Southern Africa experts call for policies that target both energy access and climate resilience

Livingstone, Zambia, 11 November 2024 (ECA) - The Ad Hoc Expert Group Meeting (AEGM) organised back to back with the 30th Intergovernmental Committee of Senior Officials and Experts (ICSOE) of Southern Africa has recommended concrete actions to address the energy deficit in Southern Africa through investments in renewable energy technologies to reduce energy poverty and accelerate sustainable industrialization. The AEGM proffered concrete actions in support of climate financing.

The AEGM was organised by the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) Sub Regional Office for Southern Africa (SRO-SA), and the Government of Zambia on 18 November 2024 in Livingstone, Zambia. Discussions were anchored by a draft report on Leveraging Renewable Energy Resources for a Just Energy Transition in Southern Africa and a draft issues paper on Financing Climate Action and a Just Energy Transition in Southern Africa.

Opening the AEGM, Mr. Peter Mumba, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Energy, in a speech delivered on his behalf by Mr. Chipala Mwape, Director, Ministry of Energy, underscored the importance of developing strategic frameworks that will enhance connectivity, foster innovation, and support resilience in the energy sector across Southern Africa. He emphasized that energy is an enabler to regional development, industrialisation and value chain expansion but," we need a collective approach to energy development, recognising that the success of one nation is closely tied to the prosperity of its neighbours".

Ms. Seipati Grace Olweny, Deputy Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Trade and Entrepreneurship, Republic of Botswana said that the region needs to delineate its renewable energy sources and integrate their potential into national planning systems. She emphasised that , to attain a just transition and leave no one behind , "Southern African countries should adhere to United Nations Sustainable Development Goals that emphasize that the energy transition process should address climate change and support broader sustainable development objectives such as poverty reduction, gender equality, and access to affordable and clean energy".

In her welcoming speech, Ms. Eunice Kamwendo, Director of ECA SRO-SA, highlighted that to combat the challenges of climate change we must transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources, and also diversify the energy mix in a balanced manner. She added that, "this can be done as Southern Africa is rich in renewable energy resources, with abundant solar, wind, and hydropower capabilities that largely remain untapped. The sub-region is also home to critical energy transition minerals that are sought after by the rest of the world for clean energy solutions. By exploiting these resources, we can significantly enhance our energy security and catalyse economic growth."

The meeting concluded with recommendations calling for the region to be more strategic on investment in renewable energy technologies. They emphasized the importance of value addition in the exploitation of critical minerals, investment in capacity building from national to community levels, the sharing of regional best practices and the critical role of regional communities in promoting the renewable energy agenda.

The AEGM precedes the 30^th ICSOE which will take place from 20^th to 21^st November 2024 at the same venue. The observations and recommendations of the AEGMs will be considered and adopted by the 30^th ICSOE.

Issued by:
The Sub-Regional Office for Southern Africa
UN Economic Commission for Africa (ECA)
P.O. Box 30647, Lusaka, Zambia.

Media Contacts:
Ms. Lavender Degre,
Communication Officer,
Tel: +260 211 228502/5 Ext. 21307
DL: +260 211 376607
Email: [email protected]