PAP, Algeria hold discussion on addressing the continent’s energy challenges

The President of the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) H. E. Hon. Chief Fortune Charumbira and his high-powered delegation paid a courtesy call on Hon. Mohamed Arkab, Algeria Minister of Energy and Mines where they held discussions on Africa’s energy challenges. The meeting sought to size up and comprehend the country’s energy potential and how this can be tapped into to cater for Africa’s energy needs as the PAP resolves to promote African solutions to African problems.

According to the International Energy Agency (IEA) at present, 600 million people, or 43% of the total population, lack access to electricity, most of them in sub-Saharan Africa. The Agency further notes that for all of these difficulties, the global clean energy transition holds new promise for Africa’s economic and social development.

Minister Arkab informed the PAP delegation that the energy sector represents a major industrial activity and economic contributor in Algeria. He disclosed that the country is the leading primary energy producer in Africa, with an annual generation of roughly six quadrillion British thermal units. The large energy production is due to the abundance of natural resources such as oil and natural gas, which are the main energy sources used in the country.

Algeria also has ambitious renewable energy and energy efficiency programs that promise to expand its energy resources and support sustainable development. The Government of Algeria has committed to securing foreign investments and advanced energy technology partners to become a global competitor in the renewable energy marketplace. It has sought to expand the production of renewable resources, such as solar, wind, biomass, geothermal and hydropower, as part of the implementation of its energy transition roadmap based on Renewable Energy Development and Energy Efficiency Promotion.

In his speech, H. E. Chief Charumbira called on Algeria to take the lead and ensure that Africa is powered up and maintained that technology, knowledge and capacity will be a game changer for the continent. He also called for more partnerships between Algeria and African Union (AU) member states.

"Electricity is the backbone of Africa’s new energy systems. Our role as Parliamentarians is to convey the concerns of our people, and we hear from our constituents that energy is one of the biggest challenges. Algeria has a history of coming to the rescue of the continent and we call upon this great country to lead us on the energy front." said H.E. Chief Fortune Charumbira.

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