Cape Town June 20th, 2025 – RES4Africa Foundation, in collaboration with Nedbank CIB, the European Investment Bank's (EIB) development arm (EIB Global), and with the support of Enel Foundation as key partner, successfully concluded the AM-Powering Africa: Uniting Energy Leaders for a Just G20 Forum in Cape Town. Held in the context of South Africa’s G20 Presidency, the high-level event brought together leading voices from European Development Finance Institutions, African energy stakeholders, and international partners to advance a harmonised vision for Africa’s just energy transition.
Designed as an exclusive breakfast-format gathering, the Forum convened C-suite executives, policymakers, and energy experts for an open and strategic dialogue. Participants discussed how to align financial support, grid investment, and policy action to accelerate the continent’s renewable energy rollout while contributing to Africa’s shared messaging within the G20 Ministerial Working Groups.
The agenda featured a keynote speech by the Honorable Minister for Electricity and Energy, Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa. The central Town Hall discussion was opened by Andrea Clerici, Director of Corporate Finance and Global Activities Department at the EIB. It was moderated by Amith Singh, Head of Energy Finance at Nedbank CIB, and brought together key representatives of African energy leadership and European DFIs. The event concluded with closing remarks by Daniel Mminele, Group Chairman for Nedbank, who underscored the bank's commitment to shaping Africa's energy future.
Discussions centred on three key themes:
Participants emphasised the crucial role of DFIs, commercial banks, and international partners in bridging Africa’s infrastructure investment gap and supporting long-term energy resilience. The CEO Forum showcased the potential of aligning European financial instruments with Africa’s renewable energy ambitions, especially in areas such as grid reinforcement, clean energy, manufacturing, and skills development.
“Africa’s energy transition cannot succeed through fragmented actions alone. What’s needed is a unified, systemic approach that brings together finance, infrastructure, skills, and policy in one strategic vision,” said Roberto Vigotti, Secretary General of RES4Africa Foundation. “This CEO Forum demonstrated how Africa and Europe can co-design a just, inclusive energy future that speaks with one voice on the global stage—especially as we look toward the G20.”
“Africa’s energy future calls for our collective ability to mobilise capital, technology, and policy in a coordinated way. At the EIB, we see immense potential in aligning European financial instruments with Africa’s renewable energy ambitions. As this Forum has also demonstrated, through strategic partnerships and a shared vision, we can build resilient, inclusive energy systems that power sustainable growth across the continent,” said Andrea Clerici, Director of Corporate Finance and Global Activities Department at the EIB.
“At Nedbank, we believe that Africa's energy transition is not just an environmental imperative but a socio-economic opportunity,” said Amith Singh, Head of Energy Finance at Nedbank CIB. “By fostering collaboration between financial institutions, policymakers, and industry leaders, we can create a resilient and inclusive energy landscape that benefits all Africans. This forum has been instrumental in aligning our efforts towards a unified vision for sustainable development within the G20 framework. Our commitment to a Just Energy Transition means not only delivering megawatts but also unlocking jobs, building local capabilities, and ensuring community inclusion. Together, we can shape a sustainable future that is bankable, inclusive, and built to last.”
Milan, 9th December 2024 – RES4Africa Foundation successfully concluded the 11th edition of the RES4Africa Academy Executive School, a flagship capacity-building initiative dedicated to institutional leaders, senior managers, and professionals operating in the African renewable energy sector. This year’s training was supported by Enel Foundation, the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, and the European Investment Bank, and conducted in collaboration with Politecnico di Milano Graduate School of Management and SDA Bocconi School of Management.
The Executive School’s primary objective is to strengthen local ownership of sustainable projects, open new renewable energy-related job opportunities, and improve local expertise. This was achieved through two weeks of intensive in-person training, inaugurated on 25th November and held daily in Milan—one week at Politecnico di Milano and the second week at SDA Bocconi.
This year’s program hosted 40 participants, including high-level managers from public institutions, energy companies, implementing agencies, research organisations, and civil society from 16 African countries. All participants were awarded full scholarships to support their professional development.
