Azerbaijan: To achieve the expected goals in the use of clean cooking energy, the Vice President, Dr. Philip Mpango has said that it is important that the innovation and creativity of young people be considered.
The statement of Dr. Mpango is to emphasize the use of innovative methods to bring Africa and the world to the goal of using clean energy for cooking.
The argument for creative use, according to Dr. Mpango, The program aims to simplify the cost of energy for the citizens so that they all have the ability to buy and use clean energy, including those in rural areas.
Dr. Mpango made the statement yesterday, when he spoke on behalf of the President Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan in a side meeting aimed at bringing together leaders, policy makers and various stakeholders to discuss the challenges that exist in Africa in achieving the use of clean energy for cooking at the Climate Change Conference COP29 that is ongoing in Baku, in Azerbaijan.
“Due to the large number of young people in Africa, we must use their creativity in developing a solution for the use of clean energy for cooking”, said Dr. Mpango.
The meeting, organized by Tanzania and the African Union Commission (AUC), was attended by prominent leaders who emphasized the importance of strong leadership and collaboration of various sectors to achieve the goal of using clean energy for all Africans.
Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy of the African Union, Dr. Amani Abou-Zeid called for the transfer of the production chain of clean cooking energy technologies to stimulate the local economy, empower citizens and increase access to energy.
“We want all stakeholders to cooperate in building an energy chain based on local resources to ensure the transition to clean energy for cooking is fair and supports social and economic growth”, said Dr. Abou-Zeid.
Director General of the Sustainable Energy Institute for all, Mr. Damilola Ogunbiyi said the implementation of electricity projects must go hand in hand with the implementation of clean cooking energy projects.
“Let’s take the experience of Tanzania’s leadership in implementing the agenda of clean energy for cooking through projects to install such systems in institutions including schools with a program to feed students”, he said.
The Vice President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Mr. Kevin Kariuki said Africa cannot have a complete energy transition without addressing the gap in the use of clean energy for cooking.
“Almost one billion Africans still rely on unsafe and polluting oils in cooking”, he said
Mr. Kairuki has promised that the bank will give it financing of 2 billion dollars over a period of 10 years, a statement that was also made at COP28.
Executive Director of the International Energy Agency (IEA), Dr. Fatih Birol said it is important to ensure that all Africans have access to clean energy technologies for cooking, stressing that it is possible within a decade.
Also the launch of a report on the challenges of clean cooking energy, issued by the African Union Energy Commission (AFREC). A report that sheds light on the technologies, financial systems and policies needed to support Africa’s transition towards energy use for cooking.
