Apandemic keeps spreading, a new guide shows how investing in clean energy can support countries tp recover better and reset Afrca Economies. The Recover Better with Sustainable Energy Guide for African Countries released by Sustainable Energy For All (SEforAll) shines a light on dividends countries can rea if they commit to an ambitious recover better strategy.
The benefits include long-term economic growth, new jobs and sustainable energy. This is pivotal for Africa after the Covid-19 pandemic has exposed a deep regional divide on energy access.
The continent is a promising economic power house, but progress is stifled without acess to suffient, reliable and affordable energy.
The census shows only 12 percent of malawians use grid power, with 6 percent switching to solar energy. The latest data on sustainable Development Goal (SDG) seven-access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and morden energy for all by 2030-shows Africa is still off track to meet the global targets. The speed dial shows that 565 million people still lack access to electricity, and a further 900 million lack clean cooking solutions. The pandemic risks setting progress even further behind, warns SEfor All.
By actingon the enabling measures in the new guiding book, African countries will benefit from increased GDP, affordable energy provission as well as improved agriculture, gender and health outcomes.
This reset can also spark progress at the speed and scale needed to end poverty by 2030 and reduce carbon emmisions fuelling climate chamnge and air pollution.
“Covid-19 has changed the world as we know it. As countries rebuild economies from the impact of pandemic, they are faced with unique, once in a generation opportunity to recover better with sustainable energy,” says SEforAll chief executive officer Damilola Ogunbiyi.
She is also teh special representative of the UN chief Antonio Guterres on the sustainable energy for all and co-chairs UN Energy.
She states: ” There has never been a better time to invest in clean, effecient renewable energy”. Countries that recover better with sustainable will see the pay off in the form of resilient economics, new jobs, and faster energy development. By making this investment, African countries can develop a competitive advantage.”
Speaking during the launch of the guide, Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo says the pandemic presents a unique opportunity to accelerate transition to that clean, affordable, reliable and renewable energy source offered by the sun.
Nigeria has removed fossil fuels subsidies and include five million solar connections inits post-covid sustainability plan to create a new jobs and a healthier environment.
“We commend SEfor All for producing this practical recover-better guide that will african government close the energy access gap and deliver economic growth for the benefits of all people,” he says.
The global economy increasingly being powered by clean and efficient energy. “According rsearch dollar for dollar investments in clean energy create the three times the number of jobs compared to fosil fules. Every 1 000 customers connected to solar systems or solar min-grids supports about 25 jobs”.
UN deputy Secretary general Amina Muhamad says acess to sustainable energy is a key to ending poverty and climate change.
“As we work to recover better from the impact of covid-19 African countries have the opportunity to driver faster progress on the desired energy transitional with efficient renewable energy that protects the most vulnerable delivered sustainable gowth that supports climate action”. she states.
Source: The Nation_Tuesday, July 7, 2020_James Chavula-Staff Writer