The Head of the Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC), Monie Captan has said that there is a strong need for Africa to “strengthen capacity for project implementation delivery of energy stakeholders,” so as to achieve the objective of the 25th edition of the Africa Energy Forum in 2023.
The Forum is an important platform for African countries to come together and discuss ways to improve the sectors by creating capacity building for its people.
Captan, who spoke recently at the African Utilities Roundtable Forum in Kenya, Nairobi noted that capacity building is essential for the effective development and delivery of projects, “particularly in the energy industry, where there are several complicated difficulties.”
He added that it was also important that African countries work together and share knowledge as well as resources to achieve their energy goals.
“The Africa Energy Forum provides an opportunity for African countries to collaborate and learn from each other’s experiences,” Captan said. “It is also important to invest in renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and hydropower.”
Captan, however, observed that most African utilities do not have cost-reflective tariffs, which he says hampers commercial viability, economic growth, and development.
According to him, a cost-reflective tariff is one that reflects the actual cost of supplying electricity, removing the reliance on Government subsidies to cover the variance between the current tariff and the supply of electricity.
According to Captan, there is a compelling need for energy experts and stakeholders on the Continent to develop a strategic framework that will address challenges relative to capacity building, project implementation delivery, and procurement processes.
Meanwhile, the Forum, which started from June 20–23, 2023, was aimed at uniting governments, utilities, and regulators with development finance institutions, commercial banks, power developers, and technology providers, among others.
Over the last 24 years, the African Utilities Roundtable Forum has earned a reputation as the most meaningful gathering of decision-makers in African energy to form partnerships, identify opportunities, and move the industry forward.
The Africa’s Energy Roundtable Forum handpicks the most credible organizations in the sector, delivering an intensive networking experience.
The 2023 topic and themes discussed were: Insights from energy ministers and heads of utilities into project pipelines; Increasing pace and scale for Africa’s renewable energy projects; and the Growing Role of Africa’s Gas within today’s Geo-Political context.
Followed by breaking down barriers to energy transition in mining, capital flows, and risk mitigation in today’s market, financing an African ‘transition, Africa’s path of becoming a global hydrogen powerhouse, and building regional power markets as well as electricity trade between countries.
Other topics discussed were new streams for 2023, including mining, critical minerals, and energy. The forum was attended by 2,000 plus Industry Stakeholders, 300 plus Expert Speakers in a multi-streamed agenda, and 150 plus Sponsors and exhibitors.
It was held under the patronage of cabinet secretary Davis Chirchir, Kenya Minister of Energy and Petroleum.
Source: Africa Energy Portal