The transformation towards cleaner, more resilient, and inclusive energy markets in Africa requires strategic alignment between stakeholders and constructive dialogue between governments, industry players, and technology providers. Recognizing this imperative, the Energy Efficiency for Sustainable Livelihoods in Africa (EELA) Program has organized a week-long expert and partner meeting in Stockholm, Sweden, from March 10 to 14, bringing together key stakeholders with a share vision for sustainable energy development in Africa through energy efficiency interventions. The EELA Expert and Partner Meeting was organized in a collaborative effort between UNIDO, The Swedish Energy Agency (SEA), Business Sweden (BuS) and GloFin Advisory AB. The Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), as the donor of the EELA Program, hosted the kick-off presentation day, setting the stage for the week's productive engagements.
The meeting began with a comprehensive introduction to the EELA Program, its strategic objectives, and diverse regional initiatives. The Program Coordination Unit provided valuable insights into EELA's Program design, which builds upon achievements from the project initiated in 2019, along with detailed presentations on the specific country-windows in Kenya, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Sessions featured in-depth explorations of energy efficiency policy frameworks, innovative business models, and low-carbon strategies applicable across various African contexts. Particularly impactful were the focused discussions on technical yet transformative topics, including Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS), Market Verification and Enforcement (MVE) mechanisms, and the role of Article 6 and the Article 10 of the Paris Agreement in driving energy efficiency investments. These conversations clarified the powerful levers available for intra-regional implementation and advancement toward higher value-added production.
The EELA Expert and Partners Meeting continued with discovery visits to partners and leading technology companies, showcasing innovative energy efficiency solutions. A study tour to the Swedish Energy Agency fostered discussions on energy efficiency, focusing on private sector case studies, energy efficiency-related business opportunities in Africa, and the pivotal role of the ICTP Cleantech Platform. This platform, a one-stop shop under development by the EELA program, aims to support both demand and supply, bridge knowledge gaps, support investments in clean energy solutions, and foster policies that make energy efficiency the norm rather than the exception. The tour also featured site visits to prominent Swedish companies, such as Munters and Xylem, offering participants firsthand exposure to advanced energy efficiency products and technologies, including cooling systems and pumps, with significant potential for adaptation in African markets, paving the way for technology transfer and collaboration. The visit to Norrsken, a Swedish profit foundation and accelerator, provided valuable insight to Sweden’s dynamic cleantech landscape, an environment that aligns knowledge, capital and networks to bolster the penetration of innovative sustainable solutions at international scale.
Opening of the EELA Expert and Partner meeting, Mr. Karin Reiss-Haimbala, Program Manager of the EELA program, emphasized the impact that the new EELA program design will have on creating harmonized approaches to energy efficiency across Africa. "In sub-Saharan Africa, reliable and affordable access to sustainable energy remains critical and is exposed to a unique convergence of challenges, including population growth and climate change. The EELA program has been designed to tackle these challenges through a comprehensive strategy that addresses multiple dimensions of the energy efficiency ecosystem. Empowered partnerships, which include stronger engagement of the private sector, together with the promotion of technical cooperation, investments, and tailored EE interventions in industries, will be able to move up the value chain toward more value-added production that converges with climate action and green growth objectives," she stated.
Mr. Adam Öjdahl, 1st Secretary and Regional Energy Advisor of the Embassy of Sweden in Nairobi, emphasizes the dedication of the Government of Sweden to fostering clean and inclusive industrial development of the Africa continent through energy efficiency initiatives. “The Government of Sweden works with the government counterparts, private sector and key organizations to develop efficient energy solutions that address regional energy needs while advancing sustainable development goals”, he stated. “We look forward to witness the pioneering efforts initiated by the first EELA project to expand in scale through this second phase and to support technological cooperation to ensure an equitable access to energy for generations to come”, he continued.
