Africa needs $2 trillion for clean energy
Ministers and high-level representatives from African countries that met in Kigali, Rwanda, last week have said Africa needs an investment of over $2 trillion in energy generation, transmission and distribution infrastructure for the continent to lift people out of the poverty trap.
The delegates were drawn from Malawi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ghana, Kenya, Morocco, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Uganda and Zimbabwe.
In his presentation, Malawi’s Energy Minister Ibrahim Matola told the delegates that Malawi is promoting the use of clean sources of energy.
“Malawi has already taken steps in terms of reducing the generation of power from sources that pollute the environment. In this case, Malawi has terminated the contract which involved the generation of power from diesel generators,” he said.
He added that the Malawi Government is making sure that things get on track by, among other things, removing taxes and duties on clean energy appliances.
However, Matola said Malawi has archaic laws that need to be amended by Parliament.
The communiqué which the ministers issued at the end of the meeting indicates that middle-income economies are consuming 2,500 kWh per capita.
The countries further call on partners to join them in working towards meaningful progress on an energy transition that will benefit future generations.
