Representatives from the public and private sector identified some preparatory steps for Africa's energy transition : investment risk reduction, regulatory advancements and the adoption of groundbreaking technologies such as energy storage

Rimini, March 23, 2023 – In the framework of the K. EY Energy Transition Expo, RES4Africa Foundation held the panel discussion Renewable Energy Investments in Africa: The Role of Energy Storage for Rapid RES Development. The event was attended by 90 participants, including a delegation of 40 representatives from Côte d'Ivoire; it outlined key elements of Africa's energy transition, from energy storage, to de-risking and regulatory reforms able to stimulate the participation of the private sector in Africa's renewable energy markets.

Africa's population is expected to reach a quarter of the global one by 2050, leading to a significant increase in energy demand. Renewable energy sources can help meet this demand sustainably and provide access to energy, but this shift requires innovation and improvements to energy infrastructure.

In this context, RES4Africa Foundation's panel highlighted the critical contribution energy storage solutions can make to renewable energy investments in Africa, and how they can enable energy generated from renewable sources to be captured for later release, providing a substantial support to the energy security of African countries. With the synergy of governments, institutions and the private sector, energy storage can become an ally in Africa's energy transition and a catalyst for economic growth and development. The panel also underlined how this and other segments of the African renewable energy value chain can create investment opportunities for companies, if accompanied by measures designed to decrease risks for investors, as well as by welcoming regulatory frameworks for private sector actors.

As a part of the event, some attendees were accompanied in a guided tour through selected stands from RES4Africa's members and partners, such as Enel Green Power, Prysmian, Convert, Ingeteam, Soltec, and Nordex.

The discussion was carried out with the contributions of several private energy stakeholders and public institutions: Gustave Aboua (Director General of Sustainable Development, Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development of Republic of Cote D'Ivoire), A. Biancardi (Director of Department Studies, System, Gestore Servizi Energetici), D. Francovigh (Direzione Generale per la Promozione di Sistema Paese, Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation), Dr. Philipp Bonhoeffer (Juhudi Mashinani Org. Kenya), F. Mazzali (Senior Energy Storage Consultant, RINA Consulting), .A. Kanzari (President, Chambre Syndicale des Intégrateurs en Photovoltaïque Tunisia), G. Cicerani (Head of Business Development Energy Storage, Enel Green Power), R.Vecchia (Commercial Director, FAAM), S. Boudoudouh (Head of R&D and Innovation programs, IRESEN), Mr. M. O.Mghazli (Head of Energy efficiency & Green buildings, IRESEN), K.Salmi (Energy Management Expert, Regional Center for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency), Francis Habara Moroto (Community liaison officer Northern Kenya, Juhudi Mashinani Org. Kenya).

"Energy storage has the potential to be a game-changer in Africa's energy transition, providing a steady and consistent supply of energy from renewable sources", commented Roberto Vigotti, Secretary General of RES4Africa Foundation."With innovation and collaboration, we can unlock a sustainable and inclusive future for the continent, transforming not only the energy sector but also the economic and social landscape of the continent."