Ministers convene in Abu Dhabi on the Africa clean energy corridor: Abu Dhabi, 18 January 2014

Abstract

Following the launch of the Africa Clean Energy Corridor (ACEC) by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) in January 2013 to accelerate the adoption of renewable power options for the Eastern and Southern African Power Pools, a Ministerial meeting to consider the ACEC and an Action Agenda was held on 17 January 2014 in Abu Dhabi. Discussions aimed at facilitating the endorsement of a Communiqué on Renewable Energy for Accelerating Africa’s Development. The discussions further underscored the importance of regional integration as a vehicle to reach economies of scale, facilitate knowledge and technological transfer, as well as presenting an opportunity to change perceptions. For instance, landlocked countries should be perceived as being energy linked. Discussants included the Minister of Energy (Djibouti), Minister of Water and Energy (Ethiopia), Minister of Energy (Mozambique), Minister of Energy (South Africa), Minister of State of Electricity and Dams (Sudan), Deputy Minister of Lands, Natural Resources and Environment (Zambia), and the Ambassador for Egypt. Additional discussants included international development partners representing Germany, Italy, UAE and China, as well as African development organizations that included the East African Community, NEPAD and the African Development Bank.