APA-Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) Closing the infrastructure funding gap and scaling up renewable energy investments are critical to help African countries meet climate goals, African Union (AU) Commissioner has said.
Speaking at a press conference late on Friday Amani Abou-Zeid, African Union (AU) Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy on said Africa faces significant infrastructure deficits that hinder economic growth and development in the continent.
“Meeting the continent’s infrastructure needs requires scaling up investment in sectors such as transport, energy, and digital technologies,” the commissioner said adding these sectors are also crucial for Africa’s transition to clean energy and sustainable development.
She said the African Union wants to ensure the specific needs and circumstances of African nations are represented in global climate discussions and agreements.
According to the commissioner, energy access in Africa remains low, with over 600 million people lacking access to electricity.
“Africa’s growing energy demand while transitioning to renewable sources is critical for powering economic growth, creating jobs, and improving livelihoods,” Abou-Zeid said.
Internet penetration in Africa is the lowest in the world, standing at under 50 present, a press release from her office has indicated, highlighting that Africa has faced infrastructure deficits in areas like broadband networks and undersea cables that constrain digital development.
She said at COP28, African leaders will highlight the need for increased investment and technology transfer to accelerate the renewable energy transition in Africa.
“African leaders will call for partnerships at COP28 to build digital infrastructure and expand connectivity across the continent. This will enable Africa to harness digital technologies for climate action and sustainable development,”
She said at COP28, which will be held at United Arab Emirates (UAE) next week, Africa will seek partnerships and investment from the international community to scale up programs that can close Africa’s infrastructure gaps, expand access to clean energy, and boost digital connectivity.
“These efforts aim to position Africa for green growth while enabling the continent to adapt to the impacts of climate change,” Abou-Zeid added.
MG/as/APA