Sahel : Energy ministers of sahel states unite for energy autonomy
A decisive step towards energy autonomy was taken during the meeting held yesterday in Niamey, where energy ministers from Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, Chad, and Togo converged towards a historic agreement.
This meeting established a common strategy aimed at strengthening collaboration between these nations in the field of energy, thus marking a significant step towards a sustainable energy future for the region.
The primary objective of this meeting was to consolidate the foundations of existing energy cooperation between the member countries of the Sahel States Alliance, as well as their Chadian and Togolese neighbors.
Special emphasis was placed on the Desert to Power project, an ambitious initiative supported by the African Development Bank (AfDB), aiming to install solar facilities with a production capacity of 10 gigawatts to power the Sahel region and provide electricity to approximately 250 million people.
Chadian Minister of Energy, Niambeye N. Alire, emphasized the importance of this initiative by stating that participating countries are committed to optimizing and accelerating the implementation of the project for the collective benefit of their respective populations. This commitment to enhanced cooperation was reaffirmed during discussions with Niger’s President, General Abdourahamane Tiani.
This meeting is of paramount importance in the regional integration process, as highlighted by Niger’s Prime Minister, Lamine Zeine, in his opening speech. He described this event as « exceptional » and emphasized its place in the history of regional integration desired by the peoples of the sub-region.
Indeed, energy is a crucial pillar of Africa’s economic and social development. Addressing energy challenges will not only stimulate economic growth but also improve the quality of life of citizens by ensuring reliable and affordable access to electricity.
Therefore, this meeting marks the beginning of a new era of energy cooperation in the Sahel, where nations unite to overcome obstacles and create a more promising energy future for their citizens.
