The gathering, attended by African ministers and public/private decision-makers, focused on finding common action ground for Africa's sustainable development and energy transition
RES4Africa Foundation was one of the organizers of the event Encounters with Africa, hosted by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation in the framework of the Italian presidency at the G20. On the occasion, RES4Africa presented its main programmes and workstreams to ministries and dignitaries of African countries, as well as to high-level representatives of international institutions and of the private sector.
RES4Africa Foundation can boast an unmatched experience in renewable energy, climate change and bridge-building between Africa and Europe; moreover, its mission and vision are strongly aligned to the challenges the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs wanted to tackle by organizing the event. That is why RES4Africa has been appointed as one of the organizers of the gathering, overseeing the coordination of the panel Renewable Revolution in collaboration with Enel Group.
The event aimed at providing a space for dialogue between Ministers of Foreign Affairs, representatives from international organizations and civil society, in order to identify joint strategies to deal with the energy transition, climate and sustainability in Africa. Introductory and final remarks were provided by the President of the Italian Republic, Sergio Mattarella, as well as by the Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Luigi Di Maio. RES4Africa's session also benefitted from the participation of manifold high-level representatives from international institutions and the private sector, such as Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed (Minister of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation and Mauritanians Abroad, Islamic Republic of Mauritania), Antonio Cammisecra (Head of Global Infrastructure and Networks, Enel Group), Michael Davis (CFO, Nedbank), Fredrik Makamure Shava (Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Republic of Zimbabwe), Ramtane Lamamra (Minister of Foreign Affairs and National Community Abroad, Democratic Republic of Algeria), Amel Chadli (Vice President Strategy & Digital Energy for Middle East & Africa, Schneider Electric), Seleshi Bekele (Minister of Water, Irrigation and Energy, Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia), Djimé Adoum (High Representative of the Coalition for the Sahel), and Abderrhim Kadmiri, Executive Secretary, CEN-SAD.
During the panel Renewable Revolution, RES4Africa Secretary General, Roberto Vigotti, presented the most relevant programmes of the Foundation with a specific focus on renewAfrica. Mr. Vigotti raised awareness on key steps to be carried out in order to accelerate the energy transition in the continent: increasing the warranties for private investments in Africa's REs sector, but also encouraging transnational, multi-stakeholder initiatives with a focus on business development. Additionally Salvatore Bernabei, President of RES4Africa and CEO of Enel Green Power, mentioned some of RES4Africa flagship programmes (renewAfrica and the Missing Link) as virtuous actions to tackle the aforementioned criticalities.
"Events as the one of today are of uttermost importance", commented RES4Africa Secretary General Roberto Vigotti. "Creating awareness and reactivity in the public and private decision-making world is crucial, in order to make sure that disruptive initiatives, with a focus on sustainability and renewable energy, are fully welcomed and translated into action by relevant actors".
RES4Africa Foundation (Renewable Energy Solutions for Africa) is a Foundation that operates in support of Africa's just energy transition. Its mission is to work towards creating favourable conditions for scaling up investments in clean energy technologies in the continent. Functioning as a bridge between Europe and Africa, RES4Africa envisions the sustainable transformation of the continent's electricity systems to provide reliable and affordable electricity access, enabling job creation and socio-economic progress of all African businesses and societies.
Contact
RES4Africa Foundation
Via Ticino, 14
00198 Rome, Italy
+39 068552236
antonella.siliotto@res4africa.org
stefano.giacci@res4africa.org