The Executive School curriculum provided comprehensive lectures on key topics related to Africa’s energy transition, covering areas such as energy management, efficiency measures, electrification, project finance, decarbonization enablers, circular economy, grid infrastructure, and more. Sessions were led by experienced professionals, academics, and high-skilled technicians from RES4Africa’s network. Additionally, participants benefitted from multiple site visits: they visited CESI SpA headquarters for practical insights on power quality, energy storage, and VRE grid integration; Nidec facilities to explore energy storage, power infrastructure, and system integration; Prysmian to learn about cable solutions for power grid development and enhancement; and ABB’s Dalmine factory for a deep dive into innovative and more sustainable equipment for distribution grids. Participants also enjoyed a cultural tour of the Duomo di Milano, connecting them to the rich heritage of Milan.
The Executive School was also the occasion for Roberto Vigotti, RES4Africa's Secretary General, to present the new Policy Paper issued by RES4Africa on Scaling up sustainable electrification in Africa and with Africa.
The closing session included valuable insights from Min. Francesca Santoro (Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation), Giulia Genuardi (Managing Director, ENEL Foundation), Carmelo Cocuzza (Head of Advisory, Infrastructure & Climate, EIB), Giorgio Massotti (Head of Business Partnership, International Development Cooperation, CDP), Salvatore Bernabei (President of RES4Africa Foundation and CEO at Enel Green Power), Roberto Vigotti (Secretary General, RES4Africa Foundation), Matteo Di Castelnuovo (Professor of Practice in Energy Economics and Director of the Master in Sustainability Management (MSM) at SDA Bocconi)
"Africa’s energy transition hinges on empowering a skilled, forward-thinking managerial class," stated Roberto Vigotti, Secretary General of RES4Africa Foundation. "Through the Executive School, we are building a foundation for sustainable growth, resilience, and energy independence across the continent. This program is crucial to creating a more equitable, inclusive, and environmentally sustainable future for Africa."
"We are very proud to have taken of this through our production plant in Cinisello. On behalf of the whole team involved in the event, I extend my sincere gratitude for the opportunity given by RES4Africa Foundation to exchange the experiences in the power sector and more specifically in the Energy Storage and Transmission Grid Infrastructures. The RES4Africa Foundation is a project we believed in so much, and to be part of the cutting-edge technology energy solutions program is a matter of great satisfaction for Nidec, as we work through our business areas to promote worldwide our innovative decarbonization solutions. Occasions like these play a crucial role in shaping the future of renewable energy in Africa and are important opportunities to build fruitful synergies. I look forward to continuing this collaboration and progressing in the renewable energy landscape for the continent." Stated Dominique Llonch, CEO of NIDEC.
“We are pleased to have hosted the RES4Africa Foundation Executive School, facilitating the exchange of challenges and solutions regarding renewable grid integration. During this event, we showcased CESI’s state-of-the-art testing facilities and highlighted our consultancy expertise in the African power sector. CESI has been supporting this event for several years and we look forward to continuing this valuable collaboration in the future,” stated Simone Pasquini, Area Manager Africa, Consulting Division of CESI S.p.A.
“We are thrilled of having been part of the 11th edition of the RES4Africa Academy Executive School. Being part of the RES4 Foundation for Prysmian is not only fully in line with our social ambition. It is also part of a concrete effort to transfer knowledge in our areas of expertise, like our innovative solutions for the development and enhancement of power grids, a highly compelling necessity to grant sustainable supplies of energy all over the world, said Cinzia Farisè, EVP Power Grid at Prysmian.
"We are very proud to have participated in this event dedicated to sustainable energy development in African countries by hosting the delegation at our Lighthouse plant in Dalmine. As a member of the Foundation RES4Africa, we recognize the critical importance of investing in renewable energy solutions to ensure a more sustainable and prosperous future for all. Our company is committed to supporting projects that not only improve access to energy, but also contribute to the economic and social development of local communities. In addition, this event provides a unique opportunity for sharing experiences and networking among industry professionals. We believe that sharing knowledge and best practices is critical to accelerating progress towards common goals.” Stated Marco Marini, Global Account Manager Enel at ABB.
