Ethiopia has been reinforcing the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) framework, engaging the private sector in power production, transmission and distribution, Minister of Water and Energy Habtamu Etefa said.
The minister is attending the Green Energy Africa Summit and Africa Oil Week which has been underway in Cape Town, South Africa, from 10th to 11th October 2023.
This high-level gathering is held under the theme: “Unlocking Africa’s Sustainable Energy Potential” aimed at advocating for policy reforms and the harmonization of Africa’s natural resources, to help pave the way for a just energy transition to ensure Africa remains competitive and attractive to global finance.
The water minister was among the panelists and he shared thoughts about the challenges and policy options which need to be pursued.
Regarding the challenges of Africa’s energy supply, policy options, regional collaborations and participation of the private sector, and the growing concern of global climate change, the minister highlighted the efforts the country is making.
Habtamu emphasized the endeavors of the country for having the possible ways of cooperation between governments, private sector actors and financiers.
He also stated that the major constraints facing the country is related to energy tariff, which is the lowest in Africa.
Ethiopia’s provision of renewable energy to neighboring countries is to forge collaboration for regional power connectivity, he said, citing that the country is providing power supply to Djibouti, Kenya, and Sudan.
South Sudan will follow suit soon following the framework agreement signed between the countries, the minister said.
Through the Green Legacy initiative which has been implemented over the past five years under the leadership of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, Ethiopia has managed to plant 32 billion tree seedlings, Habtamu elaborated.
He stated that over 32 billion saplings, including fruits, have been planted in the last five years of the national green footprint program.
He explained to the assembly that the Green Legacy initiative is instrumental in protecting and increasing the capacity of underground water.
The Green Energy Africa Summit-2023 kicked off yesterday in Cape Town, South Africa has continued with ministerial thematic discussions focusing on just energy transition, finance, policy and institutional matters and possible cooperation schemes among African countries and the private sector to best utilize untapped potential in Africa.
Source: Ethiopian News Agency