By Francis Akinnodi
|
African countries can benefit from local renewable energy manufacturing in terms of economic development, climate change mitigation, and energy security.
The CEO and special representative of the UN secretary-general for sustainable energy for all and co-chair of UN-energy. Damilola Ogunbiyi said this on a national television programme monitored by The Hope.
However, Ogunbiyi said they need support to grow these industries and make them competitive, which calls for international collaboration with global leaders in renewables development.
Ogunbiyi said the SNEC 16th International Photovoltaic Power Generation and Smart Energy Conference, where the Africa Renewable Energy Manufacturing Initiative (AREMI) brought together businesses from Africa and China as part of its mission to deliver a green industrial revolution in Africa.
The conference united leadership from nine African and 14 Chinese energy businesses, as well as financiers and energy sector experts, to identify opportunities and strategies for increasing Africa’s renewable energy manufacturing and export capabilities.
According to a statement by SeforAll, there was a specific focus on the potential for investment, and knowledge and technology transfer between Africa and China.
“Strengthening international cooperation on renewable power is key to advancing the global clean energy transition, addressing the climate crisis, supporting economic development, and benefiting people in their daily lives,” said Xiaohua Zhang, China’s country director, Climate Works Foundation.
“As a global leader in renewables, China can play a pivotal role in promoting clean power worldwide. “The Climate Works Foundation is proud to support this South-South cooperation, and we hope to foster greater dialogue and partnerships among institutions and experts to help scale global green recovery and sustainable development.”