Milan, 6th December 2024 – RES4Africa Foundation proudly announces the successful conclusion of the RAISEAfrica Bootcamp and the Africa Youth & Innovation Event, held from December 3rd to 5th, 2024 in Milan, Italy. These events celebrate the culmination of RES4Africa’s commitment to empowering Africa’s youth and fostering entrepreneurship in the renewable energy sector.
The RAISEAfrica Initiative, launched earlier this year in collaboration with Enel Green Power (EGP), the European Investment Bank, EDP Renewables, the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), EY Foundation and SAICA Enterprise Development, aims to empower young innovators and entrepreneurs in renewable energy across Africa. Designed as a dual-phase pre-acceleration and acceleration program, it provides a comprehensive platform to nurture renewable energy-focused start-ups. Participants in the initiative benefit from mentorship, coaching, networking, funding opportunities, and unparalleled visibility.
The inaugural cohort of RAISEAfrica featured six visionary startups tackling Africa’s most pressing energy challenges: Mercy Kyalo(Feion Green Ventures, Kenya), Langanani Dube (Off & Tie Grid Solar Company, Zimbabwe), Aballo Said Adètayo (CETAK, Benin), Peter Njeri (Mega Gas, Kenya), Lazarous Siwelwa (Virgin Green Renewable Energy, Zambia), and Tolulope Olukokun(ThinkBikes, Nigeria). These entrepreneurs presented innovative solutions ranging from solar-powered cooling technologies and clean cooking innovations to e-mobility and biomass-based alternatives to charcoal. The initiative’s mentorship, led by experts such as Dr. Mohamed Alhaji, Managing Director of Terra Energy and Chairman of the RES4Africa Youth Task Force, and Dr. Linda Davis, CEO of Giraffe Bioenergy, provided vital insights into sustainable business models, investor engagement, and scaling impact-driven ventures.
Following the three-day bootcamp, which featured thematic workshops, pitching sessions, and personalized business plan mentorship, participants presented their solutions during a start-up pitching session at the Africa Youth & Innovation Event. The event, attended by influential stakeholders from the renewable energy and innovation sectors, also featured engaging panel discussions and the announcement of the Young Talent of the Year Award winners.
The winners were Mercy Kyalo from Kenya (Feion Green Ventures), aged 24, recognized for developing smoke-free Jiko-Kul cookers for large-scale cooking in East African schools, improving health and educational opportunities for women. Langanani Dube from Zimbabwe (Off & Tie Grid Solar Company), aged 33, was awarded for creating a mobile, renewable energy-based generator for solar irrigation, enhancing food security and income for small-holder farmers. Lazarous Siwelwa from Zambia (Virgin Green Renewable Energy), aged 32, was celebrated for producing eco-friendly briquettes from biomass waste, alongside over 10,000 clean cook stoves, saving thousands of trees. Each winner received a monetary prize for their innovative contributions to renewable energy.
“RAISEAfrica embodies the spirit of innovation and resilience that defines Africa’s youth," said Roberto Vigotti, Secretary General of RES4Africa. "By equipping these talented entrepreneurs with the tools and networks to succeed, we are not just fostering business growth—we are empowering a new generation to drive sustainable development, tackle energy inequality, and build a brighter future for the continent and the world”
"The partnership between RES4Africa and the European Investment Bank is based on common goals and priorities: a commitment to support scaling up of investments in Africa’s energy sector and to ensure broader energy access through transformative net-zero energy transition. We achieve this through our different but complementary roles: Res4Africa supporting capacity building and knowledge sharing and EIB as a provider of lending, blending and advising, both to the private and the public sector, to support investment and the development of sustainable energy markets from renewable resources. It is partnerships like these that can make a real difference: where we join forces for our common goal of building Africa’s clean energy capacity, enhance local ownership of sustainable RE projects, improve local knowledge and skills and capacitate the youth in seizing new job opportunities." Stated Carmelo Cocuzza, Head of Advisory, Infrastructure & Climate Uni at the European Investment Bank.
