Commissioner Amani Abou-Zeid, African Union Commissioner for Infrastructure, Energy and Digitalisation, played a pivotal role at the Global Solutions Summit held in Berlin on May 6-7, 2024. The summit, a gathering of global thought leaders, policymakers, and experts, aimed to address pressing global challenges and foster collaboration towards sustainable solutions. The summit also saw the participation of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

Commissioner Abou-Zeid delivered opening remarks to the session titled "Decarbonising Industry to Accelerate Energy Transition" at the summit. She shared insights on the economic opportunities presented by the green economy, noting that it is projected to reach $10 trillion by 2050. She emphasized that “this growth presents significant opportunities for African countries to export green products and services, while also serving as a catalyst for socio-economic development and local value creation across the continent." Additionally, Commissioner Abou-Zeid stressed the need for gender-inclusive policies that empower women to take on leadership roles and access significant opportunities within the green economy highlighting the “importance of their participation in decision-making positions and access to major opportunities, rather than solely relying on microfinance initiatives”.

Commissioner Abou-Zeid also emphasized that Africa's development agenda is intertwined with its climate agenda, highlighting the transformative potential of viewing climate crises as opportunities for investment in sustainable solutions. She noted that “while climate crises present significant challenges, they also serve as catalysts for innovation, investment, and collaboration and require unprecedented levels of investment in clean energy, green infrastructure, and sustainable technologies”.

Commissioner Abou-Zeid reiterated Africa’s pivotal role in shaping the future of energy. “With its vast renewable energy potential, abundant natural resources, rapidly growing and young population, Africa stands at the forefront of the transition towards a sustainable and inclusive energy system”, she said.

Commissioner Abou-Zeid called for a shift in the negative narrative surrounding Africa, deplored the unfair labelling of Africa as unprofitable and risky -despite being the second least risky region in the world- and debunked the myth of no bankable projects in Africa. Commissioner Abou-Zeid insisted on the need to modify the global financial architecture, which burdens Africa with high cost of borrowing due to unfair credit ratings. She praised partnerships with Europe, highlighting the interdependency required to achieve the energy transition and noted that “no one is safe until everyone is safe”.

Finally, Commissioner Abou-Zeid said that “Africa is committed to increase its share of renewables while admitting that fossil fuels, mainly gas, will still play an important role as a transition fuel, particularly for clean cooking”, referring to Africa's Common Position on Energy. Commissioner Abou-Zeid also underscored the importance of energy efficiency as the other side of the equation in conjunction with renewable energy. She highlighted the need to optimize energy usage and reduce waste through efficiency measures, such as upgrading infrastructure, implementing smart technologies, and promoting energy-saving practices saying that “while renewable energy sources are crucial for transitioning to a sustainable energy future, maximizing energy efficiency is equally essential to ensure the effectiveness and longevity of these efforts”. Commissioner Abou-Zeid called for concerted efforts to adapt existing infrastructure to renewables and integrate energy efficiency measures into planning and policymaking processes at all levels.

Commissioner Amani Abou-Zeid gave remarks at the Africa Roundtable on Agriculture, highlighting the importance of using digital tools to maximize agricultural output as digitalisation can enhance productivity, improve resource management, and empower farmers with access to market information and financial services. “By harnessing the power of digital tools, Africa can unlock the full potential of its agricultural sector and pave the way for sustainable and inclusive growth,” she said.

Furthermore, Commissioner Abou-Zeid underscored the interconnection between agriculture and energy, underlining that lack of access to reliable and affordable energy can significantly impact agricultural productivity and rural livelihoods. She added: “ensuring universal access to energy is essential for transforming Africa’s agricultural sector, increasing productivity, and improving food security”. Additionally, Commissioner Abou-Zeid acknowledged the potential benefits of microgrids but cautioned that “while they offer advantages, truly transforming agriculture in Africa necessitates a concerted focus on providing energy access in rural areas”. She stressed the importance of comprehensive strategies addressing the energy needs of rural communities. This includes investments in grid extension, off-grid solutions, and renewable energy technologies tailored to agricultural activities.

Commissioner Abou-Zeid underscored the significance of traditional crops while also accentuating Africa's potential for specialty products. While traditional crops remain fundamental for food security and livelihoods, Africa has also emerged as a centre for specialty agricultural goods. Commissioner Abou-Zeid highlighted Egypt's significant contribution to the global jasmine market, with 50% of jasmine produced worldwide originating from the country. She also pointed out Ethiopia's promising trajectory to become the primary producer of flowers and mentioned Egypt and Morocco's global leadership in orange production. Commissioner Abou-Zeid evoked the necessity of leveraging Africa's diverse agricultural landscape to cultivate high-value crops and capitalize on global market opportunities, thereby fostering economic growth and enhancing livelihoods across the continent.

For further information please contact:

Bezayit Eyoel| Department of Infrastructure and Energy| African Union Commission| E-mail: BezayitE@africa-union.org|

Gamal Eldin Ahmed A. Karrar I Senior Communication Officer | Directorate of Information and Communication, African Union Commission I Email: gamalk@africa-union.org

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