NewsDay (Zimbabwe)

German capital, technology to increase Africa’s energy

- CrudeMix Africa

THIS week, the Germany-Africa Business Forum (GABF) is organising an exclusive webinar to encourage new deals between German and African public and private energy stakeholde­rs. This is an extremely timely initiative.

COVID-19 has accelerate­d several major trends and dynamics within Africa’s energy sector which are set to significan­tly increase the demand for German capital and technology on the continent.

Energy has been identified by most African government­s and financial institutio­ns as a key sector able to support Africa’s economic recovery post-COVID-19.

In parallel, global trends toward a cleaner energy transition are now accelerati­ng and Africa is no stranger to the game.

The reshaping of the continent from 2021 onwards provides a great opportunit­y for German companies and technology to fight energy poverty in Africa and support the natural gas monetisati­on and valorisati­on drive from Mozambique to Senegal, Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea and Tanzania.

First-world countries should work with African businesses to lower carbon emissions and support Africa’s path to a net zero future.

From gas flaring to gas-to-power and cleantech, Germany has the capital and technology Africa needs to build an inclusive and sustainabl­e energy future.

By engaging not only with African government­s but with the continent’s entreprene­urs and private companies, stakeholde­rs can structure the deals that will ensure a successful future for energy co-operation.

German technical know-how and technology is increasing­ly looked after when it comes to assessing climate change risks and opportunit­ies in business planning, and supporting public policies embracing decarbonis­ation.

Its appetite for Africa has already translated into landmark projects and deals across the continent.

There is need to foster a candid and constructi­ve dialogue with a broad range of German and African stakeholde­rs on investment, energy poverty, the creation of an enabling environmen­t for private businesses and the implementa­tion of free market policies that benefit the poor and emerging African middle class.

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