An “unbearable paradox”. This is how Elisabeth Moreno, former minister and president of the investment fund Ring Capital, summarized the development of renewable energies in Africa during the first edition of the POwR Earth Summit. And for good reason, on this continent which benefits from an extraordinary potential for photovoltaic and hydraulic energy production, most children still use candles to do their homework. Worse, the lack of access to electricity hampers economic development, which pushes families every day to risk their lives to cross the Mediterranean. “ If the north and south of the continent benefit from good energy coverage thanks to the colonialist legacy, Central Africa has a coverage rate of 26%, also recalled Augustin Tamba, mayor of Yaoudé and president of the Association of Mayors of Cameroon (CVUC). This is lamentable when you know that we have the largest river network in the world. Despite local policies that stabilize populations, we will not be able to move forward until we have access to energy. »
The need to attract foreign investment
While scientists estimate that 9 of the 10 countries most threatened by global warming are in Africa, the climate emergency therefore requires accelerating the deployment of renewable energies to improve the quality of life of Africans and give them access to energy solutions. ‘adaptation. In addition to the human tragedies inherent to migration crises, this support for African economic development is also essential as a solution to contain the rise of populism in Europe. “ If the north does not work with the south, the problems of the south will tomorrow be the problems of the northexplained Elisabeth Moreno. However, the energy transition requires colossal investments. It is therefore not a question of giving lessons but of supporting Africa, which by 2050 will have the youngest active population in the world. But the projects exist and if the money gets into the hands of responsible people, many solutions will be put in place quickly. “. To do this, the former government minister Castex is also at the initiative of Ring Africa, the new investment fund of Ring Capital dedicated to African projects with social and environmental impact, with the hope of triggering the transformation of a continent in the making.
Reconnect with trust
But if Africa’s photovoltaic and hydraulic potential guarantees the profitability of projects and the economic, political and societal issues are no secret, it remains to streamline relations between the different stakeholders. “ Let’s stop talking about our differences and our oppositions, suggests Stéphane Tiki, specialist in international relations and trans-continental trade. Africa must realize the value of its potential and create bridges with Europe in a win-win spirit. We need to reconnect with an economy that brings people together and relearn how to do business together. But we must also learn to trust each other among Africans, the skills are often next to us. “. To this end, the participants in the POwR Earth Summit round table also underlined the importance of training, in order to enable the millions of young people who will be on the job market tomorrow to carry out the energy transformation, but also to million women to professionalize their businesses. “ Our challenge is to work together to make tomorrow betterconcluded Stéphane Tiki, without forgetting that if Africa is better tomorrow, Europe will be better the day after tomorrow. »
