The Mission 300 Africa Energy Summit opened on Monday in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, with a clarion call by Dr Doto Biteko, Tanzania’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Energy, for more equitable and sustainable energy for the future.
Biteko, who delivered the opening remark, said the summit was a catalyst to ongoing National Compact energy policy to promote energy sustainability, conservation and efficiency on the continent.
According to him, the National Compact policy, developed by 12 pilot countries, will provide a framework for coordinated action to unlock additional investments from government, private sector, development partners in achieving energy targets.
He added the National Compact policy focused on increasing access to modern energy services and the share of renewable energy, as well as security of supply.
“Together, we can drive a more equitable and sustainable energy for the future, and this summit will be part of the solution.
“Again, our objective will be to see what priorities we should set for the policy, solutions and commitments on how to implement the Mission 300 initiatives,” he said.
He said Mission 300 underscored the shared commitment of African countries on universal clean energy access, reducing carbon emission and supporting livelihood.
Biteko said the Dar es Salaam Energy Summit complemented Africa’s desire to power the continent in what he described as the spirit of lightening Africa as envisioned in the African Agenda 2063 goals.
He said after independence in the 1960s, many African countries made significant progress in generating and distributing electricity to their citizens.
He said Tanzania, which had only 21 megawatts during independence, had increased its capacity to 3,160 megawatts.
He said in spite of notable achievements in most African countries, the number of Africans, who lacked access to electricity, was estimated to be 571 million.
He added that the summit was convened with an ambitious but achievable target of increasing electricity access to at least 300 million people in Africa in the next five years.
“Let me express my gratitude to our co-organisers, the World Bank Group, African Development Bank, the Rockefeller Foundation, Sustainable Energy for All, the Energy Global Alliance for People and Planet.
“We salute you all for your valuable support and cooperation that made this summit a reality. We also welcome all of you to Dar es Salaam and this important event,” said Biteko.
He said he looked forward to enriching discussions at the summit: “As we work together to shape African energy future, there is no doubt that this summit will be a key milestone to a quest to achieve universal access to electricity.
“In our capacities as ministers responsible for energy, heads of international financial institutions, experts in civil society, we will have an opportunity to discuss a number of issues during this summit.” (NAN)