Turin, Italy — April 24th, 2024 — Today, RES4Africa hosted the side event A Sustainable, Prosperous, and Just Energy Future in Africa during the G7 Planet Week at the Gallerie d'Italia in Turin, Italy. This gathering, organized in collaboration with GSE (Gestore Servizi Energetici) and hosted by Intesa Sanpaolo, served as a pivotal platform to address crucial topics surrounding energy transformation and financing in Africa.
The side event, attended by representatives from Italian, European, and African institutions, as well as stakeholders from utilities, agencies, think tanks and industrial and investors from the private sector, facilitated discussions on scaling up sustainable electricity transformation in Africa and financing just and inclusive energy transitions. Key themes addressed during the event included the need to increase the role of renewable energy in Africa's future, the importance of infrastructure, managing the challenges of energy, water, and food, and the necessity of innovative financing mechanisms to unlock clean energy investments.
With Africa standing at a crucial crossroads in its pursuit of sustainable socio-economic development, the event emphasized the urgency of accelerating economic growth, fostering job creation, and ensuring universal energy access. Electricity was highlighted as a fundamental enabler of modern societies, indispensable for various applications ranging from lighting and transportation to industrial processes and digital technologies. The convergence of government and private sector interests toward supporting African-led development and growth was a focal point of discussion.
The main recommendations were :
Address the barriers and identify the African continent’s need for deploying renewable energy. Boosting renewable electrification can drive energy access, industrialization, and development goals. Raising awareness about renewable energy benefits is crucial for a widespread, sustainable transition.
Africa needs more investments, facing challenges in finance. Innovative strategies and partnerships are essential to mitigate risks and foster a favorable investment climate.
Improving policy and regulations is crucial for boosting clean energy investment. It requires political commitment, reforms, and collaboration.
Electricity generation alone isn't enough; transmission, distribution and storage are essential too. Many African countries lack investment in upgrading outdated grids. Private sector involvement can play a determinant role through substantial infrastructure investments.
Benefiting the continent's youth, the renewables sector could create 8 million jobs by 2050. Training, funding, and collaboration between private and public sectors are essential for scaling up projects and driving transformative change, and innovative partnerships are needed to boost investment.
Roberto Vigotti, Secretary General of RES4Africa Foundation, stated, "The Side Event during G7 Planet Week served as a crucial platform for stakeholders to come together and chart a course towards a sustainable energy future in Africa. The discussions held today underscore the importance of collaboration and innovation in addressing the energy challenges facing the continent. As we look ahead to the G7 Summit, RES4Africa remains committed to driving meaningful change and fostering inclusive development across Africa through sustainable energy solutions."
The overall suggestion for the event for the 2024 Group of 7 (G7) Ministers’ Meeting on Climate, Energy and Environment, to be held in Turin from 28 to 30 April under the Italian presidency of the G7, is that its members must look at Africa as an actor in the energy sector whose increasingly primary role will not be possible to ignore.
Torino, Italia —24 Aprile, 2024 — RES4Africa ha organizzato oggi il side event A sustainable, prosperous and just energy future in Africa, tenutosi durante la G7 Planet Week, presso le Gallerie d'Italia a Torino. L’evento, organizzato in collaborazione con GSE e ospitato da Intesa Sanpaolo, è servito come piattaforma fondamentale per affrontare i temi cruciali della trasformazione energetica e dei finanziamenti in Africa.
Il side event, a cui hanno partecipato rappresentanti di istituzioni italiane, europee e africane, nonché stakeholder di utility, agenzie, think tanks, investitori industriali e del settore privato, ha facilitato le discussioni sull’accelerazione della trasformazione sostenibile dell’elettricità in Africa e sul finanziamento di una transizione energetica inclusiva. Tra i temi chiave affrontati durante l’evento, la necessità di aumentare il ruolo delle energie rinnovabili nel futuro dell’Africa, l’importanza delle infrastrutture, la gestione delle sfide energetiche relative all’energia, acqua e cibo, e la necessità di meccanismi finanziari innovativi per sbloccare investimenti nelle energie pulite.
