AUC, EU hosting workshop for Africa's energy sector stakeholders

The African Union Commission (AUC) and European Union (EU) partnered Wednesday to host a two-day workshop, where representatives from businesses and organizations with an interest in the energy sector began developing a cooperative framework for energy.

The workshop is part of the AUC's Sustainable Energy for All (SE4ALL), Eastern and Southern Africa initiative. Topics covered included best practices and the importance of a unified approach to energy legislation, with the goal being the development of a continental plan of action to put in place needed reforms that will lead to a set of regulations for Africa's energy sector.

Attendees included representatives from AUC, NEPAD/NPCA, APUA, AFREC, AFUR and UNECA as well as Regional Economic Communities (REC) representatives from COMESA, EAC, ECCAS, ECOWAS and SADC and regional organisation ERERA and EU representatives, who all had the opportunity to speak with technical experts.

“Policy and regulatory reforms are a prerequisite to facilitate investment from both public and private sources," Anna Burylo, head of cooperation of the EU Delegation to the African Union, said. "Policy and regulatory frameworks should ensure stability, transparency and a degree of predictability, while balancing macro-economic and consumer interests.”

Aboubakari Baba Moussa, director of the Department for Infrastructure and Energy of the AUC, agreed.

"Harmonized continental regulatory framework for the energy sector in Africa is one of the fundamental requirements for creating conducive environment for private sector investment in the energy projects and creation of vibrant energy market," Moussa said.

The workshop was organized in keeping with AU's Agenda 2063.