Renewable Energy players have gathered in Nairobi to showcase solutions that have the potential to address the pressing energy challenges in Africa.
The Expo scheduled for October 4 to 6 is taking place at the Sarit Expo Center.
Speakers are highlighting the need to build alternative sources of sustainable, renewable energy weeks after Kenya hosted Africa Climate Summit week which was graced by Heads of State.
In a statement by Energy Catalyst, they said Africa is currently experiencing a significant surge in energy demand.
“This growing need reinforces the need to foster inclusive and clean energy solutions to ensure demands are met in a sustainable way," the statement read in part.
"Despite global efforts to promote renewable energy, Africa is grappling with critical energy access gaps which pose a considerable challenge to achieving universal clean energy and effectively supporting economic development.”
Energy Catalyst supports companies in clean energy transition across Africa and Asia.
Through collaboration, the Energy Catalyst programme aims to contribute to the advancement of clean energy access in Africa.
The programme is also aimed at supporting progress toward achieving the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal (SDG 7) on clean, sustainable and affordable energy.
“The collaborative efforts aim at accelerating an inclusive clean energy transition and clean energy innovations. Representatives from a range of clean energy companies are in Nairobi this week to attend the Renewable Energy Forum Africa (REFA),” they said.
The energy think tank said clean energy can power up entrepreneurship and inclusive development across Africa, creating opportunities even in the most marginalised communities.
They further noted that examples of proven innovation already exist from solar-powered hubs for businesses in refugee camps to practical training programmes helping women launch clean energy businesses and careers.
“An estimated 570 million people on the continent have no access to electricity, undermining social and economic development. In sub-Saharan Africa, the number of people without access to electricity increased in 2020 for the first time since 2013," Energy Catalyst said.
A" shortage of practical and effective training in the clean energy sector is a key contributor to this gap.”
They said key stakeholders could unlock major development benefits by addressing the skills challenge.
The stakeholders, they said could also step up support for clean energy solutions that are centered on effective public-private collaboration and marry access to technology with links to markets and finance.
COP28 set for November in Dubai, they said is a golden opportunity to ratchet up investment and action in energy transition.
“Universal access to clean and affordable energy is fundamental to climate justice and essential for allowing all countries to reach a zero-carbon future,” they said.