African Leaders Discuss Renewable Energy Potential at Investment Forum in Kenya
The Accelerated Partnership for Renewables in Africa (APRA), an international alliance of governments and stakeholders has convened its maiden forum in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi. It is set to discuss Africa’s renewable energy priorities and investment needs.
According to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), which is spearheading the APRA’s initiative as a secretariat, the forum that brought together APRA’s member countries and partners would play a key role in holding multi-stakeholder discussions and project matchmaking.
African ministers and other partners have pushed for an accelerated transition to renewable energy.
Speaking at an investment forum in Nairobi, Kenya, the African leaders cited many benefits of the transition to renewable energy.
The forum organised by countries under the accelerated partnership for renewables in Africa (APRA) attracted ministers, investors, developers, and financial institutions.
The forum was to foster open dialogue, further the development of a robust project pipeline and mobilise large-scale investments to accelerate the energy transition.
It was also to support the development of green industries within APRA countries, including Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Namibia, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, and Zimbabwe.
In a statement on Monday, the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP) said the forum marked a significant milestone in implementing the Nairobi declaration adopted at the 2023 Africa climate summit and the call to boost the continent’s renewable capacity to 300 GW by 2030.
The statement added that the forum also intended to contribute to the COP28 goal to triple global renewable power by the end of the decade.
IRENA said the partnership with APRA countries “offers unique opportunities to fulfill obligations, deliver on pledges made before, and support global and local ambitions for climate action”.