Essendo l’Africa a un bivio cruciale nella sua ricerca di uno sviluppo socio-economico sostenibile, l’evento ha enfatizzato l’urgenza di accelerare la crescita economica, promuovere la creazione di posti di lavoro e garantire l’accesso universale all’energia. L’elettricità è stata evidenziata come elemento fondamentale delle società moderne, indispensabile in diverse applicazioni che vanno dall’illuminazione ai trasporti, dai processi industriali alle tecnologie digitali. La convergenza degli interessi del governo e del settore privato per il sostegno di uno sviluppo e una crescita guidati dall’Africa è stata un punto focale della discussione.
Le principali raccomandazioni sono state:
Affrontare le barriere e identificare le necessità del continente africano per la diffusione delle energie rinnovabili. Accelerare l’elettrificazione da fonti rinnovabili può favorire l’accesso all’energia, l’industrializzazione e lo sviluppo. La sensibilizzazione sui vantaggi delle energie rinnovabili è fondamentale per una transizione diffusa e sostenibile.
Strategie e partnership innovative sono essenziali per mitigare i rischi e promuovere un clima favorevole agli investimenti. Infatti, l’Africa ha bisogno di maggiori investimenti, ma deve affrontare sfide legate alla percezione del rischio.
Il miglioramento delle politiche e delle normative è fondamentale per aumentare gli investimenti nelle energie pulite. Richiede impegno politico, riforme e collaborazione.
La produzione di elettricità non è sufficiente da sola; anche la trasmissione, la distribuzione e lo stoccaggio sono essenziali. In molti Paesi africani mancano gli investimenti per aggiornare le reti obsolete. Il coinvolgimento del settore privato può svolgere un ruolo determinante attraverso sostanziali investimenti infrastrutturali.
Il settore delle energie rinnovabili potrebbe creare 8 milioni di posti di lavoro entro il 2050, creando un beneficio per i giovani del continente. La formazione, i finanziamenti, e la collaborazione tra settore pubblico e privato sono essenziali per promuovere progetti e cambiamenti trasformativi; i partenariati innovativi sono necessari per stimolare gli investimenti.
Roberto Vigotti, Segretario Generale di RES4Africa Foundation, ha dichiarato : "Il Side Event durante la G7 Planet Week è servito come piattaforma cruciale per riunire gli stakeholder e tracciare una rotta verso un futuro energetico sostenibile in Africa. Le discussioni tenute oggi sottolineano l’importanza della collaborazione e dell’innovazione per affrontare le sfide energetiche del continente. In attesa del Vertice del G7, RES4Africa mantiene il suo impegno nel guidare un cambiamento significativo e nel promuovere uno sviluppo inclusivo in tutta l’Africa attraverso soluzioni energetiche sostenibili."
Il suggerimento generale per la riunione dei Ministri del Clima, dell’Energia e dell’Ambiente del Gruppo dei 7 (G7) del 2024, che si terrà a Torino dal 28 al 30 Aprile sotto la presidenza italiana del G7, è che i suoi membri devono guardare all’Africa come un attore del settore energetico di cui non sarà possibile ignorare il ruolo sempre più primario.
Cape Town, 11th March 2024 – RES4Africa Foundation together with Nedbank CIB and the European Investment Bank hosted a Climate Finance Forum which gathered high-level representatives from relevant climate finance actors active in South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa for a dialogue on how to scale up critical climate finance in the region.
Climate finance will be critical for enabling African countries to adapt to the growing impacts of climate change and to ensure that its future development path is consistent with the goal of limiting global warming to no more than 1.5°C.
