development Bank, BMZ, GIZ, and technical partners including IRENA and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). "Your expertise, insights, and passion are invaluable, and I am confident that together, we will lay the foundations for a transformative energy future for Africa," he concluded.

As Africa continues on its path towards 2040, the potential rewards of these initiatives are immense. An Africa where every home, school, and hospital has access to reliable electricity is within reach. The workshop serves as a crucial milestone in this journey, signaling the collective determination to build a sustainable, prosperous, and energy-secure future for the continent.