AUDA-NEPAD organised a series of side events during the Conference of Parties 28 in Dubai, with a focus on the impact of climate change on Africa’s energy potential.  We had the opportunity to interview AUDA-NEPAD Directors who shared the following insights:

1. Can you elaborate on the Africa Water Investment Action Plan launched during COP28’s sidelines? How does this plan facilitate financial mobilisation for implementing the Africa Water Investment Programme, and what does this program entail?

To give some context to the discussion, I begin by sharing a brief background leading up to the launch of the Africa Water Investment Action Plan at COP 28. As you are aware, the Investment Action Plan is a project among others under the umbrella of the Continental Africa Water Investment Programme (AIP), a programme adopted by  The Assembly of the African Union Heads of State and Government as part of the Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA).

At present, only US$10-US$19 billion is invested each year in the sector against an annual requirement of US$64 bn. And so, the AIP seeks to accelerate water investments on the continent to meet SDG 6 water-related targets by mobilizing US$30 billion annually, thus narrowing the water infrastructure investment gap.

At the sidelines of the COP28, the African Union Commission, the High-Level Panel on Water Investments in Africa and partners, including AUDA-NEPAD, represented by our CEO Ms. Nardos Bekele Thomas, launched the Investment Action Plan outlining clear actions to facilitate the mobilization of financial resources from various sources such as national banks, governments, MDBs, DFIs, institutional investors, climate funds, the private sector, including savings arising from sector efficiencies. The plan through a call for proposals for national projects also identifies 53 national projects complimenting the PIDA transboundary water portfolio. The success of the Investment Action Plan hinges on countries embracing and incorporating its actions into their national strategies and all actors coming together to effectively mobilize the much-needed resources and bring about the desired change.

2. You hosted an event on the Continental Power System Masterplan aimed at low-carbon development for AfSEM. In simpler terms, explain how climate change affects energy generation and its projections for illuminating Africa.

The Continental Power Systems Masterplan (CMP) is a plan to connect and integrate the electricity grids of different African regions and countries, in order to create a single African electricity market (AfSEM). The CMP aims to accelerate the deployment of renewable energy sources, such as solar, wind, hydro and geothermal, which are cleaner than fossil fuels, such as coal, oil and gas. By doing so, the CMP hopes to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and increase energy access, security and affordability for all Africans. The CMP proposes diversifying the energy mix, increasing the share of renewables, improving the power systems’ efficiency and resilience, and enhancing regional cooperation and integration.

The Continental Power Systems Master Plan (CMP) projects an increase in electricity generation from about 263 GW to 1,200 GW by 2040, informed by Africa’s ambitions to fastrack universal access and accelerated industrial development. Of importance is the projected prominence of renewable energy technologies in Africa’s future generation capacity mix. Renewable energy is projected to constitute about 760 GW of the 1,200 GW continental generation capacity, highlighting Africa’s political will for a sustainable energy future.

3. With the emphasis on investing in renewable energy technologies, what implications does this hold for Africa, particularly in mitigating the effects of climate change on the continent?

Africa is one of the most vulnerable regions to the impacts of climate change and the least climate-resilient despite accounting for about 3% of the global GHG emissions. It is, therefore, in the best interest of Africa to join the global efforts to transition towards net-zero emissions to mitigate future impacts of climate change on the continent and reduce the costs of adaptation.

Investing in renewable energy technologies has many positive implications for Africa, especially in terms of mitigating the effects of climate change on the continent.

Renewable energy can improve energy access and security for millions of Africans who lack reliable and affordable electricity and often rely on polluting and expensive fossil fuels for their energy needs.

Renewable energy can create jobs and economic opportunities for local communities, especially in rural areas, where most of the renewable resources are located. Renewable energy can also support productive uses of energy, such as agriculture, industry, and services.

Renewable energy can enhance regional cooperation and integration, by facilitating cross-border trade of electricity and sharing of best practices and technologies. Renewable energy can also foster peace and stability by reducing conflicts over scarce and depleting fossil fuel resources.

Therefore, investing in renewable energy technologies is not only a smart choice for the environment, but also for the development and prosperity of Africa and its people.

4. How do you suggest Africa incorporates future climate changes into its infrastructure planning?

We should no longer wait to incorporate climate resilient infrastructure design considerations in our infrastructure planning and development across the continent. I make reference to the recent extreme climate and weather-related events that we experienced such as cyclones Kenneth and Idai that caused severe damage to critical transport infrastructure in Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Malawi and South Africa. The starting point is to have forecasts of climate events that are as close as possible to the events that we might experience in future. This can be achieved by having robust and comprehensive climate risk assessments. The design considerations should extend beyond the utility requirements. Transport infrastructure for example, should play a role in minimizing the impacts on the surrounding communities such as retarding flash floods, facilitating water harvesting or replenishment of dams. Besides having infrastructure that is able to withstand climate impacts, we should also contribute to the global goals to minimize emissions of greenhouse gases and the ultimate rise in global temperatures. Our infrastructure development should have minimum impacts on the natural environment with less alteration on forests, wetlands and so on that serve as carbon sinks and produce less emissions by adopting renewable energy technologies to meet the continents energy requirements.   

5. Regarding AUDA-NEPAD’s partnership prospects for accelerated infrastructure development amid climate change concerns, what approach is being taken in current and future partnership opportunities?

AUDA-NEPAD recognises that Africa must achieve its accelerated infrastructure development objectives while being mindful of climate change concerns. Through the CMP, AUDA-NEPAD has highlighted that a continentally integrated electricity infrastructure is a key enabler to large-scale penetration of renewable energy technologies. In this regard, AUDA-NEPAD has partnered with various development partners in Africa’s electricity sector to identify and prioritise infrastructure that promotes regional integration and access to renewable energy technologies. Through its involvement in developing Africa’s large infrastructure projects, AUDA-NEPAD will ensure that the design of projects incorporates standards for climate resilience. AUDA-NEPAD  aims to enhance the environmental and social responsibility of infrastructure projects and ensure their alignment with the AU Agenda 2063 and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

More broadly, amid climate change impacts, climate related incremental costs are adding to our funding requirements for infrastructure development. AUDA-NEPAD is expanding its scope of partnerships to diversify funding sources to meet the growing funding gap and leverage on the capacities of of our partners.