In order to meet the scale and urgency of the challenge, African countries must put in place robust institutional structures to set ambitious Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and translate them into tangible investment programs and pipelines of projects. Governments must also make concerted efforts to boost domestic resource mobilization to ensure the long-term sustainability of the necessary investments.
However, African countries will not be able to finance the scale of the investments needed without a dramatic step up in international effort and private investment and private finance can also play a much bigger role than in the past, but this will require risk mitigation at scale by DFIs.
Structured into three different sessions – (1) Financing Energy Transitions (2) Approaches to Climate Finance (3) Financing Innovation in Climate Investments – the Forum comprehensively addressed the intricate challenges of Climate Finance in sub-Saharan Africa. Discourse ranged from mitigating the risks associated with financial instruments to exploring the pivotal roles of equity and blended finance. Furthermore, emphasis was placed on the critical financing of infrastructure and technology as essential components of achieving an energy transformation. We are pleased to offer access to download the conference presentation slides for your reference.
Speakers called for greater collaboration and commitment to financing climate investments in sub-Saharan Africa, offering novel solutions and de-risking programmes to help the right financial support reach where it is needed and drive the climate resilience and electrification of the region.
"In the journey to scale up climate finance, every sustainable investment is a seed planted for our shared tomorrow. Through collaborative endeavours and unwavering commitment, we can unleash the necessary resources to drive climate resilience and sustainable electrification across Africa, ensuring a prosperous legacy for future generations" commented Roberto Vigotti, RES4Africa Foundation Secretary General.
Participants list:
- Marianna Petrosillo, Area Manager Southern Africa, RES4Africa;
- Roberto Vigotti, Secretary General, RES4Africa Foundation;
- Neil Cole, Just Energy Transition Projects Management, Office of the Presidency – South Africa;
- Cathrine Koffman, Group Executive Project Preparation, Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA);
- Amith Singh, Head of Energy Finance, Nedbank CIB;
- Carmelo Cocuzza, Head of Advisory, Infrastructure & Climate Unit, European Investment Bank;
- Manuele Battisti, Country Manager Southern Africa, Enel Group;
- Evans Osano, Director of Financial Markets, FSD Africa;
- Christopher Clarke, Co-founder and Managing Partner, Inspired Evolution Investment Management;
- Paul Frankish, Investment Director and Head of Strategic Initiatives, African Infrastructure Investment Managers;
- Thomas Opperer, Policy Officer, Directorate-General for International Partnerships – European Commission;
- Pietro Loy Donà, Senior Investment Officer, Development Finance – Financial Institutions, CDP;
- Ama Thompson, Underwriter, African Trade Insurance Agency;
- Ad Dankers, RE Finance Advisor, GET-Invest;
- Benjamin Curnier, Principal Green Mini-Grids Officer, Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa (SEFA), African Development Bank;
- Nondu Ngidi, Business Development Manager, Industrial Development Corporation (IDC)
- Erika Le Roux, Head of Power for Southern Africa, RINA;
- Ana Hajduka, Founder and CEO, Africa GreenCo;
- Patrick Stein-Kaempfe, Project Director at Hyphen & Senior Advisor at ENERTRAG;
- George Aluru, CEO, Electricity Association of Kenya;
- Zanele Mavuso Mbatha, CEO, Bambili Energy;
- Christoph Michel, Senior Financial Advisor, GIZ;
- Mohamed Amin Kammoun, Sales Engineer, Nidec ASI.
Download the Official Press Release
Rome, June 16th 2023 – Yesterday, RES4Africa Foundation and the UNDP Rome Center for Climate Action and Energy Transition, joined forces to host the high-level event Renewable Energy Horizons for Africa, in Rome, Italy. The gathering was the occasion to officially launch RES4Africa’s 2023 Flagship Publication, Africa's Energy Future is Renewable, with the support of Enel Foundation, and was preceded by the 3rd RES4Africa's International Advisory Board Meeting.
