The Energy Challenge in Africa
The energy sector in most parts of Africa is characterized by a lack of access (especially in rural areas), low purchasing power, low energy efficiency and over-dependence on the traditional biomass for meeting basic energy needs. Since access to affordable energy is the central determinant of economic growth and poverty reduction efforts, Africa continues to face critical challenges related to its energy sector.
Access to electricity remains extremely limited, with rural areas in some Sub-Saharan countries having electrification rates of less than 1 per cent; traditional biofuels energy in those areas represents as much as 70 per cent of the primary energy supply, while energy intensity per capita is extremely low, at almost less than half of the world’s average; all this despite the fact that the continent is endowed with vast energy resources that go unexploited. Further, Africa’s higher energy intensity, coupled with the low levels of industrialization, also points to an inefficient energy use. An important element of energy security in Africa is, therefore, tapping the potential of cost-effective energy efficiency improvements in its industrial sector.
Keeping in view the key developmental issues relevant in the context of industrial growth and energy security in Africa, UNIDO along with its partner agencies and cooperating institutions has been implementing a large and diverse portfolio of energy projects and programmes in Africa in line with its core mandate to promote sustainable industrial development in developing countries, and within the broader priorities of MDGs and climate change. These projects mainly focus on enhancing access, promoting renewable energy for productive uses, improving industrial competitiveness through energy efficiency, and strengthening policy and regulatory framework. Some of the important ongoing/completed UNIDO energy projects and programmes in Africa include, among others, the following: (a) setting up of a small hydropower demonstration plant to promote rural development in Rwanda; (b) renewable energy based mini-grids to augment rural electrification in Zambia; (c) cleaner and integral utilization of sisal waste for biogas and bio-fertilizers in Tanzania; and (d) training manual on sustainable energy regulation and policy-making for Africa.
Given the vast potential of biofuels to meet twin objectives of energy security and employment generation in Africa, UNIDO together with Africa Union and Brazil organized First High-Level Biofuels Seminar in Africa on 30 October to 1 November 2007 under the theme, ‘Sustainable Biofuels Development in Africa: Opportunities and Challenges’. The seminar resulted in development of an action plan for promoting biofuels industries and markets in Africa. Further, UNIDO is developing a large umbrella rural energy programme “Lighting Up Rural Africa” to set-up more than 100 small hydropower systems to augment productive uses
in next 3 years.
In addition, UNIDO is also preparing new projects and programmes to seek GEF funding as well as mobilize resources from multi/bilateral partners for promoting modern and reliable energy services based on renewable sources of energy in rural areas, and enhancing competitiveness of industrial sector through energy efficient technologies and measures in Africa. As a part of its global forum activities, UNIDO proposes to organize early in 2008 an international conference on renewable energy in Africa jointly with the Africa Union, the Government of Senegal and the German Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development.
