More than 500 energy experts and government representatives from Africa ended their week-long meeting in Nairobi by resolving to accelerate geothermal development in the continent.
"The geothermal resources must be anchored in knowledge-based exploration that informs decision makers to develop appropriate policy and regulatory framework," the experts said in a statement issued on Monday.
The experts who attended the virtual Eighth African Rift Geothermal Conference (ARGeo-C8) which ended in Nairobi on Sunday, said they will collaborate through the newly established Africa Geothermal Centre of excellence to advance development in the geothermal sector.
The experts who also included ministers of energy agreed to foster cooperation especially on developing capacity for geothermal practitioners to attain successful exploration and development.
Juliette Biao Koudenoukpo, director and regional representative for the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)'s Africa Office, pointed out that the outcomes would contribute to the achievement of Goal 7 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), on affordable and clean energy.
"Renewable energy can and will change the African energy challenges and narrative," Koudenoukpo said during the closure of the conference.
She observed that energy-use statistics in Africa reveal a worrying scenario since more than 70 percent of Africa is dependent on traditional biomass fuels.
Participants recognized direct use of geothermal resources as a potential game-changer for the economies and livelihoods of rural communities across the continent through meaningful participation of communities in the development and implementation of geothermal projects.
They agreed to work through the newly-launched Africa Women Advancing Geothermal (AWAG) as well as the African Geothermal Association (AGA) to enhance cooperation and information exchange on the continent.
According to UNEP, Africa has 13 percent of the global population, yet its share in global electricity consumption is less than 3 percent, and only 25 percent of people have access to electricity.
The conference, held under the theme "Energy and sustainability, seizing the moment to invest in geothermal resources for sustainable development" was hosted by Kenya in partnership with the UNEP.
Editor: Galia