In the face of global challenges such as the Covid-19 pandemic, geopolitical tensions, and climate change, the energy sector is undergoing vast transformation. The global energy transition is gaining momentum, with global investments in clean energy reaching record-highs. Yet renewable energy is still critically underfinanced in Africa, with only 0.6% of global renewable energy investment flowing to Africa in 2021, signaling urgent work ahead. Clean energy will be key to overcome the continent’s key energy challenges. The report and event underlined the imperative for sustainable development and the role that clean energy can play in delivering energy access, economic growth, and climate resilience. As energy system decisions are urgent, the report states it is more necessary than ever to inform decisionmaking and make the business case on renewable energy within a rapidly changing energy world.
The event brought together more than 30 prominent figures from the international renewable energy community, including representatives from international organisations, private sector entities, financial institutions, and development actors, to discuss Africa's clean energy transformation and the pivotal role of renewables in shaping the continent's future energy pathways. Arising from the publication's highlights, discussions underlined that, while global investments in renewables are gaining traction, financing is not flowing to where it most needed. Redirecting investments and scaling up clean energy financing are vital for Africa to unlock its abundant renewable resources and achieve sustainable growth.
RES4Africa’s 2023 Flagship Publication provides a comprehensive overview of the state of play, emphasizing the cost-effectiveness of renewables, their contribution to energy security, adaptability to remote areas, and socio-economic development. Participants expressed high expectations for renewables in Africa, underlining how appropriate investments in Africa's renewable energy sector can lead to socio-economic development, job creation, and improved livelihoods. Such a path, however, cannot be pursued without overcoming investment barriers Africa’s clean energy value chains, such as grid, storage and distribution infrastructure. Strategic and innovatve partnerships will be key to deliver progress on development pathways.
This occasion also provided the backdrop for the third meeting of RES4Africa's International Advisory Board, gathering key experts to engage in a strategic and focused in-person discussion on Africa's clean energy transformation.
Finally, RES4Africa Foundation and the UNDP Rome Center reaffirmed the importance of consolidating the synergies between sectorial public and private entities, in order to efficiently boost advancements In the African renewable energy market.
"Through the launch of this year’s Flagship Publication, we embark on a renewed effort in the transformative journey towards Africa's energy future.”, commented Roberto Vigotti, Secretary General of RES4Africa, “It is a call to action, a declaration of our collective commitment to harness the power of clean energy for Africa's progress, through the well-planned and transparent deployment of finance and know-how."
Agostino Inguscio, the representative of UNDP in Italy and the coordinator of the UNDP Rome Centre, further elaborated on the commitment of the UNDP Rome Centre towards facilitating the energy transition in Africa. “The UNDP Rome Centre is dedicated to promoting renewable energy access, with a strong focus on the African context. We are committed to mobilizing finance and supporting country-level projects that drive economic growth, innovation, and infrastructure development. By working closely with local governments and institutions, private sector, we are breaking down barriers to renewable energy diffusion” said Agostino Inguscio during his speech.
Participants list:
Salvatore Bernabei (President, RES4Africa Foundation, and Head of EnelGreen Power & Thermal Generation); Roberto Vigotti(Secretary General, RES4Africa Foundation); Agostino Inguscio (Coordinator, UNDP Rome Center) Ana Rovzar (Head of International Partnerships, RES4Africa Foundation); Amith Sanjith Singh (Head of Energy Finance, Nedbank CIB); Robert Lisinge(Chief of Section, PSDFD- Energy Infrastructure & Services, United Nations Economic Commission for Africa); Carmelo Cocuzza (Head of Advisory & Blending, European Investment Bank (EIB); Laura Cozzi(Chief Energy Modeller, International Energy Agency (IEA)); Ignacio Perez-Arriaga (Professor and Director of Energy Training, Florence School of Regulation- FSR Energy); Nicolas Souche (Chief Investment Officer, Infrastructure, IFC - International Finance Corporation); Ahmed Baroudi (General Director, SIE - Société d'Ingénierie Energétique); Esther Wanza (Co-founder at Raynow Energy, Youth Representative at SDG7 Youth Constituency); Akil Callender (Youth Specialist, Sustainable Energy for All).
